Solar energy evaporation type sea water desalination device

Abstract

This invention relates to a solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device, belonging to the technical field of seawater desalination equipment. It includes a main frame, modular evaporation components, a condensation and collection component, a liquid supply circulation system, and a fixing support. The modular evaporation component includes at least two parallel, spaced-apart evaporation units, with adjacent units connected and fixed by multiple Z-shaped spacers, forming airflow channels between adjacent units. Each evaporation unit has a three-layer composite structure, comprising a light-transmitting substrate, a photothermal conversion layer, and a water supply layer. The condensation and collection component is located at the top of the main frame and is used to condense water vapor from the modular evaporation components and collect fresh water. The liquid supply circulation system is connected to the water supply layer of the evaporation units and is used to supply liquid to the water supply layer and recover unevaporated liquid from the evaporation units. Through the three-layer composite evaporation unit and the airflow channels formed by the Z-shaped spacers, the solar energy utilization efficiency is increased to 55%, and the freshwater output is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of seawater desalination equipment, specifically relating to a solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device. Background Technology

[0002] The global freshwater shortage is becoming increasingly severe. According to the World Freshwater Report released by UNESCO in 2023, about one-third of the world's population faces water shortages, and nearly 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Seawater accounts for 97.5% of the world's total water resources, and seawater desalination technology has become one of the core pathways to solve the water crisis.

[0003] Solar energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, has an annual total radiation of 1.7 × 10⁻⁶. 14 The energy available in the solar desalination capacity is sufficient to meet the global energy demand for seawater desalination. Due to its low operating costs and environmental friendliness, solar desalination technology is experiencing rapid market growth, expanding at an annual rate of 15%-20%, and is projected to exceed $20 billion globally by 2025. Solar desalination technology is mainly divided into three categories: distillation, membrane separation, and photothermal evaporation. Among these, photothermal evaporation is the most widely used in small and medium-sized desalination equipment due to its simple structure and low cost, accounting for over 60% of the global small-scale seawater desalination equipment market. Multi-stage evaporation devices have become a research hotspot in recent years.

[0004] However, existing solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination devices still face numerous technical bottlenecks, specifically: 1. The structure is mostly integrated, with a fixed number of evaporation units and a single fixing method, supporting only ground installation and limiting the application scope; 2. The solar energy utilization efficiency is low, generally below 30%, with a freshwater output of only 0.3-0.4 L / (m²·h), which is insufficient to meet actual water demand; 3. The condensation collection system has significant defects, with condensation plates prone to tilting and shifting, resulting in a condensate loss rate of 20%-30%, easy scaling on the surface, and high maintenance costs; 4. The liquid supply circulation system is unstable, lacking precise flow control, with a water resource utilization rate of only 70%-80%, and the liquid level monitoring of the storage tank is not intuitive; 5. The durability is poor, with inappropriate material selection for core components, poor sealing performance, and a service life of only 1-2 years.

[0005] Therefore, developing a solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device with optimized structure, higher efficiency, stronger adaptability, and better durability has become the key to solving the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing solar evaporative seawater desalination devices, such as rigid structure, limited installation, low efficiency, cumbersome maintenance, and poor durability, and to provide a solar evaporative seawater desalination device that improves energy utilization and desalination efficiency, increases water resource utilization, and enhances the stability of device operation.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: a solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device, comprising a main frame, modular evaporation components, a condensation and collection component, a liquid supply circulation system, and a fixed support; the modular evaporation components are detachably installed within the main frame, comprising at least two parallel and spaced evaporation units, adjacent evaporation units being connected and fixed by multiple Z-shaped spacers, the Z-shaped spacers forming an airflow channel between adjacent evaporation units with a width equal to the height of the Z-shaped spacers; the evaporation unit is a three-layer composite structure, comprising a light-transmitting substrate, a photothermal conversion layer, and a water supply layer sequentially from the side facing sunlight to the side facing away from sunlight; the condensation and collection component is located at the top of the main frame, used to condense water vapor from the modular evaporation components to generate fresh water, and to collect the fresh water; the liquid supply circulation system is connected to the bottom of the main frame and communicates with the water supply layer of the evaporation unit, used to supply liquid to the water supply layer and recover unevaporated liquid from the evaporation unit; the fixed support is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main frame and detachably connected to the main frame.

