公开(公告)号：US20180066877A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-08

申请号：US15796918

申请日：2017-10-30

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: F25B39/02 ,  E03B3/28 ,  F24F3/14 ,  F24F11/00 ,  F25B5/04

CPC classification number: F25B39/024 ,  B01D5/0015 ,  E03B3/28 ,  F24F3/14 ,  F24F11/83 ,  F24F11/84 ,  F24F2003/1446 ,  F25B5/04 ,  F25B39/02 ,  F28D1/05333 ,  F28D1/05383 ,  F28D2021/0038 ,  F28D2021/0071 ,  Y02A20/109

Abstract: The multiple panel heat exchanger includes two or more heat exchange panels arranged side-by-side series with their major cross-sectional areas normal to airflow across the heat exchanger. The heat exchange panels are fluidically connected in series and with a first heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid inlet into the heat exchanger and a last heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid outlet from the heat exchanger. An inlet liquid refrigerant injector and vaporizer has a valve that can control the rate of injection and can close completely. The panels are connected by a pipe assembly containing another valve that can also control the rate of gas refrigerant passage and which can also be closed.

公开(公告)号：US08627673B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-14

申请号：US12054690

申请日：2008-03-25

Applicant: James W. Hill ,  Christopher G. Preston ,  Michael D. Max

Inventor： James W. Hill ,  Christopher G. Preston ,  Michael D. Max

IPC: F25D21/00

CPC classification number: F24F3/1405 ,  E03B3/28 ,  F24F11/77 ,  Y02A20/109

Abstract: An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. A preferred embodiment includes a variable flow geometry thermal economizer section configured such that, to varying degrees, the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.

Abstract translation: 大气水收集器包括一个冷却构件，潮湿空气流过该冷却构件，以冷凝大气中的水分。 冷却构件可以是常规的基于气相的制冷回路的蒸发器。 如果使用基于气体蒸气的制冷回路，则电路的压缩机可以是变速的。 用于将空气移动通过系统的风扇或叶轮也可能是变速的。 优选实施例包括可变流量几何热节能器部分，其被构造成使得在不同程度上，进入的空气可以在其通过冷却构件之前通过与已经流过冷却构件的较冷空气进行热交换而被预冷却 。

公开(公告)号：US20090241580A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-01

申请号：US12054690

申请日：2008-03-25

Applicant: James W. Hill ,  Christopher G. Preston ,  Michael D. Max

Inventor： James W. Hill ,  Christopher G. Preston ,  Michael D. Max

IPC: F25D21/14 ,  F25B1/00 ,  F25B39/02 ,  F25D17/06

CPC classification number: F24F3/1405 ,  E03B3/28 ,  F24F11/77 ,  Y02A20/109

Abstract: An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. A preferred embodiment includes a variable flow geometry thermal economizer section configured such that, to varying degrees, the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.

Abstract translation: 大气水收集器包括一个冷却构件，潮湿空气流过该冷却构件，以冷凝大气中的水分。 冷却构件可以是常规的基于气相的制冷回路的蒸发器。 如果使用基于气体蒸气的制冷回路，则电路的压缩机可以是变速的。 用于将空气移动通过系统的风扇或叶轮也可能是变速的。 优选实施例包括可变流量几何热节能器部分，其被构造成使得在不同程度上，进入的空气可以在其通过冷却构件之前通过与已经流过冷却构件的较冷空气进行热交换而被预冷却 。

公开(公告)号：US07008544B2

公开(公告)日：2006-03-07

申请号：US10429765

申请日：2003-05-06

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: C02F1/00

CPC classification number: C02F1/26 ,  C02F1/22 ,  C02F2103/08 ,  Y02A20/132

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for separating and purifying aqueous solutions such as seawater by causing a substantially impermeable mat of gas hydrate to form on a porous restraint. Once the mat of gas hydrate has formed on the porous restraint, the portion of the mat of gas hydrate adjacent to the restraint is caused to dissociate and flow through the restraint, e.g., by lowering the pressure in a collection region on the opposite side of the restraint. The purified or desalinated water may then be recovered from the collection region. The process may be used for marine desalination as well as for drying wet gas and hydrocarbon solutions. If conditions in the solution are not conductive to forming hydrate, a heated or refrigerated porous restraint may be used to create hydrate-forming conditions near the restraint, thereby causing gas hydrates to form directly on the surface of the restraint.

