Seawater desalination device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a seawater desalination device which comprises a water storage mechanism, and the water storage mechanism is provided with a water storage cavity for storing seawater to be desalinated; the photo-thermal conversion mechanism comprises an evaporation component and a liquid absorption component, one end of the liquid absorption component extends to the seawater of the water storage mechanism, the other end of the liquid absorption component is connected with the evaporation component, and the evaporation component is located above the water storage mechanism; the condensation mechanism is arranged above the photo-thermal conversion mechanism, and light can penetrate through the condensation mechanism; wherein the number of the photo-thermal conversion mechanisms is two or more, the evaporation components of the adjacent photo-thermal conversion mechanisms are distributed in a step shape, and the distance from the evaporation surface of each evaporation component to the condensation mechanism is correspondingly reduced; and steam evaporated by the evaporation component is in contact with the condensation mechanism for condensation. The technical scheme of the utility model aims to improve the overall energy efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of seawater desalination technology, and in particular to a seawater desalination device. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing severity of freshwater scarcity, solar-powered seawater desalination technology has attracted significant attention due to its clean and sustainable characteristics. Among existing technologies, membrane methods are limited by high energy consumption and complex maintenance, while thermal methods (especially interfacial evaporation) have become an ideal choice for remote areas due to their low energy consumption and ease of deployment. However, existing devices mostly employ a single-layer, two-dimensional planar evaporation structure with a large distance between the evaporation and condensation surfaces, requiring steam to migrate a long distance to the condensation zone. During this process, steam flow resistance increases significantly, inhibiting the evaporation rate. Under prolonged high-radiation conditions, salt accumulation on the evaporation surface hinders photothermal conversion and blocks water supply channels, reducing evaporation performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a seawater desalination device that aims to improve overall energy efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the seawater desalination device proposed in this utility model includes:

[0005] A water storage mechanism, wherein the water storage mechanism is provided with a water storage chamber for storing seawater to be desalinated;

[0006] A photothermal conversion mechanism, comprising an evaporation component and a liquid absorption component, one end of the liquid absorption component extending to the seawater of the water storage mechanism, the other end of the liquid absorption component being connected to the evaporation component, and the evaporation component being located above the water storage mechanism;

[0007] A condensation mechanism is located above the photothermal conversion mechanism, and the condensation mechanism allows light to pass through it;

[0008] The photothermal conversion mechanism comprises two or more components, the evaporation components of adjacent photothermal conversion mechanisms are distributed in a stepped manner, and the distance from the evaporation surface of each evaporation component to the condensation mechanism is correspondingly reduced.

[0009] The steam evaporated by the evaporation component comes into contact with the condensation mechanism and condenses.

[0010] In some embodiments of this utility model, at least one partition is provided in the water storage cavity, the partition divides the water storage cavity into different water storage areas, and the water storage heights of the water storage areas on both sides of the partition are different;

[0011] The liquid absorption component includes a first liquid absorption element and a second liquid absorption element that are respectively immersed in the two sides of the partition. The first liquid absorption element and the second liquid absorption element are connected through the corresponding evaporation component.

[0012] In some embodiments of this utility model, there are multiple partitions, and the multiple partitions form multiple water storage areas. The water storage height of the water storage areas gradually decreases or increases. Each partition is provided with a first liquid-absorbing element and a second liquid-absorbing element of the liquid-absorbing components on both sides.

[0013] In some embodiments of this utility model, the seawater desalination device further includes a heat insulation mechanism, which covers the water storage cavity, and the other end of the liquid absorption member passes through the heat insulation mechanism and is connected to the evaporation member.

[0014] In some embodiments of this utility model, the evaporation component has a porous structure.

[0015] In some embodiments of this utility model, the outer surface of the liquid-absorbing component is arranged in a spiral structure.

[0016] In some embodiments of this invention, the condensation mechanism is striped on the side facing the evaporation member.

[0017] In some embodiments of this invention, the condensation mechanism is provided with a hydrophobic coating on the side facing the evaporation member, which is distributed in a striped pattern.