[0008] Furthermore, the Z-shaped spacers are made of ceramic, glass fiber, or modified polypropylene, and are evenly distributed along the length of the evaporation unit, with a spacing of 15-20cm between adjacent Z-shaped spacers; the connecting surface of the Z-shaped spacers in contact with the evaporation unit is provided with diamond-shaped anti-slip textures with a depth of 0.5-1mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the light-transmitting substrate is ultra-white tempered glass with a light transmittance ≥90% and an impact resistance ≥50kg / cm²; the photothermal conversion layer is a nano-carbon fiber coating with a solar absorption rate ≥92% and a thermal emissivity ≤0.15; the water supply layer is polyester fiber non-woven fabric with a water absorption rate ≥300% and a porosity ≥80%; the light-transmitting substrate, photothermal conversion layer, and water supply layer are sequentially fixed and connected by a high-temperature resistant silicone adhesive, the temperature resistance range of which is -40℃ to 150℃; the edge of the evaporation unit is sealed with neutral silicone sealant with a sealant width ≥5mm; and the total thickness of the three-layer composite is 10-14mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the condensation collection assembly includes a condensation plate, a collection tank, and an elastic adjustment component. The condensation plate is fixed to the top of the main frame at an adjustable angle via the elastic adjustment component. The elastic adjustment component finely adjusts and locks the tilt angle of the condensation plate at any position between 15° and 30°, with an angle adjustment accuracy of ±1°. The condensation plate is made of 304 stainless steel with a thickness of 2-4mm. The surface of the condensation plate is provided with an anti-fouling coating with a thickness of 0.05-0.1mm, and its surface contact angle with water is ≥110°. The collection tank is located below the lowest end of the condensation plate and is used to collect condensate.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic adjustment assembly includes an adjustment knob, a guide sleeve, a stainless steel compression spring, a ball joint rod, and a silicone anti-slip pad; the guide sleeve is fixed to the top of the main frame; the ball joint rod passes through the guide groove of the guide sleeve and is threadedly connected to the adjustment knob; the stainless steel compression spring is sleeved on the ball joint rod and located inside the guide sleeve; the front end of the ball joint rod is connected to the silicone anti-slip pad through a ball joint structure, and the silicone anti-slip pad is pressed against the surface of the condenser plate; four elastic adjustment assemblies are symmetrically arranged on the top of the main frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the adjustment knob is injection molded from ABS engineering plastic and has anti-slip texture on its surface; the silicone anti-slip pad is made of food-grade silicone and has diamond-shaped anti-slip texture on its surface in contact with the condenser plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the liquid supply circulation system includes a storage tank, a micro liquid supply pump, a flow control valve, and a return pipe; the storage tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor; the inlet of the micro liquid supply pump is connected to the storage tank via a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the water supply layer of each evaporation unit via the flow control valve and a food-grade polyethylene pipeline; one end of the return pipe is connected to the bottom return port of each evaporation unit, and the other end is connected to the storage tank to return unevaporated seawater; the flow control valve automatically adjusts the liquid supply to the water supply layer according to the signal fed back by the liquid level sensor, so that the humidity of the water supply layer is stabilized at 60%-80%.

[0014] Furthermore, a transparent liquid level observation window is provided on the side wall of the liquid storage tank, and the liquid level observation window is printed with scales. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the liquid storage tank. A filter screen is provided at the return port of the evaporation unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the main frame is provided with modular splicing interfaces on its sides. The main frame is composed of multiple aluminum alloy profiles connected by modular splicing interfaces. The surface of the aluminum alloy profiles is anodized with an oxide film thickness ≥15μm and the cross-section of the aluminum alloy profiles is square. Each of the four bottom corners of the main frame is provided with a height-adjustable leveling foot.

[0016] Furthermore, the fixing bracket is welded from stainless steel tubing with a diameter of 20mm and a wall thickness of 3mm, and its surface is treated with sandblasting for rust prevention. The fixing bracket has three convertible installation modes: wall-mounted mode, which is fixed to the wall with M8×80mm expansion bolts, with a 10cm gap between the bracket body and the wall; floor-standing mode, which has 50mm diameter lockable casters installed at the bottom of the bracket; and folding mode, where the bracket body is connected by hinges and can be folded to reduce storage volume.

[0017] Furthermore, the width of the airflow channel formed by the Z-shaped spacer between two adjacent evaporation units is equal to the height of the Z-shaped spacer.

[0018] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1) By setting up airflow channels formed by three-layer composite evaporation units and Z-shaped spacers, the solar energy utilization efficiency is increased to over 55%, and the freshwater output reaches over 0.7L / (m²·h), which is more than 80% higher than the existing technology. Two evaporation units (total area 0.48m²) can produce 8.6L of freshwater per day, which can meet the daily water needs of 3-4 people.

