US3839201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reverse osmosis separator unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-18
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1992-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A reverse osmosis separator unit is comprised of a plurality of semi-permeable membranes assembled in an annular arrangement. Each membrane defines a respective reverse osmosis stage, and the space surrounding the outermost membrane is the last stage. A feed solution under pressure is fed to at least one of the stages, and an outlet is connected to each of the stages for drawing off the solution from each stage after the feed solution has passed through at least a longitudinal portion of the respective stage. The pressure of the input (feed) solution is sufficient to maintain the pressure in the first stage substantially above the osmotic pressure in the annular stages to permit a portion of the feed solution to permeate and pass through the respective membranes, without requiring additional pressurization. The unit is preferably enclosed by an outer casing, and the solution which permeates and passes through the final stage, which is the space between the outer membrane and the outer casing, is drawn off as separated output. Valves are preferably incorporated in each of the outlet lines, including both inter-stage concentrated solution draw-offs in the direction axial to the permeate flow (i.e., at the ends of the annulus areas) and in the permeate outlet line from the last stage.
Inventors
- 👤 E Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:38
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/10; B01D63/12; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/025; B01D61/026; B01D61/10; B01D63/06; B01D2311/00; B01D2311/04; B01D2311/06; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/18; B01D2313/24; B01D2317/00; B01D2317/04; B01D2319/00; B01D2319/02; B01D2319/025; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124; Y02A20/131
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
18 words
PROCESS FOR REMOVING INORGANIC SALTS FROM AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION (1) CONTAINING THE SAME, COMPRISING A. FORCING THE SOLUTIO
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
PROCESS FOR REMOVING INORGANIC SALTS FROM AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION (1) CONTAINING THE SAME, COMPRISING A. FORCING THE SOLUTIO
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
Process of claim 1, wherein said solution (1) is a seawater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process of claim 1, wherein said solution (1) is a brackish water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process of claim 1, wherein the pressure of said solution (1) is above about 1,400 psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process of claim 1, wherein the pressure of said solution (1) is from about 1,400 to about 4,500 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Process of claim 1, wherein solution (1) is under a pressure sufficiently high and wherein said ''''back'''' pressures are maintained sufficiently high that the pressure in the penultimate stage is sufficient to overcome the osmotic pressure in said final stage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit comprising: a plurality of semi-permeable membranes arranged in a substantially annulated arrangement, each membrane defining a respective stage and the outer membrane defining a final stage; charge inlet means connected to at least one of said stages for feeding a pressurized charge solution to said separator unit; and outlet means connected to each of said stages for drawing off a solution from each stage after the solution has passed through at least a longitudinal portion of the respective stages, each outlet means including a ''''back'''' pressure controlling outlet valve for maintaining the pressure in its respective stage substantially at a predetermined value which is sufficient to enable passage of the solution through said plurality of membranes without interstage repressurization with a pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit comprising: a plurality of semi-permeable membranes arranged in a substantially annulated arrangement, each membrane defining a respective stage and the outer membrane defining a final stage; charge inlet means connected to at least one of said stages for feeding a pressurized charge solution to said separator unit; and outlet means connected to each of said stages for drawing off a solution from each stage after the solution has passed through at least a longitudinal portion of the respective stages, each outlet means including a ''''back'''' pressure controlling outlet valve for maintaining the pressure in its respective stage substantially at a predetermined value which is sufficient to enable passage of the solution through said plurality of membranes without interstage repressurization with a pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 comprising an outer shell surrounding the outer membrane, said final stage being defined by the space between said outer membrane and said outer shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein said valves are adjustable to vary the internal pressures in the respective stages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein said semi-permeable membranes are of gEnerally round cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein each of said membranes has substantially the same rejection characteristic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 comprising membranes having different rejection characteristics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein said first stage is a tubular-shaped zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein said charge inlet is connected to said first stage, which is the inner-most stage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein each of said stages is defined by a spiral wound membrane unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 15 wherein each of said spiral wound units comprises a central fluid passage surrounded by a semipermeable membrane; and means forming outer fluid passages surrounding said semi-permeable membrane through which charge is fed to said stage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 15 comprising pipe means interconnecting successive spiral wound stages.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reverse osmosis separator unit according to claim 7 wherein said membranes are spirally wound in a substantially annulated arrangement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3355382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |