AU2006317500B2

AU2006317500B2 - A pipeline system

Info

Publication number: AU2006317500B2
Application number: AU2006317500A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Shelley
Original assignee: Creative Water Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Creative Water Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2010-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-20
Also published as: AU2006317500A1

Description

.KAUIV Ui ~JILUUCTU 4UU / A PIPELINE SYSTEM The present invention relates generally to a pipeline system for supplying fluid, such as water from a source to a target location. More particularly, the invention 5 relates to a pipeline system for supplying fresh water to a target location from a salt-water source and will, hence, be generally described in this context. However, it is to be appreciated that he present invention may be utilized in other applications including, but not limited to, the removal of contaminants from water or other fluids. 10 The adequate supply of fresh water is an ever increasing problem in today's society, particularly in arid regions of the world, regions prone to drought and regions supporting large populations. 15 Various solutions have been proposed for addressing society's water shortage problem. Generally, however, such proposals are prohibitively expensive to set up, prohibitively expensive to operate, unable to provide sufficient fresh water for society's needs, inefficiently use society's valuable power resources, undesirably add to greenhouse gas emissions, or introduce undesirable long 20 term human and environmental hazards. One existing proposal for providing fresh water to inland communities such as, for example communities in rural Australia, is to provide a desalination plant on the Australian coast for the desalination of ocean water and then to transit the 25 desalinated, fresh water by a pipeline to the rural community requiring fresh water. Currently available desalination plant technologies are expensive to set up, expensive to operate and return unwanted and highly saline water back into the ocean. 30 It would be desirable to provide an alternative arrangement for supplying fresh water. It would also be desirable to provide an arrangement for supplying fresh water addressing at least some of the problems inherent in existing proposals. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

JLk-zviu -, '.Ji-LUVUC 4aUU 2 Further, it would be desirable to provide an arrangement for decontaminating fluid. According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 5 desalination pipeline system. The pipeline system includes a first pipeline extending from a salt water source for transferring salt water therethrough, and at least one salt-water desalinator. 1.0 Each salt-water desalinator is in fluid connection with the first pipeline, enabling salt water to be drawn from the first pipeline to the at least one desalinator. The desalinator is provided to desalinate at least part of the water drawn from the first pipeline. 15 Each desalinator is in fluid connection with a second pipeline extending between each respective desalinator and a target outlet, such that the water that has been desalinated in the desalinator is transferred to the second pipeline and therethrough to the target location. 20 At least one desalinator includes a desalinating chamber. Each chamber includes an air intake configured for, in use, feeding an airstream into the chamber to generate a generally non-vortex airflow within the chamber. Thus, the second pipeline is provided to provide desalinated water at the target 25 outlet. The pipeline system may include a third pipeline that is acting as the salt water source for the first pipeline, the third pipeline being in fluid connection with the first pipeline. The third pipeline is provided for replenishing the first pipeline with 30 salt water upon the desalinator converting salt water removed from the first pipeline into desalinated water. This third pipeline may, for example, be part of a grid connecting ocean based salt water' sources to a pipeline system(s) in order to provide a network of fresh water throughout a country or region. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

3 It is envisaged that the water that has been desalinated will be fresh water. The salt water in the first pipeline that has not been desalinated in one desalinator may continue through the first pipeline towards a further or final 5 desalinator in the pipeline. The target outlet may be any one or more of a dam, reservoir, catchment or other fresh water reserve, while the salt water source may be the third pipeline or the ocean. 10 It is to be appreciated that the salt water source could also be, for example, a salt damaged river or waterway. In this respect, the present invention may be used to desirably reduce the salt level in such rivers or waterways by taking water in from such a waterway, cleaning it and then returning it to the waterway. 15 It is to be appreciated that the source could be a river or waterway with some other contamination besides salt. The present invention may be used to remove contaminants from such a waterway by taking water in from such a waterway, cleaning it and then returning it to the waterway. 20 It is to be appreciated that the source could be the settling ponds, or other similar source, of a factory where contaminated water is produced as a by product of the operation of the factory. The present invention may be used to remove contaminants from such a waterway by taking water in from such a 25 waterway, cleaning it and then outputting the clean water into separate clean water storage catchments. The cleaned water may be appropriate for re-use in the factory or of such quality it can be returned to the natural waterways. The system may include two or more desalinators located at desired and/or 30 convenient locations along the pipeline system. For example, a desalinator may be located at each populated region along a pipeline system so as to provide desalinated water for each of those regions. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

