The present disclosure provides a water filtration system that meets the need for production of clean, potable water. In particular, described herein is a system comprising a Pressure Energy Transformer (PET), a Contactless Reverse Osmosis (CRO) pump, and an intelligent microcontroller-based system that provides contactless energy transfer for the production of clean drinking water.

In one embodiment, a renewable energy storage system includes a forward osmosis system, a hydro-turbine, and a separation (e.g., CEDI) system powered by one or more natural regenerating energy sources, such as wind or solar. In another embodiment, a renewable energy storage system includes a forward osmosis system, a hydro-turbine, a solar thermal heat exchanger through which the diluted osmotic draw solution can be directed for purposes of heating up the draw solution, and a solvent-water separator configured to separate the draw solution from the water. One example method includes drawing water across a forward osmosis membrane in a forward osmosis system such that the water drawn across the membrane dilutes an osmotic draw solution; directing the diluted osmotic draw solution to drive a hydro-turbine to produce energy; and separating the water from the draw solution using one or more natural regenerating energy sources.

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.

A three-dimensional photo/electrodialysis unit includes four compartments. A first compartment holds a three-dimensional electrode and a group of one or more electrochemically active redox species. A first electroactive cation selective membrane couples the first compartment to a second compartment that provides a first feedstock. An electroactive anion selective membrane couples the second compartment to a third compartment that provides a second feedstock. And a second electroactive cation selective membrane couples the third compartment to a fourth compartment that holds a second group of one or more electrochemically active redox species.

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.

Techniques for solar thermal water purification by recycling photovoltaic reflection losses are provided. In one aspect, a solar thermal water purification system includes: a water purification component for desalinating salt water, the water purification component having multiple stages through which the salt water passes, and condensers in each of the stages; and a photovoltaic component configured to heat the salt water prior to the salt water entering a first stage of the water purification component, wherein desalinated water evaporates and condenses in each of the stages to be collected as pure water. A system using reverse osmosis and a heat-driven water pump is also provided. Methods for water purification are also provided.

A method of making building materials includes precipitating calcium salts from an aqueous solution by increasing a pH of the aqueous solution, and mixing the calcium salts with a first material including silicon to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated to form cement clinker.

A method including increasing modifying a volume of seawater that holds an amount of dissolved inorganic carbon; acidifying the amount of seawater; and collecting an amount of carbon dioxide from the acidified seawater. A system including an electrodialysis unit including an acidified solution compartment, a basified solution compartment, a membrane and an acidified solution output compartment; a vessel coupled to an inlet of the acidified solution compartment and operable to contain a modified volume of seawater therein; and a desorption unit coupled to the acidified compartment output, the desorption unit operable to receive carbon dioxide gas from a solution from the acidified output compartment.

An exemplary power system utilizes turbines configured within a water intake conduit to the desalination processor to produce power for the desalination processor. Water intakes are configured to provide a natural flow of water to the desalination processor though hydrostatic pressure. One or more turbines coupled with the water intake conduits are driven and produce power for the system. The desalination processor incorporates Graphene filters to and may include a structured water system to increase the H3O2 concentration of the water prior to Graphene filters. Discharge water may be pumped back into the body of water but be separated from the intakes. A secondary power source, such as a renewable power source, may be used to produce supplemental power for the system. Power produced may be provided to a secondary outlet, such as a power grid, all above and/or underground.

A method of making building materials from an aqueous solution includes receiving the aqueous solution with dissolved ions and increasing a pH of the aqueous solution so the dissolved ions precipitate from the aqueous solution as salt. The method also includes collecting the salt precipitated from the aqueous solution and forming the building materials from the salt.