| abstract |
A method and apparatus are described for generating power by utilizing pressure-retarded-osmosis. A first liquid having a relatively high osmotic pressure is introduced at a relatively high hydraulic pressure into a first pathway in which it contacts one face of a semi-permeable membrane, and a second liquid having a lower osmotic pressure is introduced at a lower hydraulic pressure into a second pathway in which it contacts the opposite face of the membrane. At every point in the two pathways, the hydraulic pressure difference between the liquids on the opposite faces of the membrane is maintained at a value which is less than the osmotic pressure difference between the liquids. Part of the second liquid passes by pressure-retarded-osmosis through the semi-permeable membrane, forming a pressurized mixed solution of greater volume than that of the first liquid introduced into the first pathway. The potential energy stored in the pressurized mixed solution is then converted into useful energy, such as electrical or mechanical power. According to a further feature included in some of the described embodiments, after the potential energy stored in the pressurized mixed solution is converted into useful energy, the first and second liquids are recovered by separating from the mixed solution a quantity of the second liquid equal to the quantity which passed through the membrane, the original temperatures of the so-recovered first and second liquids are restored, the original hydraulic pressure difference is reapplied between the recovered first and second liquids, and the recovered first and second liquids are then recycled through the first and second pathways. |