Seawater desalination device suitable for small island

Abstract

The utility model provides a sea water desalination device suitable for islands, which comprises a water suction pump used for pumping sea water, an evaporator connected with the water suction pump and used for heating the pumped sea water to generate steam, and a heat exchanger arranged on a connecting pipeline of the water suction pump and the evaporator. Seawater pumped by the water pump flows through the heat exchanger and then enters the evaporator, the heat exchanger is further connected to the evaporator through a pipeline, receives steam generated by the evaporator and preheats the pumped seawater, and the fresh water tank is connected with the heat exchanger through a pipeline and is used for collecting fresh water obtained after the steam is condensed by the heat exchanger; according to the device, the heat exchanger is arranged on the connecting pipeline of the water suction pump and the evaporator, the steam of the evaporator is received to preheat and condense seawater, the heat of the steam is effectively utilized, and the seawater desalination efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For the island's residents, seawater desalination is a crucial basic infrastructure for their livelihood. Traditional seawater desalination technologies, such as reverse osmosis, thermal distillation, and multi-stage flash evaporation, consume large amounts of fossil fuels and electricity. Moreover, these technologies are mostly complex, energy-intensive, and have expensive equipment operating costs. They are generally used in industrial-scale desalination and are limited by various environmental conditions such as power, site, and volume, making them difficult to apply to seawater desalination on small islands.

[0003] Most small-scale seawater desalination devices on the market are powered by conventional energy sources and are still limited by the lack of electricity on small islands, resulting in low desalination efficiency. Some seawater desalination devices powered by solar energy have too low output and are only suitable for use as emergency seawater desalination devices, which cannot meet the daily water needs of the island residents. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a seawater desalination device suitable for small islands. It uses a heat exchanger to receive steam from the evaporator to preheat the seawater and achieve condensation, effectively utilizing the heat of the steam and improving the desalination efficiency of the seawater.

[0005] This utility model proposes a seawater desalination device suitable for small islands, comprising:

[0006] A water pump is used to extract seawater.

[0007] An evaporator, connected to the water pump, is used to heat the pumped seawater to generate steam;

[0008] A heat exchanger is installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump and the evaporator. The seawater pumped by the water pump flows through the heat exchanger and then enters the evaporator. The heat exchanger is also connected to the evaporator through a pipe to receive the steam generated by the evaporator and preheat the pumped seawater.

[0009] A freshwater tank, connected to the heat exchanger via a pipe, is used to collect the freshwater condensed from the steam after it passes through the heat exchanger.

[0010] In one embodiment, the seawater pumped by the water pump flows through the heat exchanger and then into the evaporator. The heat exchanger is connected to the evaporator via a pipe at the downstream end of the seawater flow to receive the steam generated by the evaporator and preheat the pumped seawater. The heat exchanger is connected to the freshwater tank via a pipe at the upstream end of the seawater flow.

[0011] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is a partitioned heat exchanger.

[0012] In one embodiment, a compressor is also included. The compressor is disposed on the connecting pipeline between the heat exchanger and the evaporator. The input end of the compressor is connected to the evaporator through a pipeline, and the output end is connected to the heat exchanger through a pipeline. The compressor is used to heat and pressurize the steam generated by the evaporator and then draw it into the heat exchanger.

[0013] In one embodiment, a solar photovoltaic panel is also included to absorb solar energy and convert it into electrical energy to power the compressor.

[0014] In one embodiment, a concentrator is also included, which includes a reflector to heat the seawater inside the evaporator by reflecting solar energy.

[0015] In one embodiment, the concentrator is a parabolic concentrator located below the evaporator, comprising two parabolic reflectors, each of which is fixed by a bracket. The bracket is a rotatable bracket used to adjust the direction of the reflector according to the position of the sun.

[0016] In one embodiment, the evaporator is provided with several heat-absorbing plates around its periphery to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator.

[0017] In one embodiment, the plurality of heat-absorbing plates are horizontally arranged on both sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator;

[0018] Alternatively, the device may further include a concentrator to heat the seawater in the evaporator by reflecting solar energy. The concentrator's reflector is disposed on both sides of the evaporator, and the plurality of heat-absorbing plates are vertically disposed on the upper and / or lower sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator receiving the reflected light from the concentrator.