4 The system may be modular in form, including a plurality of desalinators connected between pipeline system sections. It is envisaged that multiple desalinators could be connected in series, in 5 parallel, or in a network between a salt water source (or third pipeline section) and a target outlet. Being modular, the system may be arranged in any desired layout. It is envisaged that, generally speaking, each of the desalinators would be located 10 above ground and the pipeline system sections would be located either above or below ground. Each desalinator may be combined with first, second and, optionally, third pipeline sections to create a desalinating module that may be connected within 15 an overall system such as a grid or network to other desalinating modules and/or pipeline system sections. In a further arrangement two or more desalinators may be combined in the one desalinating module. Each module may include connectors at one or both ends of each of the first, 20 second and optional third pipeline section for enabling the module to be connected to other modules and/or pipeline system sections in any appropriate layout. The present invention is also broadly directed to a desalinator for use in a 25 desalination pipeline system. The desalinator includes a desalinating chamber. The desalination chamber includes a salt-water inlet, a water dispersal unit for dispersing water within the chamber, an evaporated water outlet for the removal of evaporated water from within the chamber, a salt-water outlet for removal of non-evaporated salt-water from within the chamber, a means for providing a 30 generally non-vortex air stream within the chamber. Preferably, a condensation chamber is provided for extracting fresh water from the evaporated water. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

5 The present invention is also broadly directed to a water dispersal means for dispersing water entering a desalinator. The dispersal means includes one of a shower, spray or other water dispersal device, through which water passes and is dispersed. 5 The water dispersed in the desalination may advantageously be suspended in the air stream in the chamber by any suitable arrangement. For example, the water may be suspended by spraying it onto evaporation pads. 10 Salt is generally removable from the chamber and pipeline system, or it can be returned to the salt-water in the first pipeline, which would result in an increased concentration of salt within the first pipeline. Any suitable desalination chamber shape may be selected. Different shaped 15 desalination chambers may be appropriate for different applications. Examples of possible desalination chamber shapes are: e A cylindrical shape that is taller than it is wide * A pipeline shape that is wider than it is tall 20 The pressure in the desalinating chamber may optionally be lowered by any suitable means to further increase the efficiency of the evaporation. An alternative gas mixture may be supplied to the desalination chamber in place of or in addition to natural air in order to introduce a gas that will be of some 25 further benefit. For example a gas may be used to render harmless a chemical or biological agent that may be contained in the air or water in the desalination chamber. The gas mix in the desalination chamber rnay optionally be changed from 30 natural air in order to induce or retard the evaporation process. This may be used to reduce the temperature at which evaporation is taking place, or to restrict the evaporation process in order to prevent or retard the evaporation of some contaminants. Amended Sheet 1PEA/AU 6 In one form, the desalinating chamber includes a salt catchment for collecting salt produced in the chamber. However, it is to be appreciated that the salt produced in the chamber could be fed back into the first pipeline for collection and possible processing at the target outlet or other suitable location in the 5 pipeline system. The salt catchment may be provided in the chamber or may form a separate chamber. It is to be appreciated that removal of salt from the chamber may be achieved by the removal of salt suspended in unevaporated salt water, and then returning 10 salt water via a filtered pipe without the suspended salt. Preferably, the salt-water fed from the first pipeline is heated prior to reaching each of the desalinators. Heating of the salt-water may occur by any suitable means and, in a preferred form, is heated by a solar water heater. Preferably, 15 the salt-water is heated to a temperature of at least 550C, with the efficiency of the system generally increasing with higher temperatures of water being fed to each module. It is to be appreciated that it is not necessary to heat the water to boiling point, 20 *whatever temperature that may be in the chosen gas mix of the desalination chamber, but it may be advantageous in a particular application. It is to be appreciated that it is possible to enhance the cost effectiveness of the system by the use of low-grade heat available as a by-product of another 25 operation. In this respect the present invention lends itself most usefully to cleaning water for re-use in factories. Removal of non-evaporated salt water from within the chamber may be by any suitable means, including by a solar water heater acting as a thermosiphon on 30 the salt-water collected in or towards the bottom of the chamber. Alternatively, a pump or screw may be used to remove the salt-water from or towards the bottom of the chamber and return it to the first pipeline. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

7 Preferably, the desalination chamber includes an extraction fan, turbine or other air-flow generating means for assisting in extracting evaporated water through the evaporated water outlet. The extraction fan, turbine or other air-flow generating means may be powered by any suitable means, including by solar 5 power and/or a wind power unit. In a preferred form the desalination chamber is air-tight, providing the greatest amount of clean water recovery, although in certain situations, where environmental conditions make it favourable, the energy cost of the solution 10 may be reduced (at the expense of a lower percentage of water recovery) by using an external intake and an exhaust on the airflow. Since the neft amount of energy into the system must equal the amount of energy that exits the system, and since the amount of energy lost to ambient 15 temperatures may be less than this (if insulation is used), an amount of energy may remain that must exit the system. It should be noted that this energy can be advantageously employed to dry off the salt solid that has been extracted from the system by any suitable means including a heat pan or other evaporator. The result of employing the exit-energy in this way is to further 20 reduce the weight and volume of the solid waste by drying it. In some circumstances, the water thus evaporated can also be captured to further increase the percentage of clean water recovered, but this tends to retard the drying off process so a suitable choice must be made for each application. 25 The desalination pipeline system may include means for pumping the salt-water in the first and third pipelines along the pipelines towards the target outlet. Likewise, the system may include means for pumping at least partially desalinated salt-water in the second pipeline towards the target outlet. It is to be appreciated that it may be appropriate to generate differing flow-rates in each of 30 the first, second and third pipelines. Any suitable means for pumping may be provided, including solar power, and/or windmill generated power. Each of the first, second and third pipelines may be insulated to potentially different extents along at least a portion of their respective lengths adjacent Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

