Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a central core element for a reverse osmosis separator assembly, the central core element comprising a pair of central core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, the friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly; wherein each core element component comprises a first section defining an exhaust cavity and a second section comprising a porous exhaust conduit, wherein said porous exhaust conduit comprises a removable wall member configured to form a substantial portion of a porous exhaust conduit wall.
Abstract:
A valve system ( 200 ) for pressure exchanger tubes of an energy recovery system ( 100 ) is provided, The valve system includes a valve housing ( 304 ), a flow distributor ( 310 ), a hollow spool ( 302 ) and a sealing system, The valve housing may comprise a set of high-pressure ports ( 306 ) and a set of low-pressure ports ( 308 ). The flow distributor allows the flow to and from the set of high- pressure ports and the set of low-pressure ports within the valve housing, The hollow spool may be configured to reciprocate axially in a radial clearance between the valve housing and the flow distributor. The hollow spool may connect the pressure exchanger tube in fluid communication with the high-pressure ports or the low-pressure ports. The sealing system may be provided within the valve housing for imparting substantial hydraulic balance to the hollow spool.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold, and a plurality of printheads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of printheads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the printheads of the plurality of printheads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a central core element a reverse osmosis separator assembly useful in the purification of fluids. The central core element comprises an outer exhaust conduit defining an inner volume and a gap starting at a first end thereof the outer exhaust conduit and extending towards a second end of the outer exhaust conduit, and an inner porous exhaust conduit comprising a first section disposed within the inner volume defined by outer exhaust conduit and a second section configured to abut and seal the first end of the outer exhaust conduit. The outer exhaust conduit is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly within the inner volume and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly disposed as a multilayer membrane assembly on an outer surface of the outer exhaust conduit. The gap is configured to accommodate a transition section of the membrane stack assembly linking the first portion of the membrane stack assembly with the second portion of the membrane stack assembly. The first inner porous exhaust conduit section is configured to be disposed within the first portion of the membrane stack assembly.
Abstract:
A system for detecting a rail break or train occupancy includes a current source adapted to deliver a current to an isolated block of a rail track. A voltage sensor is coupled to the isolated block and configured to detect voltage across the isolated block. A shunt device is coupled to the isolated block and configured to receive a shunt current from the current delivered by the current source. A shunt current sensor is coupled to the shunt device and adapted to detect the shunt current flowing through the shunt device. A control unit is adapted to receive input from the voltage sensor and the shunt current sensor and to monitor a variation of the shunt current with respect to the voltage to detect the rail break or train occupancy.
Abstract:
A liquid pumping system comprises a plurality of liquid pumps and a hydraulic drive unit. Each liquid pump is driven by a separate hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinders are powered by a shared hydraulic pump through a valve set. A valve set controller is configured to operate the valve set. A liquid pumping process comprises distributing an initial flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders move through a cycle in a phased relationship to provide a constant sum of flow rates from the liquid pumps. A membrane filtration system combines the liquid pumping system with a membrane unit. In a water treating process, feed water is pumped through the membrane unit. Brine from the membrane unit is returned to each liquid pump while that liquid pump is feeding water to the membrane unit.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a spiral wound membrane distillation module. The spiral wound membrane distillation module comprises a central core element with an interior channel and a multilayer membrane assembly spirally disposed around the central core element. The multilayer membrane assembly comprises at least a feed carrier layer, at least a vapor permeable, liquid-tight membrane layer and at least a vapor spacer layer. The vapor space layer is imparted with a negative pressure. The membrane distillation module is configured to enable the feed solution to flow within the feed carrier layer along an axial direction of the membrane distillation module or enable the vapor to flow within the vapor spacer layer along an axial direction of the membrane distillation module when the membrane distillation module is used to divide a feed solution into a concentrated liquid and a vapor. A method using the spiral wound membrane distillation module to carry out membrane distillation is also provided.
Abstract:
An adapter for (420) converting a conventional reverse osmosis apparatus housing to a housing suitable for use with an unconventional spiral flow separator having a tangential feed inlet and a core pipe with permeate (210) and concentrate (212) discharge conduit assembly is provided. The adapter comprises a fitting (422) configured to couple a feed inlet of a conventional pressurizable housing detachable first portion to a central core element (210) of an unconventional spiral flow separator assembly. The fitting defines a conduit between an exhaust conduit of the central core element and the feed inlet, and is configured to prevent direct fluid communication between the exhaust conduit of the central core element and a feed surface of the separator assembly.
Abstract:
A separation module utilizing a feed spacer (404) and a method for forming such a separation module are provided. A gasket comprising a flexible waterproof material (406) is disposed on at least part of one or more edges of the feed spacer. A membrane layer (410) is disposed on a first surface of the feed spacer. A permeate carrier (412) is disposed on a surface of the membrane element opposite the feed spacer. Optionally an additional thermosetting adhesive (408) is used.
Abstract:
Rotor blade panels, along with methods of their formation, are provided. The rotor blade panel may include one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins having an inner surface; and, a plurality of reinforcement structures on the inner surface of the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins, where the reinforcement structure bonds to the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins as the reinforcement structure is being deposited. The reinforcement structure includes, at least, a first composition and a second composition, with the first composition being different than the second composition.