[0019] In one embodiment, a gas-liquid separator is further provided between the evaporator and the compressor. The gas inlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, the gas outlet is connected to the compressor, and the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the evaporator. The height of the gas-liquid separator above the ground is greater than the height of the evaporator above the ground, so that the separated liquid can flow back into the evaporator by gravity.

[0020] This utility model relates to a seawater desalination device for small islands, comprising a water pump for drawing seawater, an evaporator connected to the water pump for heating the drawn seawater to generate steam, a heat exchanger installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump and the evaporator, the seawater drawn by the water pump flowing through the heat exchanger and then entering the evaporator, the heat exchanger also connected to the evaporator via a pipe to receive the steam generated by the evaporator and preheat the drawn seawater, and a freshwater tank connected to the heat exchanger via a pipe to collect the freshwater condensed from the steam after passing through the heat exchanger; this device, by installing a heat exchanger on the connecting pipe between the water pump and the evaporator, receives the steam from the evaporator to preheat the seawater and achieve condensation, effectively utilizes the heat of the steam and improves the seawater desalination efficiency. 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 embodiments are briefly introduced below. The drawings described below are only the corresponding drawings of some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a seawater desalination device suitable for small islands, as shown in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pipe connections inside the evaporation chamber in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0026] See Figure 1 This utility model discloses a seawater desalination device suitable for small islands. In one embodiment, it includes:

[0027] Water pump 01 is used to draw seawater and pump it into the pipeline.

[0028] Evaporator 02, connected to the water pump 01, is used to heat the pumped seawater to generate steam. The seawater pumped by the water pump enters the evaporator, where it is heated until it evaporates to produce steam with low salinity. Specifically, the steam is one of saturated steam, unsaturated steam, or supersaturated steam.

[0029] Heat exchanger 03 is installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump 01 and the evaporator 02. The seawater pumped by the water pump 01 flows through the heat exchanger 03 and then enters the evaporator 02. The heat exchanger 03 is also connected to the evaporator 02 through a pipe to receive the steam generated by the evaporator and preheat the pumped seawater.

[0030] For details, see Figure 2 The pipe 10 connected to the evaporator is located on the side of the evaporator 02 and connects to the upper space of the evaporation chamber 021 to output steam. In practical applications, depending on the type of evaporator and application requirements, one end of the pipe connected to the evaporator is connected to the upper space of the evaporation chamber, and the other end can also run from the top or bottom of the evaporator to output steam.

[0031] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 03 is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, specifically a sleeve-and-tube heat exchanger, which is installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump 01 and the evaporator 02. The seawater pumped by the water pump 01 flows through the heat exchanger 03 and then enters the evaporator 02. The steam generated by the evaporator 02 then flows back into the heat exchanger 03 through a pipe. This allows the high temperature of the steam to preheat the seawater before it enters the evaporator, and the steam condenses into liquid freshwater inside the heat exchanger after losing heat.

[0032] Freshwater tank 04 is connected to the heat exchanger via a pipe and is used to collect freshwater after the steam has been condensed by the heat exchanger.

[0033] This embodiment is applicable to a seawater desalination device on a small island. A heat exchanger is installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump and the evaporator. The heat exchanger is connected to the evaporator. During the seawater evaporation process, steam flows back to the heat exchanger through the connecting pipe to preheat the seawater entering the evaporator. Simultaneously, the steam loses heat to the seawater, causing condensation and forming liquid fresh water, thus achieving seawater desalination. This seawater desalination process fully utilizes the heat generated by the evaporator during seawater evaporation, reducing the energy consumption required for the desalination process and improving desalination efficiency. Furthermore, the distillation method ensures the quality of the desalinated seawater.

