Title:
METHOD FOR PRETREATING WATER FOR DESALINATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002018275
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for pretreating water for desalination. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for pretreating water is provided comprising simultaneously emitting acoustic energy to cause cavitation and light at a wavelength of 200 nm or less at the water. The light causes ozone to be generated. The ozone acts as an oxidizing and anti-foaming agent to sterilize the water. The ozone also inhibits the amalgamation of soft scales in the water. The inventors have also discovered that this method is more efficient than separately applying the acoustic energy and the light to the water. As a result, this method requires on average 25-30 % less energy than separately applying the acoustic energy and light. The ozone is preferably removed or destroyed in the water after this method is performed. The ozone may be destroyed by emitting pulsed light at a wavelength of greater than about 200 nm at the water. Another embodiment of the invention is a method for pretreating water for desalination comprising emitting pulsed light at a wavelength of greater than about 200 nm at the water. Typically, the wavelength and intensity of the light is sufficient to destroy ozone in the water.
Inventors:
CAMPBELL ROBERT L (US)
PEDERSON LEO (US)
PEDERSON LEO (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/026764
Publication Date:
March 20, 2003
Filing Date:
August 28, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
OCEAN POWER CORP (US)
CAMPBELL ROBERT L (US)
PEDERSON LEO (US)
CAMPBELL ROBERT L (US)
PEDERSON LEO (US)
International Classes:
A61L2/02; A61L2/025; A61L2/10; C02F1/32; C02F1/36; C02F1/78; C02F5/00; (IPC1-7): C02F1/30; C02F1/36
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