WO2004033372A1

WO2004033372A1 - Mobile desalination plants and methods for producing desalinated water

Info

Publication number: WO2004033372A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/020942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew W. Gordon; Charles R. Cushing; Steven J. Duranceau
Original assignee: Water Standard Company, Llc
Priority date: 2002-10-08
Filing date: 2003-07-03
Publication date: 2004-04-22
Also published as: AU2003248808A1

Abstract

methods and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel (101) includes a water intake system (200), a reverse osmosis system (204), a concentrate discharge system (207), a permeate transfer system (208), a power source (103), and a control system (210). The concentrate discharge system (207) includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Description

MOBILE DESALINATION PLANTS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING DESALINATED WATER

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/416,907, filed October 8, 2002, and U.S. Application No. 10/453,206, filed June 3, 2003, the priority benefit of which are claimed by this application, and which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus for providing water. Embodiments include systems, methods and apparatus for water desalination and purification including the removal of dissolved solids and contaminants from sea water and brackish water. Systems of the present invention may be advantageously utilized to provide potable, or otherwise purified water, from a seawater source.

BACKGROUND

The antiquity of water supply systems is well established. The practice of water treatment dates back to at least 2000 B.C., when Sanskrit writings on medical lore recommended storage of water in copper vessels, exposure of water to sunlight, filtering through charcoal, and boiling of foul water for the purpose of making water drinkable.

Later, two significant advancements helped to establish drinking water treatment. In 1685, the Italian physician Lu Antonio Porzio designed the first multiple-stage filter. Prior to that, in 1680, the microscope was developed by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek. With the discovery of the microscope enabling the detection of microorganisms and the ability to filter out these microorganisms, the first water-filtering facility was built in the town of Paisley, Scotland, in 1804 by John Gibb. Within three years, filtered water was piped directly to customers in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1806, a large water treatment plant began operating in Paris with filters made of sand and charcoal, which had to be renewed eveiy six hours. Pumps were driven by horses working in three shifts. Water was then settled for twelve hours before filtration.

In the 1870's, Dr. Robert Koch and Dr. Joseph Lister demonstrated that microorganisms existing in water supplies can cause disease, and then began the quest for effective ways to treat raw water. In 1906, in eastern France, ozone was first used as a disinfectant. A few years later, in the United States, the Jersey City waterworks hi 1908 became the first utility in America to use sodium hypochlorite for disinfecting the water supply. Also, in that same year, the Bubbly Creek Plant in Chicago, Illinois, instituted chlorine disinfectant. Over the next several decades, work began on improving the efficiency of filtration and disinfectant.

By the 1920's, the filtration technology had evolved so that pure, clean, bacteria free, sediment free, and particulate free water was available. During World War II, Allied military forces operated in arid areas and began ocean water desalination in order to supply troops with fresh drinking water. In 1942, the U.S. Public Health Service adopted the first set of drinking water standards, and the membrane filter process for bacteriological analysis was approved in 1957.

By the early 1960's, more than 19,000 municipal water systems were in operation throughout the United States. With the 1974 enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the federal government, the public health community and water utilities worked together to provide secure water production for the United States.

The world has a shortage of potable water for drinking and water for argricultural, irrigation, and industrial use. In some parts of the world, prolonged drought and chronic water shortages have slowed economic growth and may eventually cause the abandonment of certain population centers. In other parts of the world, an abundance of fresh water exists, but the water is contaminated with pollution such as chemicals from industrial sources and from agricultural practices.

The world faces severe challenges in our ability to meet our future water needs. Today there are over 300 million people living in areas with severe water shortages. That number is expected to increase to 3 billion by 2025. About 9,500 children die around the world each day because of poor quality drinking water according to United Nations reports. The population growth has increased the demand on drinking water supplies, while the available water, world wide, has not changed. In the coming decades, in addition to improving water reuse efficiency and promoting water conservation, we will need to make additional water resources at a cost and in a manner that supports urban, rural and agricultural prosperity and environmental protection.

There has been a 300 percent increase in water use over the past 50 years. Every continent is experiencing falling water tables, particularly on the southern Great Plains and the Southwest in the United States, and in North Africa, Southern Europe, the entire Middle East, Southeastern Asia, China and elsewhere. Evaporation and reverse osmosis are two common methods to produce potable water from sea water or bracldsh water. Evaporation methods involve heating sea water or brackish water, condensing the water vapor produced, and isolating the distillate. Reverse osmosis is a membrane process in which solutions are desalted or purified using relatively high hydraulic pressure as the driving force. The salt ions or other contaminants are excluded or rejected by the reverse osmosis membrane while pure water is forced through the membrane. Reverse osmosis can remove approximately 95% to approximately 99% of the dissolved salts, silica,₍ colloids, biological materials, pollution, and other contaminants in water.

The only inexhaustible supply of water is the sea. The desalination of sea water using a land-based plant in quantities large enough to supply a major population center or large scale irrigation projects presents many problems. Land-based plants that desalinate sea water through evaporation methods consume enormous amounts of energy.

Land-based plants that desalinate water through reverse osmosis methods generate enormous quantities of effluent comprising the dissolved solids removed from the sea water. This effluent, also referred to as concentrate, has such a high concentration of salts, such as sodium chloride, sodium bromide, etc., and other dissolved solids that simply discharging the concentrate into the waters surrounding a land-based desalination plant would eventually kill the surrounding marine life and damage the ecosystem. In addition, the concentrate that emerges from conventional land based reverse osmosis desalination plants has a density greater than sea water, and hence, the concentrate sinks and does not quickly mix when conventionally discharged directly into the water surrounding a land-based plant.

Even if the health of the marine life and ecosystem surrounding a land-based reverse osmosis desalination plant was not a concern, discharging the concentrate into the water surrounding the land-based plant would eventually raise the salinity of the intake water for the plant and foul the membranes of the reverse osmosis system. If a membrane in a reverse osmosis system is heavily fouled, it must be removed and treated to eliminate the fouling material. In extreme cases, the fouling material can not be removed, and the membrane is discarded.

As a result of all of these factors, potable water produced from land-based reverse osmosis desalination plants is costly and presents significant engineering problems for disposing of the effluent. Hence, despite the world's shortage of potable water, only a small percentage of the world's water is produced by the desalination or purification of water using reverse osmosis methods. Therefore, the need exists for a method and system to consistently and reliably supply potable water using desalination technology that does not present the engineering and environmental problems that a conventional land-based desalination plant presents.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and provides systems, apparatus and methods for providing water. A system of the present invention may be advantageously utilized to provide potable water, drinking water, and/or water for indushial uses.

Systems of the present invention comprise a vessel. The vessel comprises systems, methods and apparatus for purifying and/or desalinating the water on which the vessel floats, including brackish and/or polluted sea, lake, river water etc. Water produced on the vessel may be delivered to land through the use of transport vessels, pipes, transfer ports and the like. The water may be transferred in bulk form and/or may be packaged in containers prior to transport. The water may be stored on the production vessel, accompanying vessels, and/or other storage means prior to transport to land.

Methods of the present invention include production of water, including potable, drinking or water for indushial uses on the vessel and transportation of the water to land. The methods may further comprise storage and/or packaging of the water.

Apparatus of the present invention include the vessel and associated apparatus for producing, transporting, storing and/or packaging the water. Embodiments of apparatus of the present invention are described in detail herein. Systems and methods of the present invention may employ an apparatus of the present invention and/or may utilize other apparatus or equipment.

Embodiments of the present invention may take a wide variety of forms. In one exemplary embodiment, a vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The water intake system includes a water intake and a water intake pump. The reverse osmosis system includes a high pressure pump and a reverse osmosis membrane. The reverse osmosis system is in communication with the water intake system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports. The pemieate transfer system includes a transfer pump. The concentrate discharge system and the pemieate transfer system are in communication with the reverse osmosis system. The power source is in communication with the pumps of the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, and the pemieate transfer system. The control system is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, the concentrate system, the pemieate transfer system, and the power source.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a method of producing pemieate on a floating structure includes producing peπneate wherein a concentrate is produced and discharging the concentrate into the surrounding water. The concentrate is discharged through a concentrate discharge system that includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system includes a first vessel having means for producing a permeate and means for mixing a concentrate with seawater and means for delivering the pemieate from the first vessel to a land-based distribution system.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system for providing disaster relief services from a maritime environment includes a first vessel and means for delivering desalinated water to shore. The first vessel is operable to produce desalinated water.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for mitigating environmental impacts of a desalination system of a vessel (producing a peπneate and a concentrate) on a maritime environment includes means for regulating a salinity level of the concentrate solution discharged from the vessel into the surrounding body of water and means for regulating a temperature of the concentrate substantially equal to a temperature of the water surrounding the vessel.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a method includes providing a first vessel operable to produce a peπneate and to mix a concentrate and delivering the permeate from the first vessel to a land-based distribution system.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a method of providing relief to a disaster-stricken area includes providing a first vessel operable to produce desalinated water and delivering the desalinated water to shore. The first vessel includes a first tonnage.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a method of mitigating environmental impacts of desalinating water (the process of desalinating water produces a permeate and a concentrate) includes reducing the salinity level of the concentrate and regulating a temperature of the concentrate substantially equal to a temperature of the water proximate the area of the concentrate discharge.

An advantage of the present invention can be to use a drought-resistant source of water.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide a sea-borne desalination facility that is less expensive than a land-based desalination facility. Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide a more secure desalination facility.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to mitigate the environmental impacts of a desalination facility.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to discharge a concentrate solution having a salinity level substantially equal to a salinity level of the water surrounding the desalination facility.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to discharge a concentrate having a temperature substantially equal to a temperature of the water surrounding the desalination facility.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide large quantities of desalinated water to coastal and maritime locales anywhere in the world or to locales distant from a body of water through the use of a distribution system.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide relief to disaster- stricken areas.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide mobile production and storage of desalinated water.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to minimize the amount of land- based infrastructure.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide a desalination facility in a shorter amount of time than is needed for a land-based desalination facility.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide a desalination facility that can be moved to avoid natural disruptions and calamities.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to deliver emergency supplies and pre-packaged water.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to remediate aquifers and wetlands.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide a Federal strategic water reserve system.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide tradable and transportable water surpluses.

A further advantage of the present invention can be to provide a modular water-plant design that can be upgraded and modified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this specification, help to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout.

Figure 1A is an side view of a vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure IB is a plan view of the vessel of Figure IB.

Figure 2 is a schematic of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the vessel of Figure 1A.

Figure 4 is a side view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 A is a perspective view of a dispersion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5B is a section view of the grate of Figure 5 A taken along line I-I.

Figure 6 is a side view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a front view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a mixing tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a top view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a top view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a top view of a vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a schematic of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a schematic of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a schematic of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a schematic of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17A is a diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17B is a diagram of another embodiment of the method of Figure 17A.

Figure 17C is a diagram of another embodiment of the method of Figure 17A.

