Fluid treatment systems and methods using selective transfer membranes

Abstract

Systems and methods for cooling and/or separating a component from a fluid are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can include one or more of a separator (e.g., a dehumidifier), a chiller, and/or an expirator, each of which can include a selective transfer membrane. Such systems and methods can be used for a wide variety of applications including, for example, cooling and/or dehumidifying air.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for dehumidifying air, the method comprising:
 providing a flow of humid air through a dehumidifier to provide a flow of dehumidified air and separated water vapor, wherein the dehumidifier comprises a first selective transfer membrane configured for an inflow of the humid air adjacent a first surface of the first membrane under conditions sufficient to allow water vapor to be transported through the first membrane to a second surface of the first membrane to provide the separated water vapor adjacent the second surface of the first membrane and an outflow of the dehumidified air adjacent the first surface of the first membrane; and   pressurizing and removing the separated water vapor through an expirator, wherein the expirator comprises a second selective transfer membrane configured for flowing the separated water vapor adjacent a first surface of the second membrane under conditions sufficient to allow at least a portion of the water vapor to be transported through the second membrane to a second surface of the second membrane.   
     
     
         9 . A system for dehumidifying air, the system comprising:
 a dehumidifier configured to provide a flow of humid air through the dehumidifier to provide separated water vapor and a flow of the dehumidified air, wherein the dehumidifier comprises a first selective transfer membrane configured for an inflow of the humid air adjacent a first surface of the first membrane to allow water vapor to be transported through the first membrane to a second surface of the first membrane to provide the separated water vapor adjacent the second surface of the first membrane and an outflow of the dehumidified air adjacent the first surface of the first membrane; and   an expirator configured to pressurize and remove the separated water vapor through the expirator, wherein the expirator comprises a second selective transfer membrane configured for flowing the separated water vapor adjacent a first surface of the second membrane to allow at least a portion of the water vapor to be transported through the second membrane to a second surface of the second membrane.   
     
     
         10 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for separating a component from a fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a flow of a fluid having a component through a separator to provide the separated component and a flow of the fluid having at least a portion of the component removed, wherein the separator comprises a first selective transfer membrane configured for an inflow of the fluid having the component adjacent a first surface of the first membrane under conditions sufficient to allow at least a portion of the component to be transported through the first membrane to a second surface of the first membrane to provide the separated component adjacent the second surface of the first membrane and an outflow of the fluid having at least a portion of the component removed adjacent the first surface of the first membrane; and   pressurizing and removing the separated component through an expirator, wherein the expirator comprises a second selective transfer membrane configured for flowing the separated component adjacent a first surface of the second membrane under conditions sufficient to allow at least a portion of the component to be transported through the second membrane to a second surface of the second membrane.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the fluid is air and the first component is water. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the separated water is water vapor. 
     
     
         29 . A system for separating a component from a fluid, the system comprising:
 a separator configured to provide a flow of a fluid having a component through the separator to provide the separated component and a flow of the fluid having at least a portion of the component removed, wherein the separator comprises a first selective transfer membrane configured for an inflow of the fluid having the component adjacent a first surface of the first membrane to allow at least a portion of the component to be transported through the first membrane to a second surface of the first membrane to provide the separated component adjacent the second surface of the first membrane and an outflow of the fluid having at least a portion of the component removed adjacent the first surface of the first membrane; and   an expirator configured to pressurize and remove the separated component through the expirator, wherein the expirator comprises a second selective transfer membrane configured for flowing the separated component adjacent a first surface of the second membrane to allow at least a portion of the component to be transported through the second membrane to a second surface of the second membrane.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the fluid is air and the first component is water. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the separated water is water vapor.