Vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) using aspirator to generate vacuum pressure

摘要

A VMD system and method uses an aspirator to generate a vacuum pressure for drawing permeate from a membrane module. The aspirator generates the vacuum pressure by receiving and passing a circulating liquid and combines the permeate with the circulating liquid such that the permeate condensates in the circulating liquid. Using an aspirator (e.g., instead of a vacuum pump) allows a more efficient and cost-effective operation of the VMD system and method, particularly in a desalination application. A VMD system and method using an aspirator may be used in desalination and other applications including, without limitation, environmental cleanup (e.g., removal of volatile organic chemicals from water) and food and medical applications.

主权项

1. A vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) system comprising:
a membrane module configured to receive a feed solution and including a membrane configured to separate a permeate from a retentate in the feed solution; an aspirator configured to generate a vacuum pressure to draw the permeate from the membrane module, wherein the aspirator is configured to generate the vacuum pressure by receiving and passing a circulating liquid, and wherein the aspirator is configured to combine the permeate with the circulating liquid such that the permeate condensates in the circulating liquid; a circulation system configured to circulate the circulating liquid through the aspirator; a permeate collection system configured to collect the permeate condensated in the circulating liquid, and wherein the permeate collection system is configured to supply the permeate together with the circulating liquid to the circulation system; and wherein the circulation system circulates the circulating liquid and the collected permeate between the aspirator and the permeate collection system tank without heating or cooling the circulating liquid between the aspirator and the permeate collection system tank.