Distillation apparatus

Abstract

Distillation apparatus comprising an inlet vessel (1) with an attached riser pipe (3) for a liquid mixture to be purified, and a downpipe (6) connected to the riser pipe (3), which directs a distillate obtained from the liquid mixture into an outlet vessel (8), wherein both vessels (1, 8) are open to atmospheric pressure, and wherein a Torricelli vacuum is provided in the connection area (5) of both pipes (3, 6) for subatmospheric distillation, characterized in that the inlet vessel (1) is arranged at a greater vertical height (V) than the outlet vessel (8) and thereby directs liquid to the outlet vessel (8) by self-flow.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a destination device, in particular a water distillation device, with an inlet-side container with an attached riser pipe for a liquid mixture to be purified, and with a downpipe connected to the riser pipe, which directs a distillate obtained from the liquid mixture into an outlet-side container, wherein both containers are open to atmospheric air pressure, and wherein a Torricelli vacuum in the connection area of ​​both pipes provides for sub-atmospheric distillation.

[0002] Distillation devices, and in particular the present water distillation device, are typically used, for example, to desalinate seawater or to purify wastewater or process water from sewage treatment plants. This means that devices are generally used that are open, i.e., located outside of buildings, and typically serve to treat water and obtain distilled water from it.

[0003] The generic and starting point of the prior art according to US 2004 / 0055866 A1 relates to a system for distilling seawater or polluted water to produce fresh water as a distillate. Furthermore, the aim is to create a cost-effective device that can be directly powered by a natural energy source such as wind or wave power.

[0004] For this purpose, a subatmospheric distillation apparatus is described in which a low pressure, or Torricelli vacuum, is generated by a liquid column in a tank. The tank is closed at the top and open at the bottom towards the seawater. Furthermore, the tank has a vertical height greater than the height of a seawater column, which is supported by the atmospheric and liquid pressure exerted on the base of the column (typically 10 m), so that the Torricelli vacuum in question is created above the column.

[0005] To ensure a continuous flow of liquid at this point, a compressor pump is used. This pump draws steam from the Torricelli vacuum at the top of the tank and passes it through a heat exchanger. The steam, heated by the compressor, transfers thermal energy to the seawater in a distillation column, so that the liquid to be purified is first converted into steam and then condensed. The condensed steam, or distillate, is purified water, which is then directed to the outlet container and can be used for other purposes.

[0006] The prior art has generally proven its worth, but requires a considerable amount of energy to ensure continuous operation due to the compressor typically used at this location. Furthermore, in the known method, the compressor is driven by a wind turbine. This leads to problems, particularly in low wind or calm conditions. The invention aims to remedy these issues.

[0007] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a distillation device in such a way that energy consumption is reduced compared to previous methods and continuous operation is achieved, taking into account a still simple and cost-effective design.

[0008] To solve this technical problem, a distillation device of the generic type within the scope of the invention is currently characterized in that the inlet container is arranged at a greater vertical height than the outlet container and thereby directs liquid to the outlet container in a self-flowing manner.

[0009] According to the invention, and in departure from the known teaching of US 2004 / 055866 A1, the two containers, i.e., the inlet container and the outlet container, are expressly not arranged at the same height. Rather, the inlet container has a greater vertical height than the outlet container.

[0010] This results in the inlet tank generally being located at a level in the junction area between the riser and downpipes that corresponds to a water column of less than 10 m at an external atmospheric pressure of, for example, approximately 1 bar. In contrast, a water column of more than 10 m is observed in the downpipe. Consequently, a flow of liquid occurs in the junction area between the riser and downpipes due to communicating vessels, assuming that both pipes are constantly filled with liquid and the Torricelli vacuum is not present.

[0011] However, since the inlet-side container is generally equipped with an inlet valve and the outlet-side container with an outlet valve, such a liquid flow can be realized and implemented according to the invention without additional pumping action, even if it occurs in addition to subatmospheric distillation in the connection area.

[0012] For this process, the inlet valve from the inlet tank is first closed, and the riser pipe and downpipe are generally completely filled with purified or distilled water. This is achieved because the outlet valve to the outlet tank is also closed. A filling valve in the connection area may facilitate filling both pipes as well as the connection point.

[0013] When the drain valve is opened, the water column above 10 m in the downpipe flows into the outlet container, creating a Torricelli vacuum above this water column. The riser pipe, on the other hand, remains completely filled up to the connection point, allowing the water column present there (both in the riser and downpipe) to evaporate at subatmospheric pressure within the Torricelli vacuum, resulting in the described subatmospheric distillation. A natural heat source, such as ambient air temperature or sunlight, can be used as the heat source for this distillation. Alternatively, an additional heat collection device, such as a solar collector, can be employed.

[0014] Alternatively, distillation can also be carried out using an artificial heat source. All common heating systems can be used, such as oil heaters, electric heaters, etc. Of course, the artificial heat source in question can also be powered by natural energy sources such as a wind turbine.

[0015] In any case, the downpipe has a length of more than 10 m, whereas the riser pipe has a length of less than 10 m, resulting in the described conditions. If the heat source in question causes the liquid column in the riser pipe (and / or downpipe) to evaporate in the Torricelli vacuum there, the inlet valve can be opened, and the liquid mixture in the inlet container flows automatically into the riser pipe due to the atmospheric pressure acting on it.

[0016] In the Torricelli vacuum, the liquid mixture then evaporates using the heat supplied by the heat source, and after passing into the downpipe, condensation occurs at the top of the liquid column observed there. Consequently, while evaporative cooling is observed at the surface of the liquid column in the uppipe, condensation heat is present at the surface of the liquid column in the downpipe.Due to the different heights of the two containers, after opening the drain valve to the outlet container and the inlet valve to the riser pipe, the liquid flows via the riser pipe, the connecting section and the downpipe to the outlet container with intermediate distillation, so that only vapor passes from the riser pipe into the downpipe in the connecting section and consequently purified and especially even distilled water is available in the outlet container if the liquid mixture in the inlet container is a water mixture.

[0017] Additionally, a natural heat sink can be provided for the distillation of the evaporated liquid mixture, to which the previously mentioned heat of condensation is transferred. In this example, this natural heat sink could be the distillate in the downpipe, which absorbs the heat of condensation in question.

[0018] However, it is also possible that the previously mentioned heat source and heat sink are designed as components of a heat exchanger and / or a heat pump. Further distillation devices and their riser and return pipes can be connected to the heat exchanger or the heat pump implemented at this point. In addition, a pump is usually installed in the riser pipe or before the inlet tank to replace the outgoing distilled liquid mixture or to replenish it.

[0019] In principle, the pump can also be placed upstream of the inlet tank to ensure that the liquid level in the inlet tank remains constant, so that the pressure conditions are also essentially kept constant.

[0020] The liquid mixture to be purified can be, for example, salt water or process water from sewage treatment plants, or wastewater in general. The distillate obtained in this way can be used as fresh water or drinking water. Particularly energy-efficient operation is observed because the liquid flows by itself from the inlet tank to the outlet tank. Therefore, neither the compressor required by the prior art according to US 2004 / 055866 A1 nor a pump is needed to establish and maintain the flow of liquid from the inlet tank to the outlet tank via subatmospheric distillation.The optional pump for the liquid mixture to be cleaned, which is provided at this point, is expressly excluded here because, in the case of both salt water and process water to be cleaned, the liquid mixture to be cleaned can simply flow into the inlet container without a pumping process being necessary at this point.

[0021] The result is a particularly energy-efficient distillation device that is also simple in design and can be implemented practically anywhere. This is further enhanced by the fact that both the vessels and the pipes are generally made of steel, and especially stainless steel, enabling exceptionally durable operation. Furthermore, the explicit omission of rotating components, pumps, etc., allows for continuous and low-maintenance operation. In addition, natural resources are utilized, primarily for subatmospheric distillation, which explains the exceptionally low energy consumption. These are the key advantages.

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment. Fig. Figure 1 shows a distillation apparatus according to the invention. In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a distillation apparatus, specifically a water distillation apparatus, with the aid of which a liquid, in this case water, is purified in an inlet container 1. The liquid can be a liquid mixture, for example salt water, wastewater, process water, etc. Liquid mixtures other than water mixtures are also conceivable in this case. As a rule, however, the liquid mixture to be purified is designed to be a water mixture. The liquid mixture to be purified can flow into the inlet container 1 or can be pumped into the container 1, for which a pump (not shown) is used.

[0023] In addition to the inlet tank 1, a riser pipe 3 with an intermediate inlet valve 2 can be seen connected to the inlet tank 1. The inlet valve 2 can allow or prevent the flow of the liquid mixture located in the inlet tank 1 into the riser pipe 3.

[0024] The riser pipe 3 opens at its top into a filling valve 4 and is also connected via a connecting section 5 to a downpipe 6. The downpipe 6 conveys a distillate obtained from the liquid mixture into an outlet container 8. For this purpose, a drain valve 7 is provided between the downpipe 6 and the outlet container 8.

