US4476024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for distillation
Assignee: International Power Technology Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-09
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2002-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A composite membrane structure is used in a distillation apparatus and method. The composite membrane separates a distilland and a distillate, such as salt water and fresh water. The composite membrane comprises a thin lyophobic microporous layer or membrane and a thin lyophilic layer or membrane. Evaporation and condensation takes place within the micropores of the lyophobic membrane. The lyophilic layer prevents intrusion of distilland into the pores of the lyophobic layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Dah Y. Cheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:44
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/36; B01D61/364; B01D69/00; B01D69/12; B01D69/1213; B01D69/1218; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S159/00; Y10S159/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Distillation apparatus for distilling aqueous solutions comprising: a thin microporous hydrophobic layer separating an aqueous distilland from a fresh water distillate; means for providing a vapor pressure gradient across said hydrophobic layer with the distilland being at a higher vapor pressure than the distillate so that liquid water evaporates on the distilland side of the pores of the hydrophobic layer and condenses as pure water on the distillate side of the hydrophobic layer; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic layer comprising a hydrophilic layer on the distilland side of the hydrophobic layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Distillation apparatus for distilling aqueous solutions comprising: a thin microporous hydrophobic layer separating an aqueous distilland from a fresh water distillate; means for providing a vapor pressure gradient across said hydrophobic layer with the distilland being at a higher vapor pressure than the distillate so that liquid water evaporates on the distilland side of the pores of the hydrophobic layer and condenses as pure water on the distillate side of the hydrophobic layer; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic layer comprising a hydrophilic layer on the distilland side of the hydrophobic layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Distillation apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic layer is porous and wherein the mean pore diameter of the hydrophilic layer is less than the mean pore diameter of the hydrophobic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Distillation apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the hydrophobic layer is polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Distillation apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the hydrophilic layer is polysulfone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for separating pure water from an aqueous solution comprising: a thin porous hydrophobic membrane separating an aqueous solution from pure water; means for providing a temperature differential across said hydrophobic layer so that the aqueous solution has a higher vapor pressure than the pure water so that liquid water evaporates on the aqueous solution side of the hydrophobic membrane and condenses as pure water on the pure water side of the hydrophobic membrane; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic membrane comprising a hydrophilic layer on the aqueous solution side of the hydrophobic membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for separating pure water from an aqueous solution comprising: a thin porous hydrophobic membrane separating an aqueous solution from pure water; means for providing a temperature differential across said hydrophobic layer so that the aqueous solution has a higher vapor pressure than the pure water so that liquid water evaporates on the aqueous solution side of the hydrophobic membrane and condenses as pure water on the pure water side of the hydrophobic membrane; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic membrane comprising a hydrophilic layer on the aqueous solution side of the hydrophobic membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the hydrophilic layer is porous and wherein the mean pore diameter of the hydrophilic layer is less than the mean pore diameter of the hydrophobic layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the hydrophobic layer is polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the hydrophilic layer is polysulfone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
Distillation apparatus comprising: a porous hydrophobic membrane separating salt water from pure water; heating means for elevating the temperature of the salt water above that of the pure water side so that liquid water evaporates on the salt water side of the hydrophobic membrane and condenses as pure water on the pure water side of the hydrophobic membrane; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic layer comprising a hydrophilic layer on the salt water side of the hydrophobic membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
Distillation apparatus comprising: a porous hydrophobic membrane separating salt water from pure water; heating means for elevating the temperature of the salt water above that of the pure water side so that liquid water evaporates on the salt water side of the hydrophobic membrane and condenses as pure water on the pure water side of the hydrophobic membrane; and means for preventing waterlogging of the hydrophobic layer comprising a hydrophilic layer on the salt water side of the hydrophobic membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A distillation apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the hydrophilic layer is porous and wherein the mean pore diameter of the hydrophilic layer is less than the mean pore diameter of the hydrophobic layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A distillation apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the hydrophobic layer is polyvinlidene fluoride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A distillation apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the hydrophilic layer is polysulfone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |