Bubble-Column-Humidification Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A bubble-column-humidification apparatus includes a humidifier chamber configured to receive the feed liquid from a feed-liquid source. A bubble distributor is contained in the humidifier chamber; and a humidifier bath of the feed liquid is also contained in the humidifier chamber above the bubble distributor. The feed liquid forms a continuous and majority phase of the humidifier bath and fills a majority of the humidifier chamber, which has a width at least twice as great as its height. A lower gas region is located below the bubble distributor and the humidifier bath in the humidifier chamber and is configured to receive a carrier gas from a carrier-gas source and to disperse the carrier gas through the bubble distributor. The carrier gas in the lower gas region has a pressure greater than the hydrostatic pressure of the humidifier bath.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bubble-column-humidification apparatus, comprising:
 a feed-liquid source containing a feed liquid;   a humidifier chamber configured to receive the feed liquid from the feed-liquid source;   a bubble distributor contained in the humidifier chamber;   a humidifier bath of the feed liquid contained in the humidifier chamber above the bubble distributor, wherein the feed liquid in the humidifier bath forms a continuous and majority phase of the humidifier bath and fills a majority of the humidifier chamber, and wherein the width of the humidifier bath is at least twice as great as its height;   a carrier-gas source containing a carrier gas; and   a lower gas region contained in the humidifier chamber and located below the bubble distributor and the humidifier bath, wherein the lower gas region of the humidifier chamber is configured to receive the carrier gas from the carrier-gas source and to disperse the carrier gas through the bubble distributor, wherein the carrier gas in the lower gas region has a pressure greater than a hydrostatic pressure of the humidifier bath.   
     
     
         2 . The bubble-column-humidification apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feed liquid is sea water or brackish water. 
     
     
         3 . The bubble-column-humidification apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feed liquid is flowback water or produced water from oil or gas extraction. 
     
     
         4 . The bubble-column-humidification apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble distributor is a sparger plate, and wherein the humidifier chamber defines respective volumes for the carrier gas in the lower gas region and the humidifier bath separated only by the sparger plate. 
     
     
         5 . The bubble-column-humidification apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the humidifier chamber further comprises a top gas region above the humidifier bath. 
     
     
         6 . The bubble-column-humidification apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the top gas region of the humidifier chamber is in fluid communication with a dehumidification apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A method for bubble-column humidification comprising:
 introducing a feed liquid into a humidifier chamber to form a humidifier bath of the feed liquid above a bubble distributor contained in the humidifier chamber, wherein the feed liquid in the humidifier bath forms a continuous and majority phase of the humidifier bath and fills a majority of the humidifier chamber, and wherein the width of the humidifier bath is at least twice as great as its height;   introducing a carrier gas at a pressure greater than a hydrostatic pressure of the humidifier bath into a lower gas region in the humidifier chamber located below the bubble distributor and the humidifier bath;   dispersing the carrier gas as bubbles from the lower gas region through the bubble distributor and through the humidifier bath, wherein the carrier gas is heated and humidified by the feed liquid in the humidifier bath; and   extracting the heated and humidified carrier gas from the humidifier chamber above the humidifier bath.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising directing the heated and humidified carrier gas from the humidifier chamber into a dehumidifier chamber in which water is condensed and extracted from the humidified carrier gas. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the feed liquid is sea water or brackish water. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the feed liquid is flowback water or produced water from oil or gas extraction. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bubble distributor is a sparger plate, and wherein the humidifier chamber defines respective volumes for the carrier gas in the lower gas region and the humidifier bath separated only by the sparger plate.