A system and method for PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating
By utilizing the PV/T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system, the synergistic effect of photovoltaic thermal modules and seawater desalination modules is achieved, realizing closed-loop energy utilization. This solves the problems of high energy consumption and waste heat in existing flash seawater desalination systems, improves the system's energy utilization efficiency and autonomous operation capability, and meets the heating needs of coastal areas.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING UNIV OF AERONAUTICS & ASTRONAUTICS
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
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Figure CN122187172A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of seawater desalination and heating equipment technology, and discloses a PV / T seawater desalination combined with heat pump heating system and method. Background Technology
[0002] Seawater desalination is a core approach to solving the freshwater shortage in coastal areas. Flash evaporation has become the mainstream technology for conventional seawater desalination due to its stable operation and ease of use. However, existing flash evaporation seawater desalination systems, the synergistic application of photovoltaics and seawater, and waste heat recovery still have many shortcomings, which seriously restrict energy efficiency and functional expansion.
[0003] Existing flash seawater desalination systems suffer from high energy consumption, poor operational flexibility, and excessive reliance on external power supply. The flash evaporation process consumes a significant amount of energy for seawater heating and separation, and conventional systems have low energy utilization rates, directly leading to high operating costs and hindering large-scale deployment. Furthermore, the evaporator vacuum level is typically fixed and cannot be dynamically adjusted based on water demand and environmental conditions, resulting in a mismatch between freshwater production and actual demand. This leads to either energy waste or failure to meet peak water demand. Finally, all electrical equipment in the system relies on the municipal power grid, further increasing operating costs.
[0004] The integration of photovoltaic technology with seawater desalination systems has failed to fully realize its synergistic effect. Photovoltaic panels continuously generate heat during operation; if this heat cannot be dissipated in time, their photoelectric conversion efficiency will significantly decrease, while the cooling potential of natural seawater as an excellent heat exchange medium remains unutilized. Furthermore, the waste heat generated by the photovoltaic panels is not recovered for seawater preheating, resulting in energy waste. In addition, the freshwater vapor produced during flash evaporation releases a large amount of waste heat during condensation; conventional systems lack corresponding recovery devices, leading to direct discharge of this waste heat. Moreover, the system's function is limited to seawater desalination, failing to meet the winter heating needs of coastal areas, thus lacking practicality.
[0005] Improving the overall energy utilization efficiency of seawater desalination systems, achieving synergistic effects between photovoltaics and seawater, waste heat recovery and autonomous operation, while expanding system functions and reducing operating costs are key issues that urgently need to be addressed. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The main objective of this invention is to provide a PV / T seawater desalination combined with heat pump heating system and method, which solves the problems of high energy consumption, inflexible adjustment, reliance on external power supply, insufficient synergy between photovoltaic and seawater, and waste of freshwater steam condensation heat in existing flash seawater desalination systems, thereby achieving coordinated operation of seawater desalination and heating, and improving the system's energy utilization efficiency and autonomous operation capability.
[0007] A PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system includes a photovoltaic thermal module, a seawater desalination module, and a waste heat recovery heating module; wherein the photovoltaic thermal module includes PV / T panels and pure solar thermal panels; the seawater desalination module includes a concentrated seawater discharge pump, a seawater preheater, a concentrated seawater distributor, a concentrated seawater circulation pump, a steam condenser, a steam compressor, a steam distributor, a flash evaporator, a freshwater storage tank, and a freshwater pump; the waste heat recovery heating module includes a heat pump evaporator, a heat pump compressor, a condenser, a throttling valve, a hot water circulation pump, a hot water supply tank, valves, a hot water supply pump, and radiant heating.