[0018] In some embodiments of this utility model, the condensation mechanism is inclined, and a water collection port is provided on the inclined side of the condensation mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments of this utility model, the water storage mechanism is provided with an inlet and an outlet.

[0020] This invention features a design with multiple photothermal conversion mechanisms and a stepped distribution of evaporation components. This significantly increases the total evaporation area without increasing material usage, due to the increased lateral surface area. More evaporation area means more seawater can be evaporated in the same amount of time, thus significantly increasing water production. The unequal height design of the evaporation components effectively shortens the distance from each evaporation surface to the condensation mechanism, reducing the resistance encountered by steam during migration. This allows steam to reach the condensation mechanism more quickly and smoothly, improving the steam transfer rate and accelerating seawater desalination. Furthermore, the stepped structure effectively recovers heat lost by adjacent evaporation components during evaporation through radiation and convection. This recovered heat can be reused for water evaporation, reducing overall heat loss and improving energy efficiency. This allows the device to produce more freshwater with the same solar energy consumption, lowering the cost of seawater desalination. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the seawater desalination device of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is the second schematic diagram of the seawater desalination device of this utility model.

[0024] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0025] 100. Water storage mechanism; 110. Water storage chamber; 120. Baffle plate; 200. Photothermal conversion mechanism; 210. Evaporation component; 220. Liquid absorption component; 221. First liquid absorption element; 222. Second liquid absorption element; 300. Condensation mechanism; 310. Water collection port; 400. Heat insulation mechanism; 500. Water inlet; 600. Water outlet;

[0026] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0029] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this utility model is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, the user should consider such a combination of technical solutions to be non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0030] See appendix Figure 1-2 This utility model proposes a seawater desalination device, comprising:

[0031] The water storage mechanism 100 is provided with a water storage chamber 110 for storing seawater to be desalinated. The water storage chamber 110 provides storage space for the seawater to be desalinated, ensuring a continuous supply of seawater to the seawater desalination device, so that the seawater desalination process can be carried out continuously and stably, and avoiding interruption of the desalination process due to insufficient seawater supply.

[0032] The photothermal conversion mechanism 200 includes an evaporation component 210 and a liquid absorption component 220. One end of the liquid absorption component 220 extends to the seawater in the water storage unit 100, and the other end is connected to the evaporation component 210, which is located above the water storage unit 100. The liquid absorption component 220 uses capillary action to transport the seawater from the water storage unit 100 to the evaporation component 210, achieving automatic seawater transfer without the need for additional power equipment, thus saving energy. The evaporation component 210, located above the water storage unit 100, can fully receive sunlight, converting light energy into heat energy, causing the seawater to evaporate on the evaporation component 210, completing the photothermal conversion and seawater evaporation process.

[0033] A condensation mechanism 300 is located above the photothermal conversion mechanism 200, allowing light to pass through. This design provides a condensation site for the steam generated during evaporation. The ability to allow light to pass through ensures that the light continues to reach the photothermal conversion mechanism 200 below, guaranteeing that the photothermal conversion process is unaffected and improving the utilization rate of light energy. Simultaneously, it achieves the condensation of steam, converting gaseous water into liquid fresh water, completing the final step of seawater desalination.

[0034] The photothermal conversion mechanism 200 comprises two or more units, with the evaporation components 210 of adjacent units arranged in a stepped manner. The distance from the evaporation surface of each component 210 to the condensation mechanism 300 is correspondingly reduced. This design of multiple photothermal conversion mechanisms 200 with stepped evaporation components 210 significantly increases the total evaporation area without increasing material usage, due to the increased lateral area. A larger evaporation area means more seawater can be evaporated in the same amount of time, thus significantly increasing water production. The unequal height of the evaporation components 210 effectively shortens the distance from each evaporation surface to the condensation mechanism 300, reducing the resistance encountered by steam during migration. This allows steam to reach the condensation mechanism 300 more quickly and smoothly, improving the steam transfer rate and accelerating seawater desalination. Furthermore, the stepped structure's sides effectively recover heat lost by adjacent evaporation components 210 during evaporation through radiation and convection. The recovered heat can be reused for water evaporation, reducing the overall heat loss of the device, improving energy efficiency, and enabling the device to produce more fresh water while consuming the same amount of solar energy, thus reducing the cost of seawater desalination.

