Patent ID: 8273165

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a processor assembly configured to mix a solution and a gas to produce at least a partially atomized mixture of the solution and the gas, the processor assembly including an inlet member and an outlet nozzle, the inlet member defining a first flow path, the inlet member and the outlet nozzle collectively defining a second flow path, the processor assembly configured to be fluidically coupled to a source of the solution such that the solution can be conveyed from the source to a mixing chamber prior to being mixed with the gas via the first flow path, the processor assembly configured such that the gas can be conveyed into the mixing chamber via the second flow path; and a separator configured to be fluidically coupled to the processor assembly, the separator configured to receive the mixture of the gas and the solution from the outlet nozzle, the separator configured to produce a first outlet flow and a second outlet flow, the first outlet flow including a portion of the gas and a vaporized portion of a solvent from the solution, the second outlet flow including a liquid portion of the solvent from the solution and a solute from the solution.