8 each desalinator to reduce heat energy losses to outside ambient temperatures. Any suitable insulation type may be adopted. The desalination chamber may also be insulated to reduce heat energy losses 5 to outside ambient temperatures. Any suitable insulation type may be adopted. To reduce the net energy requirement of evaporation, and to increase the rate of condensation, the condensation chamber may include heat exchangers to return energy recovered through the condensation process to the evaporation 10 process. To increase the achievable humidity in the evaporation chamber the air stream may advantageously be pre-heated. The air stream may be preheated through the use of solar heaters and heat exchangers, the use of available low grade 15 heat, or by any other means. In another aspect, the present invention is broadly directed to a method -of desalinating salt-water. The method includes feeding salt-water into a desalination chamber through a salt-water inlet, dispersing the water within the 20 chamber, supplying a generally non-vortex air stream within the chamber, removing the evaporated water from the chamber through an evaporated water outlet, and removing non-evaporated salt-water from within the chamber through a salt-water outlet. 25 The evaporated water may pass from within the chamber through the evaporated water outlet and into a condensation chamber. The salt-water dispersal may adopt any suitable form including, but not limited to creating a water spray, shower, atomization or other water dispersal form 30 within the chamber. Preferably, the stream of air within the chamber is directed across, against or through the path of the dispersed water to assist in the capture of evaporated water. The water may be suspended in the air stream by any means including evaporation pads. The air-stream may be preheated. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

9 The method may also include removal of salt from within the chamber though a salt outlet. However, the salt may be returned as suspended solids in the non evaporated salt-water through the salt-water outlet. 5 The method may include heating the salt-water prior to entering the desalination chamber, as this will desirably increase the overall efficiency of the desalination system. The method may also include operating an extraction fan, turbine or other 10 device within the chamber to enhance removal of evaporated water from within the chamber. Preferably, the salt-water outlet is in fluid communication with the first pipeline. 15 Salt water removed from the desalination chamber may contain both dissolved and suspended solids. Preferably the salt water should be removed from the desalination chamber and then returned to the first pipeline by any means that will prevent the suspended solids from being returned. 20 Reference has, so far, been made to the system in the context of desalinating water. However, it is to be appreciated that the system could be used, within practical limits, to remove any impurity in water or any other fluid including, but not limited to, the removal of salt. Thus, reference to "water" is to be understood as including reference to any fluid; and reference to "salt" is to be understood to 25 include reference to any water (or other fluid) impurities. In this respect, it would be desirable to provide an arrangement for decontaminating fluid. 30 Thus, according to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decontamination pipeline system. The pipeline system includes a first pipeline extending, from a decontaminated fluid source for transferring decontaminated fluid therethrough, and at least one decontaminating unit. Each decontaminating unit is in fluid connection with the first pipeline, enabling Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

10 decontaminated fluid to be drawn from the first pipeline to the at least one decontaminating unit. The decontaminating unit is provided to decontaminate at least part of the decontaminated fluid drawn from the first pipeline. Each decontaminating unit is in fluid connection with a second pipeline extending 5 between each respective decontaminating unit and a target outlet, such that the fluid that has been decontaminated in the decontaminating unit is transferred to the second pipeline. At least one decontaminating unit includes a decontamination chamber. Each chamber includes an air-intake configured for, in use, feeding an air stream into the chamber to generate a generally non 10 vortex airflow within the chamber. The present invention is also broadly directed to a decontaminating unit for use in a decontamination pipeline system. The decontaminating unit includes a decontamination chamber. The chamber includes a decontaminated fluid inlet, 15 a dispersal unit for dispersing fluid within the chamber, an evaporated fluid outlet for the removal of the evaporated fluid from within the chamber, a contaminated fluid outlet for removal of non-evaporated contaminated fluid from within the chamber, and a means for providing a generally non-vortex air stream within the chamber. 20 Further, the invention is broadly directed to a fluid dispersal means for dispersing fluid entering a decontamination chamber. The dispersal means includes one of a shower, spray or other fluid dispersal device, through which fluid passes and is dispersed. 25 The present invention is further broadly directed to a method of decontaminating fluid. The method includes feeding contaminated fluid into a decontamination chamber through a decontaminated fluid inlet, dispersing the fluid within the chamber, providing a generally non-vortex air stream within the 30 chamber, removing evaporated fluid from the chamber through an evaporated fluid outlet, and removing non-evaporated contaminated fluid from within the chamber though a contaminated fluid outlet. Amended Sheet

