Ali E. Dabiri

VARI-RO solar-powered desalting technology

Abstract This paper reports on the innovative concepts study conducted for the Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC) to determine the cost-effectiveness of new approaches to solar powered desalting. These approaches include combining of modern solar power conversion technology with newly developed, hydraulic-driven, pumping and energy recovery technology for brackish water and seawater desalting reverse osmosis (BWRO or SWRO) desalting. The study included a literature search of existing methods, preliminary concepting and assessment, technical analysis, and comparisons of water produced per quantity of solar energy insolation for various concepts. The hydraulic driven pumping and energy recovery system is known as the VARI-RO system (patent pending). Four new combinations of solar energy conversion and SWRO desalting systems were evaluated for comparison to existing methods, as follows: System A, solar photovoltaic-electric module with the VARI-RO electric motor drive; System B, solar dish concentrator-Stirling engine electric module with the VARI-RO electric motor drive; System C, solar trough concentrator-thermal energy module with the VARI-RO direct drive engine. System D, solar dish concentrator-thermal energy module with the VARI-RO direct drive engine. It was determined that the VARI-RO technology is uniquely suited for use with solar power because of (1) high efficiency of the pumping and energy recovery system, (2) high efficiency of the direct drive engine system, and (3) the capability to adjust the power consumption to match the solar power variations throughout the day. This study has shown that this solar powered desalination technology can provide substantial environmental benefits in the next century by supplying needed water to remote regions without extensive infrastructure, and also by reducing the environmental emissions (including CO 2 ) for desalting saline water sources.

ASTRAL, a hyperspectral imaging DNA sequencer

We are developing a prototype automatic DNA sequencer which utilizes polyacrylamide slab gels imaged through a novel optical detection system. The design of this prototype sequencer allows the ability to perform direct optical coupling over the entire read area of the gel and hyperspectrographic separation and detection of the fluorescence emission. The machine has no moving parts. All the major components incorporated in this prototype are all currently available “off the shelf,” thus reducing equipment development time and decreasing costs. Software developed for data acquisition, analysis, and conversion to other standard formats facilitates compatibility.

A 3He++ Radio-Frequency Quadrupole Accelerator for Positron Emission Tomography

AbstractThe feasibility of using a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator to accelerate 3He++for use in positron emission tomography (PET) is shown. The 3He++ RFQ is extremely lightweight in comparison to a cyclotron, but can nevertheless produce all four radioisotopes of interest (18F, 13N, 15O, and 11C) in more than adequate quantities. Due to the neutron-poor nature of 3He++, the desired positron emitters can be produced from naturally abundant target isotopes. In addition, target reactions and collisions with the accelerating structure produce relatively small numbers of neutrons compared to proton and deuteron systems. This yields two economic advantages. Enriched 13C, 15N, and 18O target materials are not required. Also, the shielding requirements are reduced considerably, and there is no need for radiation shielding around the accelerator. This reduced shielding results in a factor of 8 reduction in total facility shielding weight compared to a proton/deuteron cyclotron facility. The order of...

VARI-RO™ “low energy” desalting for the San Diego region

Abstract This U.S. Bureau of Reclamation sponsored Desalting Technology Program Research study was directed at a 30 mgd desalination facility to be located in the San Diego region. The overall objective of the study effort was to show how the cost of seawater desalination can be reduced through the use of an alternate technology, the VARI-RO TM system (VRO), which is more energy efficient and environmentally attractive than existing methods. The VARI-RO TM technology is a highly efficient, low cycle speed, low pulsation, variable flow, positive displacement pumping and energy recovery system suitable for large capacity SWRO and BWRO projects. As compared to a centrifugal pump, energy recovery turbine, and variable speed drive system (CT); the following savings were projected for a 30 mgd SWRO facility: electric power savings 8 mW, percent savings 43 %, five year cost savings

Desalination cost savings of VARI-RO™ pumping technology

26 million, thirty year straight line savings

Increased water production using a heat recovery engine for “Direct Drive” VARI-RO™ Pumping

156 million. As compared to the California State Water Project (SWP), power savings of 5 mW (megawatts) were projected. This means that desalting seawater can be less energy intensive that importing natural water. Also, substantial environmental benefits were projected, including: air emission reductions and lowering of reject brine concentrations.

Hyperspectral imaging methods and apparatus for non-invasive diagnosis of tissue for cancer

Abstract The new VARI-RO™ “Low Energyrd technology described in this paper can provide lower cost water desalination, as compared to conventional technology presently being used for large scale facilities. This paper compares the relative requirements of various desalination systems, including energy consumption and membrane element quantity. Water production cost savings in the range of

Integrated pumping and/or energy recovery system

80 to

Automatic sequencer/genotyper having extended spectral response

160 million over a five year period are projected for a desalination capacity of 100 MGD. These projections indicate that seawater can be desalted for a cost ranging between

Radioisotope production facility for use with positron emission tomography

800 and 1200 per acre-foot (AF), about