Enhanced pond evaporation system and method of operation thereof

Abstract

An evaporating system for evaporating liquid in an evaporation pond is provided. The system includes a body having a bottom portion configured to be situated inside the liquid in the pond and an upper portion extending upward outside the liquid; at least one conveyor mounted on said body and including an evaporation surface, the conveyor is configured to move the evaporation surface along a rotary path extending between the bottom portion and the upper portion; wherein the evaporation surface includes a mesh having a plurality of pores each of which configured to entrap a droplet of liquid; and wherein the conveyor is configured to continuously rotate the evaporation surface along the rotary path, between the bottom portion in which pores entrap droplets of liquid from the evaporation pond and the upper portion such that the droplets evaporate when traveling along the rotary path.

Description

ENHANCED POND EVAPORATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATIONTHEREOFFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present system relates generally to an enhanced pond evaporation system, and more particularly to an enhanced pond evaporation system suitable for use in evaporation pond, and a method of operation thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional desalination technologies produce the same byproduct which is known as a concentrate or brine. The amount and concentration of output brine varies depending on the water source to be desalinated. In seawater desalination plants, the brine constitutes almost fifty six percent of the quantity of seawater (SW) that is pumped from the sea to the desalination plant. Thus, if one hundred gallons of SW is processed fifty-six gallons of brine and forty four gallons of fresh water would be output. In brackish water desalination plants, the brine constitutes between fifteen and thirty percent of the brackish water (BW) pumped to the desalination plant.

[0003] Without proper processing and discharge, the produced brine can have a negative environmental impact. Thus, brine output should be discharged to authorized sites for proper collection and post processing. Seawater brine can be returned to the sea, while brackish water brine can be pumped or otherwise transported over long distances to be discharged to evaporation ponds or injected into dedicated injection wells. Although the amount of discharged brine in the brackish water desalination plants is relatively small and of low concentration it is far more problematic than the brine discharge of saltwater desalination plants when using conventional processing techniques. This may be due to limited options for concentrate disposal in regions that often process brackish water, such as interior regions. Accordingly, disposal costs of discharge may amount to more than half of the cost of desalination in these regions.

[0004] High disposal costs are not the only variable that must be considered with conventional disposal. For example, although brine producers have several brine disposal methods available, these methods may damage the environment as well as cause damage to natural flora and fauna. Such methods may include surface water discharge into rivers, lakes, and / or reservoirs; landapplication and irrigation discharge unto fields and the like, deep well injection discharge into wells, sewer discharge into conventional sewer systems, dust control spray discharge to control dust; and de-icing agent discharge unto surfaces to control icing. The latter requires a high brine concentration.

[0005] Further, conventional pond evaporation methods such as sprays and the like tend to disturb the liquid within these pools inducing mixing of fluids and reducing temperature gradients within the pond. This can adversely affect efficiency and increase processing time and cost.

[0006] Accordingly, a more efficient and cost-effective reverse osmosis technology which offers a new solution to brine management challenges for industrial water such as provided by embodiments of the present system may be desired. In this manner embodiments of the present system may overcome these and other disadvantages of conventional desalination systems and methods of operation thereof. This may reduce the cost of entry at point of use (POU) providing greater access to water at lower cost for many. This may enhance living conditions and health for those in remote regions that may depend upon low-cost and easy access to clean water at a POU as provided by desalination methods operating in according to embodiments of the present system.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The system(s), device(s), method(s), arrangements(s), user interface(s), computer program(s), processes, etc. (hereinafter each of which will be referred to as system, unless the context indicates otherwise), described herein address problems in prior art systems.

[0008] There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention an evaporating system for evaporating liquid in an evaporation pond. The system includes a body having a bottom portion configured to be situated inside the liquid in the pond and an upper portion extending upward outside the liquid; at least one conveyor mounted on said body and including an evaporation surface, the conveyor is configured to move the evaporation surface along a rotary path extending between the bottom portion and the upper portion; wherein the evaporation surface includes a mesh having a plurality of pores each of which configured to entrap a droplet of liquid; and wherein the conveyor is configured to continuously rotate the evaporation surface along the rotary path, between the bottom portion in which pores entrap droplets of liquid from theevaporation pond and the upper portion such that the droplets evaporate when traveling along the rotary path.

[0009] The conveyor can include a first roller coupled to the upper portion and a second roller coupled to the bottom portion, wherein the evaporation surface is rotated by at least one of the first and second rollers along the rotary path.

[0010] The evaporating system can further include at least one sensor for detecting at least one of ambient humidity, ambient temperature, liquid temperature, and salinity of the liquid, and a controller configured to control speed of at least one of the first and second rollers in accordance with ambient data received from the at least one sensor.

[0011] The controller can be configured to determine the speed in accordance with rate of evaporation of the liquid based on the ambient data.

[0012] The evaporating system can further include a vessel coupled to the body and configured to provide buoyancy in the evaporation pond.

[0013] The evaporating system can further include wind wings configured to adjust orientation of the evaporation surfaces with respect to wind direction.

[0014] The first roller can include spacers configured to maintain space between the first roller and the evaporation surface.

[0015] The second roller can be positioned with respect to the water level of the liquid such that when a portion of the evaporation surface passes through the water level the portion is disengaged from the second roller.

[0016] The at least one conveyor can include a plurality of conveyors, and wherein the evaporating system further includes a drive system configured to operate the plurality of conveyors.

[0017] The evaporating system can further include at least one actuator coupled to the conveyor and configured to control the immersion depth of the second roller.

[0018] There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention an evaporation plant, including at least one evaporation pond holding therein liquid including minerals and at least one evaporation system including: a body having a bottom portion configured to be situated inside the liquid in the pond and an upper portion extending upward outside the liquid; at least one conveyor mounted on the body and including an evaporation surface, the conveyor is configured to move the evaporation surface along a rotary path extending between the bottom portion and the upper portion; wherein the evaporation surface includes a mesh having a plurality of pores each ofwhich configured to entrap a droplet of liquid; and wherein the conveyor is configured to continuously rotate the evaporation surface along the rotary path, between the bottom portion in which pores entrap droplets of liquid from the evaporation pond and the upper portion such that the droplets evaporate when traveling along the rotary path.

[0019] The evaporation pond can include an inlet valve configured to insert liquid into the pond and an outlet valve configured to allow liquid out of the pond. The evaporation plant includes a controller configured to control the inlet valve and the outlet valve in accordance with concentration level of the minerals in the liquid in the pond.

[0020] The evaporation pond can include a salt gradient solar pond (SGSP) and the liquid comprises brine.

[0021] The at least one evaporation pond can include a first pond and a second pond and wherein the controller is configured to actuate the inlet and outlet valves of the first and second ponds such that that concentration level of the liquid in the first pond is lower than concentration level of the liquid in the second pond.

[0022] The controller can be configured to halt operation of the conveyor when concentration level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0023] The evaporating system can include at least one sensor for detecting at least one of ambient humidity, ambient temperature, liquid temperature, and salinity of the liquid, and a controller configured to control speed of at least one of the first and second rollers in accordance with data received from the at least one sensor.

[0024] The evaporating system can include a vessel coupled to the body and configured to provide buoyancy in the evaporation pond.

[0025] The evaporating system can include wind wings configured to adjust orientation of the evaporation surfaces with respect to wind direction.

[0026] The first roller can include spacers configured to maintain space between the first roller and the evaporation surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view diagram of an evaporation system according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of an evaporation surface in accordance with an example of the present system.

[0029] FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a portion of the evaporation surface of FIG. 2.

[0030] FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of a portion of the evaporation system according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0031] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the evaporation system according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0032] FIGs 4A - 4D are detailed views of individual cells of the evaporation surface at discrete locations along their path of travel.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a desalination process in accordance with an example of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a schematic side view diagram of an evaporation system according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view of a single individual cell with a liquid droplet trapped therein in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0036] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a side view of the individual cell of FIG. 7.

[0037] FIG. 9 is an exploded front view of a portion of an evaporation surface in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0038] FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of a portion of the evaporation surface of FIG. 9.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a front view of a portion of an evaporation system in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the evaporation system of FIG. 11.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a side view of the evaporation system of FIG. 11.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a top view of the evaporation system of FIG. 11.

[0043] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the evaporation system of FIG. 11.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of the system taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 14.

[0045] FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of the system taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 14

[0046] FIG. 18 is an exploded side view of a portion of the evaporation system of FIG. 11.

[0047] FIG. 19 is an exploded side view of a portion of an evaporation system in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of an evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 21 is a front view of the evaporation system of FIG. 20.

[0050] FIG. 22 is a side view of a portion of an evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 23 A is an exploded side view of a portion of an evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 23B is a top view of an evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 23C is a top view of an evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 24 is a sectional side view of a portion of the evaporation system taken along lines 24-24 of FIG. 23A

[0055] FIG. 25 is a side view of a portion of a side rail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 26 is a side view of a portion of a side rail in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 27 is a sectional side view of a first roller in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 28 is a side view of the first end of the first roller of FIG. 27

[0059] FIG. 29 is a side view of the second end of the first roller of FIG. 27

[0060] FIG. 30 is a sectional side view of a first roller in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 31 is a sectional side view of a second roller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 32 is an exploded front view of the roller of FIG. 31.

[0063] FIG. 33 is a side view of the side support in accordance with an example of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 34 is an end view of the second roller of FIG. 31.

[0065] FIG. 35 is a top view of a portion of the side support coupled to the roller of FIG. 31.

[0066] FIG. 36A is a side view of a top portion of the evaporation system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 36B is a side view of a bottom portion of the evaporation system of FIG. 36A.

[0068] FIG. 37 is a schematic view of a multi-stage crystallization system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 38 is a schematic view of a Humidification Dehumidification Evaporator System (HDES) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] FIG. 39 is a schematic view of operational elements of the evaporation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, certain features of the invention will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art.

[0072] The following are descriptions of illustrative embodiments that when taken in conjunction with the following drawings will demonstrate the above noted features and advantages, as well as further ones. For the sake of clarity, the drawings are not made to scale. In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, illustrative details are set forth such as architecture, interfaces, techniques, element attributes, etc. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments that depart from these details would still be understood to be within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of known devices, circuits, tools, techniques, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present system. It should be expressly understood that the drawings are included for illustrative purposes and do not represent the entire scope of the present system. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numbers in different drawings may designate similar elements. The term and / or and formatives thereof should be understood to mean that only one or more of the recited elements may need to be suitably present (e.g., only one recited element is present, two of the recited elements may be present, etc., up to all of the recited elementsmay be present) in a system in accordance with the claims recitation and in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present system.

[0073] For the sake of clarity, cross-hatching may not be provided in some of the drawings such as in some of the cross-sectional views where it is believed that it would confuse the reader.

[0074] Embodiments of the present system may provide enhanced pond evaporation (EPE) devices, systems, and / or methods that may provide for brine handling and / or salt production. It should be understood that salt production may include salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, as well as other salts such as lithium salts, etc.

[0075] Embodiments of the present system may be integrated with existing brine generators, producers, and / or providers, and may provide an environmentally safe and economical means for processing discharged brine using evaporation ponds operating in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Concentrated brine (hereinafter concentrate) generated by embodiments of the present invention may then be discharged in an environmental manner to any suitable body such as an evaporation pond, the ocean, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the concentrate may be further processed yielding a concentrate slurry. Embodiments of the present system may provide features and advantages over conventional bine disposal methods such as those discussed above.

[0076] The evaporation system of the present invention can also be used in evaporation ponds in oil or gas industry sites to process and control the water that naturally surfaces during oil and gas extraction, also known as ‘production water’ . The production water may contain various minerals and hydrocarbons, some of which are possible carcinogens, or it may also contain radioactive debris. The evaporation system can further be used for processing flow back water by separating the water from a mixture of chemicals, clay, dissolved metal ions and other semi-solids.

[0077] Embodiments of the present invention may be employed for brine handling and / or salt production including, for example, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, lithium salts, etc. The lithium salts may be employed for medical purposes and / or battery production.

[0078] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a schematic side view of a portion of an evaporation system 100 (hereinafter system) in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 100 may include one or more conveyors 120 including an evaporation surface 150, a salt gradient solar pond (also known as ‘SGSP’) 190, a drive system 151, a controller 170, one or more sensors 172, oneor more actuators 176 and a memory. The system 100 may be employed during a crystallization process of a crystal such as a salt or lithium crystallization process. As used herein the term pond and pool may be interchangeably used.

[0079] The conveyors 120 may include one or more of first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, situated apart from each other and the evaporation surface 150. Although the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, are illustrated vertically inline relative to each other and normal to a surface of a liquid (e.g., the waterline (WL)) in the SGSP 190, the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, may be arranged in other orientations and / or angles such as at + / -70 degrees or other suitable value or range of values relative the waterline which is assumed to correspond with horizontal in the present embodiments due to gravitational forces. Accordingly, it will be assumed that directions upwards, downwards, etc., may be assumed to be relative to the waterline unless the context indicates otherwise. It is envisioned that the first roller 140 may rotate about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the second roller 142. However, it should be understood that the rollers 140 and 142 may be disposed in other orientations such as non-parallel. For example, with regard to non-parallel offset of RA, in some embodiments, the RA of the first and second rollers, respectfully, may be offset by up to 90 degrees (or another value or values) relative to each other, if desired. This may cause a twist in the evaporation surface 150. The first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, may form a roller pair about which at least a portion of the evaporation surface 150 may wrap.

[0080] The evaporation surface 150, which extends between the first and second rollers 140 and 142, forms an endless loop traveling along a rotary path. According to other examples, the conveyor 120 may include more than two rollers and the evaporation surface 150 may extend along a path between all the rollers. For example, the path may be in an L shape, including a third roller disposed at the corner of the L shape path.

[0081] The evaporation surface 150 may be formed from one or materials that may be superimposed upon, or otherwise coupled to, each other. In the present embodiments, it will be assumed that the evaporation surface 150 may be formed from at least a mesh or mesh-like material. For example, the mesh may be formed using a woven material, including pores arranged in any suitable pattern. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which is an illustration 200 of a detailed front view of a portion of the evaporation surface 150 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The evaporation surface 150 may be formed from any suitable material such as fiberglassweave including a plurality of pores, which are referred to hereinbelow as ‘individual cells’ (ICs) in which a liquid including a mineral such as saline water, lithium salt water, etc. may be trapped.

[0082] FIG. 3 A is an illustration of an enlarged detailed view of the evaporation surface 150 of FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Assuming the evaporation surface, 150 may define a mesh (e.g., a carrier) including a total of I rows and J columns of ICs, where I and J are integers, an ith and jth IC may be defined as IC(i, j), with an adjacent cell in the same row being IC((i+ 1 ), j) and an adjacent cell in the same column being IC(i, (j+ 1 )). Assuming that each of the ICs has a height Dh and a width Dw, it has been determined that a height Dh of 1- 1.6mm and a width Dw of 1-1.6 mm may provide for a sufficient IC area. However, other values are also envisioned for Dh and Dw. Although an IC with a square shape is illustrated, without limitation, ICs having other shapes and / or sizes are also envisioned, such as rectangular, polygonal, round, oval, etc. For the sake of clarity, IC(i, j) may be referred to as CELL-1, and IC((i+ 1 ), j) may be referred to as CELL-2.

[0083] It is noted that the shape and size of the pores (ICs), as well as the material of the walls of the pores, are such that liquid droplets are entrapped therein by the surface tension and are held for as long as possible along the rotary path until the respective portion of the evaporation surface reaches and optimal conditions for evaporating the droplet. In other words, when the air pressure is low enough and, exertion on the surface of the liquid allows the water molecules to break the vapor barrier. Hence, the pores (ICs) are configured to hold the droplets until the respective pores reach an area along the rotary path in which the ambient conditions allow evaporation of the droplets.

[0084] The evaporation surface 150 may formed from any suitable material or materials to which a liquid such as water may attach primarily due to surface tension, cohesive forces, partial pressures, etc. According to an example, the evaporation surface 150 may include a fiberglass weave, a screen, etc. The weave may include one or more strands forming the web and / or weft and may include one or more layers superimposed upon each other.

[0085] The evaporation surface 150 may include a polymer coating to enhance entrapment of a desired liquid. In yet other embodiments, evaporation surface 150, or portions thereof, may be formed from a hydrophilic material or may include one or more hydrophilic coatings and / or hydrophobic materials or coatings so as to enhance water entrapment in one or more areas or regions and prevent water from attaching to other areas or regions. Thus, for example, the mesh ofthe evaporation surface 150 may be formed from a hydrophilic material or coating to enhance cohesive forces when the individual cells of the mesh are immersed and contact the liquid in the SGSP 190, as will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

[0086] Other suitable coatings or materials for the evaporation surface 150 are also envisioned and may include, for example, a polymer sheet forming a loop with one or more openings that are suitable for trapping a liquid. These openings may be formed integrally with the sheet or may be cut to form openings suitable for retaining the liquid using any suitable method or methods, such as by die and / or laser cutting.

[0087] Referring back to FIG. 1 , a tensioner (not shown) may be provided to adjust the tension of the evaporation surface 150, rotating about the first and second rollers 140 and 142. This may enhance the coupling of the evaporation surface 150 to the first and second rollers 140 and 142, and / or reduce harmonics of the evaporation surface 150 (e.g., system vibration, wind forces, etc.). In some embodiments, the tensioner may adjust a distance between the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively. In yet other embodiments, the tensioner may include one or more rollers (e.g., such as a pulley or pulleys) or a guide (e.g., with a low-friction coating) which may apply a force against and / or displace a portion of the evaporation surface 150 so as to tension it as may be desired.

[0088] The drive system 151 may include a motor 174 configured to drive the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, directly or via a transmission. In the present embodiments, the motor 174 may include a hub-motor situated within a hub of one or more of the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, such as in the first roller 140 as shown. It is envisioned that transmission may include any suitable transmission and, in the present embodiments, may be assumed to be direct drive. However, any other suitable transmission(s) are also envisioned such as gear, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, belt driven, planetary, constant velocity (CV), etc. The transmission may include a ratio suitable for driving the evaporation surface 150 at a desired speed (e.g., a threshold or threshold speed), such as one revolution per minute (1 RPM).

[0089] The controller 170 may control the overall operation of the system and may include one or more logic devices such as microprocessors, logic gates, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or the like. It is further envisioned that the controller 170 may include a motor controller for controlling the speed (e.g., in revolutions-per-minute) of one or more motors of the system such as motor 174.

[0090] The sensors 172 may include, for example, one or more sensors such as ambient sensors, SGSP sensors, flow sensors, and valve status sensors, each of which may sense corresponding conditions, form corresponding information, and provide this information to the controller 170 for further processing. For example, ambient sensors may sense one or more ambient conditions such as air temperature, humidity, wind-speed and direction, pressure, and / or solar intensity (e.g., indicative of sunlight or other light)), form corresponding sensor information indicative of air temperature, humidity, wind-speed and direction, pressure, and / or solar intensity, respectively, and provide this sensor information to the controller 170 for further processing in accordance with embodiments of the present system. One or more of the sensors may be combined with another sensor or sensors. For example, salinity sensors may be employed to detect water levels based upon readings.

[0091] The sensors 172 may further include SGSP sensors for detecting temperature, water level (WL), and salinity level inside the SGSP 190. The water level sensor may include mechanical sensors, ultra-sonic sensors, optical sensors, pressure, and / or the like. For the sake of clarity, it will be assumed that salinity sensors may measure salinity and / or total dissolved solids unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0092] The sensors can include flow sensors for detecting flow into the SGSP 190. For example, the flow sensors may be mounted on input conduits IN-1 and IN-2, which may input brine and concentrate to the SGSP 190, or on outlets conduits OUT-1 and OUT-2, which may be used to drain water or other substances from the SGSP 190. The actuators 176 may include valves controlling the flow in or out of the SGSP 190, via IN-1 and IN-2 or OUT-1 and OUT-2, respectively.

[0093] The sensors 172 may include encoders or the like which may sense angular speed of one or more portions of the system such as one or more of the motors, the evaporation surface 150, and the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively. For example, the encoders may include an optical encoder or other optical sensor which may determine the speed and / or location of the evaporation surface 150, generate corresponding speed and / or location information, and provide this information to the controller 170. The controller 170 may then compare the determined speed with a threshold speed (e.g., obtained from a memory of the system or calculated for current operating parameters) and may control the motor 174 accordingly. For example, if the threshold speed is determined to be less than the determined speed, the controller 170 may be operative tocontrol motor 174 to speed up accordingly (e.g., to the threshold speed). If the threshold speed is determined to be greater than the determined speed, the controller 170 may be operative to control the motor 174 to slow down accordingly (e.g., to the threshold speed). The threshold speed may be determined in accordance with current sensed conditions such as ambient temperature, liquid temperature, wind speed, humidity, solar intensity, etc. Determining the threshold speeding accordance with the ambient conditions may be carried out by a lookup table or map of operating settings for sensed conditions. In other words, since the evaporation greatly depends on the humidity level, ambient temperature and / or atmospheric pressure, the speed of the conveyor is configured to allow the pores (ICs) sufficient time to reach the evaporation stage.

[0094] Furthermore, according to an example of the present invention, the evaporation system can be configured to halt the operation of the conveyor 120 when ambient conditions do not allow efficient evaporation. For example, if ambient conditions cause the evaporation surface 150 to absorb liquid from the air, the operation of the system under these conditions will increase the water level in the SGSP 190. This can happen for example, when the humidity level in the air is higher than the humidity around the evaporation surface 150 causing a negative humidity gradient. Such a negative humidity gradient will result in liquid condensation over the evaporation surface 150 and, consequently, an increase in the water level inside the SGSP 190. Hence, the controller can be configured to detect such conditions and halt the operation of the system. It would be appreciated, that the evaporation system can be configured to collect data on ambient conditions as well as water level inside the SGSP 190. The controller can be configured for self-learning of the ambient conditions in the location of the evaporation system, which causes condensation of liquid from the air and increase in water level inside the SGSP 190.

[0095] The SGSP 190 may be filled with a liquid, such as a brine solution, received at the input line (IN-2) under the control of the controller 170. This liquid may have an upper surface defined as the water level (WL) and may have a depth (dtot) as measured from the water level (WL) to a bottom of the SGSP 190 as illustrated. Although the SGSP 190 may have any desired depth (dtot) or depths, embodiments of the present system 100 are assumed to have a uniform depth (dtot) of about 16 inches. However, it should be understood that other depths and / or ranges of depths are also envisioned.

[0096] The SGSP 190 may be an evaporation pool or may be portable or substantially fixed in location. For example, in some embodiments, the SGSP 190 may be mobile (e.g., formed from afiber-reinforced polymer (e.g., fiberglass composite or the like), etc.) or may be fixed and may be formed from a lined (e.g., polymer lined) earthen levee or the like that may be compatible with minerals being employed in the corresponding SGSP 190.

[0097] It should be appreciated that according to some embodiments of the present invention, the system may be configured to maintain a calm liquid environment within the SGSP 190 such that salinity gradients (indicated in percent (%)), may increase with depth of the SGSP 190 and may be assumed to be equal to, or substantially equal to, about 0% (e.g., indicative of zero-salinity) within a zero-salinity region (ZSR) having a depth (dos) which may be measured as an absolute distance from the water level. By reducing or entirely preventing disturbances within the liquid within the SGSP 190, mixing of liquid of different salinity, such as low high salinity liquid, may be minimized or entirely prevented. This may maintain salinity gradients and temperature gradients each of which may increase with depth.

[0098] Accordingly, the ZSR region may be situated at the top of the SGSP 190 in an area that is between the waterlevel (WL) and dos, as shown. It should also be appreciated that by maintaining a calm liquid environment within the SGSP 190, a temperature gradient within the SGSP 190 may be established and may vary according to depth for example, increasing from about 20 to 80 deg C from the WL to the bottom, respectively, of the SGSP 190. Accordingly, according to some examples, heat energy such as qout may be extracted via a liquid flow from the output OUT-2 which may be situated close to the bottom of the SGSP 190. Total salinity within the SGSP 190 may be controlled by the controller 170 such that it may remain between.

[0099] The evaporation surface 150 may be fixedly or controllably immersed (or otherwise submerged) within the SGSP 190 such that its lowest level it is located within the ZSR. In other words, the conveyors 120 may be positioned such that the evaporation surface 150 is situated within the ZSR and does not extend past the dosduring operation. This may ensure that the evaporation surface 150 is wetted by a fluid within the ZSR which has zero, or substantially zero, salinity. This may further prevent mixing the fluid of zero, or substantially zero, salinity within the ZSR with fluid having higher salinity that may be located below the ZSR which may reduce efficiency of the system. Accordingly, the evaporation surface 150 may be fixedly or controllably positioned such that its bottom is immersed to an immersion depth (dim) within the liquid within the SGSP 190 as shown. Depending upon embodiments, this immersed depth (dim) may be at apredetermined distance below the WL or may be situated between, or at a predetermined location within the ZSR.

[0100] In accordance with embodiments of the present system, the system 100 can include a height adjusting mechanism configured to control the immersed depth (dim) by controlling a location or distance (e.g., height) of one or more of the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, relative to the WL or so as to raise or lower at least that portion of the evaporation surface 150 that is to be located at the immersed depth (dim) within the ZSR. The height adjusting mechanism may include any suitable system or systems to adjust the immersed depth (dim) such as: buoyancy tanks (e.g., adjusting buoyancy of pontoons supporting the conveyors 120); one or more actuators such as jacks or the like configured to physically control the height of one or more of the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively; or other suitable method or methods. Accordingly, the heightadjusting mechanism may be operative under the control of the controller 170.

[0101] In accordance with some embodiments, dim, may be determined to be within a threshold distance or range of distances (e.g., Yi inch, between Yi and 1 inch, etc.) of the WL or within a threshold distance or range within the ZSR (e.g., Yi of dos). It is envisioned that dim, may be selected or set by the user and / or system. For example, dim may be determined to be Yi of dosand may be measured from the WL (which may be used as a reference point). Accordingly, dim may be determined by the system using the following equation: dos>dim, where dosmay be represented as an absolute distance (e.g., positive) from the WL.

[0102] Salinity sensors of the sensors 172 may be located at various heights within the SGSP 190 to measure the WL and salinity at corresponding locations and provide corresponding salinity and WL information to the controller 170, which may then determine one or more of salinity, WL, dim, and / or dos. The salinity sensors may set at fixed locations within the SGSP 190 or may be randomly distributed.

[0103] The controller 170 may control the one or more actuators 176 to flow brine or low-salinity water in from IN-1 so as to raise the WL and / or increase dos. If the location of at least the second roller 142 is fixed relative to the SGSP 190, then dim may be placed within the ZSR by raising the WL and or by increasing the depth of the ZSR which may increase dos.

[0104] With regard to the jacks, it is envisioned that these jacks may employ any suitable actuators.It is envisioned that these actuators may include, for example, screws, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and / or magnetic actuators, etc. In some embodiments, a user or the controllermay control one or more of the actuators. In some embodiments, the jacks may include scissor- type jacks.

[0105] During operation, the controller 170 may be operative to control the motor 140 to rotate in any suitable direction such as the direction indicated by arrow 153 and, thus, advance the conveyor 120 about the first and second rollers, 140 and 142, respectively, in a general direction as indicated by adjacent arrows 155 and 157 depending upon which side of the first and second rollers, 140 and 142 the individual cells are on. Accordingly, the individual cells of the conveyor 120 may be wetting within the dosand thereafter emerge from liquid within the SGSP 190 and travel in the direction of arrow 155 towards the first roller 140. Thereafter, upon passing over the first roller 140, the direction of travel of the individual cells of the conveyor 120 may change and the individual cells may travel towards the second roller 142, and thus, the liquid within the SGSP 190 whereupon these individual cells may then be rewetted within the dosonce again as described above this cycle may repeat.

[0106] According to some examples of the present invention, the evaporation system can be configured to float over the liquid of the pond, such that the bottom portion thereof is immersed in the liquid while the upper portion extends out of the liquid. According to this example, the conveyor can be configured such that the second roller is disposed at a predetermined depth within the liquid regardless of the salinity level. According to this example, salinity level at the depth of the second roller can be controlled by controlling the water level in the pond, i.e., by controlling the input conduit IN-1 and IN-2 or the outlets conduits OUT-1 and OUT-2.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 3B, according to another example, the second roller 142 can be positioned in the liquid 52 such that when the evaporation surface 150 travels about the diameter of the second roller, the point at which the evaporation surface 150 exits the liquid (i.e. WL), the evaporation surface 150 no longer engages the second roller. In other words, when the evaporation surface 150 exits the liquid, droplets are entrapped inside the pores (ICs) by surface tension. Hence, at this location, it is preferable that the droplets do not engage any other surfaces, which may interfere with the surface tension exerted by the walls of the pores (ICs). Accordingly, assuming the second roller is a cylinder having an axis of rotation 49, the roller is positioned such that the axis of rotation is below the WL of the liquid 52. This way, at the WL, when the evaporation surface 150 exits the liquid, the inner surface of the evaporation surface 150 no longer touches the outer surface of the second roller and droplets can be freely entrapped inside the pores.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 3C, according to an example of the present invention, the evaporation system 300 can be configured to be immersed inside the pond at a fixed location. According to this example, the evaporation system 300 is not provided with floating devices, and the bottom rollers are generally disposed at a fix location with respect to the bottom of the pond. As described hereinabove, the evaporation system 300 can be configured to determine the depth of the second roller, for example, in accordance with the salinity level of the liquid in the pond. As shown in Fig. 3C, the evaporation system 300 can include support members 302 configured to hold the evaporation system 300 on the bottom floor of the pond. The support members 302 can be configured to provide space between the bottom floor of the pond and the bottom portion of the evaporation system 300. This way, if the bottom of the pond includes liners isolating the liquid from the ground of the pond, the support members 302 can be configured to avoid interaction between the bottom of the evaporation system 300 and the liners. The support members 302 can be made of a flexible material, such as tires etc., precluding damage to the liners.

[0109] Detailed views of the individual cells of the evaporation surface 150 at discrete locations along their path of travel (as illustrated by arrow 155) of the evaporation surface after emerging from the liquid contained in the SGSP 190 are shown in FIGs. 4A through 4D. In each of FIGs 4A through 4D, individual cells CELL-1 and CELL-2 of the evaporation surface 150 are illustrated at discrete locations along the path of travel each increasing in height (h) above the WL. Accordingly, FIGs. 4A through 4D, respectively illustrate CELL-1 and CELL-2 in discrete locations after they lifted and travel initially away from the liquid at the WL in time and may absorb thermal energy (e.g., heat, (Qin)) from the surroundings or other energy (e.g., kinetic energy (e.g., due to vibrations, etc.), solar, etc.) the total of which may be commonly referred to as heat (Qin) unless the context indicates otherwise. Assuming that the representative individual cells exit the liquid at the WL at time= tO, and heigh h0=0 (e.g., at the current WL), then, these individual cells may be assumed to be at the locations shown in FIGs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, at times t = tl, t2, t3, and t4, respectively, with respective heights h = hl, h2, h3, and h4. It is assumed that each of the individual cells may trap liquid when immersed in the liquid within the SGSP 190 prior to emerging at the WL. It should also be assumed that temperature of the liquid at the WL is cooler than the temperature of ambient air such that the wetted individual cells may absorb energy from their surroundings.

[0110] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 4A, at tl and hl, after emerging from the liquid in the SGSP 190, surface tension (e.g., due to various cohesive forces such as hydrogen bonding, surface tensionattraction, etc.) may form water droplets 454 in CELL-1 and CELL-2, as illustrated. These water droplets 454 have a film 456 at their periphery and include a plurality of gas bubbles encapsulated within. At the present point, the gas bubbles may be considered microscopic and may thereafter grow when they absorb heat (q;n) as discussed below.

[0111] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 4B, at t2 and h2, due to a difference of partial pressures within the liquid of the droplets 454 and the atmosphere, these gas bubbles may increase in size within the CELL-1 and CELL-2, as the liquid of the water droplets 454 absorbs heat (q;n) from the surroundings. This may be due to the differences of partial pressure in the water droplets 454 and the ambient air wherein the partial pressure of the liquid of in the water droplets 454 being greater than the partial pressure of the ambient air. This increase in size of the water droplets 454, may lead to a corresponding increase of the film 456 at the peripheral surface of the corresponding water droplet 454 to balance partial pressure within the water droplets 454 with that of the ambient air surrounding the corresponding water droplet 454. At this point, surface tension of the film 456 may maintain the integrity of the water droplet 454. Water bubbles 458 within the water droplets may start as microscopic bubbles and then grow when they absorb the heat (q;n) from the surroundings causing the corresponding water droplet 454 to grow.

[0112] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 4C, at t3 and h3, when the size of the water droplets (e.g., 454) increases sufficiently such that the surface tension of the film 456 no longer maintains integrity of the corresponding water droplet, it may rupture as shown, forming a ruptured water droplets 454’ as shown. At this time, portions of the ruptured water droplet 454’ may no longer adhere to the EL 150. Accordingly, surface wetting of the evaporation surface 150 may be reduced in whole or in part.

[0113] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 4D, at t4 and h4, surface tension within the liquid of the ruptured water droplet 454’ may act to form a plurality of free water droplets 454” that may travel independently or substantially independently of the evaporation surface 150. The surface area of the free water droplets 454” may in total be tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times greater than the surface area of the water droplet (454) from which they were emitted (c.f., 454, FIG 4B, and 454”, FIG. 4D). The surface tension of each of these free water droplets 454” may balance internal and external (e.g., ambient air) partial pressures. At least some of these free water droplets 454” may then dissipate within the ambient air being pulled by gravity (e.g., in the direction of arrow 159) or air currents and at least some of which may evaporate into the ambient air. A few remainingfree water droplets 454” and / or minerals such as salt from evaporated free water droplets 454” may fall back into the SGSP 190.

[0114] Thus, the evaporation surface 150 may be wetted with low salinity water raised from the WL where liquid adhered thereto may absorb thermal energy (Qin) from the surroundings, may form water droplets increasing surface area each time these water droplets are formed, and may thereafter rupture thus further increasing surface area to evaporate the liquid. By initially wetting the evaporation surface 150 with the liquid, the liquid may be transported to a sufficient height as it forms initial bubbles and absorbs heat. Then, when a sufficient height has been reached the initial bubbles may rupture into a plurality of microbubbles to increase surface area of the liquid many times after wetting. This increase of surface area may enhance evaporation while consuming little energy.

[0115] It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present system may be operative to maintain stability (e.g., calmness) in the liquid within the SGSP 190, this stability may maintain salinity as well as temperature gradients within the SGSP 190 such that lowest salinity and temperatures of the liquid may be at or near the surface of the liquid within the SGSP 190 (e.g., at the WL) and may increase with depth of the SGSP 190. This contrasts with conventional systems that employ sprayers or the like whose emittance disturbs at least upper layers of the ponds in which they are operating causing the mixing of upper and lower layers and resulting in degradation of salinity and temperature gradients.

[0116] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of desalination process 500, including the initializing step 501 in which ambient conditions may be determined. During step 503, the process may fill the SGSP to a desired depth such that the waterline (WL) is at a desired height. Accordingly, the process may control one or more actuators to open valves and / or pumps to pump one or more liquids, such as brine and / or concentrate, into the SGSP via one or more inlet flow channels to form a liquid solution with a desired concentration of minerals (e.g., salt, lithium, etc.).

[0117] During step 505, the process may acquire sensor information from one or more sensors of the system such as salinity sensors, depth sensors, temperature sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, and / or valve status (e.g., open, closed, etc.). In some embodiments, the process may acquire salinity information from one or more sensors of the system. The sensor information may further include flow information for one or more flow paths of the system coupled to the SGSP such as: IN-1, IN-2, OUT-1 and / or OUT-2.

[0118] During step 507, the process may adjust the water level of the SGSP. During this act the process may adjust depth and / or mineral concentration (e.g., salinity) of the SGSP. Accordingly, the process may compare the acquired sensor information with one or more corresponding threshold values such as a depth threshold value and control the system based upon results of the comparison. For example, if the depth sensor information is determined to be less than a threshold depth, the process may open an inlet valve (IN-1 and IN-2 depending upon determined upon system settings, etc.) and / or activate a pump to pump a desired liquid such as brine or concentrate into the SGSP. If the depth sensor information is determined to be equal to than the threshold depth (e.g., indicative of the SGSP being at the WL), the process may close the inlet valve and / or deactivate the pump that pumps the desired fluid. And if the depth sensor information is determined to be greater than the threshold depth (e.g., indicative of the SGSP being above the WL), the process may open one or more outlet valves (e.g., OUT-1 and OUT-2) and operate one or more pumps to remove liquid from the SGSP via, for example, the outlets OUT-1 and OUT-2 based upon system settings and / or acquired salinity information. For example, if the salinity is determined to be greater than a threshold salinity, the process may open OUT-2 to output concentrate (which may be high in thermal energy and mineral content such as salt thus reducing mineral content of the SGSP) to another SGSP or system for further processing. If the salinity is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold salinity, the process may open OUT-1 to output brine (e.g., at 40,000 ppm) to another SGSP or system such as a brine concentrator and recovery system operating in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Fluid levels within the SGSP may increase due to several factors such as filling, rain, condensation, etc. The system may optionally close inlet valves (e.g., IN-1 and IN-2) and / associated pumps when the output valves (e.g., OUT-1 and OUT-2) are open. However, in yet other embodiments, both the inlet and outlet valves may be opened at the same time in accordance with system settings.

[0119] In some embodiments, the process may compare the acquired salinity information with one or more salinity threshold values or ranges of values. Accordingly, if the salinity information is determined to be less than the threshold salinity value (e.g., indicative of low salinity), the process may control on or more input pumps and / or valves to pump higher salinity liquid such as concentrate (e.g., see IN-2, FIG. 1) into the SGSP. However, if the salinity information is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold salinity value (e.g., indicative of high salinity), the process may control one or more input pumps and / or valves to pump lower salinityliquid such as brine (e.g., see IN-1, FIG. 1) into the SGSP. In some embodiments, the process may pump liquid of a desired salinity out of the SGSP via one or more outlet valves (e.g., see OUT-1 and OUT-2) into another SGSP or desired system for further processing. For example, the process may pump low salinity liquid out via the OUT-1 flow path if desired.

[0120] After completing step 507, the process may continue to act 509 where it may set the immersed depth (dim). In accordance with embodiments of the present system, it is assumed that the WL and ZSR have been substantially set, accordingly, the immersed depth (dim) may be controlled by the height adjusting mechanism and may be situated within the ZSW to control the immersed depth (dim). Accordingly, by controlling a location or distance (e.g., height) of one or more of the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, relative to the WL or the or so as to raise or lower at least that portion of the evaporation surface 150 that is to be located at the immersed depth (dim) within the ZSR.

[0121] In step 511, the process may be operative to drive the evaporation surface 150 to continually immerse portions of the mesh in the liquid of the SGSP at a desired speed such as a threshold speed. The threshold speed may be obtained using a lookup method from a map in accordance with sensor information, such as ambient information (e.g., information related to one or more of: ambient temperature, ambient humidity, ambient density, wind speed, solar intensity, etc.) and / or SGSP information (e.g., information related to one or more of: WL, liquid temperature, salinity, etc.).

[0122] In some embodiments, the system may set the threshold speed in accordance with a current rate of evaporation. The speed of the evaporation surface 150 may be adjusted in accordance with changes in the rate of evaporation. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the rate-of- evaporation may be obtained over a threshold time period as may be set by the system and / or user (e.g., 5 minutes). The rate-of-evaporation can be determined in accordance with changes in the water level inside the SGSP 190. the WL.

[0123] In some embodiments, the system may employ artificial intelligence (Al) methods to determine a threshold speed for the current sensed conditions and may store this information in a memory of the system for later use. The system may then learn new speeds for the evaporation surface and / or corresponding sensor information (e.g., ambient temperature, ambient humidity, solar intensity, windspeed, fluid temperature, salinity, etc.) and store this information in the memory of the system for later use. Thus, the stored data may include various threshold speeds forvarious system information such as sensor information and / or determined settings such as rate-of- evaporation, etc. In some embodiments, the speed data may vary based on the type of use of the system. For example, systems that are intended for crystallization may differ from systems that may be intended for brine processing and / or condensate generation.

[0124] After completing step 511, the process may continue to step 513 where the process may trap liquid contained within the SGSP in corresponding ICs of the mesh as the mesh of the evaporation surface is advanced along a rotary path-of-travel. During step 515, the process may raise the liquid trapped in the ICs such that the liquid trapped within the ICs when raised above the WL is exposed to air of the ambient environment and forms corresponding liquid droplets (e.g., water droplets in the present embodiments) at each of the ICs. These liquid droplets may be initially trapped by the walls of the IC within each IC until rupturing as will be discussed below. Formation of these liquid droplets is aided at least in part by surface tension of a peripheral film and is discussed above in further detail with reference to FIG. 4A. For example, forces such as surface tension at the periphery of each droplet, such as at the peripheral film, may aid in the formation, shape and / or size of each liquid droplet. The peripheral film may encapsulate each liquid droplet and bubbles within the corresponding liquid droplet. These bubbles may initially be assumed to be microscopic and may increase in size when heat is added thereto. Initially when raised from the liquid within the SGSP, partial pressures within the liquid droplets may adjust to that of the partial pressure of the surrounding air so as to be balanced. Surface tension along a film on the exterior periphery of the corresponding bubbles may initially maintain the bubbles' shape and keep these bubbles from rupturing. However, the liquid droplets may increase in size to accommodate the gas bubbles as they grow.

[0125] After completing step 515, the process may continue to step 517 where heat (qin) from the ambient environment may be absorbed by the trapped liquid droplets in the ICs along their path of travel. Accordingly, the bubbles trapped within the trapped liquid droplets within the ICs may absorb this heat (qin) and grow in size due to a difference in partial pressure within these liquid droplets and the atmosphere. This may cause the corresponding liquid droplets to grow in size as the bubbles trapped within also grow in size as they absorb the heat (qin). This increase in size of the water droplets, may lead to a corresponding increase of a film at the peripheral surface of the corresponding water droplets such to balance partial pressure within the corresponding water droplets with that of the ambient air surrounding the corresponding water droplets. At this point,surface tension of the film may maintain integrity of the water droplets as they are trapped within their respective ICs. This process may be discussed further with reference to FIG. 4B and the corresponding text. Referring back to FIGs 1 and 5, the amount of heat (qin) absorbed by trapped liquid droplets in the ICs along their path of travel may be varied by adjusting the speed of the EL. For example, by increasing the speed of the evaporation surface, the amount of heat (qin) absorbed by trapped liquid droplets in the ICs along the path of travel may be decreased. This may lengthen the distance along the rotary path of travel that the liquid droplets trapped within the ICs may travel before they burst. For example, FIG. 6 is an illustration of a schematic side view of a portion of an evaporation system 600 (hereinafter system) in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 600 may be similar to the system 100 with the evaporation surface 150 running at a slower speed than it does in FIG. 1 (c.f., FIGs. 1 and 6). Accordingly, heights hl, h2, h3, and h4 may be displaced further along the path of travel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which the El is assumed to be traveling slower.

[0126] During step 521, the trapped liquid droplets may rupture and continue forming free liquid droplets. More particularly, when the size of the liquid droplets discussed above increase sufficiently such that the surface tension of the film can no longer maintain integrity of the corresponding liquid droplet, it may rupture and form a plurality (e.g., hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands, etc.) of free liquid droplets the total of which may have a total surface volume many times greater (e.g., hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands, etc.) than the surface volume of the trapped water droplet from which they came. Each of these free liquid droplets may be constrained in shape and / or size by a film at the peripheral surface of the corresponding free liquid droplets such to balance partial pressure within the corresponding free liquid droplets with that of the ambient air surrounding the corresponding free liquid droplets surface. This may aid evaporation, during which the free liquid droplets may fall towards the WL as illustrated by free liquid droplets 454” that may fall to one or more sides of the evaporation surface 150. Accordingly, by adjusting the speed of the evaporation surface as discussed above, a location at which the trapped water droplets may rupture and form free water droplets (e.g., h3, and h4, respectively, FIGs. 1 and 6) should be located at a threshold distance from the WL such that the free water droplets may evaporate fully or partially as they drop towards the liquid in the SGSP.

[0127] Any suitable sensor or sensors, such as an ultrasound sensor, an optical sensor, and / or the like, may be situated along a path of the evaporation surface to sense conditions at or adjacent tothe ICs of the evaporation surface and provide corresponding sensor information to the controller of the system to determine conditions at or adjacent to the evaporation surface. Using this information, the controller may determine whether the liquid trapped within the ICs is still there or has ruptured and / or is evaporating. Accordingly, the controller may determine a height along a path of the evaporation surface that the trapped liquid droplets rupture and may adjust the speed of the evaporation surface accordingly such that this height is at a desired distance above the WL. If not rupture or evaporation is detected, the controller may further slow down the evaporation surface so that more heat may be absorbed by the captured liquid droplets within the ICs of the evaporation surface along the path of travel.

[0128] With regard to the optical sensor, this sensor may include an infrared (IR) sensor that may detect temperatures within an area of interest such as the evaporation surface to determine cooler areas which may be determined to be areas of evaporation. For example, when the free liquid droplets evaporate, they may absorb surrounding heat, thus cooling the ambient air nearby which cooling may be captured using an IR sensor such as an IR image capture device. Corresponding IR sensor information may be formed and provided to the controller which may determine locations at which the captured liquid droplets are rupturing and / or evaporating. This may be done for one or more of the evaporation surfaces.

[0129] With regard to ultrasound sensors, these sensors may detect whether the ICs include trapped liquid and / or may detect droplet cloud indicative of a cloud of free liquid droplets, form corresponding sensor information and provide this information to the controller for further processing.

[0130] Further information regarding the rupture and formation of the free liquid droplets of the current step (e.g., is discussed with reference to FIGs. 1, 4C, 4D, and 6 and the corresponding text. After completing step 521, the process may continue to act 523, where it may end. According to an example, in case salt is formed on the evaporation surface 150 during the evaporation of the droplets, the system can be configured to remove the salt crystals when the respective portion of the evaporation surface 150 is immersed back in the liquid in the SGSP. For example, the liquid inside the SGSP can be maintained with the required salinity level and / or temperature of the liquid such that the salt accumulated on the evaporation surface 150 can be dissolved when traveling inside the SGSP. It is appreciated that when salt can no longer be properly dissolved by the liquid in the SGSP, the ability of pores on the evaporation surface 150 to entrap droplets is reduced andthe efficiency of the system is reduced accordingly. According to another example, the system may include vibrating member configured to shake the evaporation surface 150 when traveling inside the SGSP facilitating thereby removal of salt crystals from the pores on the evaporation surface 150. Alternatively, the evaporation system can include an ultrasound device which is configured to transmit ultrasound waves on the salt crystal. The ultrasound can be at a frequency and power that is configured to break or weaken salt crystals.

[0131] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a front view of a single IC 758 with a liquid droplet 754 trapped therein in accordance with embodiments of the present system. FIG. 8 is an illustration of a side view of the IC 758 with the liquid droplet 754 trapped therein in accordance with embodiments of the present system. With reference to FIGs. 7 and 8, the IC 758 may be a part of an evaporation surface 750 that may be similar to the evaporation surface 150 of FIG. 1. The IC 758 may include at least one inner wall 759 which may contain at least a portion of the liquid droplet 755 that may be trapped within the IC 758. Only a portion of the evaporation surface 750 is shown and surrounding ICs may not be shown in detail for the sake of clarity. It is noted that the IC can include a pores opened from two sides or alternatively, can include a cavity opened only from one side of the evaporation surface 150.

[0132] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exploded front view of a portion of an evaporation surface 950 including a mesh 963 and a support substrate 965 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exploded side view of a portion of the evaporation surface 950 including the mesh 963 and the support substrate 965 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. With reference to FIGs. 9 and 10, portions of the evaporation surface 950 prior to forming a loop having an opening configured to receive the first and second rollers are shown.

[0133] The evaporation surface 950 may have opposed ends 969 and sides 967 and may be coupled to an optional support substrate 965 for support. The evaporation surface 950 may be coupled to the optional support substrate 965 using any suitable fastener(s)or fastening method(s). For example, in some embodiments, the mesh may be stitched or bonded using an adhesive to the support substrate 965.

[0134] The mesh 963 may be formed from any suitable material or materials and may include one or more layers which may be superimposed and coupled to each other. In some embodiments, it is envisioned that the mesh may include a plurality of similar meshes superimposed upon, andcoupled to, each other. Multiple superimposed meshes may enhance forces, such as capillary action and the like, between the mesh and a liquid to be trapped in ICs of the mesh or meshes. To

[0135] In some embodiments, the support substrate 965 may be shaped and sized similarly to the mesh 963 and may be configured to support the mesh 963 to reduce, or entirely prevent, deformation of the mesh 963 during use. The support substrate 965 may include a body having one more openings, such as openings 971, configured to provide for the passage of air and liquid therethrough. The support substrate 965 may include opposed ends 975 that may or may not align with the opposed ends 969 of the mesh 963, and / or one or drive couplers configured to engage corresponding drive couplers on one or more of the first or second rollers. In some embodiments, friction may be employed to engage the drive couplers. However, it is also envisioned that the drive couplers may include indexers such as teeth, cogs, openings, and / or the like which may engage each other so as to engage, and / or align, the drive couplers with each other to prevent slippage and / or misalignment. For example, it is envisioned that the drive coupler may include openings 973 in the substrate 975 that may engage the corresponding teeth of one or more of the first or second rollers. These teeth may be mounted to a sprocket of on one or more of the first and second rollers.

[0136] In some embodiments, it is envisioned that the support substrate may include one or more belts (or bands) such as toothed belts that may engage teeth or cogs on one or more of the first or second rollers. In yet other embodiments the support substate may include one or more v-ribbed belts that may engage corresponding ribs on one or more of the first and second pulleys. If more than one v-ribbed belt is employed, these belts may be situated in parallel to each other and / or may be coupled to the mesh 963 using any suitable fastener(s) such as, as stitching, staples, adhesives, rivets, screws, snaps, pins, rivets, clips, buttons, etc.

[0137] A loop coupler comprising any suitable fastener(s) or fastening method(s) may couple portions of the opposed ends 975 of the support substrate 965 together such as to form at least a portion of the loop having an opening configured to receive one or more of the first and second rollers during use. It is envisioned that the loop coupler may also couple portions of the opposed ends 969 of the mesh 963 together such as to form at least a portion of a loop having an opening through which one or more of the first and second rollers may be situated during use. In some embodiments, portions of the opposed ends 975 of the support substrate 965 may include loopsforming knuckles configured to interlock with each other when one or more pins are inserted through the openings.

[0138] In some embodiments, the opposed ends (e.g., 969 to 969 and / or 975 to 975) may be coupled any suitable joint such as an overlapping or lap joint, a but joint, etc. and secured with one or more fasteners. For example, in order to form an evaporation surface 150 formed as an endless loop two edges of the evaporation surface 150 are coupled to one another. Since the evaporation surface 150 includes pores the two opposed ends 969 are preferably aligned with respect to one another such that pores on one end 969 are aligned with pores on the opposing end 969, allowing thereby droplets to be effectively entrapped even on the overlapping section of the evaporation surface 150.

[0139] Without limitation, suitable fasteners may include stitching, adhesives, rivets, staples, magnets, buttons, bonds, pins, rods, etc. which may be compatible with the joints and / or materials employed. However, in some embodiments, it is envisioned that the loop coupler may be formed integrally with one or more of the support substrate 965 and / or mesh 963. In some embodiments, the loop coupler may employ joints such as a lap joint, but joint, etc. In some embodiments, the loop coupler may include a loop type joint that may employ a pin-type coupler. It is further envisioned that thermal fastening may be employed in some embodiments to couple the opposed ends of the mesh and / or substrate to the opposing end. It is also envisioned that thermal fastening may be employed to couple the mesh 963 to the support substrate 965.

[0140] One or more portions of the evaporation surface 150 such as the mesh 963 and / or the support substrate 965 may be formed from one or more suitable materials that may be the same as or different from each other. The mesh 963 may be formed from a suitable polymer (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, etc.), glass fiber (e.g., fiberglass, etc.), aramid, Kevlar, metal (e.g., stainless steel, etc.) etc., and / or other suitable materials, that may be formed into a woven or non-woven mesh. However, for the sake of clarity, it will be assumed that the mesh may include a woven mesh and the support substrate 965 may be formed from one or more polypropylene sheets which may optionally include reinforcement fibers such as fiberglass, rayon, nylon, aramid, etc., which may be formed integrally with or coupled thereto. The reinforcement fibers may be configured to prevent or reduce stretching and / or deformation during use. The evaporation surface 150 may be flexible such that it may flex sufficiently during use without undue binding.

[0141] One or more coatings upon the mesh 963 may be provided to modify or otherwise enhance (cohesion, capillary action, etc.) if desired. For example, the coating can be polymer coating with UV resistance or resistance for other chemicals in the pond. The coating can further be configured to enhance solar heat absorbance, accelerating the evaporation of the droplets. On the other hand, the coating may also be configured to preclude or facilitate the removal of salt crystals formed during evaporation of the droplets.

[0142] FIGs. 11 through 15, show an evaporation system 1100. The system 1100 may include one or more evaporation modules, such as modules 101-1 through 101-N (generally 101-x, where N is an integer and is equal to four in the present embodiments) each of which may be supported or otherwise buoyed by a vessel 160 such as a buoy or the like as will be discussed below. A controller may control the overall operation of the system 1100 and may receive sensor information from one or more sensors of the system 1100 and may control the system in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0143] Without limitation, each of the evaporation modules 101-x may be the same as, or similar to, each other. Accordingly, only a single module 101-1 of the modules 101-x will be discussed for the sake of clarity unless the context indicates otherwise. However, it should be understood that this does not exclude one or more of the modules 101-x from being different from each other if desired.

[0144] Each of the evaporation modules includes one or more conveyors 120 arranged in a configuration such as parallel, or substantially parallel, to each other and positioned by a body 102.

[0145] In accordance with embodiments of the present system, the body 102 may include a lower portion 105 and an upper portion 107 coupled together via one or more support posts 104. The upper portion 107 may include one or more of side rails 106 and end rails 112. Similarly, the lower portion 105 may include one or more of side rails 128 and end rails 129. In some embodiments, one or more cross members may be provided and may be coupled to opposed side and / or end rails of the upper portion 107 and / or the lower portion 105. One or more portions of body 102 such as the end rails 112 may include one or more openings such as openings 132 configured to receive a drive shaft and / or a drive belt such as the drive belt 126. In some embodiments, the openings may be configured to receive one or more bearings.

[0146] The body 102 may have at least one wall defining at least a portion of a cavity 117, and a plurality of openings such as end openings 116, side openings, and top and bottom openingsleading to the cavity 117. The openings 116 may be configured to ensure that airflow may pass through the cavity 117 and / or through a major surface of an evaporation surface 150. This airflow may be referred to as an evaporation flow for the sake of clarity and may assume various flow intensities and / or directions. The evaporation flow may be convective, conductive, and / or driven by one or more fans as may be desired. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the present system may be operative with little to no airflow around the system and may operate sufficiently by absorbing ambient heat such as q;n. Further discussion regarding the use of airflow in the evaporation system can be found hereinbelow with respect to Figs. 23A-23C.

[0147] The evaporation surface 150 may include a mesh 163 or the like which may form a loop having an opening through which one or more rollers, such as first and second rollers, may be situated. It is envisioned that the first and second rollers may include one or more drums, rollers, pulleys, sprockets, and / or the like (hereinafter each of which may be commonly referred to as a roller for the sake of clarity unless the context indicates otherwise), one or more of which may drive the mesh 163 such that portions of the mesh 163 may pass through liquid, such as a brine solution, situated at a water line (WL) and extending below the WL. To enhance liquid retention, a portion of the mesh 163 may be formed from, or include a coating of, a hydrophilic material(s) to enhance the adhesion of the liquid to the mesh 163.

[0148] A drive system 151 may include a motor 174 which may be configured to drive one or more of the drums via a transmission 121. The transmission 121 may be of any suitable type such as hydraulic, chain driven, gear drive, belt driven, constant velocity (CV), automatic, centrifugal clutch, etc. In some embodiments, transmission 121 may include one or more clutches which may be activated, or deactivated, by the controller of the system. It is also envisioned that the transmission 121 may be underdriven, overdriven, and / or direct drive. In some embodiments, it is envisioned that the transmission 121 may include a right or ninety-degree output or outputs to redirect a path of a shaft driven by the transmission 121 such as by 90 degrees, etc.

[0149] A coupler 130 may be configured to couple the motor 174, portions of the transmission 121, and the controller to one or more portions of the system 1100 such as the upper portion 107 of the body 102.

[0150] In the present embodiments, it will be assumed that the transmission 121 may be of a belt drive type which may include one or more pulleys 124 coupled to a drive shaft 122 of the motor 174 and which may drive one or more corresponding drive belts 126 coupled to the one or morepulleys which are coupled to corresponding ones of the one or more first rollers. The mesh 163 of the corresponding evaporation surface 150 may then be driven by a corresponding one of the first rollers 140 in a desired direction, such as in a direction illustrated by arrows 111, towards or away from the liquid at the WL as shown (c.f., FIGs. 11 and 12).

[0151] The vessel 160 may be configured to support or otherwise buoy the evaporation modules 101-x at a desired height and / or orientation relative to the liquid in which it is configured to float. The height of the evaporation modules s 101-x can be such that a portion of the mesh 163 of a passes through the liquid at the WL and traps liquid. Accordingly, the vessel 160 may include a frame having one or more cross members 168 configured to couple to one or more evaporation modules 101-x and to one or more buoyant portions such as pontoons 161 located between and at opposed sides 164 of the vessel 160. The vessel 160 may include a bottom opening 145 through which portions of the evaporation surfaces 150 may pass and the mesh 163 is immersed in the liquid.

[0152] Although two pontoons 161 are shown, other numbers of pontoons may be provided and may be situated about, or within, the vessel 160 so as to provide a desired buoyancy and stability to the vessel 160. For example, in some embodiments, pontoons may be provided at the ends and / or at the sides of the vessel 160. Thus, it is envisioned that the pontoons may be singular or distributed throughout the vessel 160. For example, in some embodiments, the pontoons may include discrete buoyant barrels distributed throughout the vessel. However, in the current embodiments, the pontoons 161 are continuous pontoons 161 having a length that extends between ends opposed 166 and may be situated at the opposed sides 164 of the vessel 160. In yet other embodiments, the pontoons 161 may be located at the ends of the vessel 160. Cross members may be coupled to the pontoons and may be configured to support at least the evaporation surface s 150 and / or the EMs 101-x.

[0153] It is envisioned that the pontons 161 be formed from any suitable material such as a plastic, a polymer, a metal (e.g., stainless steel, etc.), a glass, a composite (e.g., carbon, aramid, and glass fiber), etc. In some embodiments, the pontoons 161, or portions thereof, may be substantially rigid or may be flexible and may be inflatable.

[0154] A ballast system may be provided to control the trim and stability of the vessel 160 during use and may be configured to store and / or transfer ballast (e.g., liquid or solid ballast) to adjust the trim, stability, buoyancy and / or an orientation of the vessel 160 relative to the liquid in which isfloats. For example, in some embodiments, the ballast system may pump ballast (e.g., water, etc.) from a ballast tank, or between ballast tanks, to one or more selected ballast tanks to adjust the depth and / or orientation of the vessel 160 and, thus, system 1100. The ballast tanks may be singular or distributed throughout the vessel 160. In some embodiments, the pontoons 161 may include one or more of the ballast tanks. In yet other embodiments, the vessel 160 may include separate ballast tanks which may be singular or distributed throughout the vessel 160. Bulkheads may be provided within the pontoons 160 to seal portions of interior cavities within the pontoons 160 from each other.

[0155] In some embodiments, the vessel 160 may include a single hull with at least one opening through which portions of the evaporation surface 150 may pass and be immersed within the liquid below the WL.

[0156] In some embodiments, solar panels may be provided and coupled to one or more portions of the system 1100 for generating power which may be used by the system. A storage system, such as batteries, capacitors, etc. may be provided to store any excess power. In yet other embodiments, is envisioned that thermo-electric (TE) couplers may be provided to generate power. In yet other embodiments, a wind-power generator may be provided to generate power. Thus, the system may obtain mains power or generate power for operation as may be desired.

[0157] In some embodiments, the vessel 160 may include a coupler which may maintain at least a position and / or orientation of the vessel 160 relative to the body of liquid in which it floats. For example, when the evaporation system is configured to freely float in the evaporation pond, couplers such as cables, can be used to restrain the movement of the evaporation system.

[0158] In some embodiments, the vessel 160 may include a propulsion system including at least one propeller or thruster which may be configured to provide thrust to control position and / or orientation of the vessel 160 under the control of the controller of the system. Accordingly, a location system may be provided to determine position and / or orientation of the vessel 160 using any suitable method or methods such as a compass, triangulation (e.g., relative to one or more antennas, etc.), a global positioning system (GPS), etc. and generate corresponding location information. The generated location information may be provided to the controller of the system for further processing and the controller may then control the propulsion system accordingly. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desired to orientate portions of the system 1100 in a desired orientation to the sun during the day to maximize solar gain.

[0159] Although substantially cylindrical pontoons 161 are shown, other shapes such as a “V” shape, raked, or the like are also envisioned. These shapes may reduce hull losses due to drag when it is envisioned that the system 1100 may be transported over water to the SGSP. For example, in some embodiments it is envisioned that the system 1100 may include straps for towing. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the system such as the evaporation modules 101-x, may be shaped, sized, and / or configured to form at least a part of an intermodal shipping container as may be desired. Accordingly, the evaporation modules 101-x may be configured to one another and / or to other portions of the system such as the vessel or portions thereof.

[0160] With reference to FIG. 13, the motor 174 may rotate in any direction such as the direction shown by arrow 153. In the present embodiments, the first and second pulleys 140 and 142, respectively, may rotate in the same direction such that the evaporation surface 150 may travel in the direction shown by arrows 111.

[0161] As shown in the top and bottom views of the system 1100 in FIGs. 14 and 15, respectively, the pontoons 161 may be continuous and extend along a length between the ends 166 and may be situated at the opposed sides 164 of the vessel 160. Cross members 168 may extend across the bottom opening 145 and may be coupled to the respective pontoons 161 using any suitable method or methods such as fasteners, straps, etc. The cross members 168 may be secured to the respective evaporation modules 101-x using any suitable fasteners such as bolts, rivets, straps, etc. In some embodiments, the cross members 168 may be secured to one or more of the respective evaporation modules 101-x using one or more jacks (e.g., screwjacks, hydraulic jacks, scissor jacks, etc.).

[0162] Each one of the evaporation modules 101-x may include a plurality of the conveyors 120 each including the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, and the evaporation surface 150 including the mesh 163. The motor 174 may be secured to the platform 130 and may be coupled to the first rollers 140 via the drive belt 126. One or more idler or tensioner pulleys may be provided to tension and / or control a path of travel of the drive belt 125.

[0163] With reference to FIG. 14, the evaporation module 101-4 has one of the evaporation surfaces 150 removed to illustrate the first roller 140. Similarly, in FIG. 15, one of the evaporation surfaces 150 is removed to illustrate the second roller 142. The bottom opening 145 is also seen.

[0164] As shown in the sectional view shown in FIGs. 16 and 17, the motor 174 may be coupled to one or more pulleys of the first rollers 140 via the drive belt 126 which may be form a portion of the transmission 121. The first rollers 140 may be coupled to the corresponding side rails 106and may drive the second rollers via the corresponding evaporation surfaces 150 including the corresponding meshes 163. The first rollers 140 may include sprockets or pulleys 118 configured to couple to the drive belt 126. The one or more optional tensioner or idler pulleys 125 may further be provided to enhance the wrapping of the drive belt 126 about the pulleys 118 of the first rollers 140. The second roller 142 may be coupled to the adjacent side rails 128. The drive belt 126 may extend through one or more openings (e.g., see 132, FIG. 11) through the end rails 112. One or more cross members 168 may be coupled to the respective bodies 102 of the evaporation modules 101-x and the pontoons 161. Any suitable bracing may be provided to reinforce one or more portions of the system 1100. The motor 174 may be supported by the platform 130 and may rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 153.

[0165] Each one of the evaporation modules 101-x may include a plurality of the conveyors 120 each including the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively, and the evaporation surface 150 including the mesh 163. The conveyors 120 may be at least partially situated in the respective cavities 117. Portions of the evaporation surface 150, such as the mesh 163, may extend through the bottom opening 145 of the vessel 160 and be immersed to the immersion depth (dim) below the WL which is a current waterline of a liquid in an SGSP. The second rollers 142 may have sufficient diameter such that axles and bearings of the second rollers 142 may be located above the WL so as to avoid excessive contamination for the liquid in which it is immersed. Seals may be provided to limit contamination of the axles and / or bearings of the first and second rollers 140 and 142, respectively. In some embodiments, the axles of the second rollers 142 may be immersed within the liquid in the SGSP. The pontoons 161 may include one or more cavities such as cavity 167.

[0166] FIG. 18 is an illustration of an exploded side view of a portion of the system 1100 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The evaporation modules 101-x may be coupled to the vessel 160 and may be at least partially supported by the cross members 168. The cross members 168 may be coupled to the pontoons 161 of the vessel 160. The motor 174 may be coupled to the platform 130 which may be coupled to one or more of the evaporation modules 101-x. The drive belt 126 may be coupled to the motor 174 and sized as desired. In some embodiments, a support may be provided to couple the platform 130 to the vessel independently of the evaporation modules 101-x.

[0167] FIG. 19 is an illustration of an exploded side view of a portion of a system 1900 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 1900 may be similar to the system 1100 and may illustrate couplers configured to couple the evaporation modules 101-x to the vessel 160. Each of the evaporation modules 101-x may have the same or different couplers. For example, the evaporation module 101-x may include tabs or blocks 169 coupled to the body 102 via the support posts 104. These blocks 169 may extend across to an adjacent support post 104 and may be configured to coupler to (e.g., to rest upon) corresponding cross members 168 so as to support the evaporation module 101-1. The blocks 169 may be secured to the cross members 168 via gravity or via one or more fasteners.

[0168] With respect to the evaporation module 101-4 this evaporation module may include one or more jacks 165 that may be configured to couple to (e.g., by resting upon) the corresponding cross members 168. The one or more jacks 165 may be configured to raise or lower the evaporation module 101-4 as may be desired and may be operated by the controller. The jacks 165 may include any suitable jacks such as scissor jacks, screwjacks, pneumatic jacks, hydraulic jacks, etc.

[0169] It should also be appreciated that the platform 130 may be coupled to one or more of the evaporation modules 101-x via blocks 171 that may be coupled to one or more of the support posts 104 of a corresponding evaporation module 101-x. It should be appreciated that the blocks 171 may be shaped and sized such that they may couple to one or more evaporation modules 101-x at a time as may be desired.

[0170] In some embodiments, vessels may be configured to support only a single evaporation module 101. For example, FIGs. 20 and 2 show an evaporation system 2000 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0171] With reference to FIGs. 20 and 21, the system 2020 may include a vessel 2060, an evaporation module 2001 - 1 , and a drive system 2051. The vessel 2060 may be similar to the vessel 160 and may include a pair of pontoons 2061 coupled to each other via a pair of cross members 2068. The cross members may be arranged transversely to the vessel 2060 and / or longitudinally. Although cross members having a square or rectangular cross sections are illustrated, it should be understood that tubular or other shapes are also envisioned. The cross members may also be coupled to each other and may be arched as may be desired to maximize strength. This may also apply to other portions of the body.

[0172] The drive system 2051 may include a motor 2074 configured to drive one or more ELs of the evaporation module 2001-1 via any suitable transmission method such as via a drive belt 2026, etc.

[0173] It should be appreciated that the evaporation modules may form an evaporation system 2200 including one or more evaporation modules arranged in rows and / or columns where there may be 1 through N rows of evaporation modules and 1 through M columns of evaporation modules . For example, FIG. 22 is an illustration of a top view of a portion of a system 2200 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 2200 may include N rows and M columns of evaporation modules 2201 as illustrated by Row-1 through Row-N and Col-1 through Col-M, where N and M are integers and Col is an abbreviation for column. Thus, an nth, mth evaporation module 2201 may be referenced as evaporation module 2201-(n, m), where n may be an integer from 1 through N; and m may be integer from 1 through M. A vessel 2260 may include a plurality of pontoons 2261 which may be configured in any suitable configuration such as in parallel with each other, at right angles to each other (as shown), etc.

