Integrated system for demineralization and / or purification of water and simultaneous production of hydrogen

Abstract

This invention relates to an integrated system for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen, comprising a heat dissipation element thermally connected to the system for demineralizing and / or purifying water, which is hydraulically connected to an electrochemical unit for generating hydrogen. The system for demineralizing and / or purifying water operates on the principle of thermal distillation via a membrane and includes at least two units, each unit comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. Wastewater to be demineralized and / or purified flows under pressure in the first chamber, and demineralized and / or purified water flows under pressure in the second chamber in the opposite direction to the flow of the wastewater. The two chambers are separated by a preferably microporous hydrophobic membrane. The at least two units are placed in a thermally series and hydraulically parallel manner, with continuous flow, wherein each unit is hydraulically connected. The system includes a wastewater source and a demineralized and / or purified water source. Specifically, each first chamber includes an inlet hydraulically connected to the wastewater source for introducing wastewater into the first chamber, and each second chamber includes an inlet hydraulically connected to the demineralized and / or purified water source for introducing demineralized and / or purified water into the second chamber. The first chamber also includes an outlet for discharging wastewater from the first chamber, and the second chamber also includes an outlet for discharging demineralized and / or purified water from the second chamber. Within each unit, the first chamber and the second chamber are spatially opposite each other, thus forming a first region and a second region spatially opposite to the first region in the unit. In the first region, the outlet of the second chamber is located near the inlet of the first chamber, and in the second region, the inlet of the second chamber is located near the outlet of the first chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated system for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen, wherein the system comprises a heat dissipation element thermally connected to a system for demineralizing and / or purifying water, which is in turn hydraulically connected to an electrochemical unit for generating hydrogen. Background Technology

[0002] The term "energy transition" refers to the shift from the so-called "old fossil age" to the so-called new "renewable age," that is, from an energy production model based on the use of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal to a model based on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

[0003] This shift is driven not only by the fact that fossil fuels are depletable resources, but more importantly by the need to reduce the environmental impact and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by their use.

[0004] An important and increasingly popular renewable energy source is hydrogen.

[0005] Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table and also the lightest element.

[0006] One of the most interesting properties of hydrogen is its high energy density per unit mass and its low volumetric energy density relative to hydrocarbons such as gasoline. Therefore, one kilogram of hydrogen produces more energy than one kilogram of gasoline.

[0007] Given the chemical properties of hydrogen, it naturally combines with other atoms, such as oxygen to form water, or carbon to form various hydrocarbons (the simplest being methane, CH4). Therefore, in order to use it, it must be "extracted" from more complex molecules; this process requires energy.

[0008] Currently, almost all hydrogen is produced through natural gas reforming or reforming with steam (the so-called "grey hydrogen"), or through coal gasification (also known as "black hydrogen") and lignite gasification (also known as "brown hydrogen"). However, these processes are associated with significant carbon dioxide emissions.

[0009] More sustainable production processes are known: the first involves using natural gas to produce hydrogen through reforming, but capturing and storing the CO2 emitted in the process (this is known as "blue hydrogen").

[0010] Another, more sustainable production process involves producing hydrogen by breaking down water molecules (H2O) through an electrolysis process driven by renewable electricity (thus obtaining so-called "green hydrogen or renewable hydrogen").

[0011] To achieve this principle, there are currently some electrochemical units on the market whose power supply is provided by photovoltaic panels.

[0012] As is well known, an electrochemical unit is a device that can convert energy derived from a chemical reaction into electrical energy, or can convert electrical energy into chemical energy to induce a non-spontaneous reaction.

[0013] In the first case, a galvanic cell is mentioned, with a typical example being a battery; while in the second case, an electrolytic cell is mentioned, with a typical example being the electrolysis of water: a process that produces hydrogen and gaseous oxygen.

[0014] In the case of electrolysis, an electrolytic cell typically consists of two electrodes made of an inert metal (such as platinum), which are immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution and connected to a current source (such as a photovoltaic panel).

[0015] Electric current breaks water molecules into H+. + and OH - ion.

[0016] At the cathode, hydrogen ions (H+) + It gains electrons in the reduction reaction, which leads to the formation of hydrogen gas.

[0017] At the anode, hydroxide ions (OH-) - Oxidation occurs, generating electrons.

[0018] Therefore, this process makes it possible to obtain hydrogen from water and electricity sources.

[0019] However, current commercially available systems for producing hydrogen using this principle have drawbacks: the large amount of water required to produce adequate amounts of hydrogen results in high management costs. Not all water is suitable for use in electrochemical cells operating on the principle of water electrolysis. For proper electrolysis to produce hydrogen correctly and beneficially, the water must possess specific chemical and physical properties; it must be demineralized and / or purified water, and may then need to be added to optimize its properties for the chosen electrochemical process. This need to use a specific type of water with particular physicochemical properties increases acquisition and management costs.

[0020] Currently available systems that can produce demineralized and / or purified water are systems with design limitations that make them difficult to apply in commercial industrial environments (e.g., intermittent processes, unfavorable cost and energy balance, and designs that are not compact and unsustainable). Furthermore, these systems typically require significant electricity to generate demineralized and / or purified water and produce byproducts that are often contaminants (e.g., supersaturated water depending on the salt being processed).

[0021] Therefore, there is a market demand for a system that can generate demineralized and / or purified water that can be used in electrolysis processes within an electrochemical unit to produce hydrogen. This system is low-management-cost, produces demineralized and / or purified water that can be directly used in the electrochemical unit, has no design limitations that would hinder industrial applications, requires zero or very low electricity from the traditionally grid-supplied power source, and reduces environmental pollution. Summary of the Invention

[0022] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a system that enables the generation of demineralized and / or purified water that can be used in electrolysis processes within an electrochemical unit to produce hydrogen. This system is a low-management-cost system that produces demineralized and / or purified water that can be directly used in the electrochemical unit. It does not have design limitations that make it unsuitable for industrial applications, requires zero or very low electricity from the traditionally grid-supplied power source, and reduces environmental pollution.

