A humidification-dehumidification water purification system and method is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of evaporator/condenser units and heat exchanger, preferably a solar collector. Contaminated water flows through successive condenser stages to the heat exchanger, and from there through successive evaporator stages. A flow of air is directed through successive evaporator stages in the direction opposite to the flow of water, where it is humidified by water vapor evaporating from the water. The humidified air passes through the successive condenser stages, where it is cooled, thereby condensing pure water and dehumidifying the air. The pure water is extracted from the system, and the dehumidified air can be recirculated through the system. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the evaporator/condenser units are stacked beneath the solar collector, and the system is fully portable and modular and can be either land- or water borne.

The present invention relates to an in-line mixing apparatus and use therein for adding a polymer solution and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises statically mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The viscous mixture material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to reduce the mixture viscosity and to form microflocs and release water. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

A fluid sterilization apparatus includes: a flow passage tube in which a processing passage where a passing fluid is sterilized is formed; a first light source that irradiates the processing passage with ultraviolet light; an inflow passage formed in a direction that intersects an outer circumferential surface of the flow passage tube; and a communication passage that causes the inflow passage to communicate with the processing passage. The communication passage has a narrow passage in the middle of a path from the inflow passage toward an opening of a first end, the narrow passage being narrower than a passage toward the inflow passage.

Plant (1) intended for the treatment of a fluid (15) by passage of an upflow (90) of said fluid (15) through a bed of adsorbent media particles (13). The plant (1) comprises a reactor (2) intended to contain the bed of adsorbent media particles (13), comprising: a means for injecting and distributing fluid to be treated, disposed at the bottom part, for forming the upflow (90) of fluid (15) within the reactor (2) and enabling the fluidization and expansion of said bed of adsorbent media particles (13); a means for recovering treated fluid; a means for deflecting fluid (20) disposed at the top part, intended for reducing the speed of the upflow (90) of fluid (15) and enabling the formation of a tranquil zone (27), said means for recovering treated fluid being disposed downstream from said tranquil zone (27).

Embodiments of the present invention provide the integration of arbitrary flow directing patterns, deposited or integrated on or into the porous permeate spacer in a spiral-wound membrane separation element.

A method for disinfecting a fluid includes emitting UV light into a flowing fluid pillar along its axial direction. The flowing fluid pillar is surrounded by and in contact with a fluid medium having a refractive index lower than that of the fluid to be disinfected so that total internal reflection occurs when the UV light travels within the flowing fluid pillar. Also provided is a UV disinfector for disinfecting a flowing fluid.

There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifing and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Magnesium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.

There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifying and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Calcium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.

A fluid decontamination apparatus is provided having a container body with a plurality of three-dimensional open structure (3DOS) substrates spaced about therein, wherein a contaminated fluid flowing through the container body will contact the 3DOS substrates. Nozzles can be inserted and secured within inlet apertures disposed about the container body, configured to inject the contaminated fluid with/without air to induce the occurrence of hydrodynamic cavitation. The substrates can be porous and permeable enabling the contaminated fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the fluid flow passageway through the pores extends the volume of contaminated fluid exposed to turbulent and cavitation inducing flow conditions. Moreover, the 3DOS substrates may be coated with one or more types of catalysts so as to initiate chemical reactions. As such, the extended exposure of the contaminated fluid to hydrodynamic cavitation forming conditions, along with the chemical reactions carried out on the porous surfaces, enable an increased number of toxic species and unwanted organic compounds to be destroyed and/or altered, thereby enhancing the decontamination of the flowing fluid.

Carbon sources, such as food-grade oil, present in or above infiltration fields or other areas of water leaching systems, are employed, the water leaching systems having one or more layers. Carbon sources, such as food-grade oil, whether in aerobic or anaerobic conditions or saturated and unsaturated conditions may provide denotification of water interfacing with the oil or other carbon source.