[0174] FIG. 23A is an illustration of an exploded side view of a portion of a system 2300 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 2300 may comprise one or more evaporation modules 2301-1 through 2301-4 (generally evaporation modules 2301-x), at least one vessel 2360, and a drive system 2351. The vessel 2360 may be similar to the vessel 160 and may include at least a plurality of pontoons 2361 coupled to each other via cross members 2368. The evaporation modules 2301-1 through 2301-4 may be configured and coupled to the vessel 2360 similarly to the evaporation modules 101-1 through 101-4, respectively, of FIG. 13.

[0175] The drive system 2351 may be of a shaft-drive-type as and may include one or more drive shafts 2323 coupled to a motor 2374 via couplings 2331 which may provide for some flexing and / or isolation. This may reduce vibrations that may be transmitted to the liquid upon which the vessel 2360 may float. The motor 2374 may be coupled to the platform 2330 which may be coupled to one or more of the cross members 2368 via a pedestal 2312. The platform 2330 may include a rigid or semi rigid motor mount that may provide for at least some noise and / or vibration isolation. The one or more drive shafts 2323 may be coupled to the body 2302 of the corresponding evaporation modules 2301-x via one or more bearings 2327. The one or more bearings 2327 may be of any suitable type such as plain, roller bearings, ball bearings, sealed bearings, cone bearings, etc., as may be desired. In some embodiments, the one or more bearings 2327 may include pillowor pillow block bearings as may be desired which may be incorporated into or fastened to the body 2302 using any suitable fastener or fasteners. The drive shafts 2323 may form a worm (e.g., to form a worm shaft) which may couple to and drive a worm gear of a corresponding first roller 2340 of a plurality of first rollers 2340. The drive shaft 2323 may be mounted to any side of the worm gear of the first rollers 2340 such as at the bottom or on top, etc., as may be desired. In the present embodiments, it will be assumed that the output shafts of a motor may be configured substantially inline with the worm gear of the corresponding first rollers 2340. Accordingly, one or more motors 2374 may be provided. For example, a single motor 2374 may drive one or more evaporation modules 2301-x. In some embodiments, a transfer case such as one or more of a rightangle transfer case may be coupled to the one or more motors 2374 to redirect output power to one or more evaporation modules 2301-x. For example, the one or more motors 2374 may include an internal 90-degree output shaft 2333 (e.g., a 90-degree gearbox) or the like which may be coupled to one or more other right angle transfer cases to redirect power to other evaporation modules 2001-x. One or more of the first rollers 2340 may be coupled to a side rail 2306 of the body 2302 and may be configured to couple to a corresponding evaporation surface 2350.

[0176] One or more optional baffles 2319 such as plates (e.g., flat, corrugated, etc.) may coupled to the body 2302 and may be positioned between one or more portions of the evaporation surface 2350 to control airflow as desired. For example, as shown in Fig. 23B, illustrating a top view of the evaporation modules 2301-1, in some embodiments it may be desirable to route airflow 2321 across a major surface of the evaporation surface 2350 as opposed to through the major surfaces which may cause differences in pressure on opposite sides of major surfaces of the evaporation surfaces 2350. Thus, the optional baffles 2319 may be operative to direct airflow 2321 (e.g., from one or more sides of the body 2302) across a major surface of the evaporation surface 2350 rather than (e.g., from the one or more ends of the body 2302) through the major surfaces which may remove or otherwise displace captured droplets before they may rupture lessening efficiency of the system. With respect to the body 2302, the baffles 2319 may restrict or prevent airflow longitudinally (e.g., as indicated by arrow 2311) through the body 2302 but may provide for airflow in a transverse direction across or through the sides of the body 2302. Thus, one or more baffles may be provided to direct airflow 2321 in a desired direction or directions. It is further envisioned that the optional baffles may absorb energy (e.g., solar energy and / or energy from the radiate energy as heat (Qin) to the droplets in the ICs adjacent to, or near, the one or more baffles.This may enhance the expansion of the droplets contained in ICs until rupture. Accordingly, time- to-rupture (TTR) and / or distance-to-rupture (DTR) may be reduced. Accordingly, the speed of the corresponding evaporation surface 2350 may be increased. In some embodiments, the baffles may include conduit (e.g., tubing for liquid to flow) to absorb and / or radiate heat (Qin).

[0177] In some embodiments, baffles may be situated about in the middle of the body between adjacent evaporation surface 2350 to direct air from the sides of the body 2302 across the major surfaces of the evaporation surface 2350 and thereafter upwards. This may reduce airflow across the body 2302 and may be desirable when the EMs are arranged in large arrays to direct airflow as may be desired. Thus, the baffles may be provided to direct airflow as desired.

[0178] One or more optional baffles 2313 may be coupled to the vessel 2360 and / or body 2302 further be placed such that they may pass through the waterline to attenuate and / or prevent ripples and / or waves in the liquid. This may further calm the surface of the liquid that is situated around the periphery of the vessel 2302. The baffles 2313 can also be configured to selectively close and open airflow between the evaporation surfaces 2350. For example, in case of a storm, the baffles can be rotated to block all airflow between the evaporation surfaces 2350 blocking thereby any debris or strong wind from damaging the evaporation surfaces 2350.

[0179] According to yet another example of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 23C, the evaporation modules 2400 can be provided with wind wings 2410 configured to rotate the evaporation modules 2400 in the direction of the wind. This example can be implemented in case the evaporation module 2400 is provided with floats and is freely movable in the evaporation pond. The wind wings 2410 adjust the orientation of the evaporation surfaces 2450 with respect to the wind creating thereby a natural airflow between the evaporation surfaces 2450. As indicated above the evaporation system may include a coupler, such as cables, for restraining the movement of the evaporation system. For example, the cables can be coupled to the bottom of the pond and be configured to allow rotation of the evaporation modules 2400 with respect to the wind while maintaining relative position with respect to the pond. This way, if the pond includes a number of evaporation systems located in various areas of the pond, the position of each evaporation system can be retrained to a certain region in the pond while allowing the wind wings 2410 to rotate the evaporation system with respect to the wind direction.

[0180] FIG. 24 is an illustration of a cutaway side view of a portion of the system 2300 taken along lines 24-24 of FIG. 23A in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The evaporationsurface 2350 is cutaway for clarity such that only a portion of the evaporation surface 2350 is shown. The first roller 2340 may include a hub 2477 having opposed ends with optional opposed flanges 2385. A drive coupling assembly (DCA) 2488 may be coupled to, or formed integrally with, the hub 2477. For example, drive coupling assembly 2488 may include a worm gear 2482 configured to be coupled to, and driven by, the worm of the shaft 2323. The shaft 2323 may rotate as illustrated by arrow 2353. The hub 2477 may include a cavity 2479 in which an axle 2478 may be located. The hub 2477 may be rotationally coupled to the axle 2478 via one or more bearings 2481 which may be of any suitable type such as plain, roller, sealed, ball, etc. The hub 2477 may include sprockets 2484 that may be configured to engage the corresponding openings of the evaporation surface 2350 such as openings 973 of the substrate 975 of FIG. 9. Accordingly, the sprockets 2484 may include teeth which may be shaped and sized to couple to corresponding portions of the evaporation surface 2350 or portions thereof such as the mesh, substrate, and / or belts or bands. In some embodiments, the hub 2477 may be configured to engage teeth of the evaporation surface 2350 such as when the evaporation surface 2350 may include one or more toothed belts. In yet other embodiments, hub may include a pulley having a surface configured to engage a V-belt or serpentine belt of the evaporation surface 2350. In yet other embodiments, the hub may include a flat surface for engaging the evaporation surface 2350. Embodiments of the hub 2477 that may include sprockets, teeth, or openings for engaging corresponding portions of the evaporation surface 2350 may be referred to as indexed rollers or indexed evaporation surfaces 2350. This indexing may align the evaporation surface 2350 and may be operative to prevent or reduce side-to-side slippage of the evaporation surface 2350 during use. However, it is also envisioned that the optional flanges may align the evaporation surface 2350 during use.

[0181] The axle 2478 may be secured to the adjacent side 2306 rail via any suitable fastener such as axle screws 2486 which may pass through an opening (e.g., a hole, a notch, etc. which may be referred to as an axle opening) 2487 in the side rails 2306. Optional spacers 2483 may provide for a desired gap between portions of the first roller 2340 and adjacent side rails 2306 and outer bearing races, as well as provide for the desired alignment between portions of the system. However, it is envisioned that in some embodiments the axle may extend from the periphery of the hub and roller drive coupling and may be secured using any suitable fastener such as nuts and / or a quick-release skewer (QR). Accordingly, the axle may be hollow to receive the axle screws 2486 and / or QR.

[0182] FIG. 25 is an illustration of a side view of a portion of a side rail 2506 including an opening 2587 for securing an axle of a roller in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The opening 2487 may be shaped and / or sized to receive the axle or any suitable fastener to secure the axle such as axle screws. In some embodiments, the opening 2487 may form a notch such as illustrated in with reference to FIG. 26 which is an illustration of a side view of a portion of a side rail 2606 including an opening 2687 for securing an axle of a roller in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The opening 2687 may include a notch such that an axle may be inserted into the opening 2687 with fasteners attached. For example, in some embodiments the axle may extend pass an outer periphery of the adjacent side rail 2606 and may be installed into the opening with fasteners such as nuts attached. This may allow for the quick removal and installation of the corresponding first or second roller coupled to the axle.

[0183] FIG. 27 is an illustration of a portion of a first roller 2740 with a pulley 2782 for coupling to a belt drive 2726 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The first roller 2740 may be similar to the first roller 2340 and similar numerals are shown for the sake of clarity. However, the drive coupling assembly 2488 employs a pulley 2782 rather than a worm gear 2482 of FIG. 24. The pulley 2782 may be configured to couple to the drive belt 2726 which may be coupled to a motor for rotating the first roller 2740. The drive belt 2726 is cutaway with only a portion showing for the sake of clarity and may be configured to wrap around the pulley 2782 as shown in FIG. 19. Accordingly, embodiments of the present system may employ a drive belt to transmit power from a motor to the corresponding first pulleys in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The pulley 2782 may include one or more flanges 2789 or the like to align the drive belt 2726 coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the pulley 2782 may include one or more ribs to engage corresponding ribs of a drive belt employing ribs. In a similar manner, if the drive belt is toothed, the pulley 2782 may be a sprocket type pulley with teeth configured to engage the teeth of the drive belt. This may prevent slippage even when the drive belt is not tensioned sufficiently. This drive may be considered an indexed drive. The hub 2477 may extend at least between end walls 2743. However, in some embodiments, the hub 2477 may be part of the drive coupling assembly 2488

[0184] FIG. 28 is an illustration of an end view of a portion of the first roller 2740 of FIG. 27 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. This view illustrates the non-pulley side of the first roller 2740 (i.e., the side without the drive coupling assembly 2488). The one or morebearings 2481 may be a sealed ball bearing having inner and outer races 2481-1 and 2481-0, respectively. The inner race 2481-1 may include an opening through which a portion of the axle 2478 may pass. The cavity 2479 may be configured to receive the outer race 2478-0 and may include a flange or step which may locate the corresponding one or more bearings 2481 in a desired location such as substantially flush with an exterior end of the first roller 2470. The axle 2478 may include at least one cavity such as a cavity 2478-C that may be threaded to couple to the axle screw (e.g., 2486) or plain to receive a QR. The hub 2477 may include the optional flange 2385.

[0185] FIG. 29 is an illustration of an end view portion of the first roller 2740 of FIG. 27 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. This view illustrates the side of the first roller 2740 that includes the drive coupling assembly 2488 that employs the pulley 2782. The other side of the first roller 2740 (e.g., see, FIG. 28) the cavity 2479 may be configured to receive the outer race 2478-0 and may include a flange or step which may locate the corresponding one or more bearings 2481 in a desired location such as substantially flush with an exterior end of the first roller 2470. Accordingly, in use when tightened by the axle screws, the spacers may be in communication with the inner race 2478-1 of the adjacent bearing 2478 while allowing the outer races 2478-0 of the same bearing to rotate freely such that the first roller 2740 may rotate freely. However, in some embodiments a friction enhancing member may be provided to provide a desired amount of rotational braking, if desired.

[0186] FIG. 30 is an illustration of a first roller 3040 having a motor in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The roller 3040 may include the motor such as an internal hub motor having a stator 3091-S coupled to an axle 3078 and a rotor 3091-R coupled to a shell of the hub 3077 directly or via a transmission such as a geared or variable transmission situated within a cavity of the hub 3077 of the roller 3040. The hub 3077 may be similar to the hub 2740 of FIG. 27 without the drive coupling assembly. However, it is also envisioned that the hub may include the drive coupling assembly as may be desired. For example, the drive coupling assembly may be provided and may drive another roller such as a corresponding second roller via a tension member such as a belt. One or more spacers such as a spacer 3083 may be shaped and sized to align the hub 3077 between side rails 3006. The axle 3078 may be coupled to a stator of the motor 3091 and may be secured to the side rails 3006 by any suitable fastener or fasteners such as axle screws 3086. A reaction arm 3092 may couple portions of the motor, such as the rotor 3091-R, and / or the axle 3078 to one or more of the side rails 3006 and may configured to prevent or reduce rotationof the axle 3078 and / or the stator 3091-R relative to the side rails 3006 during use (e.g., due to torque reaction of the motor which may rotate the axle 3078 and / or portions of the motor such as the stator relative to the side rails 3006). The reaction arm 3092 may be secured to an adjacent side rail 3006 using any suitable coupling such as a fastener, a flange (as shown), etc. In some embodiments, two or more reaction arms may be employed, and each may be coupled to an adjacent one of the side rails 3006. Although two side rails 3006 are shown, it is envisioned that a single side rail may also be employed.

[0187] For the sake of clarity, it will be assumed that the second roller may be similar to the first roller. This may aid in alignment of the evaporation surface. However, in some embodiments, where the drive coupling assembly is omitted from the roller the hub of the roller may be widened to make up for this difference in width of the combination of the hub and drive coupling assembly. One or more spacers may be provided to align the first and second rollers with each other such that the mesh 163 may be aligned with the first and second rollers. For example, FIG. 31 is an illustration of a portion of a system 3100 including a second roller 3142 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The roller 3142 may be similar to the first rollers shown in FIGs. 24 through 29 above with the omission of the drive coupling assembly and may include a hub 3177 rotationally coupled to an axle 3178 via one or more opposed bearings 3181 at, or between, opposed ends 3143. In some embodiments, the bearings may extend outward beyond the opposed ends 3143. Thus, the bearings may be placed in any suitable position to rotationally couple to the hub 3177. In some embodiments, a one or more bearings may be employed. The axle 3178 may be coupled to side rails 3128 via one or more axle fasteners such as axle screws 3186 which may be inserted through openings of the side rails 3128 and optional spacers 3183. The spacers may have a width suitable for aligning first and second rollers of a roller pair with each other. For example, one of the spacers 3183 may be wider than the other to align the second roller with a first roller including a drive coupling assembly. However, in some embodiments, positions of the side rails may be adjusted. The end view of the roller may be similar to that shown in at least FIG. 28. Since the evaporation surface extends about the roller pair, the diameter of the first roller can be larger than that of the second roller. For example, since the evaporation surface is displaced over the top portion of the first roller, the evaporation surface at this location is exposed to the sun. Increasing the diameter of the first roller can thus increase the exposure time of the evaporation surface to solar radiation and further increase the evaporation of the droplets.

[0188] In some embodiments a drop-in axle may be employed. For example, FIG. 32 is a partially exploded illustration of a second roller 3242 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The roller 3242 may be similar to the roller 3142 of FIG. 31 and may employ similar numerals to denote similar parts. Axle screws 3286 may be secured to the axle 3178 and may include a head 3286-H configured to slide in and couple to guide 3293 in a channel a side support 3294. A tab or an interference fit may be provided to secure the heads 3286-H within the guide 3293. The side support 3294 may be coupled to or formed integrally with corresponding side rails 3228.

[0189] For example, FIG. 32 is an illustration of an exploded front view of a portion of the side support 3294 coupled to the side rail 3228 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The guide 3293 may be configured to receive the head 3286-H of the axle screw 3286 or another end of the axle 3178. Tabs or pins may secure the axle 3178 in place.

[0190] FIG. 33 is an illustration of a side view of the side support 3294 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The side support 3294 may include the guide 3293 and may be coupled to, or formed integrally with, the side rail 3228.

[0191] FIG. 34 is an illustration of an end view of the second roller 3242 including the axle screw 3286 secured thereto. The head 3286-H may be configured to be received in the guide of the side support 3294.

[0192] FIG. 35 is an illustration of a top view of a portion of the side support 3294 coupled to the side rail 3228 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Portions of the guide 3293 that receive the head 3286-H may be shaped similarly to the head 3286-H but slightly larger than the head. Tabs or indents may protrude from the guide 3293 to form a releasable interference fit such that the head 3286-H may be held in place during use. The first and second rollers may be coupled to corresponding side rails similarly.

[0193] In some embodiments, the side supports may be formed slightly different from each other. Accordingly, one side support may include an opening to receive the head of an adjacent axle screw and thereafter the head of an opposite axle screw may be inserted into the other side support and releasably locked in place using an interference fit in the other side support. For example, as shown in Figs 36A and 36B, according to an example, evaporation module 3400 can be configured for easy removal of one of the conveyor 3450 without interrupting the continuous operation of the other conveyors. For example, the first roller 3452 can be mounted on vertical grooves 3457 onthe upper rail 3455. The vertical grooves 3457 can be opened from the top, allowing thereby removing the first roller 3452. The first roller 3452 can include an axel which is disposed inside the vertical grooves 3457 and a locking member 2459 which secure the axel inside the groove. The first roller 3452 can further include a cogwheel 3460 which engages a cog chain (not shown) mounted on the upper rail 3455. The cog chain which can be configured to engage cogwheels of multiple rollers can continuously move rotating thereby the rollers. Hence, when one of the rollers is removed the cogwheel 3460 of this roller disengages the cog chain and the conveyor 3450 can be removed without interrupting operation of the other conveyors.

[0194] Fig. 36B shows the bottom rail 3465 of the evaporation module 3400, which holds the second rollers 3454 in vertical grooves 3467. According to this example, the vertical groove 3467 allows the axel 3469 of the second rollers 3454 to freely move up and down within the groove. This way, the disposition of the second roller 3454 is determined by the disposition of the first roller 3452, and gravitational forces acting on the second roller 3454. Accordingly, the conveyors 3450 can self-adjust the distance between the first and second rollers, and maintain the required tension over the evaporation surface. Hence, if the evaporation module 3400 is disposed with an angle with respect to the pond, such as due to wind or waves in the pond, the disposition of the second roller 3454 can be adjusted to ensure continuous operation of the conveyors 3450.

[0195] With reference to Fig. 36A, the first roller 3452 can include spacers 3451 disposed along the length of the roller and configured to maintain space between the body of the roller and the evaporation surface (not shown). Since, liquid droplets are entrapped and held inside the pores (ICs) by the surface tension it is preferable to avoid engagement between the pores (ICs) and surface of the first roller 3452 which may interrupt with the surface tension and cause the droplet to be disengage the evaporation surface. Hence, the spacers are configured to preclude engagement of the pores (ICs) on the evaporation surface with the first roller 3452. The spacers 3451 can be for example, rubberband or any other material which provides good engagement with the bottom surface of the evaporation surface. This way, when the evaporation surface travels over the first roller 3452 surface tension of the droplets within the pores (ICs) is not affected by the first roller 3452. The location of the spacers 3451 with respect to the evaporation surface can be determined such that no pores (ICs) are located on the corresponding locations of the evaporation surface.

[0196] FIG. 37 is an illustration of a schematic view of a portion of a multi-stage crystallization system 3700 (hereinafter system) in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thesystem 3700 may include a plurality of evaporation ponds, indicated hereinbelow as ‘SGSP modules’ (SGSPM) 3600-1 through 3600-3 (generally 3600-x), areverse osmosis (RO) filter 3795, and an SGSP 3790 mounted in series with each other (with regard to liquid flow) as shown. The system 3700 may further include a controller 3770 which may control the overall operation of the system 3700.

[0197] The system 3700 may receive an energy input (q;n) and a water stream, such as sea water or brackish water at, for example, 2000 particles-per-million (ppm) or other value, at a corresponding input of the RO filter 3795 and filter this water outputting product water and brine. The brine may then be provided to a first SGSP 3790 which may be operatively similar to the SGSP 190 and may be operative to evaporate at least some of the liquid that it receives using surface evaporation and output brackish water at a first output (OUT-1) and a higher temperature liquid as heat (qout) at its second output (OUT-2). Some of this output heat (qout) may then be provided to SGSPs 3690-1 through 3690-4 as input heat (q;n) to enhance operation when desired. The product water may include suspended solids that may be filtered out by the RO. The brine may include dissolved solids.

[0198] The controller 3770 may control the overall operation of the system 3700 and may control one or more valves (VB)3698 of the SGSP modules 3600-x in accordance with sensor information and / or system settings as discussed elsewhere in this application.

[0199] For the sake of clarity, it will be assumed that the system may transfer fluid from the SGSP in accordance with a determination of whether the determined (e.g., current) salinity is equal to or greater than the threshold salinity. This may prevent crystallization within the SGSP 3600-x. Accordingly, the controller 3770 may compare current salinity value for the liquid with the threshold salinity. If it is determined that the current salinity value is equal to or greater than the threshold salinity the process may open a corresponding one of the valves (VB) 3698 to provide for the flow of fluid out of the SGSP 3690 to the SGSP of the next as will be shown and described with reference to FIG. 37 below. If it is determined that the current salinity value is less than the threshold salinity, the system may continue to run the evaporation module (EM) 3601-1 to evaporate liquid from the SGSP 3690.

[0200] Similarly, the system may compare a determined WL value (e.g., indicative of a current WL) with a WL threshold value (WLT) and may control the one or more the valves (VB) 3698 accordingly. For example, if it is determined that the determined WL value is equal to or greaterthan the WLT the process may continue to run the evaporation module (EM) 3601-1. And if it is determined that the determined WL value is less than the WLT (e.g., indicative of a low WL) the process may open a corresponding one of the valves (VB) 3698 to provide for the flow of fluid (such as brine) into the SGSP 3690 for evaporation. The WL values may be checked at a periodic or non-periodic interval. In some embodiments, the WL threshold value may be below the full WL. For example, when the WL threshold value is reached, the system may pump a given amount of fluid into the SGSP 3690 (e.g., 100 gallons, etc.) so that the current WL may be substantially at the full WL.

[0201] With regard to each of the SGSP modules 3600-x, the controller 3770 may control each of these substantially independently of the other. The controller 3770 may communicate with sensors 3772, one or more motors driving evaporation module (EM), and / or actuators which may control the valves (VB) 3698, height adjusting mechanism(s), pumps, etc. The controller 3770 may acquire sensor information from each of the SGSP modules 3600-x and control motors, actuators, valves, etc., of each in accordance with the sensor information and SSI for the corresponding SGSP module 3600-x in accordance with embodiments of the present system. Thus, operation of each SGSP module 3600-x may be fully or partially independent of each other. However, the controller 3770 may be configured to operate pumps, valves to transfer fluids such as brine and / or concentrate from one SGSP module 3600-x to another.

[0202] The controller 3770 may control each of the SGSP modules 3600-x in accordance with the specific data obtained from sensors and valves of that SGSP module 3600-x. In other words, the controller may control each of the SGSP modules 3600-x substantially independent of each other. Accordingly, each SGSP module 3600-x may have its own data which may be stored in a memory of the system for later use. Accordingly, the controller 3770 may control the at least one of the speed of the evaporation surfaces and the salinity for each SGSP modules 3600-x separately and in accordance with sensor information obtained from the corresponding SGSP module 3600-x.

[0203] With regard to fluid transfer between flow coupled SGSP modules 3600-x may be synchronized in accordance with user and / or system settings. In some embodiments, fluid transfer between SGSP modules 3600-x may synchronized in an order such as a preceding order. For example, fluid may be transferred from the SGSP module 3600-2 to the SGSP module 3600-3 prior to fluid transfer from the SGSP module 3600-1 to the SGSP module 3600-2. This may prevent overflow. With regard to the two valves (VB) 3698 between adjacent SGSP modules 3600-x, one of these valves may be removed or the controller 3770 may be operative to operate these valves 3698 in unison or hold one of the valves open at all time and control the valves of the other valves to regulate fluid flow. Accordingly, the controller 3770 may be configured to transfer or combine valves operation such that adjacent SGSP modules 3600-x may share valves 3698 for control.

[0204] In the present example, to enhance a final crystallization process, each of the SGSP modules 3600-x may have a threshold salinity that increases relative to the preceding SGSP module 3600-x. For example, the first SGSP 3690-1 and second SGSP 3690-2 may have threshold salinities of 12% and 24%, respectively. With regard to the threshold salinity for the second SGSP 3690-2, this threshold salinity should not exceed 24% as the salt may begin to crystalize within this SGSP if the threshold salinity exceeds this value. This rule may also apply to the first SGSP 3690-1. As the third SGSP 3690-3 may be a crystallization pool, it may have an threshold salinity higher than 24% and preferably 26%. A concentrate slurry from the SGSP 3690-3 may be returned to the SGSP 3790 for dilution with the input brine.

[0205] According to an example, of the present invention the salinity level of each SGSP 3690-x is maintained within a range of 1%. For example, if the salinity level of the first SGSP 3690-1 is 12%, if the salinity level drops below 11 % the controller will actuate the inlet valves to insert more liquid into the first SGSP 3690-1. Conversely, if the salinity level increases above 13% the controller will actuate the outlet valves to move the liquid to the second SGSP 3690-s.

[0206] During operation, the controller 3770 may be operative to maintain the salinity levels in each corresponding SGSP 3690-x such that their actual salinity (e.g., as sensed) does not exceed their threshold salinity. Accordingly, the controller 3770 may obtain current sensor information such as salinity information for each SGSPs 3690-x, compare it with the corresponding threshold salinity, and may control one or more valves (e.g., via the valves 3698), pumps, and / or actuators of the system accordingly. Thus, the controller 3770 may control the SGSPs 3690-x salinity in accordance with the sensor information and / or threshold salinity as set forth in the SSI for the corresponding SGSP 3690-x.

[0207] With regard to the SGSP 3690-3 in which may be a crystallization pond configured such that minerals within its liquid crystalize. To obtain large high-quality crystals, a slow rate of evaporation is desired. Accordingly, natural surface evaporation may be employed at this stage to slow the evaporation and, thus, slow the crystallization process to yield large high-quality crystals.Because of the efficiency of the present system, fewer evaporation ponds may be necessary using conventional methods. After washing to remove impurities on the surface of the crystals, this may yield large crystals of high purity. As the SGSP module 3600-3 does not have an evaporation module (EM), the controller 3770 may recognize and may control accordingly.

[0208] With regard to the SGSP modules 3600-1 and 3600-2 the controller 3770 may be operative to control their corresponding evaporation modules (EM) 3601-x to enhance evaporation. Accordingly, the controller 3770 may operate motors of one or more drive systems to drive ELs of these EMs 3601-x so as to trap liquid from the respective SGSPs form liquid droplets from the trapped liquid and add heat to enlarge these liquid droplets until they burst and form smaller liquid droplets having a combined surface area much greater than the surface are of the trapped liquid droplet. This increased surface area may enhance evaporation rates in these the SGSP modules 3600-1 and 3600-2.

[0209] The system 3700 may receive an energy input and a water stream, such as brackish water at 2000 particles-per-million (ppm), at the reverse osmosis (RO) filter 3795 and filter this water outputting product water and brine. The brine may then be provided to a first SGSP 3690-1 which may be operatively similar to the SGSP 190 and may be operative to evaporate at least some of the brine that it receives and output brackish water at a first output (OUT-1) and output heat (qout) at its second output (OUT-2). Some of this output heat (qout) may then be provided to SGSPs 3690- 1 through 3690-4 as input heat (q;n).

