Gas driven reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant uses evaporated liquid nitrogen to maintain osmotic pressure on membrane

摘要

A seawater desalination plant is driven by an inert gas e.g. liquid nitrogen. The assembly has a liquid gas tank (1) and an inert gas (4) evaporator (5) that together deliver gas (3) under pressure. The pressurized gas is discharged to a reverse osmosis (9) water tank (12). The pressurized gas drives sea water directly or indirectly through the membrane. Following evaporation (5) heat energy (8) in the water vapor is surrendered and used to evaporate further liquid gas (4) for admission to the water tank (12), thereby maintaining water pressure on the membrane. After discharge of water from the tank, residual gas (13) travels via a pipe and regulator (14) device for use as an energy source in a buffer tank (11). Further claimed is that the desalination plant is suitable for use as a chassis-mounted mobile assembly.