IPEAIAU

11 It will be convenient to hereinafter describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of 5 the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a portion of a desalination pipeline system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic layout of a portion of a desalination pipeline system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic layout of a portion of a desalination pipeline system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of a desalinator according to one 15 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic end view of the desalinator illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 is another representation of the portion of desalination pipeline system illustrated in Figure 1. 20 Figure 7 is a diagrammatic layout of a portion of a desalination pipeline system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a magnified view of the desalinator of the pipeline system illustrated in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a diagrammatic layout of a portion of a desalination pipeline 25 system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a portion of a desalination pipeline system 10. The pipeline system 10 includes a first pipeline 12 extending from a salt water source 14 for transferring salt water therethrough. The system 10 30 includes a salt water desalinator 18. The salt-water desalinator 18 is in fluid connection with the first pipeline 12 via connection pipes 20, 22. The connection pipe 20 allows salt-water to be drawn from the first pipeline 12 to the desalinator 18. The connection pipe 22 allows salt-water not desalinated in the desalinator 18 to be returned to the first pipeline 12. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

12 The salt-water desalinator 18 is provided for desalinating part of the salt-water drawn from the first pipeline 12. Indeed, it is envisaged that the desalinator 18 would convert a portion of the salt-water into fresh water. The desalinator 18 is 5 in fluid connection with the second pipeline 24 extending between each respective desalinator 18 and the target outlet 16, via a connection pipe 27, such that the desalinated (evaporated) water produced in the desalinator 18 is transferred to the second pipeline 24. The second. pipeline 24 carries only desalinated, fresh water. 10 The pipeline system 10 includes a third pipeline 26 extending from the salt water source 14, the third pipeline 26 being in fluid connection with the first pipeline 12 via a connection pipe 28. The third pipeline 26 is optional, and is included in this embodiment for replenishing the first pipeline 12 with salt water 15 upon the desalinator 18 desalinating salt water removed from the first pipeline 12. Reference to the target outlet 16 is to be generally understood to include any one or more of a dam, reservoir, catchment or other fresh water reserve, while 20 the salt water source 14 may be the ocean. It is to be appreciated that the salt water source 14 could also be, for example, a salt-damaged river or waterway. In this respect, the present invention may be used to desirably reduce the salt level in such rivers or waterways. 25 Although not illustrated, the system 10 may include two or more desalinating modules (Fig. 9 illustrates a system with two desalinating modules). Any number of desalinating modules could be located at desired and/or convenient locations along the pipeline system 10. Each module- includes a desalinator 18, a section 12a of the first pipeline 12, a section 24a of the second pipeline 24 30 and (optionally) a section 26a of the third pipeline 26. If the optional third pipeline is not used then the first pipeline sections may be in fluid connection with *each other, or the first pipeline sections must be separately in fluid connection with a source of salt or waste water. For example, a desalinator 18 Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

13 may be located along the pipeline system 10 so as to desalinate water at each of those locations. It is envisaged that each of the desalinating modules 18a would be connected in 5 series between the salt water source 14 and a target outlet 16. However, being modular, the system 10 could incorporate two or more modules 18a provided in parallel. Each module 18a may include more than one desalinator 18, if desired. The modules 18a and pipeline system sections may be arranged in any desired sequence. While, generally speaking, each of the modules 18a would be 10 located above ground, the pipeline system sections may be located either above or below ground. Each module includes connectors 12b, 24b, 26b for connecting the respective pipeline sections 12a, 24a, 26a to the pipeline sections of adjacent modules or 15 pipeline sections. The desalinator 18 used in the desalination pipeline system 10 is illustrated in greater detail in Fig ures 4, 5 and 6. The desalinator 18 includes a desalinating chamber 30 (see also magnified inset provided in Figure 1). The chamber 30 20 includes a salt-water inlet 32 for receiving salt-water from the first pipeline 12 via a connection pipe 20 and a water dispersal unit in the form of a spray or shower-type head 46. In operation, the chamber 30 includes hot salty water with increased saltiness compared to the saltiness of the salt water entering the chamber 30. Salt tends to collect at the bottom of the chamber 30 and may be 25 periodically removed. The chamber 30 also includes an evaporated water outlet 36 for the removal of the evaporated water from within the chamber 30 to the second pipeline 24 via connection pipe 36, and a salt-water outlet or overflow 38 for removal of non-evaporated salt-water from within the chamber 30. The overflow 38 may instead be located at any suitable location on the chamber 30 wall. The desalinator 18 includes a salt catchment 40, through which any non evaporated salt-water from the chamber may flow before returning to the first pipeline. The catchment 40 may also be provided for collecting salt produced in Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

