US3856492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrate forming in water desalination
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
•
Filing: 1972-05-05
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Granted: 1974-12-24
•
Expires: 1992-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An improved process of water desalinization and in particular a method of producing potable water from sea water by a hydration process using a heat-exchange liquid which is immiscible in water and is a solvent for a gaseous hydrating agent to store a major portion of the heat of hydration which is used directly for hydrate decomposition.
Inventors
- 👤 D Klass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:52
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/22; C02F1/26; C02F1/265; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/08; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A PROCESS FOR WATER DESALINIZATION COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: COMMINGLING IN A HYDRATE FORMATION ZONE AT A TEMPERATURE ABOVE ICE FORMATION, BRINE AND A HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMMISCIBLE WITH BRINE AND WATER, HAS A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THE SPECIFIC GRAVITIES OF BRINE, WATER AND THE RANGE THEREBETWEEN AND HAS A DISSOLVED GASEOUS HYDRATING AGENT THEREIN, SAID HYDRARTING AGENT BEING CAPABLE OF FORMING A SOLID HYDRATE HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF BOTH WATER AND BRINE AS THESP SPECIFIC GRAVIT OF SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INSOLUBLE IN SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID; ADJUSTING TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE OR A COMBINATION THEREOF TO FORM A SOLID HYDRATE AND A PORTION OF THE HEAT OF HYDRATION BEING ABSORBED BY SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID; WITHDRAWING CONCENTRATED BRINE FROM SIAD HYDRATE
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A PROCESS FOR WATER DESALINIZATION COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: COMMINGLING IN A HYDRATE FORMATION ZONE AT A TEMPERATURE ABOVE ICE FORMATION, BRINE AND A HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMMISCIBLE WITH BRINE AND WATER, HAS A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THE SPECIFIC GRAVITIES OF BRINE, WATER AND THE RANGE THEREBETWEEN AND HAS A DISSOLVED GASEOUS HYDRATING AGENT THEREIN, SAID HYDRARTING AGENT BEING CAPABLE OF FORMING A SOLID HYDRATE HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF BOTH WATER AND BRINE AS THESP SPECIFIC GRAVIT OF SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INSOLUBLE IN SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID; ADJUSTING TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE OR A COMBINATION THEREOF TO FORM A SOLID HYDRATE AND A PORTION OF THE HEAT OF HYDRATION BEING ABSORBED BY SAID HEAT-EXCHANGE LIQUID; WITHDRAWING CONCENTRATED BRINE FROM SIAD HYDRATE
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrate has specific gravity different than the specific gravities of brine, water and heat-exchange liquid and the specific gravities thereincluded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure of said heat-exchange liquid and hydrate is lowered in said hydrate decomposer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure of said heat-exchange liquid and hydrate is lowered and the temperature of said heat-exchange liquid and hydrate is raised in said hydrate decomposer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of said heat-exchange liquid and hydrate is raised in said hydrate decomposer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange liquid has initial temperature below the initial temperature of the brine and below the highest temperature at which said dissolved gaseous hydrating agent will react with water to form said hydrate at the pressure existing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrate formation zone provides pressure and temperature conditions including subjecting the heat-exchange liquid and brine in said hydrate formation zone to higher pressure than existed within the heat-exchange liquid and brine before entry into said hydrate formation zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrate formation zone provides pressure and temperature conditions including subjecting the heat-exchange liquid and brine in said hydrate formation zone to lower temperature than existed within the heat-exchange liquid and brine before entry into said hydrate formation zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said commingling is accomplished with countercurrent flow in said hydrate formation zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange liquid is also the hydrating agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said gaseous hydrating agent is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, propane, isobutane, n-butane, carbon dioxide, methyl chloride, chlorine and methyl bromide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange liquid is selected from the group consisting of liquid aliphatic hydrocarbons having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange liquid is selected from the group consisting of liquid aromatic hydrocarbons having mono-, di- and tri-carbocyclic structures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange liquid is selected from the group consisting of kerosene, naphtha, mineral spirits, odorless mineral spirits, gasoline, mineral oil, lubricating oil, diphenyl, diphenyl oxide, hexane, heptane, octane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, tetralin and benzene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |