A control system includes one or more levels of control of power and energy. At one level, a first controller optimally divides power between two or more processes, to maximize instantaneous production, for a given amount of currently available power. In the case of EDR desalination, electric power is optimally divided between ion exchange membranes and pumps to maximize instantaneous production of desalinated water for a given amount of available electric power. Optionally, at another level, a second controller divides time-varying power between the processes fed by the first level controller and an energy storage unit, based on a prediction of future power availability and a function. In the EDR case, power generated by a photovoltaic array is divided between the EDR desalination process and a battery, based on a prediction of future PV power availability and a function, to ensure reliable water production in the future.

A method of desalinating water, including the steps of when electricity costs between a first predetermined price and a second predetermined price, fill water is pumped into a reverse osmosis desalination unit to yield desalinated permeate and saltwater having a first salinity, when electricity costs less than the first predetermined price, fill water is pumped into a reverse osmosis desalination unit to yield desalinated permeate and saltwater having a second salinity, and when electricity costs greater than the second predetermined price, pure water is flowed into a reverse osmosis unit to yield pressurized saltwater which is run through a turbine to generate electricity. The first salinity is lower than the second salinity.

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, as well as through solar and battery power. 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.

An electrodialysis system controller is configured to be coupled to a power supply, and powered devices that include a pump, and an electrodialysis unit. The controller receives inputs including an input indicative of a flow rate through the electrodialysis unit, an input indicative of a concentration level of fluid in the electrodialysis unit, and an input indicative of a power differential (e.g., indicating a degree to which a power usage by the powered devices differs from available power of the power source), and provides outputs for controlling the powered devices, including an output for causing a variable current level to be applied in the electrodialysis unit, and an output for causing a variable fluid flow rate through the electrodialysis unit. The controller is configured to match the power usage to the available power, for example, to keep the power differential as small as possible, while maximizing the theoretical desalination rate of the electrodialysis system.

The present disclosure discloses a system and a method for solar-driven photothermal seawater desalination and ion electroosmosis power generation. In the system, a first reservoir is provided with a first electrode immersed in seawater; a second reservoir is connected to the first reservoir via a cation selective nanofilm; a third reservoir is provided with a second electrode immersed in seawater, and the third reservoir is connected to the second reservoir via an anion selective nanofilm; and an adjustable sun-visor shields the cation selective nanofilm to form a first preset part of solar illumination and shields the anion selective nanofilm to form a second preset part of the solar illumination. Therefore, the cation selective nanofilm and the anion selective nanofilm are each under an asymmetric illumination to generate a temperature gradient.

A submersible water desalination apparatus includes a plurality of water separation membrane elements, a product water collector that receives product water from the membrane elements, and a variable output motorized submersible pump having a suction side that receives product water from the product water collector and a discharge side that pumps product water away from the apparatus through a product water conduit for surface or subsurface use. An automatic control or coupling is employed to reduce the pump output upon the occurrence or onset of suction side cavitation, and discourage or prevent cavitation over a range of product water flow rates from the membrane elements.

A system for desalinating water using membrane distillation (MD) integrated with an ejector includes an ejector module and a membrane module. The ejector module includes a water ejector, a first water circulation pump, and a freshwater tank. Freshwater is continuously pumped from the freshwater tank, through the water ejector, and back to the freshwater tank. The membrane module includes a feed tank, a second water circulation pump, a water heater, and a membrane distillation unit. Salt water from the feed tank is pumped through the water heater to form vapor, which is then directed to the membrane distillation unit. The membrane distillation unit comprises a feed chamber, a membrane, and a vapor chamber. Vapor passes through the membrane to the vapor chamber, which has an air inlet for pressure differential and is connected to the water ejector. Desalinated water is collected in the freshwater tank.

Disclosed is a mobile water filtering system that is compact, lightweight, and capable of producing pure healthy water for numerous people in remote locations. In addition, the mobile water filtering system can include desalination so that ocean water can be purified to create drinking water. The system uses a low resistance sediment filter and a low resistance impurity filter prior to reverse osmosis filtration. Remineralization is provided of the filtered reverse osmosis water. A portable pump can be used together with a voltage regulator that allows application of a wide range of voltages from various voltage supplies.

The present invention provides solar-driven deep dehumidification system and method utilizing spectrum splitting of sunlight. The system comprises: multiple air dehumidification modules; and a solar energy conversion module configured to covert solar energy into thermal energy and electrical energy for driving the multiple air dehumidification modules. The multiple air dehumidification modules comprise: a liquid desiccant dehumidification module configured to configured to dehumidify a flow of air using a liquid desiccant to supply a flow of dehumidified air; and a vacuum membrane dehumidification module configured to configured to further dehumidify the flow of dehumidified air from the liquid desiccant dehumidification module to supply a flow deep-dehumidified air. The proposed systems pave a way for clean and sustainable deep dehumidification.

The present invention relates to a desalination and/or purification device, a desalination and/or purification carbon membrane, and a method of desalinating and/or purifying a liquid by using such a desalination and/or purification device. In various illustrative embodiments, a desalination and/or purification device is provided, the desalination and/or purification device comprising a carbon membrane body comprising a carbon surface, and a structure of microchannels and/or nanochannels at least partially permeating the carbon membrane body and ending at openings at the carbon surface, a liquid transportation structure extending at least partially through the carbon membrane body without being exposed at the carbon surface, and a condenser arranged above the carbon membrane body. The liquid transportation structure is arranged and configured to supply the structure of microchannels and/or nanochannels of the carbon membrane body with a liquid to be desalinated and/or purified and the structure of microchannels and/or nanochannels of the carbon membrane body may be an at least two-level disordered network of channels.