Systems including a condensing apparatus such as a bubble column condenser

Abstract

Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 268 . (canceled) 
     
     
         269 . A method, comprising:
 flowing a gas comprising a condensable fluid in a vapor phase into a chamber of a first stage of a bubble column condenser, the first stage comprising:
 the chamber, wherein the chamber has a height and a bottom surface, 
 a liquid layer on the bottom surface of the chamber, the liquid layer comprising an amount of the condensable fluid, and 
 a first weir and a second weir, each positioned along the bottom surface of the chamber and each having a height that is less than the height of the chamber, such that the condensable fluid in the liquid layer flows along the length of the chamber from the first weir to the second weir; and 
   condensing at least a portion of the gas comprising the condensable fluid into the liquid layer within the first stage to produce a dehumidified gas stream and a condenser liquid outlet stream, wherein the method is performed substantially continuously, and wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within the first stage to the length of the condenser is about 1.0 or lower.   
     
     
         270 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the bubble column condenser comprises a second stage comprising a second stage inlet in fluid communication with the first stage outlet; wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the first stage and the second stage each contain a liquid layer comprising an amount of the condensable fluid; and wherein the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within each stage to the length of the condenser is about 1.0 or lower during substantially continuous operation. 
     
     
         271 . The method of  claim 270 , wherein the liquid layer in the second stage has a temperature that is less than a temperature in the liquid layer within the first stage. 
     
     
         272 . The method of  claim 270 , wherein the first stage and the second stage are arranged vertically within the bubble condenser. 
     
     
         273 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.8 or lower. 
     
     
         274 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.6 or lower. 
     
     
         275 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.4 or lower. 
     
     
         276 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.2 or lower. 
     
     
         277 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.1 or lower. 
     
     
         278 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the ratio of the height of the liquid layer within at least one stage to the length of the condenser is about 0.05 or lower. 
     
     
         279 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein each stage of the bubble column condenser comprises a bubble generator comprising a sparger plate comprising a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         280 . The method of  claim 279 , wherein the plurality of holes have a diameter in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         281 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the gas further comprises a non-condensable gas. 
     
     
         282 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the gas further comprises air. 
     
     
         283 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the condensable fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         284 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the bubble column condenser is configured to flow a liquid stream in a first direction and a gas stream in a second, opposing direction. 
     
     
         285 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the first weir is adjacent to an area of the bottom surface that receives a liquid stream, and wherein the second weir is adjacent to an outlet and/or a downcomer of the chamber. 
     
     
         286 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the chamber comprises a baffle positioned to direct flow of the liquid layer along the bottom surface of the chamber. 
     
     
         287 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the liquid layer comprises substantially pure condensable fluid in a liquid phase. 
     
     
         288 . A method, comprising:
 flowing a gas comprising a condensable fluid in a vapor phase into a chamber of a first stage of a bubble column condenser, the first stage comprising:
 the chamber, wherein the chamber has a height and a bottom surface, 
 a liquid layer on the bottom surface of the chamber, the liquid layer comprising an amount of the condensable fluid, and 
 a first weir and a second weir, each positioned along the bottom surface of the chamber and each having a height that is less than the height of the chamber, such that the condensable fluid in the liquid layer flows along the length of the chamber from the first weir to the second weir; and 
   condensing at least a portion of the gas comprising the condensable fluid into the liquid layer within the first stage to produce a dehumidified gas stream and a condenser liquid outlet stream, wherein the method is performed substantially continuously, and wherein during the substantially continuous performance of the method the liquid layer has a height of less than about 0.1 m.   
     
     
         289 . The method of  claim 288 , wherein the first weir is adjacent to an area of the bottom surface that receives a liquid stream, and wherein the second weir is adjacent to an outlet and/or a downcomer of the chamber. 
     
     
         290 . The method of  claim 288 , wherein the chamber comprises a baffle positioned to direct flow of the liquid layer along the bottom surface of the chamber.