WO2012030368A1

WO2012030368A1 - Application of radio frequency to fluidized beds

Info

Publication number: WO2012030368A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/061252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lawrence Curtin; Zechariah Curtin
Original assignee: Lawrence Curtin; Zechariah Curtin
Priority date: 2010-09-01
Filing date: 2010-12-20
Publication date: 2012-03-08

Abstract

An energy efficient system and method for water desalination and purification or separating other fluidizable components. A plurality of antennas is disposed just beneath the surface of feed water wherein the plurality of antennas is configured to generate radio frequencies specific to the vibrational frequencies of both hydrogen and oxygen. The specific radio frequencies break apart or liberate the hydrogen and oxygen from the feed water, wherein the liberated hydrogen and oxygen pass up through a condensation plate having a plurality of nanoholes and up into an upper chamber. Microwaves may also be used in combination with the radio frequencies to supplement and enhance the liberation of the hydrogen and oxygen components from the supply of feed water molecules. The liberated hydrogen and oxygen may condense within the upper chamber and a plurality of fans blows the liberated hydrogen and oxygen and/or newly condensed water into a collection element.

Description

APPLICATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY TO FLUID1ZED BEDS

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[001] This Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application builds upon previously filed US provisional patent application number 61/402,610 carrying a fifing date in the USPTO of September 1. 2010 (01September2010); US provisional patent application number 61/403, 133 carrying a filing date in the USPTO of September 10, 2010 (10September201Q); US provisional patent application number 61 /403,730 carrying a filing date in the USPTO of September 21, 2010 (21 September2010); and US provisional patent application number 61/455,702 carrying a filing date in the USPTO of October 25, 2010 (25October2010), which are specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The present invention generally relates to a system and method for separating fluid or fiuidizable components, more specifically, in a preferred, embodiment the present invention relates to a new and useful system and method for applying radio frequency energy to salinated water or waste water to desalinate or purify the feed water.

BACKGROUND ART

[003] Desalination, also known as desalinisation, is a water treatment process that removes salt, other minerals or chemical compounds from impure water to produce potable water. The two predominant technological approaches used worldwide in commercial desalination are distillation and membrane separation. Multi-Stage Flash is the predominant distillation process that accounts for approximately 71 % of the total installed desalination capacity from all sources while reverse osmosis accounts for approximately 19% of the total installed desalination capacity. These two processes make up approximately 86 percent of used technologies while the remaining 14 percent is made up of multi-effect, electrodialysis and vapor compression.

[004] Distillation works by heating seawater to produce steam, which is then condensed to produce water with a low salt concentration and few of the other impurities contained in the original water. Distillation works well but requires large quantities of heat energy, and costs have been prohibitive for nearly all but the wealthiest nations, such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This method does not require the use of large amounts of energy and can be considerably cost effective.

[005] Reverse osmosis does offer energy savings because it uses pressure to push saltwater through a membrane to recover fresh water. However, the permeable membranes have relatively short life spans and are highly susceptible to contaminants in the source water, particularly chlorine and fine silt. The membranes tend to become "fouled" or "scaled" over time by organic and inorganic substances present in the water. Although new and improved membranes such as thin composite membranes are being introduced to help solve such problems, the system and method of the present invention do not incorporate equipment that introduces these types of problems to the desalination process. Another problem with reverse osmosis that the present invention will improve upon is the process' use and performance in places like the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf water has more salt than ocean water, therefore making desalination more difficult to complete using traditional methods. In addition, the warm Gulf water reduces the useful life of the reverse osmosis membranes.

[006] Certain characteristics about desalination make it an extremely costly technology. Capital investment and operations are expensive for all desalting options because pipes and equipment require corrosion-resistant materials, while special pre- treatment filters and cleaning membranes require frequent backwashmg to remove the rapid accumulation of silt. In addition, chemicals must be used in the pre-treatment of the source water and de-fouling chemicals such as acid must be used to prevent scaling in reverse osmosis systems from seawater. Organic fouling is also a problem if the seawater is not disinfected and. is directly pumped into the plant. However, cost effective methods of disinfection usually damage the membranes and the excess disinfectant must be removed prior to the reverse osmosis membranes. Reverse osmosis requires high pressures up to 75 bar requiring mechanical energy for pumping the water up to high pressures. Chemicals used to clean the system and. solid, wastes generated from the process must be disposed, of properly.

