Liquid solution concentration methods and related systems involving osmosis units and energy recovery are generally described. In some embodiments, an osmotic system has a pump, a first reverse osmosis unit, a second reverse osmosis unit, and one or more energy recovery devices. Various embodiments are directed to features such as balancing streams, recirculation streams, and/or valving that alone or in combination may afford improved energy efficiency and/or system performance. Some embodiments may improve performance of certain types of energy recovery devices in combination with osmosis units, such as isobaric or turbine energy recovery devices.

There is provided a method of hydrothermal carbonization of a sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, comprising the steps of: preheating the sludge with at least one first steam fraction to obtain a preheated sludge; further heating the preheated sludge with a second steam fraction to obtain a heated sludge; subjecting the heated sludge to hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) in a reactor to obtain a HTC-treated slurry; mixing the HTC-treated slurry with an oxidizing agent, such as oxygen gas, to obtain a wet-oxidized slurry; subjecting the wet-oxidized slurry to flashing to obtain the second steam fraction and a pre-cooled slurry; subjecting the pre-cooled slurry to flashing in at least one step to obtain the at least one first steam fraction and a cooled slurry; separating the cooled slurry into a liquid fraction and a solids fraction; and routing the liquid fraction to the wastewater treatment plant for further treatment, wherein the second steam fraction is used for heating preheated sludge to the temperature of the HTC reaction. A corresponding system is also provided.

An evaporator apparatus, system, and method can be utilized for separating, purifying, and refining contaminated fluids. The evaporator comprises a burner, a conically shaped heat sink to form an evaporate from the fluids with profiles arranged on the liquid contacting surface a unique multiple surfaced apparatus for collecting the evaporate, condensing the evaporate as purified water separating it from the evaporator, a device for collecting the unevaporated brine.

An apparatus and method for treating brine water stored in tank batteries or otherwise produced during oil and gas production. The apparatus is portable and can be moved from one location to another to treat the brine water. Once the apparatus is in position, the brine water is pumped out of the tank and sprayed onto heating plates to produce steam. The brine water not evaporated by the plates is collected and filtered, and any precious metals or valuable minerals may be extracted therefrom. Steam generated from the heating process may be used to power an electrical generator, which generator may provide electrical power to operate the apparatus.

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.

A device for enabling controlled movement of ions between a first ion-containing fluid and second ion-containing fluid comprises at least one cationic exchange membrane positioned between the first and second ion-containing fluids, and at least one anionic exchange membrane in parallel with the at least one cationic exchange membrane positioned between the first and second ion-containing fluids. The one or more of the at least one cationic exchange membrane and the at least one anionic exchange membrane is a membrane electrode assembly comprising an ion exchange membrane, and one or more permeable electrodes embedded within the ionic exchange membrane. The number of cationic exchange membranes and the number of anionic exchange membranes is the same, and the ions move through the membrane electrode assembly in response to a variable capacitive charge.

The invention is a modular, flexible, thermal, insulating, multilayered enclosure utilizing membrane distillation technology. The enclosure has a heat conducting layer, an insulation layer, and a layer of hydrophobic, polymeric hollow fiber membranes between the insulation layer and conductive layer. The enclosure is wrapped around a heat exhaust to absorb and transfer heat to the hollow fiber membranes to facilitate membrane distillation enabling production of potable water.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a system for simultaneous optimization of fuel energy, site Opex costs, waste heat recovery and the coincidental cleaning and treatment of dirty water. The system can include a waste heat source that generates waste heat. The system can include a hydrocyclone coupled with the waste heat source, wherein the waste heat is injected into the hydrocyclone.

A system for generating potable water from source water contains an enclosed vessel, a heating unit, an air distributor, a condenser, and a collection vessel. A method for generating potable water from source water includes heating ambient air, bubbling heated air through source water producing saturated air, cooling the saturated air producing potable water, and collecting the potable water. A method of removing contaminants from ambient air includes heating ambient air, bubbling the heated air through source water to produce treated air and contaminant rich water, discharging the treated air, and discharging the contaminant rich water.