An automated solar evaporator with salt deposition prevention

Abstract

The application discloses an anti-salt deposition automatic solar evaporator which comprises a transparent condensing collector, a seawater bearing container, a transparent water collecting container, an anti-salt deposition device, a fresh water tank, a control module, a seawater storage container and a solar panel; the transparent condensing collector is connected with the transparent water collecting container in a butt joint mode; the condensing collector and the water collecting container have a containing space after being connected in the butt joint mode; the seawater bearing container and the anti-salt deposition device are arranged in the containing space; the anti-salt deposition device and the seawater bearing container are arranged from top to bottom; the bottom of the transparent water collecting container is provided with a water outlet hole; and the lower portion of the transparent water collecting container is provided with the fresh water tank; the anti-salt deposition device comprises a foam plate and a wood-based aerogel with a porous structure; the upper surface of the wood-based aerogel is coated with a light-absorbing material capable of being converted into heat by light; the wood-based aerogel is inlaid on the foam plate; and the seawater storage container is provided with the control module. The application has less surface salt deposition, better evaporation effect and high use efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solar-powered seawater desalination, and particularly to an automated solar evaporator that prevents salt deposition. Background Technology

[0002] Since the vast majority of water in nature is saline ocean water, freshwater resources available for direct human use are extremely limited. Coupled with population growth and economic development, the demand for freshwater is increasing daily, and these water resources are unevenly distributed in time and space, leading to severe water crises in many regions. Currently, common seawater desalination devices on the market include evaporation, ion exchange, and membrane types. Evaporation devices require a large amount of electricity to operate. Ion exchange devices require regenerated resin to soften the water, resulting in high costs and frequent maintenance. Membrane devices require frequent filter membrane replacements, which is inconvenient. Moreover, most of these devices are stationary, making them difficult to disassemble and move. Furthermore, the accumulation of salt deposited during seawater desalination slows down the evaporation rate, reducing the efficiency of seawater desalination. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention overcomes the limitations of existing technologies by providing an automated solar evaporator that prevents salt deposition. This evaporator eliminates the need for difficult-to-maintain filters, is easy to disassemble and transport, and boasts high seawater desalination efficiency.

[0004] An automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition includes a transparent condenser recovery unit, a seawater holding container, a transparent water collection container, an anti-salt deposition unit, a freshwater tank, a control module, a seawater storage container, and solar panels;

[0005] The transparent condensate recovery unit is connected to the transparent water collection container. After the condensate recovery unit is connected to the transparent water collection container, it has a receiving space. The receiving space is equipped with a seawater carrying container and a salt-proof sedimentation device. The salt-proof sedimentation device and the seawater carrying container are arranged from top to bottom. The bottom of the transparent water collection container is provided with a water outlet, and a freshwater tank is provided below the transparent water collection container.

[0006] The salt-proof depositor comprises a foam board and a wood-based aerogel with a porous structure; the upper surface of the wood-based aerogel is coated with a light-absorbing material that can be converted by photothermal conversion, the wood-based aerogel is embedded in the foam board, and the foam board is placed in a seawater carrying container.

[0007] The seawater storage container is equipped with a control module, which includes relays, battery packs, and water pumps.

[0008] The seawater storage container is connected to the condenser and the seawater carrying container via a water pump set, which is used for condensing water vapor and replenishing the container with water. The solar panel is connected to the battery pack via a solar panel controller and wires. The battery pack supplies power to the relay and the water pump set. The relay is used to control the start and stop of the water pump set.

[0009] Furthermore, the transparent condenser recovery unit includes a hemispherical dome and condenser tubes; condenser tubes are laid in the inner surface of the hemispherical dome and are connected to a water pump unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the transparent water collection container is a dome-shaped water collector.

[0011] Furthermore, a liquid level sensor is installed on the outer wall of the seawater carrying container. The battery pack powers the liquid level sensor, and the signal output terminal of the liquid level sensor is connected to a relay to control the start and stop of the No. 1 water pump.

[0012] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0013] 1. Based on the principle of edge-preferred crystallization, an inverted conical wood-based aerogel was designed. This evaporator has less surface salt deposition and better evaporation effect than the traditional columnar evaporator, and can provide a more efficient solution for seawater desalination.

[0014] 2. Detachable seawater tank support rods: This makes the device flexible to install and disassemble, and easier to use.

[0015] 3. The hemispherical and dome-shaped water collectors are more conducive to the collection of condensate, while the condenser tubes also accelerate the steam condensation effect, thus improving the efficiency of condensate collection.

[0016] 4. A control module consisting of a liquid level sensor and a relay is used to control the water pump to automatically pump seawater into the seawater tank, thereby improving the efficiency of the evaporator.

[0017] 5. Using clean solar energy, the device emits zero carbon emissions compared to traditional energy sources, making it more environmentally friendly.

[0018] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the automated solar evaporator for preventing salt deposition according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a transparent condensate recovery unit, a seawater carrying container, a transparent water collection container, a salt-proof sedimentation device, and a freshwater tank;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a hemispherical dome.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a salt depositor. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by those skilled in the art.

[0024] Figure 1 An automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition is shown, which includes a transparent condensate recovery unit 1, a seawater carrying container 2, a transparent water collection container 3, an anti-salt deposition unit 4, a freshwater tank 5, a control module 6, a seawater storage container 7, and a solar panel 8.

[0025] The condenser 1 is connected to the transparent water collection container 3. After the condenser 1 is connected to the transparent water collection container 3, it has a receiving space. The receiving space is equipped with a seawater carrying container 2 and a salt-proof sedimentation device 4. The salt-proof sedimentation device 4 and the seawater carrying container 2 are arranged from top to bottom. The bottom of the transparent water collection container 3 is provided with a water outlet, and a freshwater tank 5 is provided below the transparent water collection container 3.

[0026] The salt-proof depositor 4 includes a foam board 42 and a wood-based aerogel 41 with a porous structure; the upper surface of the wood-based aerogel 41 is coated with a light-absorbing material 43 that can be converted by photothermal conversion, the wood-based aerogel 41 is embedded in the foam board 42, and the foam board 42 is placed in the seawater carrying container 2.

[0027] A control module 6 is arranged on the seawater storage container 7. The control module 6 includes a relay 61, a battery pack 62, and a water pump.

[0028] The seawater storage container 7 is connected to the condenser 1 and the seawater carrying container 2 via a water pump, and is used for condensing water vapor and replenishing the container with water. The solar panel 8 is connected to the battery pack 62 via a solar panel controller and wires. The battery pack 62 supplies power to the relay 61 and the water pump. The relay 61 is used to control the start and stop of the water pump.

[0029] The interfacial evaporation principle of the anti-salt depositor 4: Solar evaporation based on interfacial heating includes: one layer of light-absorbing material 43 converting light energy into heat energy through photothermal conversion effect; and another layer of wood-based aerogel 41 acting as a thermal barrier layer between water and the light-absorbing material, while also serving the functions of pumping water and insulation. In the anti-salt depositor 4 of this application, preferably, the wood-based aerogel 41 has an inverted conical structure. Graphene material is sprayed onto the surface of the inverted conical structure to act as the light-absorbing material, and the wood-based aerogel 41 (using 34 wood-based aerogel) acts as both the water transport layer and the thermal barrier layer. In the inverted conical structure, as the cross-sectional area of ​​the conical structure increases, water will be transported radially. The radial transport of water leads to a continuous increase in the concentration at the edge of the structure surface, eventually resulting in preferential crystallization at the edge, thereby preventing salt crystallization on the remaining surface. Secondly, after the evaporation process is completed during the day, under dark conditions, the porous structure of the wood-based aerogel 41 itself can also complete ion exchange with the water, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the structure. A light-absorbing layer covers the upper surface of the inverted conical structure, absorbing solar energy and converting it into photothermal energy, which in turn heats the brine pumped by the water transport layer to evaporate it.

[0030] Specifically, the inverted conical wood-based aerogel 41 is obtained as follows: 10g of sodium chlorite is added to a beaker containing 300ml of deionized water and stirred thoroughly. A small amount of glacial acetic acid is added dropwise to adjust the pH to 4. Balsa wood blocks are immersed in the prepared solution and then treated in a water bath at 60 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. The treated wood blocks are washed repeatedly with deionized water until the residual solution is removed, and then freeze-dried for 48 hours to obtain the wood-based aerogel.

[0031] Working principle of freshwater collection system: Combining Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The foam board 43 floats in the seawater carrying container 2. The brine in the seawater carrying container 2 absorbs solar energy and undergoes photothermal conversion through the wood-based aerogel 41 and the light-absorbing material 43 (such as graphene) on its surface. The brine is heated and evaporated. The upward water vapor generated by evaporation condenses after encountering the condenser tube 22 on the inner surface of the hemispherical dome 1 of the condenser recovery unit 1. The condensate droplets flow downward along the inner wall under the action of gravity and finally collect at the lower outlet of the transparent water collection container 3, where they are collected by the freshwater tank 5.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the condenser recovery unit 1 includes a hemispherical dome 11 and condenser tubes 12; the condenser tubes 12 are laid on the inner surface of the hemispherical dome 11 and are connected to the water pump unit. The water collection container 3 is a dome-shaped water collector, and the hemispherical dome 11 and the dome-shaped water collector are joined in a spherical shape, with an anti-salt sedimentation device 4 and a seawater carrying container 2 installed inside. Specifically, in conjunction with Figure 1The No. 1 water pump 631 draws seawater from the seawater storage container 7 on one side and delivers it to the seawater carrying container 2 through a silicone tube to achieve brine supply.

[0033] One side of the No. 2 water pump 632 draws seawater from the seawater storage container 7 and supplies it to the condenser pipe 12. The condensate is then circulated through the condenser pipe 12 and transported back to the seawater storage tank 7, thus realizing the condensate supply cycle.

[0034] Brine and condensate supply principle: Powered by solar panels 8 and battery pack 62. One side of the 24V No. 1 water pump 631 draws seawater from the seawater storage tank and pumps it to the seawater tank through silicone tubes to achieve brine supply. One side of the 12V No. 2 water pump 632 draws seawater from the seawater storage tank 7 and supplies it to the starting end of the condensate tube 12. The condensate is circulated through the condensate tube and then sent back to the seawater storage tank 7 to achieve condensate supply circulation.

[0035] The working principle of the freshwater collection system is as follows: the brine is heated and evaporated. The upward water vapor generated by evaporation condenses upon encountering the condenser tube 22 on the inner surface of the hemispherical dome 11. The condensate droplets flow downward along the inner wall of the dome under the action of gravity and eventually collect at the outlet below the transparent water collection container 3. The freshwater tank 5 completes the collection, thus realizing seawater desalination.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, a liquid level sensor 9 is installed on the outer wall of the seawater carrying container 2. The battery pack 62 supplies power to the liquid level sensor 9. The signal output terminal of the liquid level sensor 9 is connected to the relay 61 so as to control the start and stop of the No. 1 water pump 631 through the relay 61.

[0037] Optionally, the liquid level sensor 9 is attached to the outer wall of the seawater carrying container 2 with adhesive tape. Since the seawater carrying container 2 is made of transparent material, the liquid level sensor 9 can monitor the liquid level changes at any time and control the No. 1 water pump 631 through a relay.

[0038] The control module 6 is placed in the corresponding placement slot, and the solar panel 8 is placed on the ground to collect solar energy by means of an adjustable support frame.

[0039] The seawater carrying container 2 is supported inside the water collection container 3 by a support frame, and the water collection container 3 is supported by the support frame.

[0040] The following example illustrates the following:

[0041] An automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition includes a transparent condensate recovery unit 1, a seawater carrying container 2, a transparent water collection container 3, an anti-salt deposition unit 4, a freshwater tank 5, a control module 6, a seawater storage container 7, and a solar panel 8.

[0042] The condenser recovery unit 1 includes a hemispherical dome 11 and a condenser tube 12; the condenser tube 12 is laid in the inner surface of the hemispherical dome 11 and is connected to the water pump unit.

[0043] The water collection container 3 is a dome-shaped water collector.

[0044] The light-absorbing material 43 is graphene.

[0045] The hemispherical dome 11, the seawater carrying container 2, the water collection container 3, and the freshwater tank 5 are all made of acrylic.

[0046] The solar panel controller selected is a solar panel controller with an LCD display from Shenzhen Xiangri Technology Co., Ltd.

[0047] The Relay 61 can be equipped with a 1248-channel relay module (with optocoupler isolation and support for high and low level triggering development board).

[0048] The liquid level sensor 9 can be a wall-mounted liquid sensor (external water level sensing switch liquid level sensor, which adopts non-contact water level detection) from Shenzhen Xingkechuang Technology Co., Ltd.

[0049] Pump No. 1, 631, can be a Kamoe peristaltic pump; pump No. 2, 632, can be a water-cooled electric pump, NKP-DC-S04B.

[0050] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the specific layout of the control module 6, including a 24V No. 1 water pump 631 placed in the tank, a 12V No. 2 water pump 632 placed in the tank, a relay 61 placed in the tank, a 12V battery pack placed in the tank, and a 24V battery pack placed in the tank.

[0051] The 12V and 24V battery packs are connected to the solar panel 8 by wires. When in the charging state, the 12V and 24V battery packs are charged by converting light energy into electrical energy.

[0052] The control module 6 is powered by a 12V battery pack and a 24V battery pack and connected by wires; the control module 6 is connected to the liquid level sensor 9 and the water pump 2 by wires.