[007] The technology of the present invention can provide a unit that does not require as much maintenance as conventional desalination units because it has considerably less equipment than a reverse osmosis unit requires for producing potable water. Thus, due to its simple constraction, the installed cost of a system and method of the present invention will often be significantly less than the equivalent reverse osmosis unit. The system of the present invention may tolerate small amounts of silt and low cost oxidizing biocides such as chlorine and may also require much less energy than reverse osmosis since a high feed pressure is not required.

[008] To the best of our knowledge it appears that the generic application of radio frequency energy to salinated water/waste water has been disclosed on two separate occasions. The first disclosure was made by John Kanzius as documented in a video found on http://www.rustuinToy.com. Mr. Kanzius appears to apply a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz to a water sample that, on its appearance, allows the water sample to bum.

[009] The second disclosure was made by an African company, Graham Tek, which may be found at http://www.gTahamtek.com. Graham Tek appears to disclose the use of a coil embedded in a reverse osmosis membrane. A radio frequency of 2 KHz appears to be used to descale the reverse osmosis membrane. Use of a high heat RF wave would melt the reverse osmosis membranes.

[0010] Both of the above disclosures differ significantly from the use of radio frequency as disclosed in the system and method of the present invention.

[0011 ] Thus, the need exists for an improved system and method for performing water desalination and purification beyond that which is currently disclosed within the prior art. The disclosed system and method of the present invention provide such an improvement over the prior art technology.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In accordance with one embodiment, a system for separating a plurality of components in a fluid, comprising a plurality of antennas disposed, beneath the surface of the fluid, wherein the plurality of antennas transmits a first frequency approximately equal to the vibrational frequency of a first component of the fluid and a condensation plate disposed above the surface of the fluid, wherein the condensation plate comprises a plurality of nanoholes disposed within and. extending through the condensation plate, wherein the first frequency liberates the first component from molecules within the fluid and the liberated first component travels upward through the plurality of nanoholes within the condensation plate.

[0013] The present invention may further provide a method for separating a plurality of components in a fluid, comprising the steps of providing a fluid separation system, wherein the system comprises a plurality of antennas disposed beneath the surface of the fluid, wherein the plurality of antennas transmits a first frequency approximately equal to the vibrational frequency of a first component of the fluid and a condensation plate disposed above the surface of the fluid, wherein the condensation plate comprises a plurality of nanohoies disposed within and extending through the condensation plate; and transmitting the first frequency from the plurality of antennas, wherein the first frequency liberates the first component from the fluid, and the liberated first component passes up and through the plurality of nanohoies within the condensation plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

[0015] Fig. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a system or device of the present invention.

[0016] Fig. 2 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a condensation plate of the present invention.

[0017] Fig, 3 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a lower chamber of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 4 depicts a top view of an embodiment of one of a plurality of antennas of a system or device of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a system or device of the present invention.

[0020] Fig, 6 depicts a flow chart diagram of an embodiment of a method of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] The system and. method of the present invention act to separate fluid or fiuidizabie components. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention acts to remove water from feed water such as sea water, waste water, and the like as opposed to treating the feed water. Embodiments of the invention provide a process that utilizes the scientific principles of radio frequency energy and atomic particle resonance to affect separate targeted components from feed water in order to produce potable water. One main application of the invention is in the desalination field but the principles disclosed herein may also be applicable to many other separation technologies that may include but are not limited to most gas, liquid/liquid, and. fluidizable solids separations. Such other uses expressly within the scope of the present invention only require alteration of the one or more radio frequencies to match the atomic particle resonance of the specific component(s) to be separated.

[0022] The present invention uses the field of radio frequency technology to provide a system for separation of one or more components from a mixture, solution, suspension, and the like. The present invention utilizes the absorption of energy of selected components in order to weaken the molecular structure and bonds of the components to be separated. By- using a radio frequency generator to target specific atoms by their respective vibrational frequencies, the molecular stracture and bonds of the targeted molecules may be weakened and/or broken thereby liberating the respective molecular components. Dual frequency generators may be further incorporated to liberate two atoms at the same time. Additionally, microwaves may be used simultaneously with the one or more radio frequencies to assist in and facilitate the breaking of the targeted molecular bonds.