[0020] 2) Through standardized modular splicing interfaces and fixed brackets that support three installation modes—wall-mounted, floor-standing, and folding—the device achieves flexible adaptation to the scale and installation method, covering various scenarios such as home, outdoor, remote areas, and mobile carriers. In folding mode, the storage volume is reduced by 60%, the weight of a single device is ≤15kg, it can be carried by a single person, and the transportation cost is reduced by 40%.

[0021] 3) The flexible adjustment components ensure that the condenser plate is installed flat and the adjustable tilt angle accelerates the flow of fresh water. Combined with the anti-fouling coating on the surface and the collection tank, the condensate collection efficiency is ≥95%, which is more than 20% higher than the existing technology. The amount of scale is reduced by more than 70%, the maintenance cycle is extended to once every six months, and the maintenance cost is reduced.

[0022] 4) Through the cooperation of liquid level sensor, flow control valve and return pipe, the precise adjustment of liquid supply and recycling of unevaporated seawater can be achieved. The humidity of the water supply layer is stable at 60%-80%. The device can run continuously for more than 72 hours, and the water resource utilization rate is ≥98%. The device can run continuously for more than 72 hours, which is 20% higher than the existing technology.

[0023] 5) The main frame is made of anodized aluminum alloy profiles with sealing gaskets at the joints; the condenser plate is made of stainless steel; and the liquid storage tank is made of corrosion-resistant materials such as HDPE. The liquid storage tank has good overall sealing performance with a leakage rate of 0%, an overall service life of ≥3 years, and a service life of ≥5 years for core components. It can adapt to harsh environments such as -40℃ to 80℃ and high salt spray.

[0024] 6) The device has low production costs, zero energy consumption during operation, and low maintenance costs, with a payback period of approximately 6 months for household users. It can effectively utilize seawater and brackish water resources, providing clean and economical freshwater solutions for water-scarce areas, and meets the requirements of the "dual carbon" target. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device disclosed in this invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the splicing of adjacent evaporation units;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the liquid collection tank;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of freshwater collection.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic adjustment component;

[0031] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the water supply and the return flow of unevaporated seawater.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a fixed support.

[0033] In the diagram, the components are: main frame 1, modular splicing interface 11, modular evaporation assembly 2, evaporation unit 21, light-transmitting substrate 211, photothermal conversion layer 212, water supply layer 213, spacer 22, condensation collection assembly 3, condensation plate 31, liquid collection tank 32, elastic adjustment assembly 33, adjustment knob 331, guide sleeve 332, compression spring 333, ball joint top rod 334, silicone anti-slip pad 335, liquid supply circulation system 4, liquid storage tank 41, micro liquid supply pump 42, flow control valve 43, return pipe 44, and fixed bracket 5. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the technical features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0036] Example 1:

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device, which mainly includes a main frame 1, a modular evaporation component 2, a condensation collection component 3, a liquid supply circulation system 4, and a fixed support 5.

[0038] The main frame 1 is constructed from 6063 aluminum alloy profiles with a cross-sectional dimension of 30mm × 30mm. The profiles are CNC machined to form a mortise and tenon joint structure. During assembly, EPDM sealing gaskets are placed on the mortise and tenon contact surfaces, and M6 × 20mm stainless steel bolts are used for fastening. The bolt torque is controlled at 5 N·m to avoid overtightening and deformation of the profiles. The frame surface is anodized, with an oxide film thickness ≥15μm, providing excellent corrosion resistance. The frame side has 4-6 modular splicing interfaces 11, spaced 150mm apart. When expansion is required, multiple main frames 1 can be horizontally connected via the modular splicing interfaces 11, expanding the maximum frame size to 2400mm × 600mm × 1500mm to meet large-scale water supply needs. The bottom of the frame has four leveling feet with an adjustment range of 0-20mm to adapt to uneven ground, ensuring a frame levelness error ≤0.5mm / m.

[0039] The modular evaporation assembly 2 is detachably installed within the main frame 1 and includes at least two parallel and spaced evaporation units 21.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, each evaporation unit 21 has a three-layer composite structure, consisting of a light-transmitting substrate 211, a photothermal conversion layer 212, and a water supply layer 213, arranged sequentially from the side facing the sunlight to the side facing away from the sunlight. These three layers are fixed together sequentially with a high-temperature resistant silicone adhesive (temperature range of -40℃ to 150℃), with a total thickness of 12mm ± 0.2mm. The edges are sealed with neutral silicone sealant with a sealing width of 5mm to effectively prevent seawater leakage.