[0023] This objective is achieved by an integrated system for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen, as defined in the appended claims, which form part of this specification. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, which are given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of System 1 according to the present invention. - Figure 2 This is an exploded view of unit 9, heat dissipation element 3, and frame 35 of system 1 according to the present invention; - Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Details; - Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of System 1 according to the present invention; - Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of System 1 according to the present invention; In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements are indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0025] refer to Figure 1This illustrates the first subject of the invention, namely an integrated system 1 for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen, comprising a heat dissipation element 3 thermally connected to a system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water, which is in turn hydraulically connected to an electrochemical unit 7 for generating hydrogen. The system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water operates on the principle of thermal distillation via a membrane (thermal membrane distillation) and comprises at least two units 9, each comprising a first chamber 11 and a second chamber 13. Wastewater to be demineralized and / or purified flows under pressure in the first chamber, and demineralized and / or purified water flows under pressure in the second chamber in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the wastewater. The two chambers 11 and 13 are separated by a preferably microporous hydrophobic membrane 15. The at least two units 9 are arranged in a thermally series and hydraulically parallel manner with continuous flow. Each unit 9 is hydraulically connected to a wastewater source 17 and a demineralized and / or purified water source 19. Specifically, each... Each first chamber 11 includes an inlet 21 hydraulically connected to the wastewater source 17 for introducing wastewater into the first chamber 11, and each second chamber 13 includes an inlet 23 hydraulically connected to the demineralized and / or purified water source 19 for introducing demineralized and / or purified water into the second chamber 13. The first chamber 11 further includes an outlet 25 for discharging wastewater from the first chamber 11, and the second chamber 13 further includes an outlet 27 for discharging demineralized and / or purified water from the second chamber 13. Within each unit 9, the first chamber 11 is spatially opposite to the second chamber 13, thus forming a first region and a second region spatially opposite to the first region in the unit 9. In the first region, the outlet 27 of the second chamber 13 is located near the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11, and in the second region, the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 is located near the outlet 25 of the first chamber 11.

[0026] Advantageously, at least two units 9 are provided, which are connected in series thermally and in parallel hydraulically in a continuous flow manner. This feature provides the advantage of ensuring continuous flow of water (wastewater and demineralized and / or purified water) within each unit 9 and throughout the entire system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water. This continuous flow advantageously limits the accumulation and crystallization of salts in the units 9 and broadens the number of applications and the market for the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water; furthermore, it eliminates the need to install the system near the wastewater surface: due to its configuration, the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water can be advantageously installed wherever flowing and / or pressurized water can reach for its supply.

[0027] Referring to this specification and the appended claims, the term "demineralized and / or purified water" means water from which salt components have been removed and / or water from which non-volatile components (including heavy metals and salts) have been removed.

[0028] Referring to this specification and the appended claims, the term "thermal connection" refers to a thermal connection between two elements, and thus one element is able to transfer heat to the other. Preferably, the two elements are in direct contact.

[0029] Referring to this specification and the appended claims, the term "membrane thermal distillation" refers to a process known to those skilled in the art, in which solvent molecules are forced to pass from a solution of higher concentration to a solution of lower concentration, thereby generating a vapor pressure in the solution of higher concentration (i.e., the wastewater to be demineralized and / or purified) that is higher than the vapor pressure in the solution of lower concentration (i.e., the demineralized and / or purified water). It is well known that this distillation is carried out by placing a membrane between the two solutions, which prevents contamination between the two aqueous solutions. This phenomenon is not spontaneous; it actually requires the application of a thermal gradient.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, the pressure of the wastewater flowing in each of the chambers 11 and 13, as well as the demineralized and / or purified water, is preferably atmospheric pressure, or even more preferably a relative pressure between 0 bar and 5 bar.

[0031] Referring to this specification and the appended claims, the term "wastewater" means water that, by its nature, cannot be used directly in an electrochemical unit, i.e., so-called secondary water, or wastewater from other industrial processes, such as seawater, industrial wastewater, and turbid water that does not contain volatile components.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of System 1 of the present invention, the microporous hydrophobic membrane preferably has a pore size between 1.0 μm and 3.0 μm, and is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene, or alternatively may be made of polyvinylidene fluoride or polypropylene.

[0033] Referring to this specification and the appended claims, the term "continuous flow" means that the wastewater, as well as the demineralized and / or purified water, flow in a constant, continuous, and seamless manner within the respective chambers 11 and 13. Therefore, they are preferably always in motion.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of System 1 of the present invention, the term "wastewater source" preferably refers to, for example, the ocean or a container for storing industrial wastewater. And "demineralized and / or purified water source" preferably refers to, for example, a container for storing demineralized and / or purified water.

[0035] Special Reference Figure 2According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the invention, each chamber 11 and 13 preferably includes a gasket 29 surrounding the side of each chamber 11 and 13, and a frame 31 preferably superimposed on the gasket 29 and thus also surrounding the side of each chamber 11 and 13. Preferably, the frame 31 is placed in contact between the membrane 15 and the gasket 29. In an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention, the gasket 29 and the frame 31 are integrally formed. Preferably, both the frame 31 and the gasket 29 are made of plastic material. Advantageously, the use of plastic material components provides the following advantages: minimizing heat diffusion while ensuring / improving the buoyancy of each chamber 11 and 13, improving the thermal insulation performance of chambers 11 and 13 and system 1, and also having economic advantages.

[0036] Preferably, both the washer 29 and the frame 31 have a rectangular geometry, wherein the ratio of the short side to the long side of the rectangular geometry is preferably between 1 / 1.5 and 1 / 10; such a ratio advantageously improves the heat exchange process and thus minimizes edge effects, thereby obtaining optimal temperature distribution.

[0037] Preferably, a metal sheet 33 is disposed between one unit 9 and another unit, thereby forming a configuration in which each unit 9 is located between two metal sheets 33. An exception is the unit 9 placed in direct thermal contact with the heat dissipation element 3. This unit 9 is actually located between the heat dissipation element 3 and the metal sheet 33.

[0038] Preferably, the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water is housed in a frame 35, which also preferably surrounds the sides of each chamber 11 and 13, and further preferably surrounds the sides of the heat dissipation element 3, the membrane 15, and the metal sheet 33. Preferably, the frame 35 is also advantageously made of a plastic material and preferably also has a rectangular geometry.

[0039] Preferably, the gasket 29, the frame 31, and the frame 35, made of plastic material, are preferably manufactured by a process that preferably includes a plastic material injection molding step or a classical molding step. These types of molding advantageously allow for the production of thin parts (gasket 29, frame 31, and frame 35) so that each chamber 11 and 13 has an optimal thickness, thereby improving efficiency and heat transfer (as mentioned above, unit 9 and therefore chambers 11 and 13 are thermally connected to each other), and achieving a precise surface finish, which advantageously reduces any hydrodynamic resistance problems. These types of molding also have the advantage of being low-cost manufacturing processes.

[0040] Special Reference Figure 3Preferably, each frame 31 includes at least one delivery hole 37, which is hydraulically connected to at least one distribution channel 39, which flows into the first chamber 11 at its inlet 21 or into the second chamber 13 at its inlet 23.

[0041] Preferably, the conveying port 37 of the frame 31 of the first chamber 11 is hydraulically connected to the wastewater source 17, while the conveying port 37 of the frame 31 of the second chamber 13 is hydraulically connected to the demineralized and / or purified water source 19. This is because, as described above, each unit 9, and therefore each of the first and second chambers 11 and 13, is hydraulically connected in parallel with each other in continuous flow.

[0042] Preferably, the dispensing channel 39 extends along the length or width dimension of one of the two chambers 11 or 13. Even more preferably, the dispensing channel 39 has a substantially T-shaped or Y-shaped bifurcated configuration.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, wastewater from the wastewater source 17 preferably passes through the conveying hole 37 of the frame 31 of the first chamber 11 and flows into the distribution channel 39, exiting from the inlet 21 to flow into the first chamber 11. The wastewater now flows within the first chamber 11.

[0044] The demineralized and / or purified water from the demineralized and / or purified water source 19 preferably passes through the delivery hole 37 of the frame 31 of the second chamber 13 and flows into the distribution channel 39, exiting the distribution channel at the inlet 23 to flow into the second chamber 13. The demineralized and / or purified water now flows within the second chamber 13.

[0045] Preferably, each frame 31 further includes at least one outlet hole, which is hydraulically connected to at least one collection channel that collects influent (wastewater or demineralized water) from outlet 25 or 27 of the chamber 11 or 13. Preferably, the outlet hole and the collection channel are spatially opposite to the conveying hole 37 and the dispensing channel 19. Preferably, for example, if the conveying hole 37 and the dispensing channel 19 are located on the north side of the frame 31, then the outlet hole and the collection channel are located on the south side of the frame 31.

[0046] Then, the collection channel collects wastewater or demineralized and / or purified water, which, when flowing into chamber 11 or 13, passes through the outlet 25 or 27 and is subsequently collected in the collection channel and flows out of chamber 11 or 13 through the outlet hole.

[0047] Preferably, the collection channel also extends along the length or width dimension of one of the two chambers 11 or 13. Even more preferably, the collection channel also has a substantially T-shaped or Y-shaped bifurcated configuration.

[0048] Within each unit 9, the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 13 are separated by the membrane 15. The first chamber 11 is spatially arranged in opposite configuration to the second chamber 13. Preferably, each unit 9 thus has a first region and a second region spatially opposite to the first region. In the first region, the outlet 27 of the second chamber 13 (and thus the collection channel and outlet orifice of the second chamber 13) is located near the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11 (and thus the conveying orifice 37 and dispensing channel 39 of the first chamber 11). In the second region, the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 (and thus the conveying orifice 37 and dispensing channel 39 of the second chamber 13) is located near the outlet 25 of the first chamber 11 (and thus the collection channel and outlet orifice of the first chamber 11).

[0049] This spatial configuration causes wastewater to flow in the opposite direction to the flow of demineralized and / or purified water, and vice versa.

[0050] Advantageously, the distribution channel 39 is preferably present so that the flow rate of water (both wastewater and demineralized and / or purified water) can be slowed down, thereby enabling better heat exchange between wastewater and demineralized water, and allowing better distribution of wastewater in the first chamber 11 and demineralized and / or purified water in the second chamber 13.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, the heat dissipation element is preferably a photovoltaic panel, wherein the heat dissipated by the photovoltaic panel is transferred according to a thermal gradient to at least two units thermally connected in series therebetween, wherein the unit directly thermally connected to the photovoltaic panel therefore receives more heat than the unit connected in series thereafter.

[0052] Preferably, the photovoltaic panel is also electrically connected to system 1 so as to provide any electrical energy required for the operation of system 1. Advantageously, in this way, the photovoltaic panel converts solar energy into electrical energy useful for the operation of system 1, and the heat emitted by the photovoltaic panel that would otherwise be discarded is advantageously used by the system to demineralize and / or purify water in order to produce demineralized and / or purified water from wastewater.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, each outlet 27 of each second chamber 13 is preferably hydraulically connected to the electrochemical unit 7.