[0053] When the power is sufficient, the 12V second water pump 632 works, pumping seawater from the seawater storage tank 7 into the silicone condenser tube 12 of the hemispherical dome 11. The seawater then flows back into the seawater storage tank 7 through the condenser tube 12. When the seawater capacity in the seawater carrying container 2 reaches 1 / 3 of the container capacity, the liquid level sensor 9 located at that position on the outer wall of the seawater carrying container 2 sends a signal. At the same time, the 24V first water pump 631 works, pumping seawater into the seawater carrying container 2 through the silicone tube. The seawater evaporates through the conical anti-salt depositor 4. The evaporated water vapor rises and encounters the condenser tube at the top of the hemispherical dome 11. Through the condensation of the condenser tube 12, it liquefies into fresh water and flows into the fresh water tank 5 along the inner side of the hemispherical dome 1 and the dome-shaped water collection tank.

[0054] In application, the aforementioned evaporator with seawater desalination function allows the user to pre-add a certain amount of seawater to the detachable seawater container 2. With the solar panel 8 in operation and the evaporation process underway, the evaporator can operate automatically via the control module 6. This eliminates the need for prolonged monitoring of the seawater tank level and salt deposition, resulting in better evaporation and a more convenient and efficient operation.

[0055] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed structure and technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications or alterations shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability, characterized in that: It includes a transparent condensate recovery unit (1), a seawater carrying container (2), a transparent water collection container (3), a salt-proof sedimentation device (4), a freshwater tank (5), a control module (6), a seawater storage container (7), and a solar panel (8); The transparent condenser (1) is connected to the transparent water collection container (3). The transparent condenser (1) includes a hemispherical dome (11) and a condenser tube (12). The condenser tube (12) is laid in the inner surface of the hemispherical dome (11). The transparent water collection container (3) is a dome-shaped water collector. The hemispherical dome (11) and the dome-shaped water collector are connected to form a spherical body. A salt-proof sedimentation device (4) and a seawater carrying container (2) are set inside the container. The salt-proof sedimentation device (4) and the seawater carrying container (2) are arranged from top to bottom. A water outlet is provided at the bottom of the transparent water collection container (3). A freshwater tank (5) is provided below the transparent water collection container (3). The anti-salt depositor (4) includes a foam board (42) and a wood-based aerogel (41) with a porous structure. The wood-based aerogel (41) has an inverted conical structure. The upper surface of the wood-based aerogel (41) is coated with a light-absorbing material (43) that can be converted by photothermal conversion. The wood-based aerogel (41) is embedded in the foam board (42), and the foam board (42) is placed in the seawater carrying container (2). A control module (6) is arranged on the seawater storage container (7). The control module (6) includes a relay (61), a battery pack (62), and a water pump. One side of the first water pump (631) absorbs seawater from the seawater storage container (7) and sends it to the seawater carrying container (2) through a silicone tube to realize the supply of brine. One side of the second water pump (632) absorbs seawater from the seawater storage container (7) and supplies it to the condenser (12). The condensate is circulated through the condenser (12) and then sent back to the seawater storage container (7) to realize the condensate supply circulation. The solar panel (8) is connected to the battery pack (62) via a solar panel controller and wires. The battery pack (62) supplies power to the relay (61), the first water pump (631), and the second water pump (632). The relay (61) is used to control the start and stop of the first water pump (631) and the second water pump (632).

2. The automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-absorbing material (43) is graphene.

3. The automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid level sensor (9) is installed on the outer wall of the seawater carrying container (2). The battery pack (62) supplies power to the liquid level sensor (9). The signal output terminal of the liquid level sensor (9) is connected to the relay (61) so as to control the start and stop of the No. 1 water pump (631) through the relay (61).

4. The automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inverted cone-shaped wood-based aerogel (41) was obtained by the following method: 10g of sodium chlorite was added to a beaker containing 300ml of deionized water and stirred thoroughly. A small amount of glacial acetic acid was added dropwise to adjust the pH value to 4 and obtain a solution. Balsa wood blocks were immersed in the prepared solution and then treated in a water bath at 60 degrees Celsius for 48h. The treated wood blocks were washed with deionized water multiple times until the residual solution was removed and then freeze-dried for 48h to obtain the wood-based aerogel.

5. The automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seawater carrying container (2) is supported on the transparent water collection container (3) by a support frame, and the water collection container (3) is supported by the support frame.

6. The automated solar evaporator with anti-salt deposition capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hemispherical dome (11), the seawater carrying container (2), the transparent water collection container (3), and the freshwater tank (5) are all made of acrylic.

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