Patent ID: 6117211
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B01D,C10L

Abstract:
A process for removing contaminant-laden water from a fluid stream and release of contaminant-free water into the environment comprising the steps of:(1) passing a fluid stream containing water and contaminants through an adsorbent to remove water which water includes contaminants;(2) regenerating the adsorbent with a purge gas to purge it of a substantial portion of the water and a portion of the contaminants it has adsorbed, recovering with the purge gas such water in vapour form with contaminants mixed therein;(3) exposing the purge gas carrying the water with contaminants mixed therein, so recovered, to a separation means for separating the contaminated water into substantially contaminant-free water and residual contaminants wherein the separation means in successive stages comprises:(a) a condenser with an inlet and outlet producing water with contaminants contained therein as a condensate and releasing the purge gas that contains residual contaminants at its outlet; and(b) a semi-permeable membrane that produces from the water condensate contaminant-free water as a permeate,followed by the further steps of:(4) releasing the contaminant-free water permeate so separated into the environment by evaporation; and(5) introducing the purge gas with residual contaminants carried therein into the fluid streamwithout releasing contaminants into the environment.