Figure 18 is a method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for producing water. In an embodiment a system of the present invention comprises: a water production vessel and a distribution system for distributing the water produced to end users. The distribution system may comprise apparatus for pumping, piping, storing, transporting, packaging or otherwise distributing the water produced on the vessel.

For the purposes of this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the teπn "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the ver least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, and every number between the end points. For example, a stated range of " 1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g. 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10, as well as all ranges beginning and ending within the end points, e.g. 2 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 9, 4 to 7, and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 contained within the range. Additionally, any reference referred to as being "incorporated herein" is to be understood as being incorporated in its entirety.

It is further noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and apparatus for, desalinating water from sea water, brackish, and/or polluted water. With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a vessel 101 comprising: a water purification system 200 comprising; a water intake system 201 comprising a water intake 202 and a water intake pump 203; a reverse osmosis system 204 comprising a high pressure pump 205 and a reverse osmosis membrane 206; a concentrate discharge system 207 comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports; a permeate transfer system 208 comprising a transfer pump 209; a power source 103; and a control system 210.

The reverse osmosis system 204 is in communication with the water intake system 201, and the concentrate discharge system 207 and the peπneate transfer system 208 are in communication with the reverse osmosis system 204. The power source 103 is in communication with the water intake system 201, the reverse osmosis system 204, and the pemieate transfer system 208. The control system 210 is in communication with the water intake system 201, the reverse osmosis system 204, the concentrate discharge system 207, the peπneate transfer system 208, and the power source 103.

The terms "communicate" or "communication" mean to mechanically, electrically, or otherwise contact, couple, or connect by either direct, indirect, or operational means.

The water intake system 201 provides water to the high pressure pump 205 and the high pressure pump 205 pushes water through the reverse osmosis membrane 206, whereby a concentrate is created on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane 206. The concentrate is discharged into the water surrounding the vessel 101 through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports of the concentrate discharge system 207. On the low pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane 206, the permeate created can be transferred from the vessel 101 through the permeate transfer system 208. The vessel 101 may further comprise a propulsion device 102 in communication with the power source 103. A separate power source may provide power to each of the water intake system 201, reverse osmosis system 204, peπneate transfer system 208, and propulsion device 102. For example, each of the water intake pump 203, high pressure pump 205, and permeate transfer pump 209 may be in communication with a separate power source. In an alternate embodiment, one power source may provide power to a combination of two or more of the water intake system 201, reverse osmosis system 204, peπneate transfer system 208, and propulsion device 102. For example, the electric power for the high pressure pump 205 may be provided by a generator driven by the power source for the vessel's propulsion device, such as a vessel's main engine. In such an embodiment, a step-up gear power take off or transmission would be installed between the main engine and the generator in order to obtain the required synchronous speed. Further, an additional tooth coupling between the propulsion device and the main engine allows the main engine to drive the generator while the vessel is not under way. ι

In another embodiment, the power source 103 for the water purification system 200 and the propulsion device 102 comprises a plurality of engines in communication with a plurality of generators wherein the generators supply electric power to the propulsion device 102 and the water purification system 200. In such an embodiment, the propulsion device 102 comprises an electric propulsion device comprising an electric motor and a propeller. An example of an electric propulsion device is an azimuthing podded propulsion system available from ABB Ltd. (Asea Brown Boveri). Use of an electric propulsion device can provide the advantage of avoiding the use of a conventional engine, shaft, and rudder of a direct drive system propulsion system. An electric propulsion device may also produce a smaller amount of noise thereby reducing any disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. Further, an electric propulsion device can be more energy efficient than a conventional direct drive propulsion system. An electric propulsion device and associated motors, generators, and transformers can occupy less space or use space more efficiently than a conventional direct drive propulsion system, thereby optimizing the use of space below the main deck.

In another embodiment, the power source of water purification system 200 is dedicated to the water purification system 200 an is not in communication with any propulsion device on the vessel 101.

In another embodiment, the plurality of concentrate discharge ports of the concentrate discharge system 207 may act as an auxiliary propulsion device for the vessel 101 or act as the sole propulsion device for the vessel 101. Some or all of the concentrate may be passed to propulsion thrusters to provide idling or emergency propulsion.

In another embodiment, the power source may comprise electricity producing windmills or water propellers that harness the flow of the air or water to generate power for the water purification system or the operation of the ship.

The water intake system 201 is capable of taking in water from the body of water surrounding the vessel and providing it to the reverse osmosis system 204. In an embodiment, the water intake 202 of the water intake system 201 comprises one or more apertures in the hull of the vessel below the water line. An example of a water intake 202 is a sea chest. Water is taken into the vessel through the water intake 202 comprising the one or more apertures, passed through the water intake pump 203, and supplied to the high pressure pump 205 of the reverse osmosis system 204.

The reverse osmosis system 204 comprises a high pressure pump 205 and a reverse osmosis membrane 206. Reverse osmosis membranes are of composite construction and one extensively used form comprises two films of a complex polymeric resin which together define a salt passage. In this process, preheated raw water is pressed through a semi- peπneable barrier that disproportionately favors water permeation over salt peπneation. Pressurized feedwater enters a staged aiτay of pressure vessels containing individual reverse osmosis membrane elements where it is separated into two process streams, peπneate and concentrate. Separation occurs as the feed water flows from the membrane inlet to outlet. The feed water first enters evenly spaced channels and flows across the membrane surface with a portion of the feed water peπneating the membrane barrier. The balance of the feedwater flows parallel to the membrane surface to exit the system unfiltered. The concentrate stream is so named because it contains the concentrated ions rejected by the membrane The concentrated stream is also used to maintain minimum crossfiow velocity through the membrane element with turbulence provided by the feed-brine channel spacer. The type of reverse osmosis membrane used in the present invention is limited only by its compatibility with the water and/or contaminants in the surrounding body of water.

The high pressure pump 205 used to push the raw water through the reverse osmosis membrane 206 comprises any pump suitable to generate the hydraulic pressure necessary to push the raw water through the reverse osmosis membrane 206.

In an embodiment, the vessel 101 may comprise a plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104, also referred to as trains. The plurality of reverse osmosis systems may be installed on the vessel's deck 105. The plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104 may also be installed in other parts of the vessel 101. The plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104 may also be installed on multiple levels. For example, each reverse osmosis system of the plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104 may be installed in a separate container. Several containers can be placed on top of each other to optimize the use of the deck 105 on the vessel 101 and to decrease the time and expense associated with construction of the water purification system on the vessel 101. The plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104 are preferably installed in parallel, but other configurations are possible.

The peπneate transfer system 208 is capable of transferring the peπneate produced to a penneate delivery means, such as a tug-barge unit or tanker vessel In an embodiment, the penneate transfer system 208 is capable of transferring the permeate produced to a permeate delivery means comprising a transfer vessel means while the vessel 101 and the transfer vessel means are under way. The penneate transfer system 208 is also capable of transferring the peπneate produced to a peπneate delivery means comprising a pipeline in communication with the peπneate transfer system 208.

The control system 210 comprises any system capable of controlling the operation of the water intake system 201, the reverse osmosis system 204, the concentrate discharge system 207, the pemieate transfer system 208, and the power source 103 on the vessel 101. The control system 210 is located in a suitable location according to the needs of the vessel 101. The control system 210 may further comprise any system capable of controlling the operation of the vessel 101. In an embodiment, the control system may comprise a processor to make autonomous operational decisions to ran the vessel 101 and the water purification system 200. A specific control system envisioned is the TLX software available from Auspice, although other systems can be included in the design such as a PLC system.

The processor generally is in communication with the control system 210. Suitable processors include, for example, digital logical processors capable of processing input, executing algorithms, and generating output. Such processors can include a microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and state machines. Such processors include, or can be in communication with media, for example computer readable media, which store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps described herein as carried out, or assisted, by a processor.

One embodiment of a suitable computer-readable medium includes an electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission device capable of providing a processor, such as the processor in a web server, with computer-readable instructions. Other examples of suitable media include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, ASIC, configured processor, all optical media, magnetic tape or other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer processor can read. Also, various other foπns of computer-readable media may transmit or carry instructions to a computer, including router, private, or public network, or other transmission device or channel.

In one embodiment, the control system 210 comprises security systems operable to control physical access to the control system 210. In another embodiment, the control system 210 comprises network security systems operable to control electronic access to the control system 210.

The concentrate discharge system 207 is configured to increase the mixing of the concentrate discharged into the surrounding body of water. The plurality of concentrate discharge ports of the concentrate discharge system 207 can be physically located above or below the water line of the vessel 101.

Refening now to Figure 3, in an embodiment, a plurality of concentrate discharge ports 301 are physically located in such a way that a portion of the concentrate discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports 301 is capable of being mixed with the water surrounding the vessel 101 by a propulsion device 102 for the vessel 101.

In an embodiment comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems, a separate concentrate discharge system is connected to each reverse osmosis system.

Refening now to Figure 4, in another embodiment comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems, the concentrate discharged from each reverse osmosis system is collected by the concentrate discharge system 207 in one or more longitudinally oriented manifold pipes, structural box girders, or tunnels. At intervals along the vessel 101, a plurality of discharge ports 401, allows the concentrate to be discharged over a substantial portion of the vessel's 101 length.

Refening now to Figure 5, in another embodiment of the concentrate discharge system 207, each discharge port incorporates a grate 507 designed to assist mixing having divergently oriented apertures 502. A grating with protrusions into the grating's apertures may also be used to assist mixing.

In another embodiment, the concentrate discharge ports of the concentrate discharge system 207 are configured in a manner similar to the exhaust nozzles on an F-15 fighter jet such that the concentrate discharge ports may change their circumference and may also change the direction of the flow of the concentrate. Refening now to Figure 6, in embodiments where the vessel 101 is moored, the concentrate discharge system 207 may comprise a member 601 extending down from the hull of the vessel 101 with a plurality of discharge ports 602 on the member 601. Depending on various factors such as water depth, water temperature, water currents, and the surrounding ecosystem, the member 601 may extend to the depth or depths that optimize the mixing of the concentrate with the surrounding body of water.

Refening now to Figure 7, in another embodiment, the concentrate discharge system 207 comprises a member 701 having a plurality of concentrate discharge ports 702 wherein the member 701 floats on the water's surface through the use of support pontoons or a catenary having support pontoons, or the member 701 may be inherently buoyant.

In another embodiment, each concentrate discharge port of the concentrate discharge system 207 may be mounted on dispersion devices that enable the discharge ports to move in a full hemi-sphere range. The dispersion devices may comprise a universal joint, a swivel, a gimble, a ball and socket, or other similar devices known to one skilled in the art. Through the oscillation or motion of the plurality of concentrate discharge ports, the concentrate should be more evenly dispersed into the surrounding water.