[0035] The steam evaporated by the evaporation component 210 comes into contact with the condensation mechanism 300 and condenses. The steam generated by the evaporation of the evaporation component 210 comes into contact with the condensation mechanism 300, and the steam condenses when it encounters the cold, changing from a gaseous state to a liquid state, thus realizing the transformation from seawater to freshwater in the seawater desalination process.

[0036] Furthermore, the water storage chamber 110 is equipped with at least one partition 120, which divides the water storage chamber 110 into different water storage areas. The water storage heights of the water storage areas on both sides of the partition 120 are different. The partition 120 divides the water storage chamber 110 into different water storage areas and creates a water level difference on both sides of the partition 120. This water level difference creates a siphon effect. The siphon effect can drive water flow between different water storage areas, providing a natural driving force for the circulation and transmission of seawater within the device. Through the siphon effect, not only can the automatic transmission of seawater be achieved, but the salt on the evaporation interface can also be removed during the transmission process, effectively solving the problem of salt accumulation at the evaporation interface. This ensures the evaporation efficiency of the photothermal conversion mechanism 200, because the accumulation of salt will reduce the light absorption effect of the photothermal conversion layer, thus affecting the evaporation process. In addition, it maintains the dynamic balance of seawater within the water storage mechanism 100, ensuring the stable operation of the entire seawater desalination device.

[0037] The liquid absorption component 220 includes a first liquid absorption element 221 and a second liquid absorption element 222, respectively immersed on both sides of the partition 120. The first liquid absorption element 221 and the second liquid absorption element 222 are connected through a corresponding evaporation component 210. The first liquid absorption element 221 and the second liquid absorption element 222 are respectively immersed in water storage areas at different water levels on both sides of the partition 120. Under the action of the siphon effect, seawater enters the evaporation component 210 from the high-water-level water storage area through the first liquid absorption element 221. After evaporation, it flows to the low-water-level water storage area through the second liquid absorption element 222. In this process, when the seawater evaporates on the evaporation component 210, the salt is left on the evaporation interface. The water flow driven by the siphon effect can carry away these salts, allowing them to re-integrate into the seawater with the water flow. This avoids excessive salt accumulation on the evaporation interface, ensures good light absorption by the photothermal conversion mechanism 200, and maintains the stable operation of the evaporation process. At the same time, this design further improves the salt resistance of the seawater desalination device, enabling the device to adapt to seawater with different salinity for desalination and expanding the application range of the device.

[0038] Specifically, there are multiple baffles 120, forming multiple water storage zones with gradually decreasing or increasing water levels. Each baffle 120 has a first liquid-absorbing element 221 and a second liquid-absorbing element 222 on both sides. This design, with multiple baffles 120 forming multiple water storage zones and gradually changing water levels, further enhances the strength and stability of the siphon effect. The multiple water level differences generated by the multiple baffles 120 result in a greater driving force for the water flow, enabling more effective circulation of seawater among the multiple evaporation components 210. The presence of a set of liquid-absorbing components 220 on both sides of each baffle 120 increases the seawater transport path and evaporation area. More transport paths mean more efficient utilization of the evaporation capacity of the evaporation components 210, improving seawater evaporation efficiency and thus increasing freshwater production. Simultaneously, this structure can more comprehensively and effectively remove salt from the evaporation interface, further preventing salt accumulation on the evaporation surface and ensuring the efficient operation of the photothermal conversion mechanism 200. In addition, this design improves the device's adaptability to seawater with different salinity levels. Even in the case of high salinity seawater, it can effectively reduce the impact of salt on evaporation efficiency through multiple siphon paths and evaporation processes, maintaining stable operation and high desalination efficiency.