[0210] The system 3700 illustrates a four-stage crystallization system. This is far fewer than at least ten stages that may be necessary for equivalent yield using natural evaporation alone. This may free additional resources and stages for increased production quality and yield.

[0211] Embodiments of an Humidification Dehumidification Evaporator System (HDES) will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 38 which is an illustration of a schematic view of a portion of an HDES system 3800 (hereinafter system) in accordance with embodiments of the present system. The system 3800 may be controlled by a controller 3870 and may include at least one wall 3862 defining an air flow chamber (AFC) 3864 that may form a substantially closed loop system that may be balanced via dry air compensation valve 3858 which may intake dry air to balance the closed loop system. The dry air compensation valve 3858 may include any suitable valve (e.g., butterfly, poppet, gate, etc.) and may be actively controlled by the controller 3870 or may be passive (e.g., mechanically controlled by a spring compensator, etc.).

[0212] The AFC 3864 may be flow coupled to at least one SGSP module 3600 However, it should be understood that the EM 3601-1 is illustrated with a major surface of the evaporation surfaces facing the direction of airflow through the AFC 3864 for the sake of clarity. However, in operation, the body of the EM 3601-1 may be turned 90 degrees with respect to horizontal (e.g., as defined by the waterline) to that shown such that the airflow within the AFC 3864 may pass across through the sides of the body of the EM 3601-1 and across the major surfaces of the evaporation surfaces rather than through it.

[0213] A controller 3870 may control the operation of the system 3800 and may for example, control a fan motor 3860 coupled to a fan 3850 (or blower) that may intake a hot dry airflow exhausted by a heat exchanger 3856 (e.g., see arrow 3861-HD) and provide this airflow (e.g., see, arrow 3861 -A) to the at least one SGSPM 3600. This hot dry airflow may then provide heat (qin) to enlarge and rupture droplets of liquid at the ICs of the evaporation surface thus forming a plurality of free water droplets which may then be substantially evaporated, thus cooling and humidifying the hot dry airflow and forming a cool wet airflow which may contain some of the free water droplets (e.g., see arrow 3861-WC). This cool wet airflow may then be filtered and / or conditioned by one or more filters 3852 which may include a deflector and a knit mesh to filter a water mist and form a filtered cool and wet airflow (e.g., see, arrow 3861 -FC) which may then be input into a condenser 3854 having one or more condensing coils 3854-C configured to dry this cool wet airflow and form dried cool air (e.g., see arrow 3861-DC). Any water captured by the one or more filters 3852 may be returned to the SGSP.

[0214] The condensing coils 38540C of the condenser 3854 may receive cool brine as a liquid input, warm this brine, and output this brine as warmed brine to an SGSP 3690 of the SGSPM 3600 via a flow sensor (FS) and a valve body (VB) operating under the control of the controller 3870. The filtered cool wet airflow may form condensate on the one or more condenser coils 3854- C and may be output from the condenser as dried cool air (e.g., see arrow 3861-DC) which may be directed to the heat exchanger 3856. The condensate may then be output by the condenser 3854 as a clean water output. The heat exchanger 3856 may receive waste heat at an external source and use this waste heat to heat at least one coil 3856-C which may then be exhausted as waste heat out. The waste heat may be in air or liquid form and may come from any suitable source. This at least one coil 3856-C may be configured to heat the dried cool and exhaust the hot dry airflow (e.g., see arrow 3861-HD). The SGSP 3690 may output a concentrate via a corresponding valves and sensorsVB and FS, respectively. This concentrate may be provided for use by other systems such as an SGSP or another HDES for further processing. The condensate may be used by, for example, any user of clean water.

[0215] It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present system may increase evaporation by 25 times or more compared with natural pond evaporation. It has been observed that there is little change the temperature of the SGSPs during operation of embodiments of the present system.

[0216] It would also be appreciated that no substantial temperature rise of the liquid in the SGSP was observed during operation.

[0217] Embodiments of the present system may provide an increase in rate of evaporation for each evaporation pool when compared with that of conventional methods. Further, as the present system provides for a calm liquid environment in theses evaporation pools, mixing of layers is substantially reduced or entirely prevented which can enhance salinity control and yield. Because of system efficiencies, fewer evaporation pools may be required for an equivalent output of a finalized product (e.g., brine, crystalized product, etc.) when compared with that of conventional systems. This may save power, conserve resources, and increase output and quality of the crystalized final product when compared with conventional systems and methods. Finally, by increasing evaporation efficiency, fewer evaporation pools may be necessary, which may allow for the redistribution of system assets such as evaporation pools which may be reallocated for use as crystallization pools. These crystallization pools may employ surface evaporation to yield larger higher-quality crystals with less loss of product during final wash. It should also be appreciated that embodiments of the present system have low power consumption and may easily and readily be operated using clean energy sources of the system such as solar and wind power.

[0218] With regard to electrical power for operation, it is also envisioned that one or more portions of the system may be powered using mains, solar, wind, water, thermal-electric (TE), chemical, and / or or other suitable power generation methods. Energy storage system(s) such as batteries, capacitors, thermal, chemical, kinetic, etc., may be provided to store energy generated by embodiments of the system.

[0219] FIG. 39 is an illustration which shows a portion of a system 3900 in accordance with embodiments of the present system. For example, a portion of the present system may include a controller 3970 including at least one processor such as a microprocessor (pP) 3971 operationally coupled to a memory 3976, a user interface (UI) 3973 including a rendering device such as adisplay 3975, sensors 3972, actuators 3978, motor(s) 3974, and a network 3977. The memory 3976 may include any type of device for storing application data as well as other data related to the described operation. The application data and other data may be received by the controller 3970 for configuring (e.g., programming) the microprocessor (pP) 3971 to perform operation acts in accordance with the present system. The controller 3970 so configured may become a special purpose machine particularly suited for performing in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0220] The controller 3970 may control one or more of the motors 3774 and actuators 3978 in accordance with sensory input from the one or more sensors 3972. The controller 3970, thereof may process received signals such as sensor information, transform these signals in accordance with system operating instructions, and may generate control signals to drive one or more of the actuators 3978 and / or the motors 3974 of the system accordingly. It is further envisioned that the controller 3970 may generate content which may include image information (e.g., still or video images (e.g., video information)), data, and / or graphs that may be rendered on, for example, a UI of the system such as on the display 3975, a speaker, a haptic device, etc. The content may include image information as may be generated by an imaging system of the present system. Further, the content may then be stored in a memory of the system such as the memory 3976 for later use. Thus, operation acts may include requesting, providing, and / or rendering of content. The controller 3970 may render the content such as video information on a UI of the system such as on the display 3975. Content may include system parameters ambient conditions (e.g., environmental temperature, humidity, pressure, solar activity, airspeed, etc.), SGSP conditions (e.g., salinity, total dissolved solids, temperature, flow rates, valve status, etc.), motor speeds (RPM), EL speed, system power draw, inflow and outflow temperatures, location information, etc.

[0221] This content may be rendered on a user interface such as on the display 3975 or other rendering device for a user’s review in real time. The system parameters may be obtained from any of the sensors 3972 and may be stored in the memory 3976 for later use and / or processing. It is envisioned that one or more of the sensors 3972 may include an image capture device, such as a camera, that may capture images or video in real time and store the captured information in the memory 3976 for further processing by the controller 3970. In yet other embodiments, virtual reality and / or augmented reality systems and methods may be employed to render content generated by the system.

[0222] The UI may include a user input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a trigger controller, or other device, such as a touch-sensitive display, which may be stand alone or part of a system, such as part of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone), a monitor, a smart or dumb terminal, smart glasses, smart watches, or other device for communicating with the controller 3970 via any operable link such as a wired and / or wireless communication link. The user input device may be operable for interacting with the controller 3970 including enabling interaction within a UI as described herein. Clearly the controller 3970, the memory 3976, the display 3975, and / or user input device may all or partly be a portion of a computer system or other device such as a client and / or server.

[0223] The methods of the present system are particularly suited to be carried out by a computer software program, such program containing modules corresponding to one or more of the individual steps or acts described and / or envisioned by the present system. The computer software program may of course be embodied in a computer-readable medium, such as an integrated chip, a peripheral device or memory, such as the memory 3976 or other memory coupled to the controller 3970 operating under the control of one or more processors such as the microprocessor (pP) 3971.

[0224] It is envisioned that one or more portions of the system 3900 may be local or distributed and may communicate via the network 3977 with other portions of the system 3900 using any suitable communication protocol(s), standard(s), and / or method(s). For example, it is envisioned that one or more portion of the system 3900 may communicate with using wired, wireless, and / or optical communication methods via any suitable bus or network such as the network 3977. It is envisioned that the network 3977 may include any suitable network or networks.

[0225] The program and / or program portions contained in the memory 3976 may configure the controller 3970 to implement the methods, operational acts, and functions disclosed herein. The memories may be distributed, for example between the clients and / or servers, or local, and the controller 3970, where additional processors may be provided, may also be distributed or may be singular. The memories may be implemented as electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices. Moreover, the term "memory" should be construed broadly enough to encompass any information able to be read from or written to an address in an addressable space accessible by the processor such as the microprocessor (pP) 3971. With this definition, information accessible through the network 3977 is still within the memory,for instance, because the controller 3970 may retrieve the information from the network 3977 for operation in accordance with embodiments of the present system.

[0226] The controller 3977 may be operable for providing control signals and / or performing operations in response to input signals from the user input device as well as in response to other devices of the network 3977 and executing instructions stored in the memory 3976. The controller 3970 may include one or more of a processor such as the microprocessor (pP) 3971 , an applicationspecific or general-use integrated circuit(s), a logic device, etc. Further, the controller 3970 may be a dedicated processor for performing in accordance with the present system or may be a general- purpose processor wherein only one of many functions operates for performing in accordance with the present system. The controller 3970 may operate utilizing a program portion, multiple program segments, or may be a hardware device utilizing a dedicated or multi-purpose integrated circuit. The controller 3970 may include one or more motor controllers for controlling one or more motors or solenoids of the system 3900.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An evaporating system for evaporating liquid in an evaporation pond, the system comprising: a body having a bottom portion configured to be situated inside the liquid in the pond and an upper portion extending upward outside the liquid; at least one conveyor mounted on said body and including an evaporation surface, said conveyor is configured to move said evaporation surface along a rotary path extending between said bottom portion and said upper portion; wherein said evaporation surface includes a mesh having a plurality of pores each of which configured to entrap a droplet of liquid; and wherein said conveyor is configured to continuously rotate said evaporation surface along said rotary path, between said bottom portion in which pores entrap droplets of liquid from the evaporation pond and said upper portion such that said droplets evaporate when traveling along said rotary path.

2. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 wherein said conveyor includes a first roller coupled to said upper portion and a second roller coupled to said bottom portion, wherein said evaporation surface is rotated by at least one of said first and second rollers along said rotary path.

3. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor for detecting at least one of ambient humidity, ambient temperature, liquid temperature, and salinity of the liquid, and a controller configured to control speed of at least one of said first and second rollers in accordance with ambient data received from said at least one sensor.

4. The evaporating system according to Claim 3 wherein said controller is configured to determine said speed in accordance with rate of evaporation of said liquid based on said ambient data.

5. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 further comprising a vessel couple to the body and configured to provide buoyancy in the evaporation pond.

6. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 further comprising wind wings configured to adjust orientation of the evaporation surfaces with respect to wind direction.

7. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 wherein said first roller includes spacers configured to maintain space between the first roller and the evaporation surface.

8. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 wherein the second roller is positioned with respect to the water level of the liquid such that when a portion of said evaporation surface passes through the water level said portion is disengaged from the second roller.

9. The evaporating system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one conveyor includes a plurality of conveyors, and wherein the evaporating system further comprising a drive system configured to operate said plurality of conveyors.

10. The evaporating system according to Claim 2 further comprising at least one actuator coupled to the conveyor and configured to control the immersion depth of said second roller.

11. An evaporation plant, comprising: at least one evaporation pond holding therein liquid including minerals and at least one evaporation system including: a body having a bottom portion configured to be situated inside the liquid in the pond and an upper portion extending upward outside the liquid; at least one conveyor mounted on said body and including an evaporation surface, said conveyor is configured to move said evaporation surface along a rotary path extending between said bottom portion and said upper portion; wherein said evaporation surface includes a mesh having a plurality of pores each of which configured to entrap a droplet of liquid; and wherein said conveyor is configured to continuously rotate said evaporation surface along said rotary path, between said bottom portion in which pores entrap droplets of liquid from the evaporation pond and said upper portion such that said droplets evaporate when traveling along said rotary path. an inlet valve configured to insert liquid into the pond and an outlet valve configured to allow liquid out of the pondcontroller configured to control said inlet valve and said outlet valve in accordance with concentration level of said minerals in the liquid in the pond.

12. The evaporation plant of claim 11 , wherein the evaporation pond comprises a salt gradient solar pond (SGSP) and the liquid comprises brine.

13. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said at least one evaporation pond includes a first pond and a second pond and wherein said controller is configured to actuate said inlet and outlet valves of said first and second ponds such that that concentration level of the liquid in said first pond is lower than concentration level of the liquid in said second pond.

14. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said controller is configured to halt operation of said conveyor when concentration level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

15. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said evaporating system includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one of ambient humidity, ambient temperature, liquid temperature, and salinity of the liquid, and a controller configured to control speed of at least one of said first and second rollers in accordance with data received from said at least one sensor.

16. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said evaporating system incudes a vessel couple to the body and configured to provide buoyancy in the evaporation pond.

17. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said evaporating system incudes wind wings configured to adjust orientation of the evaporation surfaces with respect to wind direction.

18. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein said first roller includes spacers configured to maintain space between the first roller and the evaporation surface.

19. The evaporation plant according to Claim 11 wherein height of said first roller with respect to the water level of the pond is determined in accordance ambient conditions required for evaporation of the liquid.

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