[0008] The connections of each component are as follows: Natural seawater enters the cold-side inlet of the seawater preheater; the cold-side outlet of the seawater preheater is connected to the input end of the PV / T plate; the output end of the PV / T plate is connected to the cold-side inlet of the steam condenser; the cold-side outlet of the steam condenser is connected to the input end of the pure solar thermal plate; the output end of the pure solar thermal plate is connected to the inlet of the flash evaporator; the concentrated seawater outlet of the flash evaporator is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater distributor; the first output end of the concentrated seawater distributor is connected to the hot-side inlet of the seawater preheater; the hot-side outlet of the seawater preheater is connected to the concentrated seawater discharge pump; the second output end of the concentrated seawater distributor is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump; the output end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump is connected to the pipeline before the input end of the PV / T plate; the freshwater steam outlet of the flash evaporator is connected to the input end of the steam distributor; the first output end of the steam distributor is connected to the input end of the steam compressor; the output end of the steam compressor is connected to the hot-side inlet of the steam condenser; the hot-side outlet of the steam condenser and the second output end of the steam distributor merge and are connected to the hot-side inlet of the heat pump evaporator. The cold-side outlet of the heat pump evaporator is connected to the input end of the heat pump compressor, the output end of the heat pump compressor is connected to the hot-side inlet of the condenser, and the hot-side outlet of the condenser is connected to the cold-side inlet of the heat pump evaporator through a throttling valve; the hot-side outlet of the heat pump evaporator is connected to the input end of the freshwater pump, and the output end of the freshwater pump is connected to the freshwater storage tank. The cold-side outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the hot water tank. The circulation output of the hot water tank is connected to the cold-side inlet of the condenser through a hot water circulation pump. The user output of the hot water tank is connected in sequence to a valve, a hot water pump, and radiant heating. The return flow of the radiant heating is connected to the user input of the hot water tank.
[0009] The system operates as follows: Natural seawater is first introduced into the cold side of the seawater preheater, where it is separated from the concentrated seawater by the concentrated seawater distributor and then introduced into the hot side for counter-current heat exchange. The preheated natural seawater mixes with the concentrated seawater returning from the concentrated seawater circulation pump and is then introduced into the PV / T plate for heating. Simultaneously, the PV / T plate generates electricity to supply the electrical equipment within the system, with excess electricity fed into the municipal power grid. The heated seawater is then introduced into the cold side of the steam condenser for heat exchange with high-temperature steam to raise its temperature, and then introduced into the pure solar thermal plate for deep heating to the temperature required for flash evaporation. The high-temperature seawater heated by the pure solar thermal plate is then introduced into the flash evaporator, where it is flash-separated into freshwater steam and concentrated seawater under negative pressure. The concentrated seawater is then split by the concentrated seawater distributor; one stream is discharged by the concentrated seawater discharge pump after heat exchange in the seawater preheater, while the other stream is recirculated. The freshwater steam is split by the steam distributor; one stream is compressed by the steam compressor and then enters the steam condenser for heat exchange and cooling, while the other stream merges with the cooled steam. The combined freshwater vapor is fed into the hot side of the heat pump evaporator, where it exchanges heat with the refrigerant on the cold side and condenses into liquid freshwater. The refrigerant absorbs waste heat, is compressed and heated by the heat pump compressor, and then fed into the condenser to heat circulating hot water, which is stored in the hot water supply tank. When heating is needed, the valve opens, and the hot water is pumped to the radiant heating system. After releasing heat, it flows back to the hot water supply tank and is then pumped back to the condenser for continuous heating. The refrigerant on the cold side of the heat pump evaporator completes the cycle by returning through a throttling valve. The liquid freshwater is pumped to a freshwater storage tank for later use. Simultaneously, the amount of natural seawater entering the system, the heat collection angles of the PV / T panels and pure solar thermal panels, the splitting ratios of the concentrated seawater distributor and steam distributor, and the vacuum level of the flash evaporator can be adjusted according to external environmental conditions to achieve dynamic control of freshwater production.