[0039] In this embodiment, the seawater desalination device also includes a heat insulation mechanism 400, which covers the water storage chamber 110. The other end of the liquid absorption member 220 passes through the heat insulation mechanism 400 and connects to the evaporation member 210. The heat insulation mechanism 400 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity and covers the water storage chamber 110, effectively preventing the heat generated by the photothermal conversion mechanism 200 from being transferred to the seawater in the water storage chamber 110. This design reduces heat loss from the photothermal conversion mechanism 200, allowing more heat to be concentrated for seawater evaporation, thus improving photothermal conversion efficiency. Simultaneously, it improves the energy utilization efficiency of the device, enabling it to produce more freshwater with the same solar energy input, thereby reducing the energy cost of seawater desalination.

[0040] The evaporation component 210 features a porous structure with unique physical properties, resulting in a large specific surface area. This larger surface area increases the contact area between the evaporation component 210 and seawater and sunlight, allowing for more efficient absorption of light energy. More absorbed light energy is converted into heat energy, improving the photothermal conversion rate and enabling faster and more efficient seawater evaporation. Simultaneously, the porous structure significantly enhances capillary action. This capillary action facilitates the transport and distribution of seawater within the evaporation component 210, achieving efficient horizontal water transport. Seawater is more evenly distributed on the surface of the evaporation component 210, ensuring the uniformity and stability of the evaporation process and preventing localized excessively fast or slow evaporation. This not only improves the evaporation efficiency of seawater but also increases the production and quality of freshwater, enabling the seawater desalination plant to operate more efficiently.

[0041] Furthermore, the outer surface of the liquid-absorbing component 220 is arranged in a spiral structure. When seawater flows within the spiral structure of the liquid-absorbing component 220, it is constrained by the geometry of the spiral structure and forced to move along the spiral path, generating centrifugal force. Since the density of salt ions is higher than that of water molecules, the salt ions move away from the center of rotation due to inertia during rotation. This centrifugal force causes most salt ions to accumulate on the outer wall of the spiral channel, significantly reducing the salt content entering the evaporation interface. In this way, the diffusion and migration of salt ions to the evaporation interface is effectively suppressed. Compared with the traditional linear liquid-absorbing component 220, the spiral structure of the liquid-absorbing component 220 can significantly reduce salt accumulation at the evaporation interface. This improves the salt resistance of the evaporator, enabling it to maintain good evaporation efficiency and stability when treating high-salinity seawater, and extending the service life of the evaporation component 210. Simultaneously, it reduces the impact of salt on the photothermal conversion mechanism 200, ensuring the smooth operation of the photothermal conversion process and improving the performance and reliability of the entire seawater desalination device.

[0042] In this embodiment, the condensing mechanism 300 has a striped pattern on the side facing the evaporating member 210. This striped structure alters the microstructure of the condensing surface. On a typical smooth condensing surface, condensate droplets accumulate and form a continuous liquid film. This liquid film has a high thermal resistance, hindering heat transfer and reducing condensation efficiency. The striped structure makes it easier for droplets to form at the edges or grooves of the stripes. Once formed at these locations, the droplets slide off along the direction of the stripes under gravity. This allows space to be made available for new vapor to condense, preventing droplets from accumulating on a smooth surface and covering a large area, thus hindering subsequent condensation. This striped structure allows the condensate to exist as droplets and slide off quickly, inducing bead-like condensation and preventing the formation of a liquid film. Bead-like condensation has the advantage of low thermal resistance, ensuring good heat transfer performance, improving the condensation efficiency and condensation rate of "steam-water", enabling more steam to be quickly converted into liquid fresh water, and increasing the amount and efficiency of fresh water collection.

[0043] Furthermore, the condensing mechanism 300 has a hydrophobic coating on the side facing the evaporation component 210. This hydrophobic coating is distributed in a striped pattern, giving the surface of the condensing mechanism 300 hydrophobic properties. When steam condenses into droplets on the surface of the condensing mechanism 300, the contact angle between the droplets and the condensing surface increases due to the hydrophobic properties. This makes it easier for the droplets to slide off the surface under their own gravity, effectively preventing the condensed droplets from remaining and adhering to the surface of the condensing mechanism 300. If droplets remain on the surface for a long time, they will gradually accumulate and form a liquid film, increasing the heat transfer resistance and reducing the condensation efficiency. The hydrophobic coating avoids the formation of a liquid film, reduces the heat transfer resistance, and improves the condensation efficiency. Simultaneously, timely discharge of condensate provides more space for the condensation of new steam, further improving the condensation efficiency and rate of the "steam-water" conversion. This design ensures that the seawater desalination plant can efficiently convert steam into liquid fresh water, increasing the fresh water production rate and enabling the plant to more effectively meet the demand for fresh water resources.