[0041] The light-transmitting substrate 211 is made of 4mm thick ultra-clear tempered glass with a light transmittance of ≥92%, which is 10%-15% higher than ordinary tempered glass, allowing for efficient solar energy transmission; its impact resistance is ≥50kg / cm², making it less prone to breakage, and its service life is ≥8 years. The photothermal conversion layer 212 is a nano-carbon fiber coating, uniformly coated on the inner side of the light-transmitting substrate 211 through a spraying process. The coating thickness is 0.1mm, with a solar energy absorption rate of ≥93% and an emissivity of ≤0.15, which can quickly convert solar energy into heat energy, and the surface temperature can reach 60℃-80℃. The water supply layer 213 is made of 5mm thick polyester fiber non-woven fabric with a porosity of ≥80% and a water absorption rate of ≥350%. It can quickly absorb seawater through capillary action and distribute it evenly, preventing localized drying.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, adjacent evaporation units 21 are connected and fixed by Z-shaped spacers 22. The Z-shaped spacers 22 are made of ceramic. The Z-shaped spacers 22 are evenly distributed along the length of the evaporation unit 21 with a spacing of 18cm to ensure uniform force at each joint. The connection surface between the Z-shaped spacers 22 and the evaporation unit 21 is provided with diamond-shaped anti-slip textures with a depth of 0.8mm and a spacing of 2mm to ensure installation stability. An airflow channel with a width equal to the height of the Z-shaped spacers 22 is formed between adjacent evaporation units 21 through the Z-shaped spacers 22. The airflow velocity is controlled at 0.1m / s-0.3m / s, which facilitates the rapid discharge of water vapor and reduces heat loss.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the condensation collection assembly 3 is located on the top of the main frame 1 and is used to condense water vapor from the modular evaporation assembly 2 to generate fresh water, and to collect and guide the fresh water. The condensation collection assembly 3 includes a condensation plate 31, a collection tank 32, and an elastic adjustment assembly 33 for fixing the condensation plate 31. The size of the condensation plate 31 matches the size of the evaporation unit 21. In this embodiment, the condensation plate 31 is made of 304 stainless steel plate with a thickness of 3mm and a thermal conductivity ≥16W / (m·K), which can quickly conduct heat and cause water vapor to condense on the surface. The surface of the condensation plate 31 is electrostatically sprayed with a polytetrafluoroethylene anti-fouling coating with a thickness of 0.08mm, an adhesion ≥4B (cross-cut adhesion test), and a water contact angle ≥110°, which can effectively reduce the amount of condensate adhesion and scale buildup.

[0044] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the condenser plate 31 is fixed to the top of the main frame 1 by four symmetrically distributed elastic adjustment components 33. Each elastic adjustment component 33 includes an adjustment knob 331, a guide sleeve 332, a compression spring 333, a ball joint push rod 334, and a silicone anti-slip pad 335. The adjustment knob 331 is injection molded from ABS engineering plastic, with a diameter of 25mm and anti-slip textured surface for easy manual adjustment. The guide sleeve 332 is CNC machined from 6061 aluminum alloy, with a built-in guide groove to restrict the push rod to move only axially, preventing deformation of the compression spring 333. The compression spring 333 is made of 304 stainless steel, with a diameter of 12mm, a free length of 50mm, a compression stroke of 25mm, a spring force of 8N, and an elastic fatigue life ≥10,000 cycles, providing continuous and stable clamping force. The ball joint push rod 334 has a diameter of 8mm and a length of 80mm. It is made of 45# steel, machined and galvanized, with a rust resistance level of ≥8. The front ball joint structure allows for ±5° angle fine adjustment to ensure full contact between the silicone anti-slip pad 335 and the condenser plate 31. The silicone anti-slip pad 335 is made of food-grade silicone with a Shore hardness of 55°, a diameter of 30mm, and a thickness of 5mm. Its surface has a 0.8mm deep diamond-shaped anti-slip texture to enhance friction with the condenser plate and prevent the condenser plate from sliding or shifting.

[0045] Rotating the adjustment knob 331 compresses the spring 333, ensuring a tight fit between the silicone anti-slip pad 335 and the surface of the condenser plate 31. The tilt angle of the condenser plate 31 is adjustable between 15° and 30°. In this embodiment, the tilt angle is adjusted to 20°, with a surface flatness error of ≤0.3mm / m and a tilt angle adjustment accuracy of ±1°. The tilt angle of the condenser plate 31 can be precisely adjusted according to different scenario requirements to ensure maximum condensate collection efficiency. The elastic adjustment component 33 can buffer vibration, adapting to complex environments such as outdoor and mobile environments, preventing the condenser plate 31 from shifting due to vibration.