In another embodiment, the concentrate discharge system 207 may further comprise a pump to increase the water pressure of the concentrate prior to being discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

In another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises a heat recovery system in communication with the exhaust of a power source, the water intake system 201, the control system 210, and the reverse osmosis system 204. The heat recovery system can use the heat energy generated by one or more power sources to heat the water taken in by the water intake system 201 before for the water passes to a reverse osmosis membrane 206.

In another embodiment, the vessel 101 may further comprise a heat exchange system in communication with the reverse osmosis system 204 and the concentrate discharge system 207. The heat exchange system comprises a heat exchanger and a cooling system. The heat exchange system reduces the temperature of the concentrate to at or about the temperature of the water sunounding the vessel 101. Since the concentrate normally has an elevated temperature as compared to the temperature of the intake water, installing a heat exchanger system operationally between the reverse osmosis system 204 and concentrate discharge system 207 provides the advantage of reducing or eliminating any impact on the surrounding ecosystem that could result from the discharge of concentrate at an elevated temperature. In another embodiment, a heat exchange system is in communication with other systems on the vessel 100.

Referring now to Figure 8, in another embodiment, the water purification system 200 comprises, a water intake system 201 comprising a water intake 202 and a water intake pump 203, a storage tank 830, a pretreatment system 840, a reverse osmosis system 204 comprising a high pressure pump 205 and a reverse osmosis membrane 206, a concentrate discharge system 207, a peπneate transfer system 208 comprising a penneate transfer pump 209, an energy recovery system 810, and a permeate storage tank 220. The energy recovery system 810 is operable to recover or convert into electricity the energy associated with the pressure of the concentrate.

The storage tank 830 is in communication with the water intake pump 203 and the pretreatment system 840. The pretreatment system 840 is in communication with the storage tank 830 and the high pressure pump 205. The energy recovery device 810 is in communication with the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane 206, the high pressure pump 205, and the concentrate discharge system 207.

In an embodiment, the pretreatment system comprises at least one of a debris prefϊlter system, a reservoir, and a surge tank. A debris filter system is typically used to insure stable, long-term reverse osmosis system performance and membrane life. The debris prefilter system may include clarification, filtration, ulhrafiltration, pH adjustment, removal of free chlorine, antiscalant addition, and 5 micron cartridge filtration.

The energy recoveiy system 810 is operable to recover or convert the energy associated with the pressure of the concentrate. Examples of a energy recovery system 810 include devices such as a turbine. The energy recovered can be used to remove a stage of the high pressure pump 205, to assist in interstage boosting in a two stage water purification system, or to generate electricity.

In another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises one or more noise and/or vibration reduction devices in communication with any moving mechanical device aboard the vessel 101 and the hull of the vessel 101. Such mechanical devices include, but are not limited to, a power source, a high pressure pump, a transfer pump, and a water intake pump. The noise reduction devices may comprise any isolation, suspension, or shock absorbers known to one skilled in the art. The noise reduction devices also include any noise abatement technique lαiown to one skilled in the art. Noise reduction devices may include a hull comprising composite material or machines with precision manufacturing such that the rattle associated with a mechanical device is reduced when operating. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises noise and/or vibration reduction devices to dampen vibrations associated with the movement of fluids through piping in the vessel such as encasement on a pipe's exterior. The encasement of a pipe can reduce velocity noise in piping generated by the movement of water. Noise reduction devices can reduce the vibrations or noise transmitted through the hull of the vessel 101 and thereby reduce any disturbance or interference with normal aquatic or marine life. For example, the noise reduction devices can reduce interference with the acoustic communication between whales. Further, the noise reduction devices can reduce the hearing hazard to the crew of the ship.

Refening now to Figures 9 through 12 in general, in another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises a mixing system in communication with the reverse osmosis system 204 and the concentrate discharge system 207. The mixing system is capable of mixing the concentrate with water taken directly from the surrounding body of water before discharging the concentrate. Such a system is operable to dilute and/or cool the concentrate before returning it to the surrounding body of water.

Referring now to Figure 9, in an embodiment, a mixing system comprises a mixing tank 905 comprising a concentrate inlet 910, a concentrate outlet 915, a mixing water intake system 920 comprising a water intake and a pump, a series of baffles 925, and a mixing barrier 935 comprising a plurality of aperatures 935, wherein water taken in through the mixing water intake system 920 (i.e. native water) and the concentrate are forced through the mixing ba ier and mixed before flowing to the concentrate discharge system 207. The size, shape, location and number of apperatures 935 are selected to optimize mixing of the concentrate with the native water. The apperatures 935 should induce turbulence in fluids flowing through the mixing banier 930. The mixing banier 930 extends from one side of the mixture tank 905 to the opposing side of the mixing tank 905. Adjacent baffles are coupled to opposing sides of the mixing tank 905. The baffles are ananged in a staggered relationship such that a portion of each baffle 925 overlaps with an adjacent baffle 925. The fluid passing though the mixing banier 930 must follow a convoluted route before reaching the concentrate discharge system 207.

In another embodiment (not pictured), the mixing system comprises a mixing tank comprising a concentrate inlet, a concentrate outlet, a mixing water intake system comprising a water intake and a pump, and any device capable of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture from the concentrate and native water. Example of such devices include high speed paddle mixers and a static mixer. By mixing the concentrate with native water, the water purification system 200 is capable of returning a diluted concentrate back into the surrounding body of water. For example, if the surrounding body of water contained total dissolved solids (TDS) of 30,000 mg/L and the water purification system were operating at a recoveiy of 50% penneate, then the TDS of the concentrate would be about 60,000 mg/L. By mixing native water with the concentrate, the TDS of the diluted concentrate would be between 60,000 and 30,000 TDS.

In another embodiment, the water intake of the mixing tank is operable to provide diluting water to the mixing tank having a TDS below the TDS of the water sunounding the vessel. Examples of sources such diluting water include, but are not limited to, peπneate from the reverse osmosis system and rain water collected on the vessel or another vessel.

In another embodiment, the water intake of the mixing system is the same water intake as the water intake 202 of the water intake system 201. In another embodiment, the water intake of the mixing system is a separate water intake. The baffles may be oriented horizontally, transversely, or longitudinally.

Refening now to Figures 10, 11, and 12, in an embodiment, the mixing tank 905 of the mixing system comprises a hold 109 in the vessel 101. As shown in Figure 10, in an embodiment, the baffles 925 are oriented transversely. As shown in Figure 11, in an embodiment, the baffles 925 are oriented longitudinally. As shown in Figure 12, in an embodiment, the baffles 925 are oriented horizontally.

Refening again to Figure 1 A, in another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises a peπneate storage tank comprising holds 109 for the peπneate wherein the peπneate storage tank is in communication with the reverse osmosis system 204 and the peπneate transfer system 208. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 further comprises a packaging system 110 in communication with the peπneate storage tank. The packaging system 110 includes extraction pumps with supply lines for drawing penneate out of the penneate storage tank. The packaging system 110 may be used in emergency situations where an infrastructure to distribute the penneate is not in place or has been damaged.

In another embodiment, the water purification system 200 of the vessel 101 further comprises a permeate treatment system in communication with the low pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane 206 and the permeate transfer system 209. In one embodiment, the peπneate treatment system comprises corrosion control system. In another embodiment, the penneate treatment system comprises a permeate disinfection system. In another embodiment, the peπneate treatment system comprises a penneate conditioning system to adjust to taste characteristics of the peπneate. In another embodiment, the peπneate treataient system comprises a corrosion control system, a penneate disinfection system and a penneate conditioning system. In another embodiment, the permeate treatment system is operationally located after the peπneate transfer system 208. For example, see the description of one embodiment of the land-based distribution system 1330 below.

In another embodiment, the vessel 101 comprises a plurality of reverse osmosis systems 104 wherein the vessel 101 is capable of producing 20,000 to 450,000 cubic meters of permeate per day (approximately 4 to 100 million gallons of penneate per day). In other embodiments, the amount of water the vessel 101 is capable of producing will depend on the application and the size of the vessel 101 used.

In another embodiment, the vessel 101 has a dead weight tonnage (dwt) of between about 20,000 to 500,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 has a dwt of between about 35,000 and 45,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 has a dwt of between about 70,000 and 75,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 has a dwt of between about 120,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 101 has a dwt of between about 250,000 and 300,000. In another embodiment, the dwt of the vessel 101 depends on the intended application, the minimum draft to keep the vessel 101 afloat, and/or the desired production capacity of the vessel 101.

Instead of purifying water using reverse osmosis methods, the vessel 101 may be equipped with other water desalination or purification technologies. For example, the vessel may be equipped with multi-stage flash evaporation, multi-effective distillation, or mechanical vapor compression distillation.

Refening now to Figure 20, in another aspect, the present invention provides a method 2001 for producing a permeate on a floating structure comprising: producing penneate wherein a concentrate is produced 2010; and discharging the concentrate into the sunounding water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports 2020.

In an embodiment of the method 2001, the step of producing a permeate comprises pumping water through a reverse osmosis system comprising a high pressure pump and a filter element comprising a reverse osmosis membrane wherein a concentrate is produced on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane.

In another embodiment, the method 2001 further comprises the step of having the floating structure travel through the water while discharging the concentrate.

In another embodiment, the method 2001 comprises pumping water to be purified through a plurality of reverse osmosis systems in a parallel configuration. In another embodiment, the method 2001 further comprises the step of having the floating structure travel through the water in a pattern selected from the group consisting of a substantially circular pattern, an oscillating pattern, a straight line, and any other pattern determined by testing to be most advantageous to dispersing the concentrate into the sunounding water and water cunents.

In another embodiment, the method 2001 further comprises the step of having the floating structure remain substantially fixed relative to a, position on land and having the concentrate dispersed by water current.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located on the vessel such that a substantial portion of the discharged concentrate is mixed with the sunounding water by a propulsion device of the floating structure. In another embodiment of the method 2001, the plurality concentrate discharge of ports may be located above or below the water line of the floating structure. In another embodiment of the method 2001, the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located such that the discharged concentrate is capable of propelling the vessel in an auxiliary fashion or as the sole propulsion device.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, the method may further comprise the step of mixing the concentrate with water taken directly from the sunounding body of water before discharging the concentrate.

In an embodiment, the step of mixing the concentrate with water taken directly from the sunounding body of water comprises passing the concentrate and the water taken directly from the sunounding body of water together through a series of baffles before being discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports. The baffles may be oriented horizontally, transversely, or longitudinally. Adjacent baffles are coupled to opposing sides of the mixing tank. The baffles are ananged in a staggered relationvessel such that a portion of each baffle overlaps with an adjacent baffle. The water taken in and the concentrate follows a convoluted route before reaching the concentrate discharge system.