[0044] Specifically, the condensation mechanism 300 is inclined, and a water collection port 310 is located on the inclined side. This inclined design utilizes gravity, allowing the condensed liquid water to flow more smoothly under its influence. The liquid water flows naturally downwards along the inclined surface and eventually collects at the water collection port 310. This design greatly facilitates the collection of condensed freshwater, preventing its accumulation on the surface of the condensation mechanism 300 and its impact on subsequent condensation processes. The water collection port 310 allows for convenient and effective drainage of the collected freshwater, improving collection efficiency and volume. Simultaneously, it ensures the cleanliness and dryness of the condensation mechanism 300's surface, maintaining its normal operating condition and ensuring the continuous and efficient operation of the seawater desalination unit, thus guaranteeing stable freshwater production.

[0045] In this embodiment, the water storage mechanism is equipped with an inlet 500 and an outlet 600. The inlet 500 provides a convenient channel for replenishing the seawater to be desalinated. Through the inlet 500, seawater to be desalinated can be added to the storage chamber 110 in a timely manner, ensuring that there is always sufficient seawater in the storage chamber 110 and maintaining the continuity of the seawater desalination process. The outlet 600 is used to discharge seawater containing a high salt content after processes such as siphoning from the storage chamber 110. This avoids excessively high salt concentration in the storage chamber 110, as excessively high salt concentration will affect the seawater transport and evaporation process, reducing the performance of the device. By reasonably controlling the water flow at the inlet 500 and outlet 600, the water level and salt concentration of the seawater in the storage chamber 110 can be precisely adjusted, keeping the device in optimal working condition at all times. This improves the operability and stability of the device, enabling it to adapt to different seawater desalination needs and working conditions, and ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of the seawater desalination device.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present utility model using the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A seawater desalination device, characterized in that, include A water storage mechanism, wherein the water storage mechanism is provided with a water storage chamber for storing seawater to be desalinated; A photothermal conversion mechanism, comprising an evaporation component and a liquid absorption component, one end of the liquid absorption component extending to the seawater of the water storage mechanism, the other end of the liquid absorption component being connected to the evaporation component, and the evaporation component being located above the water storage mechanism; A condensation mechanism is located above the photothermal conversion mechanism, and the condensation mechanism allows light to pass through it; The photothermal conversion mechanism comprises two or more components, the evaporation components of adjacent photothermal conversion mechanisms are distributed in a stepped manner, and the distance from the evaporation surface of each evaporation component to the condensation mechanism is correspondingly reduced. The steam evaporated by the evaporation component comes into contact with the condensation mechanism and condenses.

2. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water storage cavity is provided with at least one partition, which divides the water storage cavity into different water storage areas, and the water storage heights of the water storage areas on both sides of the partition are different. The liquid absorption component includes a first liquid absorption element and a second liquid absorption element that are respectively immersed in the two sides of the partition. The first liquid absorption element and the second liquid absorption element are connected through the corresponding evaporation component.

3. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, There are multiple partitions, which form multiple water storage areas. The water storage height of the water storage areas gradually decreases or increases. Each partition has a first liquid-absorbing component and a second liquid-absorbing component on both sides.

4. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The seawater desalination device also includes a heat insulation mechanism, which is installed above the water storage chamber. The other end of the liquid absorption component passes through the heat insulation mechanism and is connected to the evaporation component.

5. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporation component has a porous structure.

6. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of the liquid-absorbing component is arranged in a spiral structure.

7. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The condensation mechanism is striped on the side facing the evaporation component.

8. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The condensation mechanism has a hydrophobic coating on the side facing the evaporation component, which is distributed in a stripe pattern.

9. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The condensation mechanism is inclined, and a water collection port is provided on the inclined side of the condensation mechanism.

10. The seawater desalination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water storage mechanism is equipped with an inlet and an outlet.

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