Formation of solid salts using high gas flow velocities in humidifiers, such as multi-stage bubble column humidifiers

Abstract

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for the formation of solid salts using a humidifier. According to certain embodiments, the flow velocity of a gas in the humidifier can be relatively high during the formation of the solid salt. In some embodiments, the humidifier comprises a multi-stage bubble column humidifier.

1 . A system for treating an aqueous inlet stream containing dissolved salt, comprising:
 a humidifier configured to produce a concentrated stream enriched in the dissolved salt relative to the aqueous inlet stream, the humidifier comprising:
 a gas inlet in fluidic communication with a source of a gas; 
 a gas outlet; 
 a liquid inlet in fluidic communication with a source of the aqueous inlet stream; 
 a liquid outlet discharging the concentrated stream; 
 a first stage comprising a first liquid layer comprising water from the aqueous inlet stream in liquid phase, a first vapor distribution region in fluidic communication with the first liquid layer, and a first bubble generator in fluidic communication with the gas inlet; and 
 a second stage comprising a second liquid layer comprising water from the aqueous inlet stream in liquid phase, a second vapor distribution region in fluidic communication with the second liquid layer, and a second bubble generator in fluidic communication with the first vapor distribution region; and 
   a precipitator in fluidic communication with the liquid outlet of the humidifier that precipitates at least a portion of the dissolved salt from the concentrated stream.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas in the humidifier comprises a non-condensable gas. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the non-condensable gas comprises air. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous inlet stream comprises seawater, brackish water, flowback water, water produced from an oil or gas extraction process, and/or wastewater. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, during operation, the pressure in the humidifier is maintained at approximately ambient atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, during operation, the pressure in the humidifier is maintained at about 90 kPa or less. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the humidifier comprises a third stage comprising a third liquid layer comprising water from the aqueous inlet stream in liquid phase, a third vapor distribution region in fluidic communication with the third liquid layer, and a third bubble generator in fluidic communication with the second vapor distribution region. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bubble generator and/or the second bubble generator comprises a sparger plate comprising a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes have a maximum cross-sectional dimension in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a dewatering system configured to remove water from at least a portion of the precipitated salt produced by the precipitator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dewatering system is configured to produce a cake comprising at least a portion of the precipitated salt. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dewatering system is configured to produce an aqueous dewatering system product stream containing less of the precipitated salt than a stream transporting precipitated salt from the precipitator to the dewatering system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the aqueous dewatering system product stream is recycled back to the humidifier. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dewatering system comprises a filter press. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a conduit does not fluidically connect the gas outlet of the humidifier to a dehumidifier. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the humidifier is not fluidically connected to a dehumidifier. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating an aqueous inlet stream containing dissolved salt, comprising:
 transporting the aqueous inlet stream and a gas stream through a humidifier such that water is removed from the aqueous inlet stream to produce a concentrated stream enriched in the dissolved salt relative to the aqueous inlet stream; and   precipitating, within a precipitator, at least a portion of the dissolved salt from the concentrated stream to produce a product stream containing less of the dissolved salt relative to the concentrated stream,   wherein, during operation, the superficial flow velocity of the gas stream through the humidifier is at least about 50 cm/second.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the gas in the humidifier comprises a non-condensable gas. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the non-condensable gas comprises air. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the aqueous inlet stream comprises seawater, brackish water, flowback water, water produced from an oil or gas extraction process, and/or wastewater. 
     
     
         21 - 32 . (canceled)