[0025] It can be seen that both containers 1 and 8 are open to atmospheric pressure. That is, both containers 8 are open at the top and have no lid, so that atmospheric pressure can exert its pressure on the liquid column in each container 1 and 8. In this example, the atmospheric pressure might be 1 bar, corresponding to a water column with a height H of 10 m, as found in the... Fig. Figure 1 is shown. In the connection area 5 of both tubes 3, 6, a Torricelli vacuum, which is created there and already described in the introduction, ensures subatmospheric distillation, as will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, according to the invention, the inlet-side container 1 is arranged at a greater vertical height V than the outlet-side container 8.

[0026] The relevant vertical height V at this point is in the Fig. 1 is entered and is measured between the surface of the water column of distillate in the outlet container 8 and the surface of the water column of the liquid mixture to be purified in the inlet container 1. That is, the surface of the liquid mixture to be purified in the inlet container 1 is located at height V from the surface of the water column of distillate in the outlet container 8.

[0027] The design is specifically implemented in the exemplary embodiment such that the downpipe 6 has a length of more than 10 m, whereas the riser pipe 3 has a length of less than 10 m. If both pipes 3 and 6 are completely filled with liquid and valves 2 and 7 are open, the communicating vessels would cause the atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid column in the inlet tank 1 to transfer the liquid via the riser pipe 3, the connecting section 5, and the downpipe 6 into the outlet tank 8, in accordance with the principle of communicating vessels.

[0028] According to the invention, an additional element is now included in the Fig. A heat source 9 is provided, which in this embodiment is a natural heat source 9, namely the sun. This heat source 9 is used to evaporate the liquid or liquid mixture located in the riser pipe 3. This process takes place in a low-pressure environment, specifically a Torricelli vacuum, particularly in the connection area 5 between the two pipes 3 and 6, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0029] The system operates as follows: First, the inlet valve 2 and the outlet valve 7 are closed, and purified or distilled water is fed into both the riser pipe 3 and the downpipe 6 via the vent valve 4. Then, the filling valve 4 is closed.

[0030] If the drain valve 7 is now opened, the liquid in the downpipe 6 empties into the outlet container 8 until the amount in the Fig. A liquid column with a height H of approximately 10 m (corresponding to 1 bar atmospheric pressure) is formed in the downpipe 6 as shown in the sketch. A vacuum, the Torricelli vacuum, is created above this liquid column of height H. The riser pipe 3 remains filled almost to the connection point 5.

[0031] The heat source 9 now evaporates the liquid in the riser pipe and also in the downpipe 6. This fills the connection area 5, and thus the Torricelli vacuum, with water vapor, resulting in subatmospheric distillation, because the water vapor comes into contact with the liquid column in the downpipe 6 and releases heat of condensation. Conversely, corresponding evaporative cooling is observed at a surface of the water column in the riser pipe 3.

[0032] To further enhance this effect, the evaporative cooling and condensation heat can also be utilized in a heat exchanger connecting both pipes 3 and 6. In principle, the evaporative cooling and condensation heat can also be used for a heat pump. Not shown is the further option of routing the riser pipe 3 at least partially through the downpipe 6 to ensure the respective heat transfer.

[0033] If, during ongoing subatmospheric distillation in connection area 5 after the drain valve 7, the previously closed inlet valve 2 is also opened, the liquid flows by itself from the inlet vessel 1 to the outlet vessel 8. The liquid mixture to be purified leaves the inlet vessel 1 via the inlet valve 2 and enters the riser pipe 3. In the riser pipe 3, or rather in connection area 5 to the downpipe 8, the liquid mixture to be purified is evaporated by the heat supplied by the heat source 9 and subsequently condenses again in the downpipe 6. Thus, in the Torricelli vacuum observed in connection area 5, the described subatmospheric distillation takes place, and due to the different vertical heights of the two vessels 1 and 8, the liquid flows by itself from the inlet vessel 1 to the outlet vessel 8.without additional pumps, suction devices, etc.

[0034] In this process, heat is continuously extracted from the environment or heat source 9, and heat is generated at the surface of the water column in the downpipe 6 through distillation, which is then released into the environment. Alternatively, heat source 9 can also be provided by the previously mentioned heat exchanger.

[0035] In this case, for example, the heat exchanger, with its tubes through which warm liquid flows, can surround the riser pipe 3, so that the desired evaporation of the liquid mixture to be cleaned occurs at this point. The heat exchanger can also absorb heat, at least partially, in the area of ​​the surface of the liquid column in the downpipe 6, where it is generated as heat of condensation. However, this is not shown in detail.

[0036] Also not shown is the further possibility of assigning a heat collection device, such as a solar collector, to the heat source 9, and specifically to the sun 9. In this case, the solar collector could absorb the heat emitted by the sun 9 and transfer it to the connection area 5, or to both the riser pipe 3 and the downpipe 6, in order to support the evaporation of the liquid mixture at this point. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2004 / 0055866 A1

[0003] US 2004 / 055866 A1 [0009, 0020]

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