An unpowered device for desalinating brackish water
By using a transparent evaporator and a black sponge galvanic cell system, solar energy is used to heat brackish water, solving the problems of high cost and high energy consumption in existing brackish water desalination technologies. This achieves efficient and low-cost brackish water desalination, which is suitable for farmland irrigation and oilfield water use in water-scarce areas such as Xinjiang.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YILI NORMAL UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2026-06-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
Smart Images
Figure CN122324899A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of water treatment technology, specifically to a non-powered brackish water desalination device. Background Technology
[0002] Using brackish water for farmland irrigation can lead to reduced crop yields, crop die-offs, and soil compaction. Xinjiang, an extremely water-scarce region, urgently needs brackish water desalination for irrigation to reduce its dependence on freshwater. Therefore, brackish water desalination is also a crucial guarantee for water security in desert oilfields. Moreover, brackish water is widely distributed in my country, and the development and utilization of this unconventional water resource can effectively alleviate freshwater shortages.
[0003] Currently, brackish water desalination mainly employs RO membrane technology and evaporation technology. RO membrane technology is costly and greatly affected by water quality, while evaporation technology has high energy consumption and limited output; other technologies are also limited by cost and cannot be applied on a large scale. Summary of the Invention The purpose of this invention is to provide a non-powered brackish water desalination device for treating brackish water.
[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: This non-powered brackish water desalination device includes a transparent evaporator and a water collection tank. Iron powder and carbon powder are laid flat at the bottom of the transparent evaporator. Multiple layers of grids are installed on the upper part of the transparent evaporator. Each layer of grids consists of multiple strip plates arranged side-by-side, with adjacent strip plates spaced apart. The interval between adjacent strip plates in the same layer forms an evaporation channel. Each strip plate has a groove along its length, and a black sponge is placed inside the groove. Multiple fixing holes are provided at the bottom of the groove, and a hair is fixed in each fixing hole. The capillary tube has its upper end connected to the groove, and its lower end close to the iron powder and carbon powder. Several water-cutting strips are inclinedly arranged above the uppermost grid plate, with the strips staggered at different heights. The lower part of the water-cutting strip is inserted into the water outlet, which is a strip-shaped hole connected to a narrow-diameter water outlet pipe. The lower end of the water outlet pipe extends into the water collection tank. The water inlet of the transparent evaporator is located below the lowermost grid plate. The transparent evaporator is also equipped with a vent, which is located near the lowermost grid plate and is higher than the water inlet.
[0005] The preparation method of the black sponge in the above scheme is as follows: Ferrous ammonium sulfate is dissolved in 10%-28% ammonia water to form a solution. A peristaltic pump is used to pump this solution into a hollow cylindrical filter sponge at a flow rate of 1-20 ml / min, ensuring full contact between the solution and the sponge. After 10 minutes of contact, another peristaltic pump is used to pump 5-7% hydrochloric acid into the sponge, reacting with the solution on the sponge surface. When the sponge turns completely black, both peristaltic pumps are stopped. Then, black water containing dissolved carbon powder is pumped into the hollow cylindrical filter sponge, with a carbon content of 10%-20% by mass. After running for 2 hours, the filter sponge is soaked in the carbon-containing water for another 2 hours. It is then cut into 1 cubic centimeter cubes and air-dried to obtain the finished black sponge. The carbon content in the carbon-containing water is 10%-20% by mass.
[0006] The above scheme describes the working method of the transparent evaporator: brackish water is pumped into the transparent evaporator, iron powder floats in the brackish water, and capillary tubes guide the brackish water to a multi-layer grid, so that the black sponge on the grid comes into full contact with the brackish water. The brackish water, air, iron powder, carbon powder, and black substances attached to the black sponge form numerous galvanic cells. The brackish water is heated due to its internal resistance. At the same time, under the sunlight, the black sponge absorbs heat and evaporates water. Under the combined action of the galvanic cells and solar radiation, the brackish water is rapidly heated and evaporated. The evaporated water is collected by the water interception strip and flows into the water collection tank.
[0007] In the above scheme, iron powder and carbon powder are placed at the bottom of the groove, at a ratio of 1m 3 Add 1kg of iron powder and 0.1kg of carbon powder to the sponge. Calculate the amount of iron powder and carbon powder to be placed at the bottom of the transparent evaporator and the bottom of the groove. When the iron powder is used up, replace the black sponge, clean the transparent evaporator, and restart the process.