[0023] The system of the present invention needs no filter, membrane or chemicals to function. While conventional evaporation/condensation systems waste large amounts of energy heating the entirety of the feed water supply, the system and method of the present invention save a considerable amount of energy by narrowly and specifically targeting molecular components via one or more radio frequencies thereby liberating the respective molecular components, such as hydrogen and. oxygen in a preferred embodiment. An evaporation/condensation system is the only way to get pure water, as has been recognized by the EPA. It should be noted that a slanted condensation plate may pick up contaminates if it is too close to the feed water's surface while the part of the slanted condensation plate that is farther away may not pickup up condensation at all.

[0024] As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, a system 100 of the present invention may generally comprise a feed water input line 10 in fluid communication with a lower chamber 15. Feed, water 20 such as sea water, waste water, or any fluid having components to be separated may be supplied to the lower chamber 15 by the feed water input line 10. The top of the lower chamber 15 may be defined by a condensation plate 25, wherein the surface of the feed water 20 does not come into contact with the condensation plate 25 disposed there above. The shape of the lower chamber 15 may comprise various configurations including but not limited to full or partial rectangular, square, spherical, cylindrical configurations, and the like. Such lower chambers 15 may further comprise shallow or deep structures for retaining the feed water 20. Just above the water line of the feed water 20 and. below the condensation plate 25, waste from the process may be removed by any manner known within the art including but not limited to foam fractionation out through a foam output line 30 in communication with the lower chamber 15.

[0025] The system 100 and method of the present invention farther comprise a plurality of antennas 4Θ. The plurality of antennas 40 may further comprise but are not limited to one or more coiled or parallel tubes, wires or rods that are located within the feed water 20 and are just below the surface of the feed water 20. Each of the one or more tubes may contain a conductive wire that is made of copper, titanium, conductive graphite/graphene, or any other conductive material known within the art. In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of antennas 40 may comprise one or more materials from the platinum group metals including but not limited to platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium. The conductive materials may be used in a variety of configurations including but not limited to wire embodiments and rod embodiments (such as graphite/graphene rods). Feed water 20 may be prevented from contacting the plurality of antennas 40 when each of the plurality of antennas 40 is sealed within one or more protective tubes. The one or more tubes may comprise any material known within the art such as but not limited to glass and ceramic material. The one or more protective tubes may not be necessary in embodiments wherein the plurality of antennas 40 either comprises material not adversely affected by exposure to the feed water 20 or comprises conductive graphite/graphene rods or wires. In one exemplary embodiment, Fig. 3 may illustrate a plurality of antennas 40 either disposed within straight protective tubes or having antennas 40 in rod configurations just beneath the surface of the feed water 20, wherein Fig. 4 illustrates a simplified, view of an alternate configuration comprising one or more circular or coiled antennas 40 that may be used in cylindrical chambers or chambers having otherwise circular cross sections. The scope of the present invention further includes any and all radio frequency antenna styles and configurations known within the art.

[0026] The plurality of antennas 40 such as those disposed in one or more protective tubes or those comprising wires or conductive graphite/graphene rods may be connected to a matching network that is protected from the elements. In turn the matching network gets its power from a radio frequency generator 45. In one embodiment, the radio frequency generator 45 may simultaneously generate dual frequencies. In an alternate embodiment, two or more radio frequency generators 45 may each generate their own distinct radio frequency. In dual radio frequency embodiments, one antenna may be disposed within another antenna or both antennas may be disposed alongside each other. In a preferred embodiment used for desalination or water purification, certain specific frequencies may be used to liberate hydrogen or oxygen from seawater/waste water at the atomic level These irequencies correspond to the vibrational frequencies of hydrogen and oxygen. In a preferred embodiment, the frequencies are approximately 42.5775 MHz and 5.7742 MHz for hydrogen and oxygen, respectively.

[0027] Additionally, to further enhance the system 100 and method of the present invention a short wave or microwave may be broadcast along with and cany the long wave or radio wave to assist in breaking apart or liberating the hydrogen and oxygen components of the water molecules. In alternate embodiments, the long and short waves may be pulsed or continuously broadcast. In a preferred embodiment, the short wave or microwave may be transmitted at approximately 2.45 GHz.