The concentrate is discharged in a manner to increase the mixing of the concentrate with the sunounding body of water.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are physically located in such a way that a portion of the concentrate discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports is capable of being mixed with the water sunounding the vessel by the propulsion device. In an embodiment of the method 2001 comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems, a separate concentrate discharge system is connected to each reverse osmosis system

In an embodiment of the method 2001 comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems, the concentrate discharged from each reverse osmosis system is collected into one or more longitudinally oriented manifold pipes, structural box girders, or tunnels. At intervals along the floating structure, the plurality of discharge ports, allows the concentrate to be discharged over a substantial portion of the floating structure's length.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, each concentrate discharge port incorporates a grate designed to assist mixing with the surrounding body of water having divergently oriented apertures. A grating with protrusions into the grating's apertures may also be used to assist mixing.

In another embodiment of the method 2001 , the concentrate discharge ports are configured in a manner similar to the exhaust nozzles on an F-15 fighter jet such that the concentrate discharge ports may change their circumference and may also change the direction of the flow the concentrate.

In an embodiment of the method 2001 where the floating structure is moored or otherwise stationary, the concentrate discharge may be discharged through a member extending down from the hull of the vessel or over the side of the vessel with a plurality of discharge ports on the member. Depending on various factors such as water depth, water temperature, water cunents, and the surrounding ecosystem, the member may extend to the depth or depths that optimize the mixing of the concentrate with the sunounding body of water. In another embodiment, the member having a plurality of concentrate discharge ports may float on the water's surface through the use of support pontoons or a catenary having support pontoons, or through the inherent buoyancy of the member.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, each concentrate discharge port may be mounted on dispersion devices that enable the discharge ports to move in a full hemi-sphere range. The dispersion devices may comprise a universal joint, a swivel, a gimble, a ball and socket, or other similar devices known to one skilled in the art. Through the oscillation or motion of the plurality of concentrate discharge ports, the concentrate should be more evenly dispersed into the surrounding water.

In another embodiment of the method 2001, the concentrate may be further pressurized before being discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Figure 13 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1301 shown in Figure 13 generally comprises a first vessel 1310 and a means for delivering a peπneate from the first vessel 1310 to a land-based distribution system 1330. The first vessel 1310 includes a means for producing a penneate. In one embodiment, the permeate producing means includes a water purification system (as described in more detail herein). Other structures may be used. Other means for producing a peπneate may be used in other embodiments.

Generally, the first vessel 1310 includes a converted single-hull tanker. The term "converted" generally refers to a vessel that has been reconfigured to perform a function for which the vessel was not originally designed. Here, the vessel 1310 was originally designed to transport oil. Alternatively, the first vessel 1310 can be a custom-made vessel.

The first vessel 1310 is located off-shore and includes means for producing a peπneate from the sunounding sea water. Typically, the penneate includes desalinated water. As will be described in more detail below, the first vessel 1310 also includes means for mixing a concentrate with sea water. Although the term "sea water" is used, it is to be understood that sea water can include "fresh" water, such as for example, lake water, or any other suitable source of raw water.

In the case where the penneate is desalinated water, the concentrate generally includes a brine. Other impurities are likely to be present in the concentrate. The other impurities and total dissolved solids are dependent upon the source of the raw water. It is well known that some bodies of water are more polluted than others and that stagnant water and waters closer to shore generally contain greater amounts of pollutants and total dissolved solids than does the open sea.

The first vessel 1310 typically includes a dead-weight tonnage (dwt) in a range between approximately 20,000 tons and approximately 500,000 tons. In various embodiments, the first vessel 1310 may have a dead weight tonnage of about 40,0,00, 80,000, or 120,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1310 has a dwt of between about 35,000 and 45,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1310 has a dwt of between about 70,000 and 75,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 1310 has a dwt of about 120,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1310 has a dwt between about 250,000 and 300,000. In other embodiments, the size of the first vessel 1310 will depend on the intended application, the minimum draft to keep the first vessel 1310 afloat, and the desired production capacity of the first vessel 1310.

A capacity of the permeate producing means is generally dependent upon the deadweight tonnage of the first vessel 1310. However, the capacity of the penneate producing means is not limited by an internal volume foπned by the hull of the first vessel 1310, as would be the oil storage capacity of such a vessel.

In one embodiment, a portion of the peπneate producing means is disposed above a main deck of the first vessel 1310. For example, components of the peπneate producing means can be comparhnentalized in containers (see Figures 1 A and IB) and interconnected to one another and coupled to the main deck. Merchant vessels are lαiown to have containers stacked one atop each other several stories high along a substantial length of the merchant vessel's main deck.

In another embodiment (not pictured) where the propulsion device 102 comprises an electric motor and a propeller in communication with a power source 103 , the peπneate producing means is disposed below the main deck of the first vessel 1310. In a further embodiment, the power source 103 is also in communication with the permeate producing means. Advantages associated with using an electric motor and propeller to propel the first vessel 1310 include, but are not limited to, optimization of the use of space below the main deck of the first vessel 1310 and reduction in noise created by the first vessel 1310. Advantages associated with disposing the peπneate producing means below the main deck of the first vessel 1310 relative to a first vessel 1310 having the pemieate producing means disposed on or above the main deck include, but are not limited to, simplification of the hydraulic system for moving fluids, reduction of the number of water pumps, reduction of operating costs, reduction in the dead weight tonnage of the first vessel 1310, and reduction in size of the first vessel necessary to produce the same or similar amount of water.

Components of the permeate producing means can be ananged in a similar manner to increase the capacity of the penneate producing means otherwise limited by the internal structure of the first vessel 1310. It can be appreciated that such a configured vessel can be modified to adjust the penneate producing capacity of the first vessel 1310 as desired. Thus, the capacity of the penneate producing means generally is in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day. Other means for producing pemieate may be used in other embodiments. Altematively, other suitable stmctures can be used.

As further described above, the permeate producing means typically includes a reverse osmosis system. Altematively, other suitable penneate producing means can be used. In one embodiment, the penneate producing means is operable to produce penneate substantially continuously. Generally, while the first vessel 1310 is in motion with respect to shore 1302, the first vessel 1310 can intake seawater 1303 to process through the permeate producing means. Alternatively, through the use of intake pumps and other lαiown means, the first vessel 1310 can intake seawater 1303 while not in motion with respect to shore 1302.

To be in motion with respect to shore 1302, the first vessel 1310 can be underway. The tenn "underway" means that the first vessel 1310 is in motion under its own power. However, the first vessel 1310 can be in motion with respect to shore 1302 even though it is not underway. The first vessel 1310 can be in motion with respect to shore 1302 while moored, anchored, or drifting.

As discussed above, the first vessel 1310 includes a means for mixing the concentrate. As described above in greater detail, the mixing means is operable to dilute the concentrate. Also as described above in greater detail, the mixing means is operable to regulate a temperature of the concentrate to a temperature substantially equal to that of the water proximate to the first vessel 1310.

In an embodiment, the concentrate discharged by the first vessel 1310 to the sunounding body of water has substantially the same temperature as the water sunounding the first vessel 1310. In another embodiment, the diluted concentrate discharged by the first vessel 1310 to the sunounding body of water has a level of total dissolved solids between the level of total dissolved solids of the concentrate produced by the peπneate producing means and the total dissolved solids of the sunounding body of water. As used herein, the tenn "substantially equal" does not refer to a comparison of quantitative measurements, but rather that the impact on the affected marine life or ecosystem is qualitatively negligible. Thus, in an embodiment little or no readily observable adverse environmental effects occur when discharging the concentrate directly to the waters sunounding the first vessel 1310. Other suitable structures and mixing means may be used.

In one embodiment, the penneate delivering means comprises a second vessel 1320. A dead- weight tonnage of the second vessel 1320 is in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000 tons. In one embodiment, the second vessel 1320 includes a tug-barge unit. In another embodiment, the second vessel 1320 includes a converted single-hull tanker.

Generally, the first vessel 1310 is operable to transfer the permeate to the second vessel 1320 and the second vessel 1320 is operable to receive the penneate from the first vessel 1310. As will be described in more detail below, the second vessel 1320 is operable to deliver the penneate to the land-based distribution system 1330. Transferring fluid, typically fuel oil, between sea-going vessels is lαiown. The transfer of penneate, i.e., desalinated water, between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320 utilizes similar principles. However, in stark contrast to transferring fuel oil between vessels, the environmental consequences of a damaged, severed, or disconnected transfer line 1315 transferring desalinated water are negligible.

In one embodiment, a transfer line 1315 communicates the desalinated water between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320. The transfer line 1315 can communicate a peπneate storage compartment internal to the first vessel 1310 with a peπneate storage compartment internal to the second vessel 1320. Support vessels (not shown) can be used as needed to facilitate the transfer of desalinated water between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320.

Generally, the transfer of peπneate between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320 can be performed while both first and second vessels 1310, 1320 are in motion with respect to shore 1302. Altematively, the transfer of peπneate between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320 can be performed while both first and second vessels 1310, 1320 are moored or anchored. The first vessel 1310 is operable to continue producing penneate while the first and second vessels 1310, 1320 are transferring penneate.

When the transfer of peπneate between the first and second vessels 1310, 1320 is complete, the second vessel 1320 can transfer the penneate to the land-based distribution system 1330 located on shore 1302 or can transfer the peπneate to a third vessel (not pictured) wherein the third vessel is pennanently located at the pier 1331. In an embodiment, the second vessel 1320 travels to and is secured to a pier 1331. The peπneate is transferred to a piping system 1332 from the second vessel 1320 or a third vessel disposed proximate the pier 1331. The piping system 1332 is in communication with and transfers the permeate to the land-based distribution system 1330.

The land-based distribution system 1330 generally includes at least one water storage tank 1333, a pumping station 1336, and a pipeline or a pipeline network 1335. In one embodiment, the land-based distribution system can include a plurality of tanks 1333 located in a single tank-farm or be distributed over several locations on shore 1302. The pipeline network 1335 can interconnect the plurality of tanks 1333. Additionally, the pipeline network 1335 can communicate the water supply with individual pumping stations (not shown) and/or end-users (not shown), such as indushial or residential users. In one embodiment, the land-based distribution system 1330 can include a chemical feed station (not shown) to adjust a plurality of water quality parameters. The chemical feed station can adjust water quality parameters such as pH, corrosion control, and fluoridation, as desired. Other suitable water quality parameters can be adjusted by the chemical feed station. In one embodiment, the chemical feed station is disposed upstream of the storage tanks 1333. In another embodiment, the chemical feed station is disposed downstream of the chemical feed station and upstream of the pumping station 1336. Altematively, the chemical feed station can be disposed in other suitable locations.

In an alternate embodiment, the permeate can be transferred from the second vessel 1320 to a land-based transportation system (not shown) for delivery directly to end-users or alternate water storage facilities. The land-based transportation system can include a plurality of tank trucks or a trucking network (not shown). The land-based transportation system can include a railroad or a railroad network. Additionally, the land-based transportation system can include a combination of a trucking network and a railroad network.