[0054] Preferably, the electrochemical unit 7 is an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of water.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the invention, the electrochemical cell 7 receives—preferably and advantageously—demineralized and / or purified water from wastewater and electrochemical units that are generally unsuitable for hydrogen production, due to the action of the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water.

[0056] Preferably, if the electrochemical unit 7 needs to alter the chemical / physical properties (e.g., pH, conductivity, presence of catalyst in suspension) of the demineralized and / or purified water flowing out of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5, the electrochemical unit preferably includes means for adjusting / correcting the chemical / physical properties of the demineralized and / or purified water flowing out of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 before it enters the electrochemical unit 7. This means is placed between the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 and the electrochemical unit 7 and can add useful components (such as salts, electrolytes, catalysts) to the demineralized and / or purified water to improve the efficiency of the electrochemical unit 7.

[0057] Preferably, the components introduced through the above-described apparatus do not necessarily have to be introduced continuously (however, such an option is contemplated in System 1 according to the invention), because not all demineralized and / or purified water passing through the electrochemical unit 7 is converted to hydrogen. The unconverted demineralized and / or purified water is preferably recirculated into the electrochemical unit 7 using a suitable pump and / or valve, which thus advantageously recycles the unconverted demineralized and / or purified water, as well as the relevant components contained therein.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment of System 1 of the present invention, each unit 9 of the wastewater source 17, the demineralized and / or purified water source 19, and the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 is preferably hydraulically connected via an open-circuit configuration, wherein wastewater from its own source 17 flows under pressure in the distribution channel through the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11 (and therefore preferably through the delivery hole 37 and associated distribution channel 19 of the first chamber 11), and then flows out through the outlet 25 of the first chamber 11 (and therefore preferably through the collection channel and outlet hole of the first chamber 11), wherein demineralized and / or purified water from its own source 19 flows under pressure in the second chamber through the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 (and therefore preferably through the delivery hole 37 and associated distribution channel 19 of the second chamber 13), and then flows out through the outlet 27 of the second chamber 13 (and therefore preferably through the collection channel and outlet hole of the second chamber 13) and enters the electrochemical unit (7).

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment of System 1 of the present invention, the wastewater source 17 is preferably hydraulically connected to each first chamber 11 of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 via a closed-loop configuration, wherein wastewater from its own source 17 flows under pressure through the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11 (and therefore preferably through the delivery port 37 and associated distribution channel 19 of the first chamber 11), then flows out through the outlet 25 of the first chamber 11 (and therefore preferably through the collection channel and outlet port of the first chamber 11), and enters the wastewater source 17, while the demineralization and / or purification system 5... The purified water source 19 is preferably hydraulically connected to each second chamber 13 of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 via a closed-loop configuration, wherein the demineralized and / or purified water from its own source 19 flows under pressure through the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 (and therefore preferably through the delivery port 37 and associated distribution channel 19 of the second chamber 13), then flows out through the outlet 27 of the second chamber 13 (and therefore preferably through the collection channel and outlet port of the second chamber 13), and then enters the electrochemical unit 7 or the demineralized and / or purified water source 19.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, system 1 further preferably includes at least two pumps 41, one preferably located near the wastewater source 17 and the other preferably located near the demineralized and / or purified water source 19, in order to increase the pressure of both the wastewater and the demineralized and / or purified water flowing in the respective chambers 11 and 13.

[0061] Preferably, the pump 41 is an electric pump.

[0062] Preferably, pump 41 is a pump that requires low electrical energy consumption during operation and preferably operates at a relative pressure between 0 bar and 5 bar.

[0063] According to an alternative embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, system 1 preferably further includes at least one valve 41 placed downstream in series with the wastewater source 17 but upstream of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 to regulate the pressure of wastewater flowing into the first chamber 11, and / or preferably at least one valve 41 placed downstream in series with the demineralized and / or purified water source 19 but upstream of the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 to regulate the pressure of demineralized and / or purified water flowing into the second chamber 13.

[0064] Preferably, the valve 41 is a solenoid valve.

[0065] Preferably, pump 41 is a valve that requires low electrical energy consumption during operation.

[0066] According to the system 1 of the invention, when configured to include an open circuit with continuous flow, the risk of salt deposit formation at the interface between the membrane 15 and the first chamber 11 is advantageously reduced, thereby avoiding wastewater saturation. This advantage has a positive impact on the maintenance intervention costs and frequency required for system 1. Furthermore, the absence of salt deposit formation in the first chamber 11 advantageously allows the quality of demineralized material and / or purified water in the second chamber 13 to remain constant and reduces the degradation of the membrane 15, which, if it does, would lead to a decline in the performance of the membrane 15 and consequently reduce the efficiency of the entire system 1.

[0067] As those skilled in the art will know, one of the drawbacks of currently available water demineralization systems is the generation of supersaturated water (referred to as brine or brines) as a waste component. In contrast, the system 1 according to the invention, due to its continuous flow configuration and open or closed-loop configuration, allows for a significant reduction in brine concentration to a level where supersaturated water is not generated within the system 1, and instead, the system 1 will generate demineralized and / or purified water on the one hand and wastewater with a slight increase in salinity (between 1% and 50%) on the other hand.

[0068] According to the invention, the feature of providing open-circuit continuous flow in system 1 also advantageously enables wastewater with high salinity flowing into the first chamber 11 to produce a continuous dilution effect.

[0069] Therefore, advantageously, the risk of wastewater saturation entering the system 1 is low, which increases the service life of the system and reduces the need for maintenance and component replacement.