14 the chamber 30. However, in an alternative embodiment (as illustrated in Figure 3) the salt produced in the chamber 18 could be fed back into the first pipeline 12 for collection and possible processing at the target outlet 16 or other suitable location in the pipeline system 10. The salt catchment 40 may be provided in 5 the chamber 30 (as per item 218 in Figure 3) or, as illustrated, may form a separate chamber. A solar water heater 42 is in fluid connection between the first pipeline 12 and the chamber 30 so as to heat the salt water to any suitable temperature that 10 may be at or above approximately 55 0 C prior to entering the chamber 30. Heating the salt water increases the level of evaporation within the chamber 30. In this way, the efficiency of the desalination process within the chamber 30 is increased. 15 A second solar heater 44 may be included to act as a thermosiphon removes any non-evaporated salt water from within the catchment 40. The non evaporated salt water is extracted through pipe 22 and returned to the first pipeline 12 via pipe 500. 20 It is not necessary that solar heaters are used. In some industrial applications it may be that other heat or energy sources are better choices. Any type of heaters may be used but, in the case of other heaters, pumps may be required in addition to the heaters if the heaters do not also act as thermosiphons. 25 The shower or spray device 46 is provided within the chamber 30 for spraying, showering or otherwise dispersing the salt-water entering the chamber in a downwards direction from the top of the chamber 30. The salt-water is dispersed to assist in the evaporation of fresh water from the salt water. It is to be appreciated that the water need not be sprayed downwards. It could be 30 sprayed, for example, in an upwards direction. Further if the water entering the chamber is to be suspended, for example in evaporation pads, then it does not actually have to be sprayed. It could simply be poured into the chamber. Amended Sheet IPEA/AUf 15 An air intake 48 (see Figures 4 and 5) is provided for feeding a generally non vortex air stream into the chamber across, against or through the shower or spray of hot salt-water to further assist in the desalination (evaporation) process. 5 The chamber 30 includes an extraction -fan 50 for extracting the evaporated water through the evaporated water outlet 36. The extraction fan 50 may be powered by any suitable means and, in the illustrated embodiment, is powered by a solar panel 52. The extraction fan 50 may instead be located within the 10 connection pipe 27. The desalination pipeline system 10 includes a means for pumping the salt water through each of the first pipeline 12 and third pipeline 26 towards the target outlet in the form of one or more pumps (not illustrated). Likewise, the 15 system 10 includes means for pumping desalinated water in the second pipeline 24 towards the target outlet in the form of one or more pumps (not illustrated). These pumps may be solar powered, windmills, or any other suitable pump. Although not illustrated, each of the first pipeline 12, second pipeline 24 and 20 third pipeline 26 are insulated along at least a portion of their respective lengths adjacent or near the desalinator 18 to reduce heat energy losses to the lower outside ambient temperatures. Any suitable insulation type may be adopted. The third pipeline 26 or the first pipeline 12 may form part of a shell and tube 25 heat exchanger 501 (as illustrated in Figure 6) or other similar device, with fresh water vapour flowing through and being condensed in an inner tube and salt water flowing through the 'shell surrounding the inner tube. In such an arrangement, the salt-water absorbs the energy lost from the water vapour when it condenses. This increases the temperature of the salt-water entering 30 the chamber 30, which improves the overall efficiency of the desalination process. This mechanism for recovering heat from the condensation process can be achieved using heat exchangers or any other effective means. The recovery of Amended Sheet

]IPEA/AU

16 heat energy from the condensation process is generally advantageous because it reduces the nett energy cost of the desalination process. In operation, heated salt-water is fed from the first pipeline 12 into the 5 desalination chamber 30 through the salt-water inlet 32. The shower or spray device 46 sprays, showers or otherwise disperses the heated salt-water downwardly through the chamber 30, and at the same time, the air intake 48 feeds a generally non-vortex air stream into the chamber 30 across, against or through the shower or spray of heated water. The extraction fan 50 assists in 10 extracting the evaporated fresh water through the evaporated water outlet 36, while non-evaporated salt-water is removed from the chamber through the salt water overflow outlet 38 to the first pipeline 12 either directly, or via salt catchment 40. 15 The extraction fan 50 may be replaced by any other suitable .device. For example, a pressure control (not illustrated) may be provided, to control pressure in the extraction pipe, such that air pressure in the extraction pipe is maintained at a lower level than the pressure in chamber 30. Such an arrangement can also be used to draw air into the chamber from outside the 20 chamber, and to control air flow. The spray device 46 may include a heating unit to further heat the salt-water on entering the chamber, to further increase the operating efficiency of the desalinator. The heating unit may be solar powered or powered by any other 25 suitable means. The salt and other heavy impurities will tend to be left in the bottom of chamber 30 below the overflow outlet 38, and may be periodically removed. 30 It is to be appreciated that the salt-water entering the chamber 30 need not be heated. In some climates the desalination process will work without additional heating. In these climates the pipeline need not be insulated. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

17 The salt may be removed from a multiple desalinator system at any suitable location. Air pressure migration tubes 502 may be provided for migrating air pressure 5 between neighboring modules 18A along the system 10. Alternatively, pressure control devices, equipped with filters to prevent evaporated water escaping, may be used to release to the atmosphere any excess pressure in the second pipeline. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, a closed system may be used so that the non-vortex air stream that is drawn into the desalination 10 stage (332) is sourced from the condensation stage (364) of the process. The desalination pipeline system 110 illustrated in Figure 2 is similar in many respects to the system 10 illustrated in Figure 1. One notable difference between the systems 10 and 110 is that the salt-water returning from the 15 chamber 130 to the first pipeline 112 is pumped not by a solar powered thermosiphon, but instead by a solar powered pump 144. In this embodiment, the pump 144 is powered by the same solar panel 152 used to power the extraction fan 150 of the desalination chamber 130. 20 Likewise, the desalination pipeline system 210 illustrated in Figure 3 is similar in many respects to system 10 illustrated in Figure 1. One notable difference in this embodiment is that the extraction fan 250 of the desalination chamber 230 is powered by a wind power unit 252, rather than a solar panel. A further difference is that the desalination chamber and salt catchment have been 25 combined into the one chamber 214. This results in salt and other heavy impurities continuing through the first pipeline 212 towards the target outlet rather than being left in the bottom of the chamber 230 below the outlet 222a. This embodiment also does not include a connection pipe between the first 30 pipeline 212 and third pipeline 226. Instead, salt-water to replenish the first pipeline 212 is first passed through the outer shell of the second pipeline 224 via connection pipe 252; the second pipeline 224 being configured as a shell and tube (or any other suitable) heat exchanger. This salt-water is then returned from the outer shell of the second pipeline 224 via connection pipe 254 Amended Sheet