[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The system proposed in this invention adopts a closed-loop energy utilization structure, realizing bidirectional synergy between natural seawater and PV / T panels through photovoltaic thermal modules. This not only cools the PV / T panels to ensure power generation efficiency but also recovers waste heat from photovoltaics to heat seawater. Furthermore, the power generated by the PV / T panels can achieve self-sufficiency in power supply, with excess electricity being utilized by the grid. The seawater desalination module achieves dynamic adaptation of freshwater production to demand through the coordinated adjustment of the splitter and flash evaporator. The waste heat recovery heating module efficiently recovers the waste heat from freshwater steam condensation through a heat pump unit, meeting user heating needs and improving the efficiency of energy cascade utilization. This system is flexible in operation, low in energy consumption, and multifunctional, eliminating dependence on external power supply and solving the energy waste problem of conventional systems, thus possessing both good economic benefits and practicality. Attached Figure Description
[0011] Figure 1 System diagram; 1. Concentrated seawater discharge pump; 2. Seawater preheater; 3. Concentrated seawater distributor; 4. Concentrated seawater circulation pump; 5. PV / T panel; 6. Steam condenser; 7. Pure solar thermal panel; 8. Steam compressor; 9. Steam distributor; 10. Flash evaporator; 11. Freshwater storage tank; 12. Freshwater pump; 13. Heat pump evaporator; 14. Heat pump compressor; 15. Condenser; 16. Throttling valve; 17. Hot water circulation pump; 18. Hot water supply tank; 19. Valve; 20. Hot water supply pump; 21. Radiant heating. Detailed Implementation
[0012] Combination Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system, which includes a photovoltaic thermal module, a seawater desalination module, and a waste heat recovery heating module. Each module is connected in coordination with other components through pipelines to form an energy closed-loop system.
[0013] The aforementioned photovoltaic thermal module includes a PV / T panel 5 and a pure solar thermal panel 7; the seawater desalination module includes a concentrated seawater discharge pump 1, a seawater preheater 2, a concentrated seawater distributor 3, a concentrated seawater circulation pump 4, a steam condenser 6, a steam compressor 8, a steam distributor 9, a flash evaporator 10, a freshwater storage tank 11, and a freshwater pump 12; the waste heat recovery heating module includes a heat pump evaporator 13, a heat pump compressor 14, a condenser 15, a throttling valve 16, a hot water circulation pump 17, a hot water supply tank 18, a valve 19, a hot water supply pump 20, and radiant heating 21.
[0014] The aforementioned natural seawater is connected to the cold-side inlet of the seawater preheater 2. The cold-side outlet of the seawater preheater 2 is connected to the input end of the PV / T plate 5. The output end of the PV / T plate 5 is connected to the cold-side inlet of the steam condenser 6. The cold-side outlet of the steam condenser 6 is connected to the input end of the pure solar thermal plate 7. The output end of the pure solar thermal plate 7 is connected to the inlet of the flash evaporator 10.
[0015] The concentrated seawater outlet of the flash evaporator 10 is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater distributor 3. The first output end of the concentrated seawater distributor 3 is connected to the hot side inlet of the seawater preheater 2. The hot side outlet of the seawater preheater 2 is connected to the concentrated seawater discharge pump 1. The second output end of the concentrated seawater distributor 3 is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump 4. The output end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump 4 is connected to the pipeline before the input end of the PV / T plate 5.
[0016] The freshwater steam outlet of the flash evaporator 10 is connected to the input end of the steam splitter 9. The first output end of the steam splitter 9 is connected to the input end of the steam compressor 8. The output end of the steam compressor 8 is connected to the hot side inlet of the steam condenser 6. The hot side outlet of the steam condenser 6 and the second output end of the steam splitter 9 merge and are then connected to the hot side inlet of the heat pump evaporator 13.
[0017] The cold-side outlet of the heat pump evaporator 13 is connected to the input end of the heat pump compressor 14, the output end of the heat pump compressor 14 is connected to the hot-side inlet of the condenser 15, and the hot-side outlet of the condenser 15 is connected to the cold-side inlet of the heat pump evaporator 13 through the throttle valve 16; the hot-side outlet of the heat pump evaporator 13 is connected to the input end of the freshwater pump 12, and the output end of the freshwater pump 12 is connected to the freshwater storage tank 11.
[0018] The cold-side outlet of the condenser 15 is connected to the inlet of the hot water tank 18. The circulation output of the hot water tank 18 is connected to the cold-side inlet of the condenser 15 through the hot water circulation pump 17. The user output of the hot water tank 18 is connected in sequence to the valve 19, the hot water pump 20 and the radiant heating 21. The return end of the radiant heating 21 is connected to the user input of the hot water tank 18.