[0070] Advantageously, System 1 according to the invention is a system with an innovative fluid loop, wherein, preferably, water is driven by a small number of components: for example, preferably pumps and / or valves. This configuration advantageously achieves low energy absorption and high efficiency. Preferably and advantageously, the valve and pump system is appropriately sized to be supplied with a small portion of electrical energy, for example, a small portion of the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels of System 1. Preferably, the water movement system (for both wastewater and demineralized water) includes: a valve controlling the volume and flow rate of water entering System 1, thus the valve being located downstream of the wastewater source 17 and / or the demineralized and / or purified water source 19; a flow meter controlling the flow rate of water (both wastewater and demineralized water) leaving the water demineralized and / or purified system 5; and, if System 1 is installed in an environment where the wastewater cannot reach a certain pressure, it may include a pump that allows water to be drawn from the wastewater source 17 and recycled back into System 1.

[0071] Furthermore, preferably, the dimensions of each first chamber 11 and each second chamber 13 are designed to reduce the heat capacity (and therefore thermal inertia) of the flowing water (both wastewater and demineralized and / or purified water) and to minimize edge effects (i.e., the influence of upstream temperature).

[0072] Advantageously, the system 1 according to the invention is configured as an open-circuit or closed-circuit configuration (thus having the possibility of recirculation), and the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water is configured in a thermally series but hydraulically parallel structure, so that the full potential of the available thermal gradient can be utilized (the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water is in fact thermally connected in series with the heat dissipation element 3), thereby maximizing the demineralization of wastewater while avoiding problems such as waste clogging / accumulation of salt deposits.

[0073] refer to Figure 4 According to a preferred embodiment of the system 1 of the present invention, the system 1 further preferably includes at least one heat exchanger 43, which is placed between the wastewater source 17 and the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11 to further heat the wastewater entering the first chamber 11, wherein the at least one heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with wastewater flowing out from the outlet 25 of at least one first chamber 11.

[0074] Advantageously, the system 1 according to the invention therefore preferably includes a heat exchanger 43 that thermally connects the inlet 21 and the outlet 25. This advantageously provides preheating of the wastewater by recovering the residual heat contained in the wastewater flowing out of the outlet 25.

[0075] Preferably, the system 1 includes heat exchangers 43 of various configurations for preheating wastewater. When appropriately sized, these heat exchangers improve the efficiency of the system 1 by maximizing the thermal gradient, thereby improving the recovery of waste heat from the wastewater flowing out of the outlet 25.

[0076] Preferably, the system 1 may further include a configuration in which the heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with wastewater flowing from each outlet 25 of a plurality of first chambers 11 that are hydraulically arranged in parallel with each other.

[0077] Preferably, the system 1 may further include a plurality of heat exchangers 43, which are preferably hydraulically connected in parallel with each other, wherein each heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with wastewater flowing from each outlet 25 of a plurality of first chambers 11 hydraulically connected in parallel with each other, or each heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with wastewater flowing from the outlet 25 of the first chamber 11.

[0078] refer to Figure 5According to a preferred embodiment of the system 1 of the present invention, the system 1 further preferably includes at least one heat exchanger 43, which is placed between the demineralized and / or purified water source 19 and the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 to further cool the demineralized and / or purified water entering the second chamber 13, wherein the at least one heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with demineralized and / or purified water flowing out from the outlet 27 of at least one second chamber 13.

[0079] Advantageously, the system 1 preferably includes a heat exchanger 43, which functions to cool the demineralized and / or purified water entering the inlet 23 of the second chamber 13 before it is reintroduced into the loop. This operation helps to maintain a constant thermal gradient (and therefore productivity) along the system 5 for the demineralization and / or purification of water, since the demineralized and / or purified water preferably flows in a partially closed loop.

[0080] Preferably, the system 1 includes heat exchangers 43 of various configurations for cooling demineralized material and / or purified water, which, when appropriately sized, improve the efficiency of the system 1 by maximizing the thermal gradient.

[0081] Preferably, the system 1 may further include a configuration in which the heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with demineralized and / or purified water flowing from each outlet 27 of a plurality of second chambers 13 arranged hydraulically in parallel with each other.

[0082] Preferably, the system 1 may further include a plurality of heat exchangers 43, which are preferably hydraulically connected in parallel with each other, wherein each heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with demineralized material and / or purified water flowing from each outlet 27 of a plurality of second chambers 13 hydraulically connected in parallel with each other, or each heat exchanger 43 is also preferably supplied with demineralized material and / or purified water flowing from the outlet 27 of the second chamber 13.

[0083] Preferably, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The heat exchanger 43 is selected from the following: tubular heat exchanger, gasketed plate heat exchanger, welded plate heat exchanger, and brazed plate heat exchanger.

[0084] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the invention, system 1 is advantageously and preferably a compact and sustainable system capable of generating demineralized and / or purified water from wastewater and dissipated heat (i.e., waste heat) for the simultaneous generation of green hydrogen. Therefore, when the heat dissipation element 3 is a photovoltaic panel, system 1 is advantageously and preferably capable of generating hydrogen by demineralizing wastewater and utilizing the heat dissipated by the heat dissipation element 3 while generating electricity.