[0028] Fig, 2 depicts a top view of one embodiment of a condensation plate 25 of the system 100 of the present invention as shown in Fig. ί and Fig. 5, wherein the condensation plate 25 is disposed above the feed water 20. The condensation plate 25 is preferably disposed parallel to the surface of the feed water 20. In an alternative embodiment, the condensation plate 25 may be slanted at an angle relative to the surface of the feed water 20. The condensation plate 25 may be constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to glass, aluminum, titanium or any other material known within the art that is not affected or harmed by exposure to water. The condensation plate 25 has a plurality of nanoholes 35 drilled through the surface of the condensation plate 25. In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of nanoholes 35 has a diameter less than or equal to 320 nanometers. The plurality of nanoholes 35 extends from the bottom surface of the condensation plate 25 to the top surface of the condensation plate 25. Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a configuration for the plurality of nanoholes 35 passing through the condensation plate 25, however, any configuration may be used to provide the same function at different levels of efficiency. The distance between the bottom surface of the condensation plate 25 and the top surface of the feed water 20 may also be varied as needed. [0029] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, an upper chamber 55 is disposed above the condensation plate 25 and the upper chamber 55 is in communication with an output collection element 60, The output collection element 60 may comprise any transfer or storage structure known within the art including but not limited to a pipe, channel, basin, trough, storage chamber, or any combination thereof for transporting and/or storing condensed, and. purified water. After the targeted hydrogen and oxygen molecular bonds have been broken within the feed water 20, hydrogen and oxygen are drawn up through the plurality of nanoholes 35 from the lower chamber 15 to the upper chamber 55 by a plurality of fans 50. After the hydrogen and oxygen pass through the plurality of nanoholes 35 within the condensation plate 25 and enter the upper chamber 55, they may recombine back into purified water molecules. Because the water molecules are larger than the plurality of nanoholes 35, the purified/recombined water may not fall back through the condensation plate 25. The plurality of fans 50 draws the liberated hydrogen and oxygen up through the plurality of nanoholes 35 and then blows the purified/recombined water and/or still liberated hydrogen and oxygen into the output collection element 60. The surface of the condensation plate 25 and the Avails of the upper chamber 55 may be configured to funnel or otherwise guide the purified, water or liberated hydrogen and. oxygen into the output collection element 60.

[0030] Bubbles contain a gas and the skin of any bubble may potentially contain contaminates. As long as any bubbles rising from within the feed water 20 of the present inventive system 100 are not allowed to touch the condensation plate 25, only purified water will recombine and form in the upper chamber 55 and output collection element 60.

[0031 ] In use (see Fig. 6) in a preferred embodiment, as shown in the structures of Fig. 1 and. Fig. 5, a system 100 for separating a plurality of components in a fluid, may be provided 610. The system 100 may comprise a feed water input line 10 that provides feed water 20 to the lower chamber 15 of the system 100. A plurality of antennas 40 are provided within the lower chamber 15 and the plurality of antennas 40 are disposed just beneath the surface of the feed water 20. In alternate embodiments, the plurality of antennas 40 may be disposed within protective tubes or other structures that otherwise confonn to the shape of the plurality of antennas 40. One or more radio frequency generators 45 power the plurality of antennas 40, wherein one or more radio frequency generators 45 or a single dual radio frequency generator 45 may be used.. The one or more radio frequency generators 45 may- generate and transmit 620,630 one or more radio frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, such one or more radio frequencies may be approximately equal to the vibrational frequencies of hydrogen and oxygen, which are 42.5775 MHz and 5,7742 MHz, respectively. Additionally, microwaves may also be generated and. simultaneously transmitted (preferably at approximately 2.45 GHz) along with the one or more radio frequencies to further assist in breaking apart or liberating the components of the feed water 20 molecules.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, hydrogen and oxygen may then be liberated from the feed, water 20 molecules and bubble up to the surface of the feed, water 20. Waste or foam resulting from this process may be removed from the lower chamber 15 via a foam output line 30 disposed just above the surface of the feed water 20. The condensation plate 25 may be positioned above the surface of the feed water 20 so that the skin of bursting bubbles that may potentially contain contaminates does not touch and thereby contaminate the condensation plate 25. Liberated hydrogen and oxygen may then pass upward through the plurality of nanoholes 35 within the condensation plate 25 and thereby move from the lower chamber 15 into the upper chamber 55. Once within the upper chamber 55, the hydrogen and oxygen may recombine and condense into purified water. A plurality of fans 50 disposed, at one end of the upper chamber 55 may blow 640 the purified water and/or any still liberated hydrogen and oxygen across the upper chamber 55 and into the output collection element 60. The action of the plurality of fans 50 also helps draw liberated hydrogen and. oxygen from the lower chamber 15 up through the condensation plate 25 and into the upper chamber 55. Purified water within the output collection element 60 may be transported and/or stored, as needed.