One or more of the water storage tanks 1333 may comprise a modular water storage tank which can be assembled in a separate location from the land-based distribution system 1330 or can be assembled at the same location as the land-based distribution system 1330. As a non-limiting example, a water storage tank 1333 is constructed and assembled in a shipyard and then transported to the location of the land-based distribution system 1330. In an embodiment, the water storage tank 1330 may be seaworthy and transported by towing behind a vessel. In another embodiment, the water storage tank 1333 is constructed in a shipyard and assembled at the location of the land-based distribution system 1330. A modular water storage tank may provide temporary water storage tanks 1333 or my provide permanent water storage tanks 1333.

Refening now to Figure 14, an alternate penneate delivering means is shown. In one embodiment, the peπneate can be transferred directly from the first vessel 1310 to a floating pipeline 1415. Floating pipelines to transfer oil are lαiown. The floating pipeline 1415 can be similar in design to such floating pipelines.

The floating pipeline 1415 can be coupled to a permanent buoy 1404. The floating pipeline 1415 can be transported from shore 1302 to the buoy 1404 by a tugboat or other service vessel. The floating pipeline 1415 can be consta'ucted of lαiown buoyant materials or can be coupled with buoyant floats (not shown) disposed along its length. The floating , pipeline 1415 can float on the surface of the water 1303. Alternatively, the floating pipeline 1415 can be partially submerged below the surface of the water 1303.

An alternate embodiment of the penneate delivering means includes a sea-floor stabilized pipeline (not shown). The sea-floor stabilized pipeline can be coupled to the permanent buoy 1404. The sea-floor stabilized pipeline is disposed primarily below the surface of the water 1303 and rests on the sea-floor. The sea-floor stabilized pipeline can have a plurality of weights distributed over its length to keep it generally in place. Alternatively, the sea-floor stabilized pipeline can be securely fixed to the sea-floor with known anchorage devices and methods.

A first end of the sea-floor stabilized pipeline can be disposed above the surface of the water 1303. The first end of the sea-floor stabilized pipeline is in communication with first vessel 1310. A second end of the sea-floor stabilized pipeline can be disposed proximate to the land-based distribution system 1330. In one embodiment, a portion of the sea-floor stabilized pipeline proximate to the first end passes through the pennanent buoy 1404. In another embodiment, a portion of the sea-floor stabilized pipeline proximate to the first end is integral with the pennanent buoy 1404.

Another alternate embodiment of the peπneate delivering means includes a sea-floor embedded pipeline (not shown). The sea-floor embedded pipeline can be coupled to the pennanent buoy 1404. The sea-floor stabilized pipeline is disposed primarily below the surface of the sea-floor. The sea-floor embedded pipeline is generally secured in place by the sea-floor. The sea-floor embedded pipeline can be buried several inches below a surface of the sea-floor. Altematively, anchorage devices can be used to secure the sea-floor embedded pipeline. Other structures and peπneate delivering means may be used in other embodiments.

In one embodiment of the system 1301, the first vessel 1310 includes a packaging system (not shown) to package the peπneate. The packaging system can include an on-board bottling plant. Alternatively, the packaging system can include other suitable packages, such as, for example, large plastic bladders. As described in more detail below, the packaged penneate can be transported to provide relief to a disaster stricken area on shore 1302. In addition to providing packaged desalinated water, the first vessel 1310 can include a store of disaster-relief provisions, such as food, medical supplies, and clothing.

To support the operation of the first vessel 1310, a support fleet (not shown) can be included. The support fleet is operable to provide the first vessel 1310 with one or more of the following: fuel oil, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, personnel, and airlift capabilities. The support fleet can include a single vessel or a plurality of vessels.

Refening now to Figure 15, a system 1501 for providing disaster relief services from a maritime environment according to the present invention is shown. The system 1501 described in further detail below is operable to provide critical aid to a wide variety of areas that lack sophisticated, well-developed, or functional ground infrastructure. Additionally, the system 1501 does not leave a "footprint" on shore 1302. Furthermore, the system 1501 is mobile and can respond to developing crises without much lead time or notice. This is especially true when the system 1501 is forward deployed across the globe.

The system 1501 includes a first vessel 1510 operable to produce desalinated water. Generally, the first vessel 1510 is operable to produce desalinated water at a rate in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day. Typically the first vessel 1510 includes a reverse osmosis system. In one embodiment, the first vessel 1510 is operable to produce the desalinated water substantially continuously.

The first vessel 1510 can include a converted single-hull tanker and includes a first dead weight tonnage. The first dead weight tonnage includes a range between about 20,000 and 500,000 tons. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1510 has a dwt of between about 35,000 and 45,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1510 has a dwt of between about 70,000 and 75,000. In another embodiment, the vessel 1510 has a dwt of between about 120,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1510 has a dwt of between about 250,000 and 300,000. In other embodiments, the size of the first vessel 1510 will depend on the intended application, the minimum draft to keep the vessel afloat, and on the desired production capacity of the vessel.

The first vessel 1510 can be in continuous motion with respect to shore 1502. Generally, while the first vessel 1510 is in motion with respect to shore 1502, the first vessel 1510 can intake seawater 1503 to process through the reverse osmosis system. Alternatively, through the use of intake pumps and other known means, the first vessel 1510 can intake seawater 1503 while not in motion with respect to shore 1502.

To be in motion with respect to shore 1502, the first vessel 1510 can be underway. However, the first vessel 1510 can be in motion with respect to shore 1502 even though it is not underway. The first vessel 1510 can be in motion with respect to shore 1502 while moored, anchored, or drifting.

In one embodiment of the system 1501, the first vessel 1510 includes a packaging system (not shown) to package the desalinated water. The packaging system can include an on-board bottling plant. Alternatively, the packaging can include other suitable packages, such as, for example, large plastic bladders. The packaged peπneate can be transported to shore 1502 to provide relief to a disaster stricken area. In addition to providing packaged desalinated water, the first vessel 1510 can include a store of disaster-relief provisions, such as food, medical supplies, and clothing.

The system 1 01 also includes a means for delivering the desalinated water to shore 1502. In one embodiment, the delivering means includes a second vessel 1520. The second vessel 1520 includes a second tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000 dwt. The second vessel 1520 can include a converted single-hull tanker. The second vessel 1520 can also include a tug-barge unit. Alternatively, other suitable vessels can be used.

The second vessel 1520 is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel 1510 and to deliver the desalinate water to shore 1502. As described in detail above, the first vessel 1510 can transfer the desalinated water to the second vessel 1520 by a transfer line 1515. Accordingly, this transfer process will not be repeated here. The second vessel 1520 is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel 1510 while the first and second vessels 1510, 1520 are in motion with respect to shore 1502.

Once the desired amount of desalinated water has been transferred from the first vessel 1510 to the second vessel 1520, the second vessel 1520 can transport the desalinated water proximate to the shore 1502. Typically, the second vessel 1520 will dock alongside a pier 1530. Alternatively, the second vessel 1520 can be an amphibious vehicle, in which case the second vessel 1520 can deliver the desalinated water directly to shore 1502. In yet another alternative embodiment, the first vessel 1510 or the second vessel 1520 can transfer packaged desalinated water to shore 1502 by off-loading the packaged water at the pier 1530 or dropping the packaged water overboard allowing the tide to cany the packaged water in to shore 1502.

In an alternate embodiment, the delivering means includes an airborne delivery system (not shown). The airborne delivery system is operable to transport needed aid faster and farther inland than conventional ground transportation means. Furthermore, some areas on shore 1502 may be accessible only by air.

In one embodiment, tire airborne delivery system includes a helicopter (not shown). The helicopter can land on or hover above the first vessel 1510 or the second vessel 1520. The helicopter can be loaded with 'packaged water or it can transport pallets of the packaged water. In another embodiment, the airborne delivery system includes a seaplane. The seaplane can be directly loaded with packaged water and transport the packaged water inland to where it is needed. Other structures and deliver}' means may be used in other embodiments.

The system 1501 can provide other disaster relief services in addition to delivering desalinated water. As discussed above, the system 1501 can also provide food (such as, for example Meals Ready to Eat - MREs), medical supplies, and clothing. As discussed above, the system 1501 can include a support fleet (not shown) operable to provide the first vessel 1510 with one or more of the following: fuel, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, personnel, and airlift capabilities. The support fleet can include a single vessel or a plurality of vessels. Furthermore, in addition to supporting the first vessel 1510, the support fleet can dispatch emergency personnel and additional emergency aid to shore 1502.

Refening now to Figure 16, a system 1601 for mitigating environmental impacts of a water purification system of a vessel 1610 on a maritime environment is shown. The water purification system (not shown) produces a permeate and a concentrate. The water purification system can be similar to that as described above. Alternatively, other suitable water purification systems can be used. Typically, the permeate produced includes desalinated water and the concentrate produced includes a brine.

In an embodiment, the system 1601 includes a mixing means for controlling the level of total dissolved solids of the concentrate discharged from the vessel 1610 into the sunounding body of water. As described above in greater detail, the mixing means is operable to dilute the concentrate and/or to regulate the temperature of the concentrate discharged from the vessel 1610.

In one embodiment, the system 1601 includes means for discharging the concentrate. Generally, the concentrate discharging means is operable to mix the concentrate with raw water prior to the discharge of concentrate to the sunounding body of water. In another embodiment, the concentrate discharging means is operable to mix the concentrate with water having a total dissolved solids below the level of total dissolved solids of the sunounding body of water prior to discharge. The concentrate discharging means can be similar to that described above.

In one embodiment, the concentrate discharging means includes a grate or other dispersing device. For example, the grate can include a plurality of divergently-oriented apertures. In another example, the grate can include a plurality of protrusions disposed in the plurality of apertures. The grate can be configured as described above and with reference to Figures 5 A and 5B. Alternatively, the grating can be configured in other alternate means.

In another embodiment, the concentrate dispersing means includes a discharge member extending from the vessel and a plurality of orifices disposed in the discharge member. The discharge member can include a plurality of discharge tubes, each one of the tubes extending to a different depth. The discharge member can include a floating hose, which generally extends from the main deck of the vessel and into the water. The discharge member can also include a catenary. Other alternate dispersing means can be as that described above. Other suitable structures and dispersing means can be used. In one embodiment, the system 1601 includes means for reducing a level of shipboard noise. For example, the noise reducing means includes a plurality of piping encasements. In another example, the noise reducing means includes a plurality of vibration dampening elements. Other systems for mitigating environmental impacts of a desalination system of a vessel on a maritime environment can be similar to those systems, apparatus, and methods described above. Alternatively, other suitable structures, systems, and means can be used.

Figures 17A-17C show embodiments of a method 1701 according to the present invention. The method 1701 may be employed to deliver desalinated water to a land-based distribution system, such as for example, the system 1330 shown in Figure 13 and as described above. Items shown in Figure 13 are referred to in describing Figures 17A-17C to aid understanding of the embodiment of the method 1701 shown. However, embodiments of methods according to the present invention may be employed in a wide variety of other systems.