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18 to the first pipeline 212. Salt-water heated in the solar water heater 244 after exiting the chamber 230 is returned to the first pipeline 212 to either continue to the next desalinator, or return to the chamber 230. 5 Referring to figure 7 there is a single unit portion of a desalination pipeline system 310. In this diagram the desalination pipeline system 310 is configured as a water recycling system. There is a first pipeline 312 in fluid connection with a third pipeline 326 (which is a source of waste water) and a second pipeline 324 (which contains fresh water) extending between a waste water source 314 10 and a target outlet 316 for transferring waste water therethrough. The system includes a salt water desalinator 318 (in this case a waste water cleaner). The desalinator 318 is in fluid connection with the first pipeline 312 via connection pipes 320 and 322. The connection pipe 320 allows waste water to 15 be drawn from the first pipeline 312 into the desalinator 318. The connection pipe 322 allows waste water not cleaned in the desalinator 318 to be returned to the first pipeline 312. The desalinator 318 is provided for cleaning part of the waste water drawn from 20 the first pipeline 312. Indeed, it is envisaged that the desalinator 318 would convert a portion of the waste-water into fresh water. The desalinator 318 is in fluid connection with the second pipeline 324 extending between the waste water source 314 and the target outlet 316 via a connection pipe 327, such that the desalinated water produced in the desalinator 318 is transferred to the 25 second pipeline 324. The second pipeline 324 carries only desalinated, fresh water. The pipeline system 310 includes a third pipeline 326 extending between the waste water source 314 and the target outlet 316, the third pipeline 326 being in 30 fluid connection with the first pipeline 312 via a connection pipe 328. A magnified view of the desalinator 318 is illustrated in figure 8. The desalinator 318 in this embodiment includes a desalination chamber 330. The chamber 330 includes multiple salt water inlets 332 for receiving waste water from the first Amended Sheet

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19 pipeline 312 via fluid connection pipe 320. In this embodiment the waste water is sprayed down from the salt water inlets 332 onto evaporation pads (not illustrated). In operation, the chamber 330 includes hot waste water with increased concentration of waste compared to the concentration in the waste 5 water entering the chamber 330. Waste will collect at the bottom of the chamber 330 in water that has flushed through the evaporation pads and has not been evaporated. Non-evaporated waste water is removed via a fluid connection 331. Waste water (without suspended solids) is returned to the first pipe line 312 for processing via a connecting pipe 322 using any appropriate 10 means (for example, a filter) for preventing suspended solids from being returned. Wet waste is extracted for removal from outlet 362. The chamber 330 also includes a condensation chamber 364. The condensation chamber 364 in this embodiment is in air-flow connection to the evaporation chamber 330. In this embodiment the condensation chamber 364 is cooled by solar chillers 366. 15 Heat is pumped from the condensation chamber 364 to the evaporation chamber 330. Reduction of temperature in the condensation chamber 364 increases the amount of fresh water output. Heat released during the condensation process 20 can advantageously be used to heat air in the evaporation chamber 330. Addition of heating in between multiple evaporation pads (note adjacency of the salt water inlets 332 and the desalination chamber 330) can advantageously be used to increase total evaporation. 25 Any appropriate heat pumping device can be used, but the use of solar powered heat pumps and/or high efficiency heat pumps can be advantageous. The recovery of energy from the condensation process and the input of that energy into the evaporation process are advantageous in reducing the nett energy cost of the evaporation process. 30 In this embodiment, solar chillers use some heat from the waste water before it enters the evaporation chamber 330. The efficiency of the solar chillers 368, the recovery of heat from the condensation chamber 364 and the input of that heat in the evaporation chamber 330 make this advantageous. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