[0019] The working method of the above-mentioned PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system includes the following processes: In the photovoltaic thermal module, natural seawater first enters the cold side channel of the seawater preheater 2, where it is diverted by the concentrated seawater distributor 3 according to a set ratio and then enters the hot side channel of the seawater preheater 2 for countercurrent heat exchange. The natural seawater is preheated to a preset temperature, and the concentrated seawater after heat exchange is discharged from the system through the concentrated seawater discharge pump 1. The preheated natural seawater is fully mixed with another stream of concentrated seawater that is returned by the concentrated seawater circulation pump 4 to form mixed seawater, which is then introduced into the heat exchange channel of the PV / T plate 5. The PV / T plate 5 absorbs solar energy to achieve photoelectric conversion and supplies electrical energy to the electrical equipment in the system. The mixed seawater is also heated by the PV / T plate 5. The heated mixed seawater is then introduced into the cold side channel of the steam condenser 6, where it is diverted by the steam distributor 9 and then compressed and heated by the steam compressor 8 for heat exchange. After the mixed seawater is further heated, it is introduced into the heat exchange channel of the pure solar thermal plate 7 and deeply heated to the temperature required for flash evaporation.
[0020] In the seawater desalination module, the high-temperature seawater, after being deeply heated by the pure solar thermal plate 7, is fed into the flash evaporator 10. The flash evaporator 10 maintains an internal negative pressure environment according to the set vacuum degree. Under the negative pressure, the high-temperature seawater is flashed and separated into fresh water vapor and concentrated seawater. The separated concentrated seawater is fed into the concentrated seawater distributor 3 and split into two streams according to a preset ratio. One stream enters the seawater preheater 2 to preheat the seawater and is then discharged. The other stream mixes with the preheated seawater and participates in the circulation. The separated freshwater steam is fed into the steam distributor 9 and split into two streams according to a set ratio. One stream is fed into the steam compressor 8, where it is compressed and heated before entering the hot side channel of the steam condenser 6. After heat exchange with the cold side seawater, it is cooled. The other stream directly merges with the cooled steam to form mixed freshwater steam.
[0021] In the waste heat recovery heating module, the combined freshwater vapor is introduced into the hot-side channel of the heat pump evaporator 13, where it exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the cold-side channel of the heat pump evaporator 13. The mixed freshwater vapor condenses into liquid freshwater, and the refrigerant absorbs the waste heat released during the heat exchange process and becomes gaseous. The gaseous refrigerant is then introduced into the heat pump compressor 14, where it is compressed and heated. It is then introduced into the hot-side channel of the condenser 15, where it exchanges heat with the circulating hot water in the cold-side channel of the condenser 15. The circulating hot water is heated to the required heating temperature and then stored in the hot water supply tank 18. When a user needs heating, valve 19 is opened to supply heat. Hot water in water tank 18 is transported to radiant heating 21 by hot water supply pump 20. After exchanging heat with the indoor environment, it flows back to hot water supply tank 18. At the same time, hot water in hot water supply tank 18 is continuously returned to condenser 15 by hot water circulation pump 17 to supplement heating and maintain stable heating temperature. After the refrigerant in the hot side channel of condenser 15 is cooled by heat exchange, it is throttled and depressurized by throttling valve 16 and flows back to cold side channel of heat pump evaporator 13 to complete heat pump cycle. Liquid fresh water flowing out of hot side channel of heat pump evaporator 13 is transported to fresh water storage tank 11 by fresh water pump 12 for storage and later use.
