The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
May. 19, 1997
David A Hopkin, Victoria, CA;
Peter M Wild, Kingston, CA;
Goeffrey W Vickers, Victoria, CA;
Antony Moilliet, Victoria, CA;
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus for separating an original feed solution such as seawater into a product solution of decreased concentration (relatively fresh water) and an exhaust solution of increased concentration. The apparatus includes an annular reverse osmosis membrane means, contained in an annular pressure vessel that is housed in a rotor assembly. The rotor is arranged to spin on an axle and is located within an evacuated shroud. The apparatus further includes supply means for supplying the original feed solution to the reverse osmosis membrane, exhaust means at an outermost radius of the reverse osmosis membrane for removing the exhaust solution from the reverse osmosis membrane, product removal means at an innermost radius of the reverse osmosis membrane for removing the product solution from the reverse osmosis membrane and means for creating a pressure differential across the reverse osmosis membrane to separate the original feed solution into the product solution and the exhaust solution. The supply means and the exhaust means are relatively axially and radially spaced such that the feed solution travels along a combined radial and axial flow-path.