Patent ID: 6733667
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y02A,Y02C,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for desalinating or purifying saline or polluted input water, respectively, using positively buoyant hydrate to do so, said apparatus comprising:a mechanically pressurized hydrate formation vessel including a pressurization system by means of which said hydrate formation vessel is pressurized; a mechanically pressurized hydrate dissociation vessel; including a pressurization system by means of which said hydrate dissociation vessel is pressurized; and a valve system operatively disposed between said hydrate formation vessel and said hydrate dissociation vessel, which valve system is operable to keep said hydrate formation vessel and said hydrate dissociation vessel in barometric and hydraulic isolation with respect to each other when closed and which valve system is operable to control communication of fluid from said hydrate formation vessel into said hydrate dissociation vessel; wherein the mutual arrangement of said hydrate formation vessel, said valve system, and said hydrate dissociation vessel being is such that positively buoyant hydrate formed in said hydrate formation vessel moves automatically from said hydrate formation vessel toward said hydrate dissociation vessel as a result of or due to a net pressure difference between said hydrate formation vessel and said hydrate dissociation vessel when said valve system operates to permit movement of said positively buoyant hydrate; said apparatus further comprising an input water supply conduit configured to provide said input water to said hydrate formation vessel; a hydrate-forming substance supply conduit configured to provide a positively-buoyant-hydrate-forming substance to said hydrate formation vessel; a fresh water output conduit configured and disposed for removal from said hydrate dissociation vessel of fresh water released by hydrate dissociating therein; and a saline water output conduit configured and disposed for removal from said hydrate formation vessel of interstitial residual saline water or gray water.