Exemplary embodiments in desalination by direct contact membrane distillation present a cylindrical cross-flow module containing high-flux composite hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes. The present embodiments are directed to a model that has been developed to describe the observed water production rates of such devices in multiple brine feed introduction configurations. The model describes the observed water vapor production rates for different feed brine temperatures at various feed brine flow rates. The model flux predictions have been explored over a range of hollow fiber lengths to compare the present results with those obtained earlier from rectangular modules which had significantly shorter hollow fibers.

A water purification system utilizes an ionomer membrane and mild vacuum to draw water from source water through the membrane. A water source may be salt water or a contaminated water source. The water drawn through the membrane passes across the condenser chamber to a condenser surface where it is condensed into purified water. The condenser surface may be metal or any other suitable surface and may be flat or pleated. In addition, the condenser surface may be maintained at a lower temperature than the water on the water source side of the membrane. The ionomer membrane may be configured in a cartridge, a pleated or flat plate configuration. A latent heat loop may be configured to carry the latent heat of vaporization from the condenser back to the water source side of the ionomer membrane. The source water may be heated by a solar water heater.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.

A system for regeneration of acidic gas solvent, the system comprising; a regeneration cell having a solvent chamber arranged to receive a solvent flow, and an internal chamber arranged to receive a steam flow; said regeneration cell including a gas permeable membrane separating the solvent chamber and internal chamber; wherein the regeneration cell is arranged to vent acidic gas stripped from the solvent by the steam.

A feedstock solution flow concentration system, which has a first step for counterflowing or parallel flowing a feedstock solution flow a containing a solute and a solvent b, and a draw solution flow d via a forward osmosis membrane o and transferring the solvent b in the feedstock solution flow a to the draw solution flow d to obtain a concentrated feedstock solution flow c, which is the feedstock solution flow which has been concentrated, and a diluted draw solution flow e, which is the draw solution flow which has been diluted.

A separation method includes a separation step of using a zeolite membrane composite to separate a branched diolefin from a branched hydrocarbon mixture containing the branched diolefin and at least one branched hydrocarbon in which the number of carbon-carbon double bonds is 1 or less and that is of an equivalent carbon number n to the branched diolefin. The zeolite membrane composite used in this step is a zeolite membrane composite that includes a porous support and a FAU-type zeolite membrane formed on at least one surface of the porous support, and in which the FAU-type zeolite membrane is a silylated FAU-type zeolite membrane including a silyl group at the surface thereof.

A method for assembling a scalable, multi-stage membrane distillation module includes providing plural thermal conduction layers, plural first gaskets, plural membranes for distilling water, and plural second gaskets, where a periphery of each layer and gasket has plural holes formed all around the periphery, stacking on top of each other a first thermal conduction layer, a first gasket, a first membrane, and a second gasket, to form a first stage, stacking on top of each other, and also on top of the first stage, a second thermal conduction layer, a third gasket, a second membrane, and a fourth gasket, to form a second stage, placing plural bolts through the plural holes formed all around the periphery of each layer and each gasket of the first and second stages, and tightening with nuts the plural bolts to form one evaporation layer and one condensation layer for each of the first and second stages.

A membrane distillation module with a circulating line to circulate a portion of distilled water, which is formed and accumulated in a distillate zone, to enhance a permeate flux of water vapor through a hydrophobic membrane of the membrane distillation module. Various combinations of embodiments of the membrane distillation module are provided.

Embodiments provide methods and structures for purification or volume reduction of a brine by an advanced vacuum distillation process (AVMD) to achieve higher flux by passage of vapors through an AVMD distillation unit. In one example, brine is circulated in a tank. The tank may include one or more membrane pouches that are submerged in the circulating brine or placed above the water level of the hot circulating brine. In other embodiments the membrane pouches are outside of the tank that includes the hot circulating brine but still in communication with it. The circulating brine is heated, allowing creation of water vapor. Using a vacuum, the water vapor is drawn through the membrane, where it may be condensed and subjected to further beneficial use. This process can concentrate to levels to generate crystals or solids, which can be separated and utilized.

The invention relates to a modular flow system having a plurality of frame elements (101, 102) configured to be combined together to form a stack for forming a functional member. This functional member may be in particular a membrane distillation stage, a vapor generator, a condenser, a heat exchanger, a filter and/or a pervaporation stage. The frame elements (101, 102) each include: ⋅ an outer frame (39) and an inner frame (43), the inner frame (43) encasing a central inner region (40) and being surrounded by the outer frame (39), and ⋅ passage openings (13 to 16) and vapor and/or liquid channels (17, 18) arranged between the outer frame (39) and the inner frame (43). At least one of the two vapor and/or liquid channels (17, 18) is connected to the central inner region (40) by at least one vapor and/or liquid channel opening (22) constituting a through hole in the inner frame. In the frame elements (101, 102), when combined together to form the modular flow system, the vapor and/or liquid channels (17, 18) are arranged above the inner region (40).