[0085] The system 1 according to the invention is thus able to obtain hydrogen from demineralized and / or purified water, which is obtained from wastewater by utilizing the heat dissipated by the heat dissipation element 3. This advantageous system operates by means of the configuration of the system 1 according to the invention, particularly by means of the fact that the units 9 are arranged thermally in series and hydraulically in parallel with each other, thereby allowing a “vertical” thermal gradient to form starting from the heat dissipation element 3, which is thermally connected to the first unit 9 of the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water, thereby transferring all the heat dissipated therefrom to it. The first unit 9 thus absorbs some of the dissipated heat, but due to its thermal series connection with another unit 9, it then transfers its unabsorbed heat to that unit, and this is true for all units 9 that may be present in the system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water. Therefore, this results in a thermal gradient, in which the units 9 in direct contact with the heat dissipation element 3 will have a higher temperature, while the units 9 spatially farther from the heat dissipation element 3 will have a lower temperature. Because both the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 13 exist within each unit 9, and they are placed in thermal series but hydraulic parallel configuration, the first chamber 11 will have a higher temperature than the second chamber 13. This phenomenon is advantageous for the principle of thermal distillation via a membrane operating within the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water. In fact, the first chamber 11 will have a higher temperature than the second chamber 13; this temperature difference advantageously facilitates the evaporation of the solvent (water) in the first chamber 11, and the evaporated solvent (water vapor) will pass through the preferably hydrophobic and microporous membrane 15 into the second chamber 13, where it may recondense (as water) due to the lower temperature. Therefore, the presence of the preferably hydrophobic and microporous membrane 15 and the presence of the thermal gradient advantageously allow only the solvent to pass through, while the solute cannot, thereby enabling the formation of demineralized and / or purified water in the second chamber 13.

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the invention, system 1 advantageously and preferably has a compact and modular design; it can practically provide a plurality of units 9, preferably between 2 and 50. Preferably, in each unit 9, there is a distance between the membrane 15 and the metal sheet 33 preferably of 0.1 mm to 10 mm; in system 5 for demineralization and / or purification of water, there is preferably the same distance between the membrane 15 and the metal sheet 33 belonging to the unit 9 that is structurally located in front of it.

[0087] The system 1 according to the invention may also preferably include a buoyancy mechanism that enables the system 1 to float. This possibility advantageously makes it possible to install the system 1 in seawater, thereby enabling the direct generation of green hydrogen from seawater, which in turn desalinates the seawater and converts it into hydrogen useful for maritime transport (e.g., gas, cargo, and passenger transport).

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the present invention, system 1 further includes a communication structure, which includes a programmable logic control system (PLC) and / or a remote management system (IoT) for monitoring the functionality, management and maintenance of the entire system 1.

[0089] Preferably, for communication between the system 1 and the outside, the communication structure preferably further includes a network known to those skilled in the art as a "CAN-bus", which is preferably integrated with an IoT system for performance monitoring, management, and remote adjustment and maintenance of the system 1.

[0090] Preferably, the system 1 according to the invention is connected to other equivalent systems 1 in terms of heat, electricity and hydraulics, thereby forming an integrated system 1 for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen.

[0091] Preferably and advantageously, the IoT system and, alternatively, the PLC system can perform the following operations on System 1: a) energy redistribution, b) adjustment of System 1, and c) maintenance of System 1. A more detailed explanation of each operation is provided below: a) If the electrochemical unit 7 that produces hydrogen experiences a brief malfunction, preventing it from producing hydrogen, the solar energy converted into electrical energy by the heat dissipation element 3 (preferably a photovoltaic panel) will be redistributed among the other electrochemical units within the group of System 1 that are closest to it (via electrical connection). This avoids reducing the overall productivity of the group of System 1 and thus reduces the failure rate associated with overall performance and special emergency maintenance interventions. In this way, maintenance interventions can be scheduled more systematically without affecting the profitability of the group of System 1. b) The system 1 is a system with different output products (heat, electricity, demineralized and / or purified water, hydrogen); therefore, its performance can be adjusted according to boundary conditions, market demand or any customer requirements through the PLC system and IoT system (e.g., prioritizing hydrogen production over direct electricity production). c) Automatic and semi-automatic maintenance is preferably implemented through logic in the PLC system and / or through signals received via the IoT system; the types of automatic and semi-automatic maintenance performed in the water demineralization and / or purification system 5 are as follows: c1) In the event of an abnormal signal from the output flow control sensor, the flow of wastewater and / or demineralized and / or purified water loops can be resumed; in this case, the flow pressure control valve will increase the operating pressure threshold in the system (e.g., 30% higher than the ambient pressure) to relieve any blockages that may occur in system 5—alternatively, the supply pump can increase the flow rate or pressure to achieve the same flow effect; c2) In the event of an abnormal signal from the power output sensor of the heat dissipation element 3 (preferably a photovoltaic panel), one or more cleaning cycles can be performed using a device for collecting water droplets.

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment of the system 1 of the present invention, the system 1 actually includes a means for collecting water droplets present on the surface of the heat dissipation element 3, wherein the means preferably includes a movable arm that collects water droplets by sliding on the surface and then delivers the water droplets to the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11, and wherein the system 1 further includes a means for spraying and / or atomizing the water present in the system 1 onto the surface of the heat dissipation element 3.

[0093] Water droplets are preferably deposited on the surface of the heat dissipation element 3; for example, they are water droplets originating from atmospheric phenomena such as rain, snow, fog, dew, ice, or water droplets deposited on the surface due to the movement or evaporation and then condensation of water present in the vicinity of the system 1 (such as water from rivers, lakes, oceans, ponds, dams, pools).

[0094] Advantageously, the device for collecting water droplets also enables the cleaning process of the heat dissipation element 3 (preferably a photovoltaic panel), thereby maintaining the efficiency of element 3 at a high level. This possibility is advantageous compared to the prior art, as the possibility of cleaning elements such as element 3 of the present invention has historically been prohibitively expensive due to water-related costs. The maintenance costs of the heat dissipation element 3 are advantageously reduced due to the presence of the water droplet collection device, while its efficiency is significantly improved. Preferably, the movable arm collects water droplets in the channel (where the droplets undergo mechanical filtration) and then conveys them to the inlet 21 of the first chamber 11.