[0034] Specifically, the seawater pumped by the water pump 01 flows through the heat exchanger 03 and then enters the evaporator 02. The heat exchanger 03 is connected to the evaporator 02 via a pipe at the downstream end where the seawater flows, receiving the steam generated by the evaporator 02 to preheat the pumped seawater. The heat exchanger 03 is connected to the freshwater tank 04 via a pipe at the upstream end where the seawater flows. The steam generated by the evaporator 02 entering the heat exchanger 03 from the downstream end where the seawater flows increases the convection between the steam and the seawater, improving the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0035] In one embodiment, the seawater desalination device suitable for small islands further includes a compressor 05, which is installed on the connecting pipeline between the heat exchanger 03 and the evaporator 02. The input end of the compressor 05 is connected to the evaporator 02 through a pipeline, and the output end is connected to the heat exchanger 03 through a pipeline. It is used to heat and pressurize the steam generated by the evaporator 02 and then draw it into the heat exchanger 03.

[0036] Specifically, the compressor is a micro linear compressor or other types of low-power compressors that meet the pressure boosting requirements; this embodiment does not limit the specific type of compressor.

[0037] The compressor 05 can pressurize the steam generated by the evaporator 02, increase the saturation temperature of the steam, and at the same time lower the boiling point of the evaporator, so as to better draw the steam into the heat exchanger 03, improve the efficiency of heat exchange, and further improve the efficiency of seawater desalination.

[0038] In one embodiment, the seawater desalination device suitable for small islands also includes solar photovoltaic panels for absorbing solar energy and converting it into electrical energy to power the compressor 05.

[0039] Specifically, the solar photovoltaic panel 06 is positioned above the compressor 05 to absorb solar energy and convert it into electrical energy to power the compressor 05. Since the island generally receives ample sunlight, using solar energy to power the compressor 05 can meet its power needs and reduce energy consumption.

[0040] Furthermore, the compressor 05 is also equipped with an energy storage device to store the electrical energy generated by the solar photovoltaic panel 06, providing a stable power supply for the compressor.

[0041] In one embodiment, the seawater desalination device suitable for small islands further includes a concentrator comprising a reflector that heats the seawater in the evaporator by reflecting solar energy. Heating the evaporator by reflecting solar energy through the concentrator further reduces the energy consumption required for the device to distill seawater.

[0042] Specifically, the concentrator is a parabolic concentrator, located below the evaporator 02, and includes two parabolic reflectors 07. Each reflector is fixed by a bracket 08, which is a rotatable bracket used to adjust the direction of the reflector according to the sun's position. The rotatable bracket 08 allows the reflectors 07 to better receive sunlight, reflecting solar energy to the evaporator for heating, thereby improving the efficiency of solar energy utilization.

[0043] In addition, the concentrator can also be in other structural forms, such as wing type, bowl type or combination of the above, to reflect solar energy to the bottom or side of the evaporator over a larger area, so that the evaporator is heated fully and heated better.

[0044] In one embodiment, the evaporator 02 is coated with a solar heat-absorbing coating to better absorb solar energy reflected by the parabolic concentrator.

[0045] In one embodiment, the evaporator is further provided with several heat-absorbing plates around its periphery to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator.

[0046] Specifically, the plurality of heat-absorbing plates are horizontally arranged on both sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator;

[0047] Alternatively, the device may also include a concentrator to heat the seawater in the evaporator by reflecting solar energy. The concentrator's reflector is disposed on both sides of the evaporator, and the plurality of heat-absorbing plates are vertically disposed on the upper and / or lower sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator receiving the reflected light from the concentrator.

[0048] In one embodiment, the concentrator can also be a lens, which is positioned above the evaporator to heat the evaporator by focusing sunlight.

[0049] In one embodiment, a gas-liquid separator is also provided between the evaporator 02 and the compressor 05. The gas inlet end of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet end of the evaporator 02, and the gas outlet end is connected to the compressor 05. The liquid outlet end of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the evaporator 02, and the height of the gas-liquid separator from the ground is greater than the height of the evaporator 02 from the ground, so that the separated liquid can flow back into the evaporator by gravity.