Refening now to Figure 17A, block 1710 indicates that a first vessel is provided. The first vessel can be similar to that described above. In one embodiment, the first vessel includes a converted single-hull tanker having a dead-weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 tons and 500,000 tons. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a dwt of between about 35,000 and 45,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel 1710 has a dwt of between about 70,000 and 75,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a dwt of between about 120,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a dwt of between about 250,000 and 300,000. In other embodiments, the size of the first vessel will depend on the intended application, the maximum draft to keep the vessel afloat, and on the desired production capacity of the vessel. Alternatively, other suitable vessels can be used.

The first vessel is operable to produce a peπneate and to mix a concentrate. As described herein, the permeate is produced from raw water, typically seawater. The peπneate generally includes desalinated water and the concentrate includes a brine. In one embodiment, the method 1701 includes providing a reverse osmosis system. Typically, a rate of production of the peπneate by the first vessel is in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day. In another embodiment, the first vessel is in continuous motion with respect to shore. In another embodiment, the first vessel is fixed with respect to shore. As described in more detail herein, one embodiment of the method 1701 includes diluting the concentrate to a level substantially equal to a salinity level of water proximate to the first vessel. Refening again to Figure 17A, block 1720 indicates that the penneate is delivered from the first vessel to a land-based distribution system. Referring now to Figure 17B, one embodiment for delivering the permeate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system is shown. Block 1722 indicates that the step for delivering the permeate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system includes transferring pemieate from the first vessel to a second vessel.

In another embodiment, the method 1701 can include packaging the penneate. The penneate can be packaged as described above with reference to Figure 13. Alternatively, other methods of packaging the pemieate can be used. Once packaged, the penneate can be transported to shore by various methods, including for example, airborne delivery means. A helicopter or a seaplane can be used to transport packaged penneate to shore. The first vessel can include a helipad to accommodate that landing, loading, and departure of a helicopter.

In an embodiment, a dead-weight, tonnage of the second vessel is in a range between about 20,000 and about 500,000. In one embodiment, the second vessel can be a converted single-hull tanker. In another embodiment, the second vessel can be a tug-barge unit. During the transfer of peπneate from the first vessel to the second vessel, both the first and second vessels can be in motion with respect to shore. Alternatively, the first and second vessels can be substantially stationary with respect to shore. As described above, the pemieate can be transfened from the first vessel to the second vessel using a transfer line. Using transfer lines to transfer fuel oil between ships is known. Transferring permeate between vessel can use similar principles.

As shown in Figure 17B, block 1724 indicates that the step for delivering the peπneate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system includes transporting the penneate disposed in the second vessel proximate to the land-based distribution system. The second vessel can travel to a pier or a dock proximate to the shore under its own power or with the assistance of a tug or other suitable support vessel.

As shown in Figure 17B, block 1726 indicates that the step for delivering the peπneate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system includes transferring the penneate from the second vessel to the land-based distribution system. The peπneate can be transfened from the second vessel to the land-based distribution system, as described above and with reference to Figure 13.

Generally, the permeate is transfened from the second vessel to the land-based distribution system through a transfer line that is in communication with a storage tank intake pump. The storage tank intake pump assists in the transfer of penneate to a storage tank. Alternatively, other suitable methods of transferring the peπneate from the second vessel to the land-based distribution system can be used.

Refening now to Figure 17C, an alternate embodiment for delivering the pemieate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system is shown. As indicated by block 1727, the permeate is transferred from the first vessel to a pipeline. Transferring the permeate from the first vessel to the pipeline can be similar to that described above and with reference to Figure 13.

For example, in one embodiment, the pipeline can include a floating pipeline spanning a distance from the first vessel or a pennanent buoy to shore. In another embodiment, the pipeline can include a sea-floor stabilized pipeline similar to that described above. In yet another embodiment, the pipeline can include a sea-floor embedded pipeline similar to that described above with reference to Figure 13. Alternatively, other suitable pipelines and configurations of pipelines can be used.

As indicated by block 1728, the penneate in the pipeline is transported proximate to the land-based distribution system. The permeate can be transported in the pipeline similar to that described above with reference to Figure 13. Alternatively, other suitable methods of transporting the penneate can be used. Generally, a transfer pump coupled to the permanent buoy or the first vessel, provides the necessary pressure to transport the penneate proximate to shore.

In one embodiment, the method 1701 further comprises providing a storage tank. Generally, the storage tank is disposed on shore and stores the peπneate for future transport and/or use. In one embodiment, there may be a plurality of storage tanks. In another embodiment, the method 501 further comprises communicating a pipeline or a pipeline network with the storage tank. In yet another embodiment, the method 1701 further includes communicating a pumping station with the pipeline or the pipeline network. Typically, a combination of a storage tank, a pipeline or a pipeline network in communication with the storage tank, and a pumping station in communication with the pipeline or the pipeline network comprises the land-based distribution system. The land-based distribution system can be similar to that described above and with reference to Figure 13. Altematively, other suitable configurations and arrangements can be used.

In one embodiment, the method 1701 further comprises communicating a chemical feed station to the storage tank. The chemical feed station is operable to adjust a plurality of water quality parameters, such as, for example, pH, co osion control, and fluoridation. The water can be transported to end-users, such as industrial or residential users, directly from the storage tank and pipeline network. Altematively, the water can be transported by providing a land-based transportation system. In one embodiment, the land-based transportation system can include a railroad or a railroad network. In another embodiment, the land-based transportation system can include a tank truck or a trucking network.

Figure 18 shows an embodiment of a method 1801 according to the present invention. The method 1801 may be employed to provide aid to a disaster-shicken area. Items shown in Figure 14 are referred to in describing Figure 18 to aid understanding of the embodiment of the method 1801 shown. However, embodiments of methods according to the present invention may be employed in a wide variety of other systems.

As indicated by block 1810, the method 1801 includes providing a first vessel having a first tonnage. In one embodiment, the first vessel includes a converted single-hull tanker having a first tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a DWT of between about 35,000 and 45,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a DWT of between about 70,000 and 75,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a DWT of between about 120,000. In another embodiment, the first vessel has a DWT of between about 250,000 and 250,000. In other embodiments, the size of the first vessel will depend on the intended application, the minimum draft to keep the vessel afloat, and on the desired production capacity of the vessel. Alternatively, other suitable vessels can be used, including those similar to that described above with reference to Figures 13-16.

The first vessel is operable to produce desalinated water. Generally, the first vessel includes a reverse osmosis system operable to produce desalinated water at a rate in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day. In one embodiment, the first vessel is in continuous motion with respect to shore. Alternatively, the first vessel is stationary with respect to shore. The desalinated water can be produced using methods and apparatus similar to that described above. Other suitable methods for producing desalinated water can be used.

In another embodiment, the method 1801 includes packaging the desalinated water. For example, the first vessel can include a packaging plant. Generally, the method 1801 includes providing a store of disaster relief provisions, such as for example, food, medicine, and clothing.

As indicated by block 1820, the method 1801 of providing aid to a disaster-stricken area also includes delivering the desalinated water to shore. In one embodiment, the method 1801 includes providing a second vessel operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel and to deliver the desalinated water to shore. The second vessel includes a second tonnage. Typically, the second tonnage is less than the first tonnage. The second tonnage can be in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000 dwt. Other suitable vessels can be used, such as those similar to that described above.

In one embodiment, the second vessel is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel while the first and second vessels are in motion with respect to shore. Altematively, the second vessel can receive the desalinated water from the first vessel while the first and second vessels are substantially stationary with respect to shore. The means of transferring desalinated water from the first vessel to the second vessel can be similar to that described above. Alternatively, other suitable means for transferring desalinated water between the first and second vessels can be used. Once the desired amount of desalinated water has been received by the second vessel, the second vessel can transport the desalinated water proximate to shore for distribution to the disaster-stricken area.

As disaster-stricken areas often lack or have compromised land-based distribution systems, an alternate method 1820 of delivering desalinated water to shore includes providing ^• an airborne vehicle. Disaster-stricken areas are often accessible only by air. In one embodiment, the airborne vehicle includes a helicopter. In another embodiment, the airborne vehicle includes a seaplane. The airborne vehicle is operable to transport packaged desalinated water as well as the disaster-relief provisions. Other alternate methods of delivering the desalinated water include simply throwing packaged desalinated water overboard. The packaged water can float to shore or be collected by other vessels.

In the case of a helicopter, the helicopter is operable to transport several discrete packages or to transport pallets of the packaged desalinated water. In one embodiment, the first vessel can include a helipad to facilitate the flight operations and capabilities of the helicopter. Typically, there can be a plurality of airborne vehicles. The airborne vehicles can originate from shore or other vessels.

The method 1801 includes providing a plurality of support vessels. The support vessels are operable to provide the first vessel with one or more of the following: fuel, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, personnel, and airlift capabilities.

Figure 19 shows an embodiment of a method 1901 according to the present invention. The method 1901 may be employed to mitigate environmental impacts of desalinating water. Items shown in Figure 16 are referred to in describing Figure 1 to aid understanding of the embodiment of the method 1901 shown. However, embodiments of methods according to the present invention may be employed in a wide variety of other systems. The process of desalinating water produces a permeate and a concentrate. Block 1910 indicates that the method 1901 includes diluting a concentrate. Such that the total dissolved solids of the diluted concentrate is between the total dissolved solids of the concentrate and the total dissolved solids of the native water. Generally, the concentrate is mixed with water taken directly from the siuiOunding body of water (i.e. "native water") before discharging the concentrate to the water of the maritime environment in which the vessel is operating. As indicated by block 1920, the method also includes regulating a temperature of the concentrate substantially equal to a temperature of the water proximate the area of the concentrate discharge.

In one embodiment, the method 1901 includes providing a mixing tank. Generally, the mixing tank is disposed in a volume of a vessel As described in more detail above, the mixing tank is operable to mix the concentrate with native water prior to discharging the concentrate into the water of the maritime environment in which the vessel is operating. In an embodiment, the mixing tank is similar to that described herein and with reference to Figure 9. Alternatively, other suitable mixing tanks can be used.

In one embodiment, the method 1901 includes dispersing the concentrate. Generally, the concentrate is dispersed as it is discharged into the water of the maritime environment in which the vessel is operating. The method 1901 further includes providing a grate. In one embodiment, the method 1901 includes providing a grate. In another embodiment, the method 1901 further comprises disposing a plurality of divergently-oriented apertures in the grate. The concentrate dispersing means can be similar to that described above. In yet another embodiment, the method 1901 further comprises providing the grate with a plurality of apertures and disposing a plurality of protrusions in the plurality of apertures. In an embodiment, the grate is configured as described above and with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Alternatively, the grate can be configured in other suitable altemate means.

In one embodiment, the method 1901 includes discharging the concentrate from a plurality of locations. The method 1901 can include providing a concentrate discharge member. The method 1901 can also include providing a plurality of orifices disposed in the concentrate discharge member. For example, the discharge member can extend from the vessel and a plurality of orifices disposed in the discharge member. The discharge member can also include a plurality of discharge tubes, each one of the tubes extending to a different depth.

