Clathrate desalination process using an ultrasonic actuator

摘要

A freeze desalination process uses cyclopentane (“C5H10”) (14) as an agent for the formation of a gas hydrate as a clathrate (13). A crystallizer vessel (10) containing a mixture of seawater (11) and diffuse bubbles (18) of C5H10 is cooled to allow a gas hydrate phase to form. An ultrasonic transducer (21) located in the bubble stream encourages nucleation and thus clathrate formation.

主权项

1. A method for desalination of water comprises:
providing an amount of seawater; cooling said amount to a phase which allows for clathrate formation; injecting a dispersed clathrate-forming gas agent into said amount; imparting ultrasonic energy into said amount; collecting clathrate crystals from said amount; and, melting said crystals to form an amount of fresh water.