[0022] The above-described working method of a PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system also includes the following processes: Based on the actual external environment, the amount of natural seawater entering and the heat collection angles of PV / T plate 5 and pure solar thermal plate 7 are adjusted to regulate the heating amount. At the same time, the concentrated seawater split ratio of concentrated seawater splitter 3, the freshwater steam split ratio of steam splitter 9 and the vacuum degree of flash evaporator 10 are adjusted. By coordinating the split ratios of the two splitters and the vacuum degree of flash evaporator 10, the freshwater production is dynamically controlled. The photovoltaic power generated by PV / T board 5 is preferentially supplied to the electrical equipment in the system. When the photovoltaic power is greater than the real-time power consumption of the system, the excess power is connected to the municipal power grid through the grid connection interface to realize the utilization of surplus power. The heat pump unit recovers waste heat by cooling fresh water steam and delivers it to the hot water tank 18 for storage, and supplies heat according to user needs, effectively improving the waste heat recovery rate.
Claims
1. A PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system, comprising a photovoltaic thermal module, a seawater desalination module and a waste heat recovery heating module, wherein each module is connected in coordination through pipelines and components to form an energy closed-loop system; Its features are: The photovoltaic thermal module includes a PV / T panel (5) and a pure thermal panel (7); the seawater desalination module includes a concentrated seawater discharge pump (1), a seawater preheater (2), a concentrated seawater distributor (3), a concentrated seawater circulation pump (4), a steam condenser (6), a steam compressor (8), a steam distributor (9), a flash evaporator (10), a freshwater storage tank (11), and a freshwater pump (12); the waste heat recovery heating module includes a heat pump evaporator (13), a heat pump compressor (14), a condenser (15), a throttle valve (16), a hot water circulation pump (17), a hot water supply tank (18), a valve (19), a hot water supply pump (20), and radiant heating (21); The above-mentioned natural seawater is connected to the cold side inlet of the seawater preheater (2), the cold side outlet of the seawater preheater (2) is connected to the input end of the PV / T plate (5), the output end of the PV / T plate (5) is connected to the cold side inlet of the steam condenser (6), the cold side outlet of the steam condenser (6) is connected to the input end of the pure solar thermal plate (7), and the output end of the pure solar thermal plate (7) is connected to the inlet of the flash evaporator (10). The concentrated seawater outlet of the flash evaporator (10) is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater distributor (3). The first output end of the concentrated seawater distributor (3) is connected to the hot side inlet of the seawater preheater (2). The hot side outlet of the seawater preheater (2) is connected to the concentrated seawater discharge pump (1). The second output end of the concentrated seawater distributor (3) is connected to the input end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump (4). The output end of the concentrated seawater circulation pump (4) is connected to the pipeline before the input end of the PV / T plate (5). The freshwater steam outlet of the flash evaporator (10) is connected to the input end of the steam splitter (9), the first output end of the steam splitter (9) is connected to the input end of the steam compressor (8), the output end of the steam compressor (8) is connected to the hot side inlet of the steam condenser (6), and the hot side outlet of the steam condenser (6) and the second output end of the steam splitter (9) are connected to the hot side inlet of the heat pump evaporator (13). The cold side outlet of the heat pump evaporator (13) is connected to the input end of the heat pump compressor (14), the output end of the heat pump compressor (14) is connected to the hot side inlet of the condenser (15), and the hot side outlet of the condenser (15) is connected to the cold side inlet of the heat pump evaporator (13) through a throttle valve (16); the hot side outlet of the heat pump evaporator (13) is connected to the input end of the freshwater pump (12), and the output end of the freshwater pump (12) is connected to the freshwater storage tank (11). The cold side outlet of the condenser (15) is connected to the inlet of the hot water tank (18). The circulation output of the hot water tank (18) is connected to the cold side inlet of the condenser (15) through the hot water circulation pump (17). The user output of the hot water tank (18) is connected in sequence to the valve (19), the hot water pump (20) and the radiant heating (21). The return end of the radiant heating (21) is connected to the user input of the hot water tank (18).