[0008] In the above scheme, the capillary is a corrosion-resistant alloy capillary.
[0009] In the above scheme, the drain outlet of the water collection tank is located at the bottom of the water collection tank, and the top of the water collection tank is provided with a vent.
[0010] In the above scheme, the transparent evaporator is made of transparent PC material or transparent acrylic material.
[0011] Beneficial effects: In the Tarim Oilfield of Xinjiang, the water source is high-salinity groundwater. The brackish water desalination device of this invention can provide free distilled water. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.
[0013] In the diagram: 1. Transparent evaporator, 2. Water collection tank, 3. Grid plate, 4. Capillary tube, 5. Water cut-off strip, 6. Water outlet, 7. Water inlet, 8. First vent hole, 9. Drain outlet, 10. Second vent hole. Detailed Implementation The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: See Figure 1 This non-powered brackish water desalination device includes a transparent evaporator 1 and a water collection tank 2. The transparent evaporator 1 is made of transparent PC or transparent acrylic material. Iron powder is laid flat on the bottom of the transparent evaporator 1. Multiple layers of grid plates 3 are installed on the upper part of the transparent evaporator 1. Each layer of grid plate 3 is composed of multiple strip plates arranged side by side, with adjacent strip plates spaced apart. The interval between adjacent strip plates in the same layer is the evaporation channel. Each strip plate has a groove along its length, and black sponge is placed in the groove. Multiple fixing holes are provided at the bottom of the groove, and a capillary tube 4 is fixed in each fixing hole. The capillary tube 4 is made of corrosion-resistant alloy wool. The capillary tube 4 has its upper end connected to the groove and its lower end close to the iron powder. Several water-cutting strips 5 are inclinedly arranged above the uppermost grid plate 3. The water-cutting strips 5 are arranged at different heights and are inserted into the water outlet 6 at their lower ends. The water outlet 6 is a strip-shaped hole and is connected to a narrow-diameter water outlet pipe. The lower end of the water outlet pipe extends into the water collection tank 2. The water inlet 7 of the transparent evaporator 1 is located below the lowermost grid plate 3. The transparent evaporator 1 is also provided with a first vent 8, which is located near the lowermost grid plate 3 and is higher than the height of the water inlet 7.
[0014] The drain outlet 9 of the water collection tank 2 is located at the lower part of the water collection tank 2, and the second vent 10 is located at the top of the water collection tank 2.
[0015] Inside the transparent evaporator 1, brackish water, air, iron powder, carbon powder, and black substances adhering to the sponge form numerous galvanic cells, heating the brackish water due to its internal resistance. Under the combined action of the galvanic cells and solar radiation, the brackish water is rapidly heated and evaporates.
[0016] The capillary tube 4 in the non-powered evaporation device (i.e., the transparent evaporator 1) guides the brackish water to the multi-layer grid plate 3, allowing the black sponge on the grid plate 3 to fully contact the brackish water. Under sunlight, the black sponge absorbs heat and evaporates the water. The evaporated water is collected by the water-blocking strip 5 and flows into the water collection tank 2. (Based on 1m...) 3 Add 1 kg of iron powder and 0.1 kg of carbon powder to the sponge. Place the iron powder and carbon powder at the bottom of the transparent evaporator 1 and the bottom of the grid plate 3. When the iron powder is used up, replace the black sponge and clean the device before restarting the device.
[0017] Ferrous ammonium sulfate was dissolved in 10%-28% ammonia water. 392 grams of ferrous ammonium sulfate was dissolved in 850 ml (10%)-303 ml (28%) ammonia water. The solution was pumped into the hollow columnar filter sponge at a flow rate of 1-20 ml / min using a peristaltic pump to ensure full contact between the solution and the sponge. After the solution had been in full contact with the sponge for 10 minutes, 5-7% hydrochloric acid was pumped into the sponge using a peristaltic pump to react with the solution on the sponge surface. When the sponge turned completely black, both peristaltic pumps were stopped. Then, black water containing carbon powder (carbon mass ratio in water was 10%-20%) was pumped into the hollow columnar filter sponge. After running for 2 hours, the sponge was soaked in water containing carbon (carbon mass ratio in water was 10%-20%) for 2 hours. It was then cut into 1 cubic centimeter cubes and air-dried to obtain the finished black sponge.