[0095] Therefore, advantageously, the device for collecting water droplets allows water droplets deposited on the surface of the heat dissipation element 3 to be collected, such as those formed by condensation of atmospheric humidity and by dew at night, and allows these water droplets to flow into the first chamber 11.

[0096] Advantageously, the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water according to the invention is preferably operated under ambient pressure. The partial pressure difference existing between the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 13, through the use of a preferably hydrophobic microporous membrane 15, determines the net flow of water vapor from the first chamber 11 (in which wastewater flows) to the second chamber 13 (in which demineralized and / or purified water flows). This advantageously establishes the possibility of using the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water with any heat dissipation element (waste heat source), such as industrial components, servers, components belonging to power electronics, photovoltaic panels, and renewable energy sources. This advantageously provides the possibility of recovering waste heat, such as heat dissipated by electrical / electronic systems or thermal machinery requiring cooling systems. Preferably, the system 1 according to the invention can be adjusted according to operating conditions, i.e., depending on the type of waste heat used, by independently changing the flow rates of wastewater and demineralized and / or purified water to optimize their respective heat capacities. This setup can preferably be implemented by changing the size of the first chamber 11 and / or the second chamber 13, or by changing the rate at which wastewater and / or demineralized and / or purified water enters the respective chambers 11 and 13.

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment of system 1 of the invention, system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water preferably further includes a heat exchanger (preferably operating based on the principle of natural convection, and for example preferably finned), wherein the heat exchanger is preferably located in the unit 9 furthest from the heat dissipation element to ensure a suitable vertical thermal gradient. This heat exchange can also be achieved by directly immersing the exchanger in the wastewater source 17 to be demineralized and / or purified.

[0098] Advantageously, given the same energy provided by the sun, from the perspective of available energy, the integrated system 1 according to the invention for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen is significantly more efficient and profitable than prior art systems that combine reverse osmosis (a principle known to those skilled in the art, in which solvent molecules are forced to flow from a more concentrated solution to a less concentrated solution by applying pressure above the osmotic pressure) with photovoltaic panels. This is because prior art systems use electricity generated by photovoltaic systems, while system 1 according to the invention utilizes only the waste heat dissipated by the heat dissipation element 3 and a small portion of the electricity (<10%) (preferably generated when the heat dissipation element is a photovoltaic panel) for demineralizing and / or purifying wastewater; thus, more than 90% of the electricity (preferably generated when the heat dissipation element is a photovoltaic panel) remains available for other uses. For the same energy provided by the sun, from the perspective of available energy and techno-economics, system 1 according to the invention is significantly more efficient than prior art systems that combine reverse osmosis with photovoltaic panels and electrochemical units, because the useful work generated by system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water is added to the product of photovoltaic efficiency and electrochemical efficiency.

[0099] According to a preferred embodiment, the system 1 of the present invention may also advantageously include a chamber supplied by a mechanical pump / valve 41, which is powered by a portion (less than 5%) of the electricity generated by a photovoltaic panel (when the heat dissipation element is preferably a photovoltaic panel), and may also be installed in an environment not directly facing water, thereby expanding its application to industrial facilities, infrastructure along lines, and even homes. The possibility of generating electricity from the photovoltaic panel also advantageously makes the system 1 a potential “off-grid” system, i.e., independent of external energy sources.

[0100] Advantageously, furthermore, in the system 1 according to the invention, the connection of the system 5 for demineralizing and / or purifying water to the electrochemical unit 7 for generating hydrogen powered by electricity from photovoltaic (when the heat dissipation element is preferably a photovoltaic panel) and water demineralized and / or purified by the system 5 can reduce the costs associated with the water used to generate hydrogen or the costs associated with the pretreatment of water, making it suitable for use in the electrochemical unit, thereby reducing the cost of generating hydrogen.

[0101] The system 1 according to the invention, when including an open-circuit configuration, has the advantage of reducing or eliminating the problem of supersaturated water formation, a typical phenomenon known in existing systems utilizing reverse osmosis.

[0102] Advantageously, when the system 1 according to the invention includes an open-circuit configuration, the possibility of recirculation is increased in the thermally series but hydraulically parallel structure, so that the available thermal gradient can be utilized in the most feasible way, thereby maximizing the demineralization and / or purification of wastewater while avoiding waste blockage / accumulation problems.

[0103] Therefore, System 1 according to the invention is advantageously a system that enables the generation of demineralized and / or purified water that can be used in an electrolytic process within an electrochemical unit to produce hydrogen; it is a low-management-cost system; the demineralized and / or purified water it produces can be directly used in the electrochemical unit; it has no design limitations unsuitable for industrial applications; it has zero or very low power consumption requirements from electricity traditionally supplied by the national grid; and it is a system that reduces the generation of pollutants in the environment.

