Multi-stage sweeping gas membrane distillation system and process
A multi-stage sweeping gas membrane distillation (MS-SGMD) system and a method of use are provided. The MS-SGMD includes a plurality of modules, wherein each module includes a feed chamber fluidically coupled to a feed line and a carrier gas line, wherein the feed line introduces a liquid feed into the feed chamber from a liquid feed tank, and wherein the carrier gas line introduces a carrier gas into the feed chamber. Each module includes a sweeping gas chamber fluidically coupled to a sweeping gas line and a sweeping gas return line, wherein a sweeping gas is passed through the sweeping gas chamber. Each module further includes a membrane separating the feed chamber from the sweeping gas chamber, wherein the membrane allows transportation of vapor from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber while blocking liquid from moving from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber.
1. A multi-stage sweeping gas membrane distillation (MS-SGMD) system comprising:
a feed line configured to flow a liquid feed, the feed line fluidically coupled to a liquid feed tank configured to store the liquid feed;
a carrier gas line configured to flow a carrier gas;
a sweeping gas configured to flow a sweeping gas;
a plurality of modules fluidically coupled in parallel to each other and to the feed line, the carrier gas line and the sweeping gas line, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises:
a feed chamber fluidically coupled to the feed line and the carrier gas line, wherein the feed line introduces the liquid feed into the feed chamber from the liquid feed tank, and wherein the carrier gas line introduces the carrier gas into the feed chamber;
a sweeping gas chamber fluidically coupled to the sweeping gas, wherein the sweeping gas is passed through the sweeping gas chamber; and
a membrane separating the feed chamber from the sweeping gas chamber, wherein the membrane allows transportation of the vapor from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber while blocking liquid from moving from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber;
a sweeping gas return line fluidically coupled to each sweeping gas chamber in each of the plurality of modules, the sweeping gas return line configured to flow the sweeping gas and a vapor from each feed chamber that has migrated to each respective sweeping gas chamber;
a carrier gas outlet line fluidically coupled to each feed chamber in each of the plurality of modules, the carrier gas outlet line configured to flow the carrier gas flowed out of each feed chamber, wherein the carrier gas is at least partially saturated with vapor in the liquid feed; and
a condenser fluidically coupled to the sweeping gas return line and the carrier gas outlet line, the condenser configured to condense vapor flowed through the sweeping gas return line and vapor carried by the carrier gas.
2. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , further comprising a sweeping gas blower fluidically coupled to the condenser, wherein the sweeping gas blower feeds the sweeping gas through the sweeping gas chamber.
3. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the carrier gas line is fluidically coupled to an outlet on each feed chamber in each of the plurality of modules and fluidically coupled to an inlet on each sweeping gas chamber in each of the plurality of modules.
4. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , comprising a heating element in the liquid feed tank, a heat exchanger on the feed line, or both.
5. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , comprising a heating element disposed in a feed chamber of a module.
6. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid feed comprises an aqueous solution.
7. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid feed comprises a liquid including a dissolved salt, a mixture of salts, a salt and an organic contaminant mixture, or a salt and an inorganic contaminant mixture, or any combinations thereof.
8. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid feed comprises seawater, industrial wastewater, brackish water, produced water, fruit juice, blood, milk, dye, hazardous-waste water, or a brine solution, or any combinations thereof.
9. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a composite membrane, a nano-composite membrane, a hydrophobic membrane, an omniphobic membrane, a hydrophilic and hydrophobic composite dual layer membrane, a modified ceramic membrane, a porous ceramic membrane, a surface modified membrane, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a porous graphene membrane, or a polymeric membrane, or any combinations thereof.
10. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a reinforced hollow tube, a non-reinforced hollow tube, a spiral wound 2 , a flat sheet, or a non-flat sheet, or any combinations thereof.
11. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein a contact angle of a droplet of the liquid feed on the membrane is greater than 90° (degrees).
12. The MS-SGMD system of claim 1 , wherein the carrier gas comprises air, nitrogen, helium, argon, or carbon dioxide, or any combinations thereof.