[0050] In one embodiment, the seawater desalination device suitable for small islands also includes a concentrated brine tank 09, connected via a pipe to the lower part of the evaporator 02, for collecting the concentrated brine after evaporation. Timely removal of the distilled concentrated brine ensures efficient use of space within the evaporator, allowing the seawater desalination process to continue effectively.

[0051] In one embodiment, an anti-overflow control valve is also provided between the heat exchanger 03 and the fresh water tank 04 to control the fresh water flow rate, reduce or prevent uncondensed steam from directly entering the fresh water tank 04, and at the same time, reduce the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the volume of the heat exchanger and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0052] In one embodiment, the connecting pipes between the compressor 05 and the evaporator 02 and / or between the compressor 05 and the heat exchanger 03 are insulated with thermal insulation cotton. This reduces the loss of steam heat and improves heat utilization.

[0053] Specifically, the fresh water tank 04 and the concentrated brine tank 09 are each equipped with an outlet for taking out fresh water and concentrated brine respectively, making them convenient to use.

[0054] The seawater desalination device for small islands described in this application embodiment features a compressor installed on the connecting pipe between the evaporator and the heat exchanger. This compressor heats and pressurizes the steam in the evaporator before drawing it into the heat exchanger, improving heat exchange efficiency and accelerating the desalination process. The compressor is powered by solar photovoltaic panels, and the evaporator is heated by a concentrator reflecting solar energy, fully utilizing the relatively abundant solar energy on the island and further reducing the device's energy consumption. Specifically, the concentrator is a parabolic concentrator with a rotating support, allowing the direction of the reflector to be adjusted according to the sun's position, thus better receiving sunlight, ensuring sufficient heating of the evaporator, and ultimately guaranteeing desalination efficiency.

[0055] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the concept of the technical solution of the present invention, should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A seawater desalination device suitable for small islands, characterized in that, include: A water pump is used to extract seawater. An evaporator, connected to the water pump, is used to heat the pumped seawater to generate steam; A heat exchanger is installed on the connecting pipe between the water pump and the evaporator. The seawater pumped by the water pump flows through the heat exchanger and then enters the evaporator. The heat exchanger is also connected to the evaporator through a pipe to receive the steam generated by the evaporator and preheat the pumped seawater. A freshwater tank, connected to the heat exchanger via a pipe, is used to collect the freshwater condensed from the steam after it passes through the heat exchanger.

2. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is connected to the evaporator via a pipe at the downstream end where the seawater flows, and the heat exchanger is connected to the freshwater tank via a pipe at the upstream end where the seawater flows.

3. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is a partition wall type heat exchanger.

4. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a compressor, which is installed on the connecting pipeline between the heat exchanger and the evaporator. The input end of the compressor is connected to the evaporator through a pipeline, and the output end is connected to the heat exchanger through a pipeline. It is used to heat and pressurize the steam generated by the evaporator and then draw it into the heat exchanger.

5. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes solar photovoltaic panels for absorbing solar energy and converting it into electrical energy to power the compressor.

6. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a concentrator, which includes a reflector to heat the seawater inside the evaporator by reflecting solar energy.

7. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 6, characterized in that, The concentrator is a parabolic concentrator, located below the evaporator, and includes two parabolic reflectors. Each reflector is fixed by a bracket, which is a rotatable bracket used to adjust the direction of the reflector according to the position of the sun.

8. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporator is surrounded by several heat-absorbing plates to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator.

9. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plurality of heat-absorbing plates are horizontally arranged on both sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator. Alternatively, the device may further include a concentrator to heat the seawater in the evaporator by reflecting solar energy. The concentrator's reflector is disposed on both sides of the evaporator, and the plurality of heat-absorbing plates are vertically disposed on the upper and / or lower sides of the evaporator to increase the light-receiving area of ​​the evaporator receiving the reflected light from the concentrator.

10. The seawater desalination device suitable for small islands according to claim 4, characterized in that, A gas-liquid separator is also provided between the evaporator and the compressor. The gas inlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and the gas outlet is connected to the compressor. The liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the evaporator. The height of the gas-liquid separator above the ground is greater than the height of the evaporator above the ground, so that the separated liquid can flow back into the evaporator by gravity.

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