Patent ID: 7189328
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. A method for the separation of at least one of dissolved inorganic materials and dissolved organic materials from a liquid solution, the method comprising: subjecting a flow stream of the liquid solution to a chilled wire rope, whereby at least a portion of the liquid from the solution is frozen onto the wire rope; withdrawing the wire rope with the frozen liquid on it from the flow stream of the solution to effectively reduce the volume of the solution and increase the concentration of the dissolved materials in the flow stream of the solution, thereby providing a concentrated liquid solution; subjecting the concentrated liquid solution to heat at a pressure below atmospheric pressure to evaporate any organic materials from the concentrated solution, thereby providing a further concentrated liquid solution; and for any remaining dissolved inorganic materials in the further concentrated liquid solution, bringing the further concentrated liquid solution to a point of saturation for at least one selected dissolved inorganic material under continuing evaporation conditions; and introducing a seed stock of the at least one selected dissolved inorganic material to the liquid solution, thereby causing the selected inorganic material to precipitate from the liquid solution.