Claims

1. An integrated system (1) for the demineralization and / or purification of water and the simultaneous generation of hydrogen, comprising: A heat dissipation element (3) is thermally connected to a system (5) for demineralizing and / or purifying water, and the system for demineralizing and / or purifying water is hydraulically connected to an electrochemical unit (7) for generating hydrogen. in, The system (1) for demineralizing and / or purifying water operates on the principle of thermal distillation via a membrane and comprises at least two units (9), each unit comprising a first chamber (11) and a second chamber (13), wherein wastewater to be demineralized and / or purified flows under pressure in the first chamber, and demineralized and / or purified water flows under pressure in the second chamber in the opposite direction to the flow direction of the wastewater, the two chambers (11; 13) being separated by a preferably microporous hydrophobic membrane (15). The at least two units (9) are arranged in a thermally connected series and hydraulically connected parallel configuration, with continuous flow. Each unit (9) is hydraulically connected to a wastewater source (17) and a demineralized and / or purified water source (19). Specifically, each first chamber (11) includes an inlet (21) hydraulically connected to the wastewater source (17) for introducing wastewater into the first chamber (11), while each second chamber (13) includes an inlet (23) hydraulically connected to the demineralized and / or purified water source (19) for introducing demineralized and / or purified water into the second chamber (13). The first chamber (11) further includes an outlet (25) for discharging wastewater from the first chamber (11), and the second chamber (13) further includes an outlet (27) for discharging demineralized material and / or purified water from the second chamber (13). In each unit (9), the first chamber (11) is spatially opposite to the second chamber (13), thus forming a first region and a second region spatially opposite to the first region in the unit (9). In the first region, the outlet (27) of the second chamber (13) is located near the entrance (21) of the first chamber (11), and in the second region, the entrance (23) of the second chamber (13) is located near the outlet (25) of the first chamber (11).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat dissipation element (3) is a photovoltaic panel, wherein the heat emitted by the photovoltaic panel is transferred according to the thermal gradient to at least two units (9) placed in thermal series, wherein the unit (9) directly thermally connected to the photovoltaic panel therefore receives more heat than the unit (9) connected in series thereafter.

3. The system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each outlet (27) of each second chamber (13) is hydraulically connected to the electrochemical unit (7).

4. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The wastewater source (17), the demineralized and / or purified water source (19), and each unit (9) of the system (1) for demineralization and / or purification of water are hydraulically connected via an open-circuit configuration. Wastewater from its own source (17) flows under pressure through the inlet (21) of the first chamber (11) and then flows out through the outlet (25) of the first chamber (11). The demineralized material and / or purified water from its own source (19) flows under pressure through the inlet (23) of the second chamber (13), then flows out through the outlet (27) of the second chamber (13) and enters the electrochemical unit (7).

5. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The wastewater source (17) is hydraulically connected to each first chamber (11) of the system (1) for demineralization and / or purification of water via a closed-loop configuration. Wastewater from its own source (17) flows under pressure through the inlet (21) of the first chamber (11), then flows out through the outlet (25) of the first chamber (11) and enters the wastewater source (17). The demineralized and / or purified water source (19) is hydraulically connected to each second chamber (13) of the system (1) for demineralizing and / or purifying water via a closed-loop configuration. The demineralized material and / or purified water from its own source (19) flows under pressure through the inlet (23) of the second chamber (13) and then flows out through the outlet (27) of the second chamber (13) and then enters the electrochemical unit (7) or the demineralized material and / or purified water source (19).

6. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The system (1) further includes at least two pumps (41), one located near the wastewater source (17) and the other located near the demineralized and / or purified water source (19), in order to increase the pressure of the wastewater and the demineralized and / or purified water flowing in the respective chambers (11; 13).

7. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The system (1) further includes at least one valve (41) located downstream in series with respect to the wastewater source (17), but upstream with respect to the system (1) for demineralization and / or purification of water, to regulate the pressure of the wastewater flowing into the first chamber (11), and / or at least one valve (41) located downstream in series with respect to the demineralized and / or purified water source (19), but upstream with respect to the system (1) for demineralization and / or purification of water, to regulate the pressure of the demineralized and / or purified water flowing into the second chamber (13).

8. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The system (1) further includes at least one heat exchanger (43) located between the wastewater source (17) and the inlet (21) of the first chamber (11) to further heat the wastewater entering the first chamber (11), wherein the at least one heat exchanger (43) is also powered by the wastewater flowing out from the outlet (25) of at least one first chamber (11).

9. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The system (1) further includes at least one heat exchanger (43) located between the demineralized and / or purified water source (19) and the inlet (23) of the second chamber (13) to cool the demineralized and / or purified water entering the second chamber (13), wherein the at least one heat exchanger (43) is also powered by the demineralized and / or purified water flowing out from the outlet (27) of at least one second chamber (13).

10. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each chamber (11; 13) includes a gasket (29) surrounding the side of each chamber (11; 13) and a frame (31) that can be superimposed on the gasket (29) and thus also surrounding the side of each chamber (11; 13), the frame (31) being placed in contact between the membrane (15) and the gasket (29); in addition, a metal sheet (33) is disposed between one unit (9) and another unit, thereby forming a structure in which each unit (9) is located between two metal sheets (33).

11. The system (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The washer (29) is integrally formed with the frame (31).

12. The system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The system (1) has a compact modular design and includes multiple units (9), preferably 2 to 50 units, wherein in each unit (9), the distance between the membrane (15) and the metal sheet (33) is between 0.1 mm and 10 mm; the membrane (15) and the metal sheet (33) belonging to the unit (9) that is structurally located in front of it are at the same distance.

13. The system (1) according to claim 10, 11, or 12, wherein, Both the gasket (29) and the frame (31) have a rectangular geometry, and the ratio of the short side to the long side of the rectangular geometry is between 1 / 1.5 and 1 / 10. This ratio can improve the heat exchange process, thereby minimizing edge effects and thus obtaining the optimal temperature distribution.

14. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The system (1) further includes a communication structure comprising a programmable logic controller (PLC) system and / or a remote management system (IoT) for monitoring, managing and maintaining the entire integrated system (1) for demineralizing and / or purifying water and simultaneously generating hydrogen.

15. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The system (1) further includes means for collecting water droplets present on the surface of the heat dissipation element (3), wherein the means includes a movable arm that slides on the surface to collect water droplets and then deliver the water droplets to the inlet (21) of the first chamber (11), and wherein the system (1) further includes means for spraying and / or atomizing the water present in the system (1) onto the surface of the heat dissipation element (3).

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