[0046] The liquid collection tank 32 is located below the lowest end of the condenser plate 31 and is made of 5mm thick transparent PVC material. Figure 3 As shown, the cross-section is U-shaped, which facilitates the collection of fresh water to the bottom. It is 60mm wide and 40mm deep. The end of the collection tank 32 is equipped with a 10mm diameter drain outlet with a silicone plug, which can be connected to a hose to directly discharge fresh water or connect to a water storage container. The drainage flow rate is ≥0.8L / min to prevent fresh water from overflowing.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the liquid supply circulation system 4 is connected to the bottom of the main frame 1 and communicates with the water supply layer 213 of the evaporation unit 21. It is used to supply liquid to the water supply layer 213 and recover the unevaporated liquid of the evaporation unit 21.

[0048] The liquid supply circulation system 4 includes a storage tank 41, a miniature liquid supply pump 42, a flow control valve 43, and a return pipe 44. The storage tank 41 is made of 5mm thick HDPE sheet, hot-welded into shape, with a standard capacity of 10L, and can be configured from 5-20L according to requirements. A transparent PC material liquid level observation window, 3mm thick, with a scale accuracy of 0.5L, is provided on the side of the tank, allowing users to intuitively monitor the liquid level. An 18mm diameter drain port with a threaded plug is located at the bottom of the tank for easy periodic cleaning of sediment. A capacitive liquid level sensor is installed inside the storage tank 41, with a measurement range of 0-20L and an accuracy of ±0.1L, enabling real-time liquid level monitoring. The miniature liquid supply pump 42 is a DC brushless pump (model DC30E), with a power of 15W, a flow rate of 1.5L / h, a head of 0.5m, and an operating noise of ≤40dB. The pump body is made of engineering plastic, offering strong corrosion resistance and a service life of ≥5000 hours. The inlet of the miniature liquid supply pump 42 is connected to the bottom of the storage tank 41 via a food-grade polyethylene pipe. Its outlet is connected to the water distributor at the top of each evaporation unit 21 via a flow control valve 43 and a food-grade polyethylene pipe (6mm inner diameter). The water distributor evenly sprays seawater onto the surface of the water supply layer 213. The flow control valve 43 is electromagnetic, with a response time ≤0.5s and an adjustment accuracy of ±0.05L / h. The flow control valve 43 is electrically connected to a liquid level sensor and is configured to automatically adjust the liquid supply flow rate based on the feedback signal from the liquid level sensor, ensuring that the humidity of the water supply layer 213 is stably maintained at 60%-80%. When the liquid level in the storage tank 41 drops to ≤1L, the miniature liquid supply pump 42 automatically stops working to prevent damage from dry running. The return pipe 44 is a food-grade polyethylene pipe with an inner diameter of 8mm, with one end connected to the return port at the bottom of each evaporation unit 21 and the other end connected to the storage tank 41. Each evaporation unit 21 is equipped with a 50μm filter screen at its return port to prevent impurities from entering the storage tank 41. Unevaporated seawater flows back to the storage tank 41 through the return pipe 44 under gravity, achieving recycling and a water resource utilization rate of ≥98%.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the fixed brackets 5 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main frame 1. They are used to detachably support the main frame 1. The bracket body is welded from 304 stainless steel tubing with a diameter of 20mm and a wall thickness of 3mm. It has a load-bearing capacity of ≥50kg, and the surface is sandblasted for rust prevention. It has passed a salt spray test for ≥500 hours, making it suitable for outdoor high-humidity and high-salt environments. The fixed brackets 5 are equipped with three types of mounting joints, corresponding to three switchable installation modes:

[0050] Wall-mounted mode: The bracket is fixed to the wall with M8×80mm expansion bolts, with a 10cm gap between the bracket and the wall to facilitate heat dissipation and maintenance of the device.

[0051] Floor-standing mode: The base of the bracket is equipped with four 50mm diameter lockable casters. The wheel surface is made of wear-resistant rubber material, and the locking structure is reliable, making it easy to move and fix.

[0052] Folding mode: The stand is connected by hinges and can be retracted to the width of the frame (≤40cm), reducing the storage volume by 60% and making it easy to transport and carry.

[0053] The assembly steps of the device described in the above embodiments are as follows:

[0054] Step 1, Main Frame 1: Assemble four aluminum alloy profiles into a rectangular frame using mortise and tenon joints. Place EPDM sealing gaskets at the joints and secure with M6×20mm stainless steel bolts. Install the bottom leveling feet and adjust the frame's levelness error to ≤0.5mm / m.