[0033] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and. variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments.

[0034] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the specific examples given.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0035] The present invention provides an energy efficient system and. method for separating fluid components and/or fiuidizable components. A preferred embodiment of the present invention may provide a system and method for water desalination and purification. A plurality of antennas disposed just beneath the surface of a feed water supply is configured to generate radio frequencies specific to the vibrational frequencies of both hydrogen and oxygen. The specific frequencies help to break apart or liberate the hydrogen and oxygen from the feed water molecules. Such a system and method eliminate the need to heat the entire feed water supply, since the specific radio frequencies target the precise molecular bonds to be broken. By passing the liberated hydrogen and oxygen through a condensation plate having a plurality of nanoholes, the recombined or condensed water within the upper chamber is purified and contaminate-free.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for separating a plurality of components in a fluid, comprising:

a plurality of antennas disposed beneath the surface of said fluid, wherein said plurality of antennas transmits a first frequency approximately equal to the vibrational frequency of a first component of said fluid; and

a condensation plate disposed above said surface of said fluid, wherein said condensation plate comprises a plurality of nanoholes disposed within and extending through said condensation plate;

wherein said first frequency liberates said first component from molecules within said fluid and said, liberated first component travels upward through said plurality of nanoholes within said condensation plate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of antennas transmits a second frequency approximately equal to the vibrational frequency of a second component of said fluid, wherein said second frequency liberates said second component from said molecules within said fluid, and said liberated, second component travels upward through said plurality of nanoholes within said condensation plate.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of nanoholes comprises a diameter equal to or less than 320 nanometers.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a lower chamber disposed below said condensation plate, wherein said fluid and said plurality of antennas are disposed within said lower chamber, wherein a foam output line is in communication with said lower chamber above said surface of said fluid.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising: one or more radio frequency generators in electrical communication with said plurality of antennas.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said fluid is feed water and said first component is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and oxygen.

7. The system of claim 6. wherein said first frequency is selected from the group consisting of approximately 42.5775 MHz and approximately 5.7742 MHz.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said fluid comprises feed water, said first component comprises hydrogen, and said second component comprises oxygen.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first frequency comprises approximately 42,5775 MHz and said, second frequency comprises approximately 5.7742 MHz.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of antennas comprises material selected from the group consisting of copper, titanium, graphite, graphene, platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium.

1 1. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of antennas is protected within one or more tubes preventing said fluid from contacting each of said plurality of antennas.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of antennas transmits a third frequency, wherein said third frequency comprises a microwave frequency.

13. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of fans disposed above said condensation plate, wherein said plurality of fans blows condensed said fluid or liberated said first components and said second components away from said plurality of fans.

Tie system of claim 2, further comprising

an upper chamber disposed above said condensation plate;

a plurality of fans disposed within said upper chamber; and an output collection element disposed in communication with said upper chamber opposite said plurality of fans;

wherein said plurality of fans blows condensed said fluid or liberated said first components and said second components away from said plurality of fans and into said output collection element.

15, A method for separating a plurality of components in a fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a fluid separation system, wherein said system comprises:

a plurality of antennas disposed beneath the surface of said fluid, wherein said plurality of antennas transmits a first frequency approximately equal to the vibrational frequency of a first component of said fluid: and a condensation plate disposed above said surface of said fluid, wherein said condensation plate comprises a plurality of nanohol.es disposed within and extending through said condensation plate; and

transmitting said first frequency from said plurality of antennas, wherein said first frequency liberates said, first component from said fluid and liberated said first component passes up and through said plurality of nanoholes within said condensation plate.

16, The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

transmitting a second frequency from said plurality of antennas, wherein said second frequency liberates a second component from said fluid and liberated said second component passes up and through said plurality of nanoholes within said, condensation pla te,

17, The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

blowing condensed said fluid or liberated said first component and liberated said second, component with a plurality of fans from a position above said condensation plate into an output collection element located opposite said plurality of fans.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said fluid comprises feed water, said first component comprises hydrogen, and said second component comprises oxygen.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said plurality of antennas transmits a third frequerscy, wherein said third, frequency comprises a microwave frequency. 0, The method of claim 1 8, wherein said first frequency comprises approximately 42.5775 MHz and said, second frequency comprises approximately 5.7742 MHz.