Embodiments of the present disclosure include a matrix of raw materials that form an interlocking network of varied particle grind sizes that allows the particles to nest and interlock with one another when packed into an extraction vessel, so that most, but not all of the interstitial spacing within the matrix of raw materials is closed. The varied particle sizes may be selected by pre-determined weight ranges and size classifications so that the particle grind sizes achieve the desired consistency uniformity. This may allow the network of particles to act as its own best filtering agent during the extraction process. Moreover, the nesting and interlocking network of the particles within the matrix of raw materials may allow the particles to be effectively packed within the extraction column, thus allowing for an efficient and high quality extraction to be performed consistently each and every time.

Apparatus and methods are provided for extracting compounds from raw materials. One such apparatus may include an extraction column where it is a one column, one pass design capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressure. Additionally, the extraction column may also be capable of containing a self-perpetuating energy cycle used to achieve the required solubilization and mass transfer temperatures necessary for optimal extraction. The apparatus may also include a first opening and a second opening to control the flow of incoming solvent and filter extraneous sediment trapped within the fully extracted effluent. Additionally, the apparatus may be configured to create a self-perpetuating and self-sustaining energy cycle by manipulating the pressure and temperature generated within the apparatus. While the generated temperatures may help achieve a dynamic and efficient extraction process, a trailing cool layer of solvent is also present to effectively preserve the heat sensitive compounds extracted from the raw materials.

A multi-effect membrane distillation system includes first and second membrane distillation effects. Each effect (stage) includes a feed channel, a gap, and a vapor-permeable membrane separating the feed channel from the gap. A liquid feed is fed into the feed channel of the first effect via a feed inlet, and the liquid feed is extracted from the first-stage feed channel via a first feed-transfer conduit that delivers the liquid feed to the second-stage feed channel. The feed is extracted from the second-stage feed channel via a second feed-transfer conduit. At least one permeate-extraction conduit is coupled with the first-stage and second-stage gaps and is configured to extract permeate (e.g., pure water) therefrom.

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.

The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.

In one embodiment, a renewable energy generation and storage system and method is provided for storing both electrical and thermal energy that includes a forward osmosis system for drawing water across a membrane such that the water drawn across the membrane is used to dilute an osmotic ionic draw solution and the diluted osmotic ionic draw solution is used to drive a hydro-turbine; an FO-EED separation system for separating the drawn water from the ionic draw solution using renewable electrical energy and an osmotic polymer introduced in the FO-EED system during use, so that the ionic draw solution is re-concentrated by using electrical energy, such that the water from the ionic solution combines with the concentrated osmotic polymer; a coalescer configured to receive compressed CO.sub.2 to separate the water from the polymer by having the polymer absorb the compressed CO.sub.2 during use; and using thermal energy for separating the CO.sub.2 from the polymer, thereby regenerating a concentrated polymer solution.

The solar desalination system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a desalination chamber, and which uses membrane distillation for desalination of seawater. The desalination chamber includes a lower wall having a central absorber base, at least one sidewall, and an upper wall. A pair of hydrophobic membranes are mounted within the desalination chamber such that a central chamber is defined therebetween above the absorber base. The desalination chamber is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array so that the absorber base is positioned at a focal line thereof. Seawater is fed into the central chamber, where it is heated to produce water vapor, which passes through the pair of hydrophobic membranes into a pair of condensate retrieval chambers. The water vapor cools in the pair of condensate retrieval chambers, and may then be removed in the form of pure water.

A membrane distillation module includes a housing having a hot inlet for receiving a hot feed and a hot outlet for expelling the hot feed; a porous membrane located inside the housing and having an outside surface that defines an enclosure, the outside surface being configured to contact the hot feed, wherein the porous membrane is configured to prevent the hot feed from passing from outside the porous membrane to an inside of the enclosure; and a non-porous conduit located inside the enclosure, the non-porous conduit having an inlet for receiving a cold feed and an outlet for expelling the cold feed.

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.

A method and a system of generating electrical power or hydrogen from thermal energy is disclosed. The method includes separating, by a selectively permeable membrane, a first saline solution from a second saline solution, receiving, by the first saline solution and/or the second saline solution, thermal energy from a heat source, and mixing the first saline solution and the second saline solution in a controlled manner, capturing at least some salinity-gradient energy as electrical power as the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution decreases. The method further includes transferring, by a heat pump, thermal energy from the first saline solution to the second saline solution, causing the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution to increase. The method and system may include a regeneration process, such as membrane distillation, forward osmosis, electrodialysis, salt evaporation and/or salt decomposition.