20 Air is circulated through the desalination chamber 330 using a flow control fan 370. 5 Waste water is advantageously pre-heated before entering the evaporation chamber 330 in this embodiment using a combination of flat plate 372 and solar tube 374 heaters in the first pipeline 312, and an additional optional gas heating unit 376 is also shown, before it is extracted via the connecting pipe 320. Air is advantageously pre-heated before it enters the evaporation chamber 330 in this 10 embodiment using a combination of flat plate 372 and solar tube heaters 374. Many methods for preheating the air and/or water can increase the efficiency of the desalination process. Because relatively low temperatures are still advantageous the present invention can take advantage of many low-grade 15 heat sources. In this embodiment an optional gas mix is illustrated on the right hand end of Figures 7 and 8 demonstrating the possibility that some gases may advantageously be added to the desalination chamber 330 to either increase 20 the efficiency of the process, or to have some other desirable effect. Figure 9, illustrates a multiple unit installation 410, the third pipeline 426 can be seen to be in fluid connection with multiple desalination units 418. 25 The present invention provides numerous potential benefits. The system can be built in a modular fashion, such that is can be relatively easily designed to suit a specific application. 30 Being modular, it is relatively simple to bypass a desalinator in the event of desalinator failure,. repair, maintenance or terrorist sabotage. Further, even if one desalinator becomes inoperable, the remaining desalinators in the system should still be operational once any broken sections of the three pipelines are repaired or replaced. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

21 Advantageously, the system enables a desalinator to be placed at practically any location along the pipeline system. 5 Fresh water produced by a desalinator at any location along the system continues in the fresh water pipe towards the outlet, or any fresh water extraction point. Advantageously, the present system requires a much smaller desalination plant 10 at the final pipeline system destination because much desalination occurs in the desalinators along the pipeline system. Indeed, the present system makes the placement of a desalinator at the target outlet optional. Unlike existing desalination and pipeline systems, the desalination process of 15 the present invention can be largely if not totally powered by environmentally friendly power sources, such as solar power and wind power. The present invention can also be used to absorb waste heat from an industrial process, reducing or eliminating the need for electricity to be used to achieve cooling, whilst at the same time producing desalinated water. 20 System can be equally adapted for use over many hundreds or even thousands of kilometres or even less than a single kilometre. The inventive system can be used for domestic and/or commercial and/or 25 industrial use, as well as for agricultural use. The inventive system can be used to clean a wide variety any other non evaporative compounds/contaminants from various water and other fluids. Thus reference within this specification to 'desalination' is understood to include 30 reference to 'desalination and/or decontamination'. The system can be used effectively and very usefully to remove sediment from fluid so long as that sediment will not evaporate and the fluid will evaporate at the operational temperatures being used. As one example, the system may be used to remove Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

22 dirt from bore water. Alternatively, the system may be used to clean dirty and/or polluted and/or insect-infested water from a pond. A yet further example of a potential use for the inventive system includes 5 removing from water the impurities produced in paper manufacturing processes, to create fresh water and a sludge or dry waste that can more easily and environmentally be disposed of as compared to disposing of the untreated water. 10 Further, the system can make use of readily available seawater. Advantageously, the system includes separate pipelines for salt-water and desalinated water. Therefore it is difficult if not impossible for the salt-water to contaminate the desalinated water. 15 The system can advantageously be used to reduce undesirably high salt levels in rivers and waterways by diverting some salt-water through the desalination pipeline system and then feeding fresh water back into the river or waterway. 20 It is not necessary for salt-water to be treated at the target destination, although it may be useful. The salt-water pipelines (the first and third pipelines) may be capped at the target outlet. Further, it is to be appreciated that the creation of highly saline water can be 25. advantageous. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention can be used to convertsaline water into separate outputs of highly saline water, and fresh water (or lowly saline water), both of which may be separately useful, for example in the production of salts. 30 Likewise, should the system be used to process a contaminated fluid, it may be advantageously used to convert a contaminated fluid into separate outputs of highly contaminated fluid and uncontaminated fluid; or highly contaminated and lowly contaminated fluids both of which may be separately useful. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

23 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention. 5 Without limiting the claim scope that may be sought in any Australian or overseas patent application claiming priority from the present application, the following claims are provided. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

Claims

1. A pipeline system, including: a first pipeline extending from a salt water source for transferring salt water 5 therethrough, at least one salt water desalinator in fluid connection with the first pipeline, enabling salt water to be drawn from the first pipeline to the at least one desalinator, each salt water desalinator provided to desalinate at least a part of the water drawn from the first pipeline, 10 each desalinator being in fluid connection with a second pipeline extending between each respective desalinator and the target outlet, such that the water that has been desalinated in the desalinator is transferred to the second pipeline, wherein at least one desalinator includes a desalinating chamber, each chamber including an air intake configured for, in use, feeding an airstream into the 15 chamber to generate a generally non-vortex airflow within the chamber.

2. A pipeline system according to claim 1, including a third pipeline extending from the salt water source, the third pipeline being in fluid connection with the first pipeline, the third pipeline provided for replenishing the first pipeline with salt water 20 upon each desalinator desalinating salt water removed from the first pipeline into desalinated water, and wherein the desalinated water is preferably substantially fresh water.

3. A pipeline system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system is modular, 25 including at least one desalinator module, the module including first and second pipeline sections, and wherein the module preferably includes a third pipeline section.

4. A pipeline system according to any one of the preceding claims, including two or more desalinators located along the pipeline system, wherein at least two 30 desalinators are connected in series between the salt water source and a target outlet.