公开(公告)号：US06991722B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-31

申请号：US10686743

申请日：2003-10-17

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: B01D33/70

CPC classification number: H04L69/16 ,  B01D53/62 ,  B01D2257/504 ,  C02F1/20 ,  C02F1/22 ,  C02F1/26 ,  C02F1/265 ,  C02F1/5236 ,  C02F2103/08 ,  C02F2103/18 ,  H04L1/1642 ,  H04L1/18 ,  H04L69/22 ,  Y02A20/132 ,  Y02C10/04

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which allows the hydrate formed in the hydrate formation region of a desalination fractionation apparatus to be cooled as it rises in the apparatus. This has the beneficial effect of increasing its stability at lower pressures and reducing the depth at which the hydrate will begin to dissociate. The present invention provides for more efficient management of the distribution of thermal energy within the apparatus as a whole by controlling the flow of water through the system—particularly residual fluids remaining after hydrate forms—such that it is substantially downward through the fractionation column and out through a lower portion thereof. Hydrate thus separates from the residual fluid at or nearly at the point of formation, which helps keep the hydrate formation region of the apparatus at a temperature suitable for the formation of hydrate and improves efficiency. Hydrate formation may be enhanced, thereby further improving efficiency, by pre-treating the water-to-be-treated so as to dissolve hydrate-forming gas in it, before further hydrate-forming gas is injected into the water-to-be-treated under conditions conducive to the formation of gas hydrate.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种允许在脱盐分馏装置的水合物形成区域中形成的水​​合物在装置中升高时被冷却的装置。 这具有在较低压力下增加其稳定性并降低水合物开始解离的深度的有益效果。 本发明通过控制水通过系统的流量（特别是在水合物形成之后残留的残余流体）使得其在整个装置内的分布更加有效，从而使得其基本向下通过分馏塔和出口 通过其下部。 因此，水合物在形成点处或几乎在形成点处与残留流体分离，这有助于将装置的水合物形成区域保持在适于形成水合物的温度并提高效率。 水合物形成可以提高，从而进一步提高效率，通过预处理待处理的水以便在其中溶解形成水合物的气体，然后将进一步的水合物形成气体注入待水处理的水中， 在有利于天然气水合物形成的条件下进行处理。

公开(公告)号：US06673249B2

公开(公告)日：2004-01-06

申请号：US09987725

申请日：2001-11-15

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: C02F100

CPC classification number: C02F1/265 ,  C02F1/22 ,  C02F2103/08 ,  E21B2043/0115 ,  Y02A20/132

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for maximizing the efficiency of hydrate-based desalination or other water purification in open-water or partially open-water installations are disclosed. In one embodiment, water is accessed from depth where the ambient temperature is as cold as possible, which depth is other than the maximum depth of the hydrate fractionation column used in the process. The accessed water preferably is brought to reduced pressures so that gases other than hydrate-forming gases that are dissolved in the water to be treated are exsolved. Using pre-pressurized sources of hydrate-forming substances, including deep-sea natural gas deposits or supplies of liquified natural gas being transported by sea, are also disclosed. A multiple column, detachable column fractionation installation is disclosed, as is a hybrid installation having an underwater hydrate formation portion and a land-based dissociation and heat-exchange section.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于最大限度地提高开放式水或部分露天水设施中水合物脱盐或其他水净化效率的各种方法和装置。 在一个实施方案中，水可以从环境温度尽可能低的深度进入，该深度不同于该方法中使用的水合物分馏塔的最大深度。 所获得的水优选地被施加到降低的压力，使得溶解在待处理的水中的除了形成水合物的气体之外的气体被排出。 还公开了预先加压的水合物形成物质，包括深海天然气沉积物或海上运输的液化天然气供应。 公开了一种多塔可拆卸柱分级装置，以及具有水下水合物形成部分和陆基解离和热交换部分的混合装置。

公开(公告)号：US20130312451A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-28

申请号：US13480021

申请日：2012-05-24

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: F25B39/02 ,  F25B1/00 ,  F28F27/00 ,  F28D15/00

CPC classification number: F25B39/02 ,  B01D5/0015 ,  E03B3/28 ,  F28D1/05333 ,  F28D1/05383 ,  F28D2021/0038 ,  F28D2021/0071 ,  Y02A20/109

Abstract: A multiple panel heat exchanger and atmospheric water harvester using the same is provided. The multiple panel heat exchanger includes two or more heat exchange panels arranged in side-by-side series with their major cross sectional areas normal to airflow across the heat exchanger. The heat exchange panels are fluidically connected in series and with a first heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid inlet into the heat exchanger and a last heat exchange panel in the series having a heat exchange fluid outlet from the heat exchanger. The multiple panel heat exchanger is suited for a heat exchanger in a refrigeration circuit, such as an evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration circuit. An atmospheric water harvester including the multiple panel heat exchanger is also provided.