2. The operating method of a PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that... Includes the following processes: In the photovoltaic thermal module, natural seawater is first introduced into the cold side channel of the seawater preheater (2), and then the concentrated seawater introduced into the hot side channel of the seawater preheater (2) after being split into the concentrated seawater by the concentrated seawater distributor (3) according to a set ratio is subjected to countercurrent heat exchange. The natural seawater is preheated to the preset temperature, and the concentrated seawater after heat exchange is discharged from the system through the concentrated seawater discharge pump (1). The preheated natural seawater is fully mixed with another concentrated seawater that is returned by the concentrated seawater circulation pump (4) to form mixed seawater and is introduced into the heat exchange channel of the PV / T plate (5). The PV / T plate (5) absorbs solar energy to achieve photoelectric conversion and supplies electrical energy to the electrical equipment in the system. The mixed seawater is heated by the PV / T plate (5). The heated mixed seawater is introduced into the cold side channel of the steam condenser (6), and after being split into the steam distributor (9), it is compressed and heated by the steam compressor (8) to exchange heat. After the mixed seawater is further heated, it is introduced into the heat exchange channel of the pure solar thermal plate (7) and deeply heated to the temperature required for flash evaporation. In the seawater desalination module, the high-temperature seawater after being deeply heated by the pure solar thermal plate (7) is fed into the flash evaporator (10). The flash evaporator (10) maintains an internal negative pressure environment according to the set vacuum degree. The high-temperature seawater is flashed and separated into fresh water vapor and concentrated seawater under negative pressure. The separated concentrated seawater is fed into the concentrated seawater distributor (3) and split into two streams according to the preset ratio. One stream enters the seawater preheater (2) to preheat the seawater and is then discharged. The other stream mixes with the preheated seawater and participates in the circulation. The separated freshwater steam is fed into the steam splitter (9) and split into two streams according to the set ratio. One stream is fed into the steam compressor (8) and is compressed and heated before entering the hot side channel of the steam condenser (6). It is cooled after exchanging heat with the cold side mixed seawater. The other stream is directly merged with the cooled steam to form mixed freshwater steam. In the waste heat recovery heating module, the mixed fresh water vapor after confluence is introduced into the hot side channel of the heat pump evaporator (13) to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing in the cold side channel of the heat pump evaporator (13). The mixed fresh water vapor condenses into liquid fresh water, and the refrigerant absorbs the waste heat released during the heat exchange process and becomes gaseous. The gaseous refrigerant is introduced into the heat pump compressor (14) to be compressed and heated, and then introduced into the hot side channel of the condenser (15) to exchange heat with the circulating hot water in the cold side channel of the condenser (15). The circulating hot water is heated to the temperature required for heating and then introduced into the hot water supply tank (18) for storage. When the user needs heating, the valve (19) is opened, and the hot water supply tank (18) is opened. The hot water inside is transported to the radiant heating (21) by the hot water supply pump (20), and after exchanging heat with the indoor environment, it flows back to the hot water supply tank (18). At the same time, the hot water in the hot water supply tank (18) is continuously returned to the condenser (15) by the hot water circulation pump (17) to supplement heating and maintain a stable heating temperature. After the refrigerant in the hot side channel of the condenser (15) is cooled by heat exchange, it is throttled and depressurized by the throttling valve (16) and flows back to the cold side channel of the heat pump evaporator (13) to complete the heat pump cycle. The liquid fresh water flowing out of the hot side channel of the heat pump evaporator (13) is transported to the fresh water storage tank (11) for storage and use by the fresh water pump (12).
3. The operating method of a PV / T seawater desalination combined heat pump heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that... Includes the following processes: According to the actual external environment, the amount of natural seawater entering and the heat collection angle of the PV / T plate (5) and the pure solar thermal plate (7) are adjusted to regulate the heating amount. At the same time, the concentrated seawater split ratio of the concentrated seawater splitter (3), the freshwater steam split ratio of the steam splitter (9) and the vacuum degree of the flash evaporator (10) are adjusted. By coordinating the split ratio of the two splitters and the vacuum degree of the flash evaporator (10), the dynamic control of freshwater production is achieved. The photovoltaic power generated by the PV / T board (5) is given priority to the electrical equipment in the system. When the photovoltaic power is greater than the real-time power consumption of the system, the excess power is connected to the municipal power grid through the grid connection interface to realize the utilization of surplus power. The heat pump unit recovers waste heat by cooling fresh water steam and delivers it to the hot water tank (18) for storage, and supplies heat according to user needs, effectively improving the waste heat recovery rate.