A cooling and desalination system includes a humidification-dehumidification (HDH) system and an ejector cooling cycle (ECC) system. The HDH system includes a heater for heating saline water, a humidifier for humidifying a carrier gas using the saline water, and a dehumidifier for dehumidifying the carrier gas to obtain desalinated water. The ECC system includes a generator for generating a primary flow of a refrigerant, an evaporator for cooling and providing a secondary flow of the refrigerant, an ejector for the primary flow and the secondary flow to pass through to obtain a super-heated stream, and a condenser. The heater and the generator are configured to connect to a heat source. The ECC system and the HDH system are connected at the condenser for heat exchange between the super-heated stream and the saline water to pre-heat the saline water.

A multimode system for cooling and desalination includes a humidification-dehumidification (HDH) system, an ejector cooling cycle (ECC) system and valves. The HDH system includes a heater, a humidifier and a dehumidifier. The ECC system includes a generator, an evaporator, an ejector and a condenser. The valves are configured to connect to inlets and outlets of the heater, the generator and a heat source so that by selectively opening and closing the valves, the heat source is connected to the heater while disconnected from the generator, or connected to the generator while disconnected from the heater, or connected to both the heater and the generator, or disconnected from both the heater and the generator. The ECC system and the HDH system are connected at the condenser for heat exchange.

Systems and methods using solar evaporation to preconcentrate lithium containing brines to at or near lithium saturation, followed by a separation processes to separate lithium from impurities. A separated impurity stream is recycled to a point in the evaporation sequence where conditions are favorable for their precipitation and removal or disposed in a separate evaporation pond or reinjected underground, while a lower impurity stream is transferred to one or more of the removal location, to a subsequent pond in the sequence, or to a lithium plant or concentration facility. Further concentration of lithium by evaporation can then take place because impurities are removed thus eliminating lithium losses due to co-precipitation and achieving significantly higher concentrations of lithium.

A tapering exponential spiral for a gas expander for work extraction or air cooling. A gas compressor to increase the pressure and temperature of air. The compressor-expander forms a single and simple structure. A generator with a disk format using a circle of alternating polarity magnets to induce current in polygon solenoids. A heat turbine, Firefly Electric, is small, simple, and efficient heat engine. A heat pump, Firefly Air, for cooling, refrigeration, water capture, and heating. Solar power can be generated and stored as compress air. A water purifier, Firefly Aqua, to desalinate water by solar power. Sunlight is concentrated by a sun tracking conic reflective surface onto a column of salty water. Solar photovoltaic power can be used to power a spiral compressor to condense low pressure steam. Also, we reuse solar heat by extracting the heat of compressing and condensing steam for evaporating more salty water under reduced pressure.

The present disclosure describes an apparatus that may be used to generate desalinated water from a supply of untreated water using a photovoltaic cell. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is partially enclosed to form an evaporation chamber. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is exposed to sunlight or another light source. This exposure results in power generation by the photovoltaic cell and also heats the air in the evaporation chamber. Untreated water is subsequently introduced into the evaporation chamber. Upon contacting the heated air and the front surface of the photovoltaic cell, a portion of the untreated water evaporates to generate water vapor. The water vapor is then removed from the evaporation chamber and transported to a condensation chamber. The water vapor is cooled in the condensation chamber to yield desalinated water.

A liquid separation system includes an inner chamber and an outer chamber disposed at least partially around the inner chamber. A vacuum source in communication separately with the inner chamber and the outer chamber controls a pressure within the inner chamber separately from the outer chamber for controlling conversion of liquid within the inner chamber to a gas.

Methods and systems for separating a first metal from a metal-containing feed stream are provided. The method can include applying solar energy, for example, by focusing one or more mirrors in one or more heliostats, to heat a metal-containing feed stream in a heating zone to a first temperature to produce a first vapor including the first metal. The first vapor can be condensed in a condensation zone to produce a first liquid including the first metal, and the first liquid can be collected. The system can include a separation unit include a heating zone in fluid communication with a condensation zone and a means for applying solar energy to heat a metal-containing feed stream disposed in the heating zone.

A system of water supply, desalination and mineral salt retrieval includes a solar concentrating tower, the tower includes a pressure vessel that includes a layer of woven or non-woven carbon-nanotubes defining a thermal interface and providing a super heated surface for spray application of seawater or brine.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for removing salt from brine are provided. A surfactant is mixed with the brines and the brines are atomized to form airborne brine droplets from which the liquid component can be rapidly evaporated. The remaining airborne salt particles are than filtered from the air stream and the water vapor condensed for collection and downstream use or processing.

Methods and systems for separating a first metal from a metal-containing feed stream are provided. The method can include applying solar energy, for example, by focusing one or more mirrors in one or more heliostats, to heat a metal-containing feed stream in a heating zone to a first temperature to produce a first vapor including the first metal. The first vapor can be condensed in a condensation zone to produce a first liquid including the first metal, and the first liquid can be collected. The system can include a separation unit include a heating zone in fluid communication with a condensation zone and a means for applying solar energy to heat a metal-containing feed stream disposed in the heating zone.