The discharge member can include a floating hose, which generally extends from the main deck of the vessel and into the water. The discharge member can further include a catenary. Other altemate methods of discharging the concentrate can be as that described above. Furtheπiiore, other suitable methods of discharging the concentrate can be used.

In one embodiment, the method 1901 includes reducing a level of operating noise. The method 1901 can include providing a plurality of piping encasements. In another enibodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of dampening members. Other methods for mitigating environmental impacts of a desalination system of a vessel on a maritime environment can be similar to those methods, systems, and apparatus, as described herein. Alternatively, other suitable methods can be used.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising: a first vessel comprising means for producing a permeate and means for mixing a concentrate with seawater; and means for delivering the permeate from the first vessel to a land-based distribution system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the penneate comprises desalinated water and the concentrate comprises a brine.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the permeate delivering means comprises a second vessel, the second vessel operable to receive the penneate from the first vessel and to deliver the peπneate to the land-based distribution system.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second vessel is operable to receive the penneate from the first vessel while the first and second vessels are in motion with respect to shore.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the second vessel comprises a tug-barge unit comprising a dead-weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the second vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker comprising a dead-weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the penneate delivering means comprises a pipeline.

8. The system of claim 9, wherein the pipeline comprises a floating pipeline.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the pipeline comprises a sea-floor stabilized pipeline.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the pipeline comprises a sea-floor embedded pipeline.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the land-based distribution system comprises: a water storage tank; a pumping station; and a pipeline or a pipeline network.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a chemical feed station, the chemical feed station operable to adjust a plurality of water quality parameters.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a land-based transportation system.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the land-based transportation system comprises a railroad or a railroad network.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the land-based transportation system comprises a tank truck or a tricking network.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a capacity of the penneate producing means is in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and 100 million gallons per day.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the peπneate producing means comprises a reverse osmosis system.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the penneate producing means is disposed above a main deck of the first vessel.

19. The system of claim 3, wherein the peπneate producing means is operable to produce peπneate substantially continuously.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker comprising a dead- weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 150,000.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel is in continuous motion with respect to shore.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the mixing means is operable to dilute the concentrate to a level substantially equal to a salinity level of water proximate to the first vessel.

23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mixing means is operable to regulate a temperature of the concentrate to a temperature substantially equal to that of water proximate to the first vessel.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel further comprises a packaging system operable to package the peπneate.

25. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vessel further comprises a store of disaster- relief provisions.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a support fleet operable to provide the first vessel with one or more of the following: fuel, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, and personnel.

27. A system for providing disaster relief services from a maritime environment, the system comprising: a first vessel operable to produce desalinated water, the first vessel comprising a first tonnage; and means for delivering the desalinated water to shore.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel comprises a system for packaging the desalinated water.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the desalinated water delivering means comprises a second vessel, the second vessel is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel and to deliver the desalinated water to shore.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the second vessel is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel while the first and second vessels are in motion with respect to shore.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the second vessel comprises a second dead-weight tonnage, the second dead-weight tonnage comprising a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker and the first dead-weight tonnage comprises a range between about 20,000 and 150,000.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the desalinated water delivering means comprises an airborne delivery system.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the airborne delivery system comprises a helicopter.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the airborne delivery system comprises a seaplane.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel comprises a store of disaster-relief provisions.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel is operable to produce desalinated water at a rate in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day.

38. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel comprises a reverse osmosis system.

39. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel is operable to produce the desalinated water substantially continuously.

40. The system of claim 27, wherein the first vessel substantially is in continuous motion with respect to shore.

41. The system of claim 27, further comprising a support fleet operable to provide the first vessel with one or more of the following: fuel, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, and personnel.

42. A system for mitigating environmental impacts of a desalination system of a vessel on a maritime environment, the desalination system producing a penneate and a concentrate, the system comprising: a mixing means for controlling the level of total dissolved solids of the concentrate discharged from the vessel into the surrounding body of water; and means for regulating a temperature of the concenh-ate substantially equal to a temperature of the water surrounding the vessel.

43. The system of claim 42, further comprising means for dispersing the concentrate.

44. The system of claim 42, further comprising means for reducing a level of shipboard noise.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the mixing means comprises a chamber disposed in a volume of the ship, the chamber comprising a plurality of baffles, a water intake, a concentrate inlet, and a concentrate outlet, and a mixing banier comprising a plurality of apperatures.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the concentrate dispersing means comprises a grate.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein a patteπi of the grate comprises divergently-oriented apertures.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the grate comprises: a plurality of apertures; and a plurality of protrusions disposed in the plurality of apertures.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein the concentrate dispersing means comprises: a discharge member extending from the ship; and a plurality of orifices disposed in the discharge member.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the discharge member comprises a plurality of discharge ttibes, each one of the plurality of discharge tubes extending to a different depth.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the discharge member comprises a floating hose.

52. The system of claim 51 , wherein the discharge member comprises a catenary.

53. The system of claim 44, wherein the noise reducing means comprises a plurality of piping encasements.

54. The system of claim 44, wherein the noise reducing means comprises a plurality of vibration dampeners.

55. A method comprising: providing a first vessel operable to produce a permeate and operable to mix a concentrate; and delivering the permeate from the first vessel to a land-based distribution system.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the pemieate comprises desalinated water and the concentrate comprises a brine.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of delivering the penneate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution system comprises: transferring the penneate from the first vessel to a second vessel; transporting the permeate disposed in the second vessel proximate to the land-based distribution system; and transferring the permeate from the second vessel to the land-based distribution system.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the first and second vessels are in motion with respect to shore.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the second vessel comprises a tug-barge unit comprising a dead-weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the second vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker comprising a dead-weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

61. The method of claim 55, wherein the step o delivering the penneate from the first vessel to the land-based distribution syslem comprises: transferring the permeate from the first vessel to a pipeline; and transporting the permeate disposed in the pipeline proximate to the land-based distribution system.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the pipeline comprises a floating pipeline.

63. The method of claim 61 , wherein the pipeline comprises a sea-floor stabilized pipeline.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the pipeline comprises a sea-floor embedded pipeline.

65. The method of claim 55 , further comprising- providing a storage tank; communicating a pipeline or a pipeline network with the storage tank; and communicating a pumping station with the pipeline or the pipeline network.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising communicating a chemical feed station with the storage tank, the chemical feed station operable to adjust a plurality of water quality parameters.

67. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a land-based transportation system.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the land-based transportation system comprises a railroad or a railroad network.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the land-based transportation system comprises a tank track or a trucking network.

70. The method of claim 55, wherein a rate of production of penneate of the first vessel is in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day.

71. The method of claim 55, further comprising providing a reverse osmosis system.

72. The method of claim 55, wherein the first vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker comprising a dead- weight tonnage in a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

73. The method of claim 55, wherein the first vessel is in continuous motion with respect to shore.

74. The method of claim 56, further comprising diluting the concentrate to a level substantially equal to a salinity level of water proximate to the first vessel.

75. The method of claim 55, further comprising packaging the penneate.

76. A method of providing relief to a disaster-stricken area, the method comprising: providing a first vessel operable to produce desalinated water, the first vessel comprising a first tonnage; and delivering the desalinated water to shore.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising packaging the desalinated water.

78. The method of claim 76, further comprising providing a second vessel operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel and to deliver the desalinated water to shore, the second vessel comprising a second tomiage, the second tonnage less than the first tonnage.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein the second vessel is operable to receive the desalinated water from the first vessel while the first and second vessels are in motion with respect to shore.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein the first vessel comprises a converted single-hull tanker and the first dead-weight tonnage comprises a range between about 20,000 and 500,000 and wherein the second dead-weight tonnage comprises a range between about 20,000 and 500,000.

81. The method of claim 76, further comprising providing an airborne vehicle.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the airborne vehicle comprises a helicopter.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the airborne vehicle comprises a seaplane.

84. The method of claim 76, further comprising providing a store of disaster-relief provisions.

85. The method of claim 76, wherein the first vessel comprises a reverse osmosis system operable to produce desalinated water at a rate in a range between approximately 4 million gallons per day and approximately 100 million gallons per day.

86. The method of claim 76, wherein the first vessel substantially is in continuous motion with respect to shore.

87. The method of claim 76, further comprising providing a plurality of support vessels operable to provide the first vessel with one or more of the following: fuel, supplies and provisions, repair and replacement materials and equipment, and personnel.

88. A method of mitigating environmental impacts of desalinating water, the process of desalinating water producing a peπneate and a concentrate, the method comprising: diluting the concentrate such that the total dissolved solids of the diluted concentrate is between the level of the total dissolved solids of the concentrate and of the total dissolved solids of the surrounding body of water; and regulating a temperature of the concentrate substantially equal to a temperature of the water proximate the area of the concentrate discharge.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising dispersing the concentrate.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising providing a grate.

91. The method of claim 89, further comprising disposing a plurality of divergently- oriented apertures in the grate.

92. The method of claim 89, further comprising: providing the grate with a plurality of apertures; and disposing a plurality of protrusions in the plurality of apertures.

93. The method of claim 88, further comprising discharging the concentrate from a plurality of locations.

94. The method of claim 88, further comprising providing a concentrate discharge member.

95. The method of claim 94, further comprising providing a plurality of orifices disposed in the concentrate discharge member.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the effluent discharge member comprises a plurality of tubes, each one of the plurality of tabes comprising a different length.

97. The method of claim 88, further comprising reducing a level of operating noise.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising providing a plurality of piping encasements.

99. The method of claim 97, further comprising providing a plurality of dampening members.

100. The method of claim 88, further comprising providing a mixing tank, the mixing tank comprising a plurality of baffles, a raw water intake, a brine intake, and a concentrate discharge port.

101. A vessel comprising a water purification system comprising: a water intake system comprising a water inlake and a water intake pump; a reverse osmosis system comprising a high pressure pump and a reverse osmosis membrane; a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports; a penneate transfer system comprising a transfer pump; a power source; and a control system, wherein the reverse osmosis system is in communication with the water intake system, the concentrate discharge system and the permeate transfer system are in communication with the reverse osmosis system, the power source is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, and the pemieate transfer system, and the control system is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, the concentrate discharge system, the penneate transfer system, and the power source.

102. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a propulsion device in communication with the power source.

103. The vessel of claim 102, further comprising a separate power source for each of the water intake system, reverse osmosis system penneate, transfer system, and propulsion device.

104. The vessel of claim 102, wherein one power source provides power to two or more of the water intake system, reverse osmosis system, transfer system, and propulsion device.

105. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports act as an auxiliary propulsion device for the vessel or act as the sole propulsion device for the vessel. ^■

106. The vessel of claim 105, wherein a portion of the concentrate is passed to propulsion thrusters to provide idling or emergency propulsion.

107. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the power source comprises electricity producing windmills.

108. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the power source comprises water propellers that harness the flow of water around the moored vessel to generate electrical power.

109. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the water intake system comprises one or more apertures in the hull of the vessel below the water line of the ship.

110. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems.

111. The vessel of claim 110, wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are installed on the vessel's deck.

112. The vessel of claim 110, wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are installed on multiple levels.

113. The vessel of claim 110, wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are each within in a separate container.

114. The vessel of claim 110, wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are installed in a parallel configuration.

115. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the penneate transfer system is capable of transfening the pemieate produced to a permeate delivery means comprising a transfer vessel means while the vessel and the transfer vessel means are under way.

116. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the penneate transfer system is capable of transfening the permeate produced to a penneate delivery means comprising a pipeline in communication with the permeate transfer system.

117. The vessel of claim 101 , wherein the control system comprises a computer program to make autonomous operational decisions to operate the vessel.

118. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located above the water line of the vessel.

119. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located below the water line of the vessel.

120. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located in such a way that a portion of the concentrate discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports is capable of being mixed with the water surrounding the vessel by a propulsion device for the vessel.

121. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems wherein a separate concentrate discharge system is connected to each reverse osmosis system.

122. The vessel of claim 101 , further comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems wherein the concentrate discharged from each reverse osmosis system is collected into one or more longitudinally oriented manifold pipes, structural box girders, or tunnels and wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports allows the concentrate to be discharged over a substantial portion of the vessel's length.

123. The vessel of claim 101, wherein each concentrate discharge port of the concentrate discharge system incorporates a grate designed to assist mixing of the concentrate with the surrounding body of water.

124. The vessel of claim 123, wherein each concentrate discharge port of the concentrate system comprises a grating having divergently oriented apertures.

125. The vessel of claim 123, wherein each concentrate discharge port of the concentrate system comprises a grating having protrusions into the grating's apertures.

126. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the concentrate discharge ports are configured such that the concentrate discharge ports are operable to change their circumference and operable to change the direction of the flow of the concentrate.

127. The vessel of claim 101 , wherein the concentrate system comprises a member extending from the hull of the vessel and having multiple concentrate discharge ports on the member.

128. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the concentrate system comprises a member extending over the side of the vessel and having multiple concenta-ate discharge ports on the member.

129. The vessel of claim 127 or 128, wherein the member is supported by pontoons, by a catenary comprising support pontoons, or by its own inherent buoyancy.

130. The vessel of claim 101, wherein each concentrate discharge port is mounted on a dispersion device that enables the concentrate discharge ports to move in a full hemi-sphere range.

131. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the concentrate discharge system further comprises a pump to increase the water pressure of the concentrate prior to being discharged through the concentrate dispersion system.

132. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a heat recovery system in communication with the exhaust of a power source, the water intake system, the control system, and the reverse osmosis system.

133. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a heat exchange system in communication with the reverse osmosis system and the concentrate discharge system.

134. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a pressure recovery system operable to convert the energy associated with the pressure of the concentrate wherein the pressure recovery system is in communication with the high pressure pump and reverse osmosis membrane of the reverse osmosis system.

135. The vessel of claim 134, wherein the pressure recovery system is operable to produce electricity.

136. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems and a pressure recoveiy system operable to convert the energy associated with the pressure of the concentrate wherein the pressure recoveiy system is in communication with the plurality of reverse osmosis membranes.

137. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a noise or vibration reduction device in communication with the high pressure pump of the reverse osmosis system.

138. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a noise or vibration reduction device in communication with the intake pump of the water intake system.

139. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a noise or vibration reduction device in communication with the pump of the permeate transfer system.

140. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a noise or vibration reduction device in communication with the power source.

141. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a mixing system in communication with the reverse osmosis system and the concentrate discharge system wherein the mixing system is operable to mix the concentrate with water taken directly from the surrounding body of water.

142. The vessel of claim 141, wherein the mixing system comprises a mixing tank comprising a mixing tank comprising a concentrate inlet, a concentrate outlet, a mixing intake system comprising a water intake and a pump, a series of baffles, and a mixing banier comprising a plurality of aperatures wherein the mixing banier extends from one side of the mixing tank to an opposing side of the mixing tank and wherein adjacent baffles are coupled to opposing sides of the mixing tank and are ananged in a staggered relationship such that a portion of each baffle overlaps with an adjacent baffle.

143. The vessel of claim 142, wherein the water intake of the mixing system is same water intake as the water intake of the water intake system.

144. The vessel of claim 142, wherein the baffles are oriented horizontally, transversely, or longitudinally.

145. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a pemieate treatment system in communication with the low pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane and the permeate transfer system.

146. The vessel of claim 15, wherein the permeate treatment system comprised a corrosion control system.

147. The vessel of claim 145, wherein the permeate treatment system comprises a permeate conditioning system.

148. The vessel of claim 145, wherein the penneate treatment system comprises a penneate disinfection system.

149. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a storage tank, a pretreatment system, an energy recovery system, and a permeate storage tank, wherein the storage tank is in communication with the water intake pump and the pretreatment system, and the pretreatment system is in communication with the storage tank and the high pressure pump, and the energy recovery device is in communication with the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane, the high pressure pump, and the concentrate discharge system.

150. The vessel of claim 149, wherein the pretreotment system comprises at least one of a debris prefilter system, a reservoir, and a surge tan];.

151. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a penneate storage tank in communication with the reverse osmosis system and the permeate transfer system.

152. The vessel of claim 101, further comprising a packaging system in communication with the penneate storage tank wherein the packaging system comprises extraction pumps with supply lines for drawing peπneate out of the pemieate storage tank.

153. The vessel of claim 101, comprising a plurality of reverse osmosis systems wherein the vessel is capable of producing 20,000 to 450,000 cubic meters of peπneate per day.

154. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of between about 20,000 and 500,000.

155. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of between about 35,000 and 45,000.

156. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of between about 70,000 and 75,000.

157. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of about 120,000.

158. The vessel of claim 101 , wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of between about 250,000.

159. The vessel of claim 101, wherein the vessel has a dead weight tonnage of about 500,000.

160. A method for producing a penneate on a floating structure comprising: producing penneate wherein a concentrate is produced; discharging the concentrate into the sunounding water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein the step of producing a penneate comprises pumping water through a reverse osmosis system comprising a high pressure pump and a filter element comprising a reverse osmosis membrane wherein the concentrate is produced on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane.

162. The method of claim 160, further comprising the step of having the floating structure travel through the water while discharging the concentrate.

163. The method of claim 160, wherein the step of producing a pemieate comprises pumping water through a plurality of reverse osmosis systems comprising a high pressure pump and a filter element comprising a reverse osmosis membrane wherein a concentrate is produced on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane and wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are in a parallel configuration.

164. The method of claim 160, further comprising the step of having the floating sttucture travel through the water in a pattern selected from the group consisting of a substantially circular patteπi, an oscillating pattern, and a straight line.

165. The method of claim 160, further comprising the steps of fixing the floating sttucture relative to a position on land in a current and having the concentrate dispersed by water cunents.

166. The method of claim 160, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are located on the floating sttucture such that a substantial portion of the discharged concentrate is mixed with the surrounding water by a propulsion device of the floating sttucture.

167. The method of claim 160, In other embodiments, the plurality of ports may be located above or below the water line of the floating structure.

168. The method of claim 160, further comprising the step of mixing the concentrate with water taken directly from the surrounding body of water before discharging the concentrate.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein the step of mixing the concentrate comprises passing the concenttate and the water taken directly from the sunounding body of water together through a mixing barrier and a series of baffles before being discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

170. The method of claim 160, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are physically located above the water line of the floating structure.

171. The method of claim 160, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are physically located below the water line of the floating structure.

172. The method of claim 161, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports are ^v physically located in such a way that a portion of the concentrate discharged mixed with the water sunounding the floating structure by a propulsion device.

173. -The method of claim 160, wherein the step of producing a penneate comprises pumping water through a plurality of reverse osmosis systems comprising a high pressure pump and a filter element comprising a reverse osmosis membrane wherein a concentrate is produced on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane and wherein the plurality of reverse osmosis systems are in a parallel configuration and wherein a separate concentrate discharge system is in communication with each reverse osmosis system.

174. The method of claim 163, further comprising the step of collecting the concentrate produced by each reverse osmosis system into one or more longitudinally oriented manifold pipes, structural box girders, or tunnels and wherein at intervals along the floating structure, the plurality of discharge ports allows the concentrate to be discharged over a substantial portion of the floating structure's length.

175. The method of claim 160, wherein each concentrate discharge port comprises a grate having divergently oriented apertures.

176. The method of claim 160, wherein each concentrate discharge port comprises a grate having protrusions into the grating's apertures.

177. The method of claim 160, wherein the concentrate discharge ports are configured such that the concentrate discharge ports may change their circumference and may also change the direction of the flow the concentrate being discharged.

178. The method of claim 160, wherein the floating structure is moored and the concentrate discharge is discharged through a member extending down from the hull of the floating sttucture with multiple discharge points on member.

179. The method of claim 160, wherein the floating structure is moored and the concentrate discharge is discharged through a member operable to float on the water's surface through the use of support pontoons or a catenary having support pontoons.

180. The method of claim 160, wherein each concentrate discharge port is mounted on a dispersion device that enables the discharge port to move in a full hemi-sphere range where the dispersion device is selected from the group consisting of a universal joint, a swivel, a gimble, a ball and a socket.

181. The method of claim 160, wherein the concentrate is pressurized before being discharged through the plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

182. A computer readable medium having instructions, the instructions including instractions that cause a processor to communicate a signal to a control system to perfomi the steps of: producing a penneate; and discharging the concenttate through a concentrate discharge system into water proximate to the concentrate discharge system, wherein total dissolved solids level of the concenttate discharged is substantially equal to the total dissolved solids level of the water proximate to the floating structure.

183. The computer readable medium of claim 182, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the, control system to perfomi the step of pumping water through a reverse osmosis system.

184. The computer readable medium of claim 182, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to perform the step of pumping water through a plurality of reverse osmosis systems.

185. The computer readable medium of claim 182, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to perform the step of mixing the concentrate with water from a sunounding body of water before discharging the concenttate.

186. The computer readable medium of claim 185, further comprising stored instructions, the stored insta-uctions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to perfomi the step of passing the concentrate and the water from the surrounding body of water together through a mixing banier and a series of baffles before being discharged through the plurality of concenttate discharge ports.

187. The computer readable medium of claim 182, further comprising stored instractions, the stored instructions including instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to perform the step of pumping water through a plurality of reverse osmosis systems.

188. The computer readable medium of claim 184, further comprising stored instructions, the stored instructions including instractions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to perfomi the step of collecting the concenttate produced by each reverse osmosis system into one or more longitudinally oriented manifold pipes, structural box girders, or tunnels.