[0055] Step 2, Modular Evaporation Component 2 Installation: Arrange the Z-shaped spacers 22 at 18cm intervals along the length of the frame and secure them with clips. Clean the surface of the evaporation unit 21, align it with the frame mounting position, and secure it with M4×10mm bolts at 20cm intervals, ensuring that the parallelism error between adjacent evaporation units is ≤0.3mm.

[0056] Step 3, Condensation Component Installation: Fix the elastic adjustment component 33 to the top of the frame, with the four components symmetrically distributed. Place the condenser plate 31 and adjust the tilt angle to 20°. Install the collection tank 32, ensuring that the distance between it and the lowest point of the condenser plate 31 is ≤2mm, and seal the connection between the tank and the frame.

[0057] Step 4, Liquid Supply System Connection: Fix the liquid storage tank 41 to the bottom of the frame and connect the power supply to the micro liquid supply pump 42. Connect the outlet of the liquid supply pump to the flow control valve 43, and connect the outlet of the flow control valve to the water distributor of each evaporation unit 21 through a PE pipe. Connect the return pipe 44 to connect the return port of the evaporation unit 21 to the liquid storage tank 41. Install the liquid level sensor and the three-color indicator light.

[0058] Step 5: Install the mounting bracket: Select the installation mode according to the application scenario. Taking the wall-mounted mode as an example, mark the drilling positions on the wall, insert M8×80mm expansion bolts, and fix the bracket to the wall. Connect the assembled main frame to the mounting bracket with bolts, and check the levelness of the frame again to ensure that it is not tilted.

[0059] Step 6, Debugging and Testing: Inject 10L of simulated seawater (salinity 3.5%) into the storage tank 41, start the system, and check for leaks in the pipeline and whether the flow control valve is properly adjusted. After running for 30 minutes, check whether there is uniform condensation on the surface of the condenser plate 31, whether the fresh water flows smoothly into the collection tank 32, and whether the return pipe 44 returns normally. Use a thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the evaporation unit (it should reach 60-80℃), and use a flow meter to measure the fresh water output.

[0060] The working process of the device in the above embodiment is as follows:

[0061] Start-up phase: When the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid level in the storage tank 41 is ≥5L, the green light illuminates, and the micro-supply pump 42 automatically starts, delivering seawater to the water supply layer 213 of the evaporation unit 21 at a flow rate of 1.5L / h. The water supply layer 213 rapidly absorbs and evenly distributes the seawater through capillary action. Solar energy shines through the light-transmitting substrate 211 onto the photothermal conversion layer 212, which absorbs solar energy and converts it into heat energy. After 5 minutes, the surface temperature reaches above 50°C.

[0062] Stable evaporation stage: The surface temperature of the photothermal conversion layer 212 is stabilized at 60-80℃. Heat is transferred to the water supply layer 213 to heat the seawater, which evaporates on the surface of the water supply layer 213 to form water vapor. Driven by the concentration and temperature differences, the water vapor flows upward along the airflow channel formed by the Z-shaped spacer 22 at a velocity of approximately 0.2 m / s. Unevaporated seawater flows back to the storage tank 41 through the return pipe 44, achieving recycling.

[0063] Condensation and Collection Stage: Water vapor rises to the surface of condenser plate 31. The surface temperature of the condenser plate is 25-30℃, creating a temperature difference of ≥15℃ with the water vapor, causing the water vapor to rapidly condense into fresh water. The anti-fouling coating on the surface of condenser plate 31 reduces fresh water adhesion. Combined with a 20° tilt angle, the fresh water flows rapidly along the plate surface into the collection tank 32. The fresh water is discharged and collected through the drain outlet. The salinity of the fresh water is ≤300mg / L, and the quality of the fresh water meets the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality" (GB 5749-2022).

[0064] Automatic control process: The flow control valve 43 automatically adjusts the liquid supply flow rate based on the feedback signal from the liquid level sensor to ensure that the humidity of the water supply layer 213 remains stable at 60%-80%. When the liquid level drops to ≤1L, a red light illuminates, and the miniature liquid supply pump 42 automatically stops working. It can be restarted after replenishing seawater to resume operation. It should be noted that during long-term shutdown, the seawater in the storage tank and pipelines must be drained, rinsed with clean water 2-3 times, and all component surfaces wiped dry to prevent corrosion from salt residue.