[0018] A black sponge prepared in the laboratory was placed in the groove of a field-based, non-powered brackish water desalination device. The black substance on the sponge consisted of iron(III) oxide (Fe3O4) and carbon powder. Iron(III) oxide can simultaneously conduct electrons and ions, forming a short-circuit galvanic cell and accelerating the electrochemical reaction. The electrochemical reaction occurred at the anode, where iron lost two electrons, the reaction being Fe - 2e- = Fe. 2+ A strongly exothermic reaction occurs at the cathode, specifically the reaction equation: O₂ + 2H₂O + 4e⁻. - =OH - The carbon powder in the sponge acts as the inert electrode (anode) of the galvanic cell, providing a site for electron exchange. The galvanic cell reaction is as follows: O2 + 2H2O + 4e - →4OH - Black sponges have good water absorption, and the black material attached to the sponge has a strong ability to absorb light and convert it into heat. Example
[0019] The transparent evaporator occupies an area of 50 square meters and has 10 layers of grids. Under sufficient sunlight (temperature 35℃), it can produce one ton of water per hour.
Claims
1. A non-powered brackish water desalination device, characterized in that: This non-powered brackish water desalination device includes a transparent evaporator and a collection tank. The bottom of the transparent evaporator is covered with iron powder and carbon powder. The upper part of the transparent evaporator is equipped with multiple grids, each grid consisting of multiple strip plates arranged side-by-side, with adjacent strip plates spaced apart. The space between adjacent strip plates in the same layer forms an evaporation channel. Each strip plate has a groove along its length, into which a black sponge is placed. The bottom of the groove has multiple fixing holes, each fixing a capillary tube. The upper end of the capillary tube communicates with the groove, and the lower end of the capillary tube is close to the iron powder and carbon powder. Several water-cutting strips are inclined above the uppermost grid, staggered in height. The lower part of each water-cutting strip is inserted into a water outlet, which is a strip-shaped hole connected to a reduced-diameter water outlet pipe. The lower end of the water outlet pipe extends into the collection tank. The water inlet of the transparent evaporator is located below the lowermost grid. The transparent evaporator also has a vent, located near the lowermost grid, at a height higher than the water inlet.
2. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for preparing the black sponge: Ferrous ammonium sulfate is dissolved in 10%-28% ammonia water to form a solution. A peristaltic pump is used to pump this solution into a hollow cylindrical filter sponge at a flow rate of 1-20 ml / min, ensuring full contact between the solution and the sponge. After 10 minutes of contact, another peristaltic pump is used to pump 5-7% hydrochloric acid into the sponge, reacting with the solution on the sponge surface. When the sponge turns completely black, both peristaltic pumps are stopped. Then, black water containing dissolved carbon powder is pumped into the hollow cylindrical filter sponge, with a carbon content of 10%-20% by mass. After running for 2 hours, the filter sponge is soaked in the carbon-containing water for another 2 hours. It is then cut into 1 cubic centimeter cubes and air-dried to obtain the finished black sponge. The carbon content in the carbon-containing water is 10%-20% by mass.
3. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transparent evaporator operates as follows: Brackish water is pumped into the transparent evaporator, iron powder floats in the brackish water, and a capillary tube guides the brackish water to a multi-layer grid, allowing the black sponge on the grid to fully contact the brackish water. The brackish water, air, iron powder, carbon powder, and the black substance attached to the black sponge form numerous galvanic cells. The brackish water is heated due to its internal resistance. At the same time, under sunlight, the black sponge absorbs heat and evaporates water. Under the combined action of the galvanic cells and solar radiation, the brackish water is rapidly heated and evaporated. The evaporated water is collected by the water interception strip and flows into the water collection tank.
4. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The groove bottom puts into iron powder and carbon powder, according to 1m 3 The sponge adds 1kg iron powder and 0.1kg carbon powder in proportion, calculates the iron powder and carbon powder put into the transparent evaporation tank bottom and groove bottom, when the iron powder is consumed, the black sponge is replaced, the transparent evaporation tank is cleaned, and then it is run again.
5. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The capillary is a corrosion-resistant alloy capillary.
6. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The drain outlet of the water collection tank is located at the bottom of the water collection tank, and the top of the water collection tank is provided with a vent.
7. The non-powered brackish water desalination device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The transparent evaporator is made of transparent PC material or transparent acrylic material.