Calvin Glenn Smith

US Patent:

39869385, Oct 19, 1976

Filed:

Jun 19, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/480963

Inventors:

Calvin S. Smith - El Cerrito CA

International Classification:

B01D 100
B01D 302
B01D 300
B01D 310

US Classification:

203 11

Abstract:

A low boiling, water immiscible medium is directly contacted in liquid state with relatively hot or warm water (e. g. with hot recycled fresh water in a desalination system or with warm surface sea water in an energy production system) and in vapor state with relatively cold or cool water (e. g. surface sea water in a desalination system or deep sea water in an energy production system) whereby thermal energy is efficiently transferred between the phases that are so contacted; the energy transfer is for the purpose of evaporating the immiscible liquid in an energy production system and is for the purpose of evaporating saline water in a desalination system; and the effluent from the process which is returned to its natural environment (e. g. to the sea) is treated to remove all significant amounts of entrained and dissolved immiscible medium.

US Patent:

40090825, Feb 22, 1977

Filed:

Dec 1, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/636417

Inventors:

Calvin Schwartz Smith - El Cerrito CA

International Classification:

B01D 300
B01D 334

US Classification:

203 11

Abstract:

A low boiling water immiscible fluid containing two or more molecular species and having a variable boiling point is contacted in the liquid state with relatively hot or warm water such as surface sea water or geothermal water, thereby generating vapor of immiscible fluid (together with a certain amount of water vapor) which is used to drive a prime mover such as a gas turbine and thereby produce mechanical energy; the exhaust vapor from the prime mover is condensed by direct contact with a relatively cool or cold liquid aqueous phase such as deep sea water or water from a lake or stream or cooling tower to condense the vapor; and the condensate is recycled. Provision is made for ridding water discharged from the system of entrained and dissolved immiscible fluid. By countercurrent flow of the liquid phases and by suitable matching techniques greater efficiency is obtained. The invention is also applicable to heat pumps.