[0065] The apparatus of the above embodiments was tested as follows:

[0066] Performance Test Table:

[0067]

[0068] Environmental adaptability test form:

[0069]

[0070] Example 2: Residential Balcony Usage Scenarios

[0071] Based on Example 1, adjustments were made for adaptation. Two evaporation units were configured, with frame dimensions of 600×400×800mm, a liquid storage tank capacity of 5L, a micro-pump flow rate adjusted to 0.8L / h, and a condenser plate tilt angle adjusted to 18°. A wall-mounted bracket was used, with an installation height of 1.2m. Application results: It can produce 6-8L of fresh water daily, meeting the drinking and watering needs of 1-2 people; fresh water salinity ≤300mg / L; operating noise ≤40dB; seawater replenishment once a week (5L); and cleaning of the light-transmitting substrate once a month.

[0072] Example 3: Outdoor Operation Scenario

[0073] Based on Example 1, adjustments were made for adaptation. Four evaporation units were configured, and the frame was expanded to 800×500×1000mm via modular splicing interfaces. The liquid storage tank capacity was 10L, the liquid supply pump flow rate was adjusted to 2L / h, the condenser plate tilt angle was adjusted to 22°, a foldable fixing bracket was adopted, and a 10W solar panel + 12V battery auxiliary power supply was provided. Application results: It can produce 12-16L of fresh water per day, meeting the water needs of 3-5 people working in the field. It can work continuously for 7 days without mains power. The folded storage volume is 800×500×200mm, and the weight is ≤20kg, which can be carried by two people.

[0074] Example 4: Large-scale scenario in remote areas

[0075] Based on Example 1, adjustments were made for adaptation. Sixteen evaporation units were configured, with four frames assembled via modular splicing interfaces. The overall dimensions are 2400×600×1500mm, with a total evaporation area of ​​3.84m² and a 20L storage tank. Four micro-pumps were connected in parallel for liquid supply, with a total flow rate of 6L / h. A centralized control box and a floor-mounted support were installed. Application results: 48-64L of fresh water can be produced daily, meeting the water needs of 10-15 people. Seawater is replenished every 3 days. The overall service life of the device is ≥3 years, requiring maintenance twice a year. The operating cost is significantly lower than that of bottled water transportation.

[0076] Example 5: Mobile Carrier Scenario

[0077] Based on Example 1, adjustments were made for adaptation. Three evaporation units were configured, with a miniaturized frame size of 500×350×700mm. The liquid storage tank has a capacity of 8L and uses a shock-resistant mounting bracket (spring-buffered structure). A low-power (10W) liquid supply pump was selected, compatible with a vehicle-mounted 12V power supply. The tilt angle of the condenser plate was adjusted to 25°. Application results: It can produce 9-12L of fresh water per day, meeting the water needs of 2-3 people traveling in a motorhome. The shock-resistant bracket effectively resists driving bumps, and the device exhibits no misalignment or leakage. Daily power consumption is 0.24kWh, which does not affect the motorhome's battery life.

[0078] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments for fully illustrating the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device, characterized in that: It includes a main frame (1), a modular evaporation assembly (2), a condensation collection assembly (3), a liquid supply circulation system (4), and a fixed support (5); The modular evaporation assembly (2) is detachably installed in the main frame (1) and includes at least two parallel evaporation units (21). Adjacent evaporation units (21) are connected and fixed by multiple Z-shaped spacers (22). The Z-shaped spacers (22) form an airflow channel between adjacent evaporation units (21) with a width equal to the height of the Z-shaped spacers (22). The evaporation unit (21) is a three-layer composite structure, which includes a light-transmitting substrate (211), a photothermal conversion layer (212), and a water supply layer (213) in sequence from the side facing the sunlight to the side facing away from the sunlight. The condensation collection component (3) is disposed on the top of the main frame (1) for condensing water vapor from the modular evaporation component (2) to generate fresh water and collecting the fresh water. The liquid supply circulation system (4) is connected to the bottom of the main frame (1) and communicates with the water supply layer (213) of the evaporation unit (21). It is used to supply liquid to the water supply layer (213) and recover the unevaporated liquid of the evaporation unit (21). The fixed brackets (5) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main frame (1) and are detachably connected to the main frame (1).

2. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Z-shaped spacers (22) are made of ceramic, glass fiber or modified polypropylene, and are evenly distributed along the length of the evaporation unit (21), with the spacing between adjacent Z-shaped spacers (22) being 15-20cm; the connecting surfaces of the Z-shaped spacers (22) and the evaporation unit (21) are provided with diamond-shaped anti-slip textures with a depth of 0.5-1mm.

3. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting substrate (211) is ultra-white tempered glass with a light transmittance ≥90% and an impact resistance ≥50kg / cm². The photothermal conversion layer (212) is a nano-carbon fiber coating with an absorption rate of ≥92% for sunlight and a thermal emissivity of ≤0.

15. The water supply layer (213) is a polyester fiber nonwoven fabric with a water absorption rate of ≥300% and a porosity of ≥80%. The light-transmitting substrate (211), the photothermal conversion layer (212), and the water supply layer (213) are sequentially fixed and connected by a high-temperature resistant silicone adhesive. The temperature resistance range of the high-temperature resistant silicone adhesive is -40℃ to 150℃. The edge of the evaporation unit (21) is sealed with neutral silicone sealant. The width of the sealant is ≥5mm, and the total thickness of the three-layer composite is 10-14mm.

4. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensation collection assembly (3) includes a condensation plate (31), a liquid collection tank (32), and an elastic adjustment assembly (33); the condensation plate (31) is fixed to the top of the main frame (1) at an adjustable angle by the elastic adjustment assembly (33), and the elastic adjustment assembly (33) finely adjusts the tilt angle of the condensation plate (31) and locks it at any position between 15° and 30°, with an angle adjustment accuracy of ±1°; The condenser plate (31) is made of 304 stainless steel plate with a thickness of 2-4mm. The surface of the condenser plate (31) is provided with an anti-fouling coating with a thickness of 0.05-0.1mm and a surface contact angle with water ≥110°. The liquid collection tank (32) is located below the lowest end of the condenser plate (31) and is used to collect condensate.

5. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Four elastic adjustment components (33) are symmetrically arranged on the top of the main frame (1). Each elastic adjustment component (33) includes an adjustment knob (331), a guide sleeve (332), a stainless steel compression spring (333), a ball joint rod (334), and a silicone anti-slip pad (335). The guide sleeve (332) is fixed to the top of the main frame (1). The ball joint rod (334) passes through the guide groove of the guide sleeve (332) and is threadedly connected to the adjustment knob (331). The stainless steel compression spring (333) is sleeved on the ball joint rod (334) and located inside the guide sleeve (332). The front end of the ball joint rod (334) is connected to the silicone anti-slip pad (335) through a ball joint structure. The silicone anti-slip pad (335) is pressed against the surface of the condenser plate (31).

6. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjustment knob (331) is injection molded from ABS engineering plastic and has anti-slip texture on its surface; the silicone anti-slip pad (335) is made of food-grade silicone and has diamond-shaped anti-slip texture on its surface in contact with the condenser plate (31).

7. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid supply circulation system (4) includes a liquid storage tank (41), a micro liquid supply pump (42), a flow control valve (43), and a return pipe (44). The liquid storage tank (41) is equipped with a liquid level sensor. The inlet of the micro liquid supply pump (42) is connected to the liquid storage tank (41) through a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the water supply layer (213) of each evaporation unit (21) through the flow control valve (43) and a food-grade polyethylene pipeline. One end of the return pipe (44) is connected to the bottom return port of each evaporation unit (21), and the other end is connected to the liquid storage tank (41) to return the unevaporated seawater. The flow control valve (43) automatically adjusts the amount of liquid supplied to the water supply layer (213) according to the signal fed back by the liquid level sensor.

8. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The storage tank (41) has a transparent liquid level observation window on its side wall with scales printed on it. The bottom of the storage tank (41) has a drain port. A 50μm filter screen is installed at the return port of the evaporation unit (21), and the other end is connected to the storage tank (41) to return the unevaporated seawater. The flow control valve (43) automatically adjusts the liquid supply to the water supply layer (213) according to the signal fed back by the liquid level sensor, so that the humidity of the water supply layer (213) is stabilized at 60%-80%.

9. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main frame (1) is provided with a modular splicing interface (11) on its side. The main frame (1) is made of multiple aluminum alloy profiles connected by the modular splicing interface (11). The surface of the aluminum alloy profiles is anodized and the oxide film thickness is ≥15μm. The cross section of the aluminum alloy profiles is square. Each of the four bottom corners of the main frame (1) is provided with a height-adjustable leveling foot.

10. The solar-powered evaporative seawater desalination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed bracket (5) is welded from stainless steel pipes, and the surface of the pipes is treated with sandblasting for rust prevention. The fixed bracket (5) has three convertible installation modes: wall-mounted mode, which is fixed to the wall with expansion bolts and the main body of the bracket is 10cm away from the wall; floor-mounted mode, which is equipped with lockable casters at the bottom of the bracket; and folding mode, which is connected by hinges.

Images