Abstract

A modular distributed desalination system (100) including a desalination buoy (102) interconnected to a landside post-treatment station (104). The desalination buoy further includes a dynamic ballast system (186), a reverse osmosis system, an integral media filter (230), and intake screen (130), and a brine diffuser system (300).

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 61/08 - Apparatus therefor
• B01D 61/10 - AccessoriesAuxiliary operations
• B01D 61/12 - Controlling or regulating
• B63B 22/20 - Ballast means
• C02F 1/32 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light

Abstract

An emitter apparatus is mounted on a marine structure powered by wind or marine hydrokinetic energy to disperse a carbon dioxide sorbent such as sodium hydroxide. The sorbent can be generated by reverse osmosis of seawater with electrolysis of the brine, or delivered from an external supply. Suitable marine structures include offshore wind turbines, marine hydrokinetic generators, offshore oil platforms, merchant vessels, and other fixed and mobile structures. Effective capture is made by dispersing a fine mist or fog of aqueous sorbent from nozzles with a particle size from a nozzle of less than 100 microns. The sorbent reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide forming carbonates and bicarbonates, which drift and fall to the ocean surface, reducing surface acidity and capturing additional atmospheric carbon dioxide via absorption at the local ocean surface. The resulting carbonates sink to the ocean floor and are there sequestered.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 53/14 - Separation of gases or vapoursRecovering vapours of volatile solvents from gasesChemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases or aerosols by absorption
• B01D 53/18 - Absorbing unitsLiquid distributors therefor
• B01D 61/08 - Apparatus therefor
• B01D 61/02 - Reverse osmosisHyperfiltration
• B01D 61/10 - AccessoriesAuxiliary operations
• B01D 63/06 - Tubular membrane modules
• B63B 43/06 - Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability using ballast tanks
• B63B 1/04 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
• B63B 77/00 - Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
• B63B 75/00 - Building or assembling floating offshore structures, e.g. semi-submersible platforms, SPAR platforms or wind turbine platforms
• C02F 103/08 - Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• B63B 43/04 - Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability
• B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• B63B 39/03 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses by transferring liquids
• B63B 1/10 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls

Goods & Services

An ocean platform being an atmospheric carbon dioxide removal desalination plant, for water desalination and brine sorbent processing on-board

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel floating and renewable energy-powered desalination vessel, which also functions as a wind turbine generator and wave energy generator platform. With energy derived from the wind and waves, the vessel performs reverse osmosis within a vertically positioned cylindrical section extending below a buoyancy chamber. The cylindrical section contains reverse osmosis membranes located above a seawater screening and filtration system, which serve as ballast. The entire vessel and power systems are configured to have the center of mass below the center of buoyancy, forming a vertically stable floating structure with minimum pitch, roll, and wave heave in high sea states. The electric power generated is utilized internally to produce desalinated water or hydrogen from the desalinated water's electrolysis, power an onboard data center, or power delivery to a shoreside power grid. In addition to a wind turbine generator and a wave energy generator, a photovoltaic array or a marine current generator may be utilized to power these applications. Alternatively, the desalination vessel operates with the assistance of shore-based power provided by cable.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 61/08 - Apparatus therefor
• B01D 61/02 - Reverse osmosisHyperfiltration
• B01D 61/10 - AccessoriesAuxiliary operations
• B01D 63/06 - Tubular membrane modules
• C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
• B63B 43/06 - Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability using ballast tanks
• B63B 1/04 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
• B63B 77/00 - Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
• C02F 103/08 - Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• B63B 43/04 - Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability
• B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• B63B 39/03 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses by transferring liquids
• B63B 1/10 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls

Abstract

A reverse osmosis water production apparatus for use in a body of water comprises a first section defining a buoyancy chamber and an elongate second section configured to define an elongate chamber which extends downward beneath a waterline in use. The elongate chamber is provided with a plurality of elongate reverse osmosis membrane tubes, each containing a reverse osmosis membrane. A longitudinal axis of each reverse osmosis membrane tube is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate chamber. The reverse osmosis membrane tubes are arranged around a passage.

IPC Classes  ?

• C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis

Abstract

An integrated alternative energy roofing panel incorporates an array of solar concentrator tubes interconnected with transparent web to form a joined plate supported in frame elements with an attached working fluid manifold. The working fluid in the manifold is operatively in contact with the solar concentrator tubes for transferring heat from the tubes. In one exemplary construction, each of the solar concentrator tubes terminates in a conducting metal sleeve which extends beyond the frame element into the manifold. A safety glass panel is attached to one frame element beneath the joined plate. The joined plate and safety glass panel may be sealed to the frame elements to form a chamber and the chamber may be evacuated. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are embedded in the web for supplemental lighting. An array of photovoltaic cells mounted to a top surface of the manifold and a battery are interconnected for powering the LEDs. The manifold incorporates a compartment to house the battery as a portion of the integrated panel.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
• F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)