Abstract translation: 提供了使用其的多面板式热交换器和大气水收集器。 多面板式热交换器包括两个或更多个并排布置的热交换面板，其主要横截面积与通过热交换器的气流垂直。 热交换面板与串联的第一热交换面板串联流体连接，并具有到热交换器的热交换流体入口，并且该系列中的最后一个热交换面板具有来自热交换器的热交换流体出口。 多面板式热交换器适用于制冷回路中的热交换器，例如蒸气压缩制冷回路中的蒸发器。 还提供了包括多板式热交换器的大气水收割机。

公开(公告)号：US20090321435A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-31

申请号：US12164206

申请日：2008-06-30

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: B65D30/20

CPC classification number: B65D21/00 ,  B65D41/06 ,  B65D75/56 ,  B65D85/72

Abstract: A water handling system features collapsible containers which have ports on either side. The ports allow multiple containers to be connected together so that they can be filled in sequential order. The ports have quick-connect fittings by means of which a cap, an inter-container connector, and/or a spout member can be connected to the containers. Dissolving electrolyte-providing members are suitably provided to be inserted into the containers so that pure water collected, e.g., from an atmospheric moisture harvester can be remineralized.

Abstract translation: 水处理系统具有可折叠的容器，其在任一侧具有端口。 端口允许多个容器连接在一起，使得它们可以按顺序填充。 这些端口具有快速连接配件，通过该配件可以将容器上的帽，容器间连接器和/或喷口构件连接。 适当地提供溶解电解质提供构件以插入容器中，使得例如从大气水分收集器收集的纯水可以再矿化。

公开(公告)号：US06759564B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US10270054

申请日：2002-10-15

Applicant: Michael D. Max ,  Sarah A. Holman

Inventor： Michael D. Max ,  Sarah A. Holman

IPC: A62D300

CPC classification number: A62D3/33 ,  A62D2101/02 ,  A62D2101/22 ,  A62D2101/26 ,  B01D53/68 ,  B01D2257/202 ,  B01D2258/0225

Abstract: Areas in which toxic material has been released, particularly in gaseous form but also in liquid form, are decontaminated by forming gas hydrate of the toxic agent. Smaller-molecule toxic agents form sI or sII type hydrates, whereas larger-molecule toxic agents for sH type hydrates. A “companion gas” or “companion agent” is supplied to fill the smaller voids of the sH hydrate, thereby enabling larger-molecule toxic agents to form hydrates by filling the larger voids of the sH hydrate which, but for the presence of the smaller-molecule agent in the smaller voids, would be unstable and not form. Portable as well as fixed, permanently installed apparatus for conducting hydrate-based decontamination is also disclosed.

Abstract translation: 已经释放有毒物质的区域，特别是以气态形式而且以液态形式释放的区域，通过形成有毒剂的气体水合物来净化。 较小分子的毒素形成sI或sII型水合物，而较大分子的毒素为sH型水合物。 提供“伴随气体”或“伴随剂”以填充sH水合物的较小空隙，由此通过填充较大的sH水合物的空隙使得较大分子的毒素形成水合物，但是对于较小的空穴 - 分子剂在较小的空隙中，会不稳定而不形成。 还公开了便携式以及用于进行基于水合物的去污的固定的，永久安装的装置。

公开(公告)号：US06562234B2

公开(公告)日：2003-05-13

申请号：US10266259

申请日：2002-10-08

Applicant: Michael D. Max

Inventor： Michael D. Max

IPC: C02F122

CPC classification number: C02F1/265 ,  B01D53/62 ,  B01D2257/504 ,  C02F1/20 ,  C02F1/22 ,  C02F1/26 ,  C02F1/5236 ,  C02F2103/08 ,  C02F2103/18 ,  Y02A20/132 ,  Y02C10/04 ,  Y10S203/08 ,  Y10S203/11 ,  Y10S203/18

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth. The fresh water produced by the system is cold enough that it can be used to provide refrigeration, air conditioning, or other cooling; heat removed from the system with the heated residual water can be used for heating or other applications.

Abstract translation: 公开了盐水脱盐（和污水净化）的方法和装置。 将盐（或其他被污染的）水泵送到脱盐装置并且直到脱盐分馏塔的底部，在其中与形成水合物的气体混合以形成正浮力或负浮力（辅助浮力）水合物。 水合物上升或向上运送并解离（熔化）到气体和纯水中。 在优选的实施方案中，在水合物形成期间被排出的热量加热的残余盐水从系统中除去以产生朝向整体冷却的偏压，因为水合物在较浅的深度处吸热分解。 在优选的实施方案中，输入水通过与其交换热交换的区域，以充分冷却以使水合物在压力深度形成。 系统产生的淡水足够冷，可用于提供制冷，空调或其他冷却; 用加热的残余水从系统中除去的热量可用于加热或其他应用。