5. A pipeline system according to any one of the preceding claims, including two or more desalinators located along the pipeline system, wherein at least two CApof\winfSPEC-828531 duc 25 desalinators are connected in parallel between the salt water source and a target outlet.

6. A pipeline system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 salt-water fed from the first pipeline is heated prior to reaching each desalinator, and wherein the salt-water fed from the first pipeline to each desalinator is preferably heated by one or more solar heaters.

7. A pipeline system according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 6 when 10 dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2, wherein one or more of the first, second and third pipelines, or a section of at least one desalinator are insulated, and wherein preferably each of the first, second and third pipelines and desalinator sections are insulated. 15

8. A pipeline system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pipeline forms part of, or is in fluid connection with, a heat exchange or heat pumping device(s) for energy recovery from one part of the desalination process for reuse in other parts of the desalination process. 20

9. A pipeline system according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 8 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2, including means for pumping the salt-water in the first and third pipelines towards the target outlet, and preferably including means for pumping desalinated salt-water in the second pipeline towards the target outlet. 25

10. A desalinator for a desalination pipeline system, the desalinator including a desalinating chamber, the chamber including: -a salt-water inlet, -a water dispersal unit for dispersing water within the chamber, 30 -an evaporated water outlet for the removal of evaporated water from within the chamber, -a salt-water outlet for removal of non-evaporated salt-water from within the chamber, and - a means for providing a generally non-vortex air stream within the chamber. C PofwordSPEC-82853 doc 26

11. A desalinator according to claim 10, wherein: the salt-water outlet is preferably in fluid communication with a salt-water supply pipeline, 5 one or more of a solar powered thermosiphon or pump are preferably included for removing salt-water from the chamber, a means for reducing the pressure within the chamber is preferably included, and the saltwater outlet is preferably provided as a chamber overflow, the chamber 10 overflow preferably being in fluid connection to the first pipeline via an overflow chamber.

12. A desalinator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the desalinating chamber includes a salt catchment for collecting salt produced in the chamber, and wherein the 15 salt catchment is preferably located external of the chamber.

13. A desalinator according to any one of claims 10 to 12, including an extraction fan for extracting evaporated water through the evaporated water outlet, and wherein the extraction fan is preferably powered by one or more of a solar power unit and/or a 20 wind power unit.

14. A water dispersal means for dispersing water entering a desalinating chamber, the dispersal means including one or more of a shower, spray or other water dispersal device, through which water passes and is dispersed. 25

15. A method of desalinating salt-water, including: - feeding salt-water into a desalination chamber through a salt-water inlet, - dispersing the water within the chamber, - providing a generally non-vortex air stream within the chamber, 30 - removing the evaporated water from the chamber through an evaporated water outlet, arid - removing non-evaporated salt-water from within the chamber through a salt water outlet. C:pof\word\SPEC-828531.doc 27

16. A method of desalinating salt-water according to claim 15, including one or more of: removal of salt from within the chamber through a salt outlet, removal of salt from within the chamber with the non-evaporated salt-water 5 through the salt-water outlet, heating the salt-water prior to entering the desalination chamber, operating an extraction fan, turbine or other air-flow device to enhance removal of evaporated water from within the chamber, and removing evaporated water from the chamber through the evaporated water 10 outlet using a pressure differential between the outlet and the chamber.

17. A decontamination pipeline system, including: - a first pipeline extending from a decontaminated fluid source for transferring decontaminated fluid therethrough, and 15 - at least one decontaminating unit, each decontaminating unit being in fluid connection with the first pipeline, enabling decontaminated fluid to be drawn from the first pipeline to the at least one decontaminating unit, - the decontaminating unit being provided to decontaminate at least part of the decontaminated fluid drawn from the first pipeline, and 20 - each decontaminating unit being in fluid connection with a second pipeline extending between each respective decontaminating unit and a target outlet, such that the fluid that has been decontaminated in the decontaminating unit is transferred to the second pipeline, wherein at least one decontaminating unit includes a decontamination 25 chamber, each chamber including an air intake configured for, in use, feeding an airstream into the chamber to generate a generally non-vortex airflow within the chamber.

18. A decontaminating unit for use in a decontamination pipeline system, including 30 a decontamination chamber, the chamber including: - a decontaminated fluid inlet, - a dispersal unit for dispersing fluid within the chamber, - an evaporated fluid outlet for the removal of the evaporated fluid from within the chamber, C Of\wOrd\SPEC-82853.doc 28 - a contaminated fluid outlet for removal of non-evaporated contaminated fluid from within the chamber, and - a means for providing a generally non-vortex air-stream within the chamber. 5

19. A fluid dispersal means for dispersing fluid entering a decontamination chamber, the dispersal means including one of a shower, spray or other fluid dispersal device, through which fluid passes and is dispersed.

20. One or more of: 10 a pipeline system, a desalinator, a method of desalinating salt-water, a decontamination pipeline system, a decontaminating unit , and 15 a method of decontaminating fluid according to any one of the embodiments substantially as herein described and illustrated. 20 C \poA~word\SPEC-828531.doc