32 results about "Solar still" patented technology

A plant and process for efficient production of low deuterium water from seawater. The plant includes a solar still with a black pan for collecting solar heat, that vaporizes portions of the seawater and a porous sloped membrane positioned over the black pan to collect and condense the vapor and to direct the condensate via gravity to a condensate tank. The condensate water is separated into its atomic components, hydrogen and oxygen, in an electralizer; then the hydrogen and oxygen are combined in a reactor to produce heat and low deuterium water. In preferred embodiments the reactor is a fuel cell which in addition to the heat and water also produces electricity. At least a portion of the heat produced in the reactor is used in the solar still to assist in the vaporization of the seawater and to greatly increase the efficiency of the still.

A solar still includes a relatively shallow chamber with a pyramid shaped transparent cover and a transparent base. The still also includes a pair of rollers and an endless heat absorbing belt rotatable about the rollers. The still is positioned to receive solar energy passing through the transparent cover and impinging on an upper surface of the heat absorbing belt in order to vaporize seawater within the chamber. The efficiency of the still is increased by one or more mirrors disposed below the still for reflecting sun light up through the transparent base to impinge on a lower outer surface of the belt to enhance the vaporization of the seawater. One or more fans are also provided for cooling the cover to enhance the condensation of water that will then run down the cover and into a pure water receptacle.

The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may have a plurality of fluid reservoirs. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque water grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, Uniprene, or Sarlink. In one variation, the solar still basin casing may be molded and made of ABS, polycarbonates, or polybutylene. The solar still may further include legs made of PVC or similar pipe materials and may include a strengthening member formed integrally in the bottom surface of the basin casing. The still may include a metal and rubber seal stripping to couple a sheet of glass to the still basing.

The solar desalination and power generating system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a solar desalination still, and further including at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell for simultaneously generating electrical power. The solar still includes an absorber base, at least one sidewall, and a hollow cover. The hollow cover has an inlet port for receiving seawater, which passes through an interior of the hollow cover and exits through at least one outlet port into an open interior region of the solar still. At least one collection duct collects pure water condensate. A vacuum pump selectively lowers the pressure within the open interior region of the solar still. The solar still is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array such that the at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell, mounted to a lower surface of the absorber base, is positioned at a focal line thereof.

The present disclosure is generally directed to solar distillation methods and systems for recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, a process for water distillation includes a cycled arrangement, alternating between a day cycle and a night cycle to enhance the yield of potable water. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the system includes a solar still having a design and orientation to maximize solar energy capture.

The invention relates to a solar sea water evaporator. The solar sea water evaporator comprises a sea water pretreatment unit (1), a sea water tank (3), a lift pump (5) and a heat exchange water tank (8) which are sequentially connected, wherein the heat exchange water tank (8) is internally provided with a spiral heat exchange tube (9); the lower end of the spiral heat exchange tube (9) is provided with a fresh water collection outlet; an outlet at the lower side of the heat exchange water tank (8) is connected with a water inlet in one end of a solar heat pipe type heat collector (14); a water outlet in the other end of the solar heat pipe type heat collector (14) is connected with a solar still (21); condensation pipelines at the two sides of the solar still (21) are connected with a connector at the upper end of the spiral heat exchange tube (9) after passing through an air pump (20); the tail of the solar still (21) is provided with a fresh water collecting outlet and a strong brine collecting outlet. A solar sea water desalination core technology is adopted by the solar sea water evaporator, and the water production rate of solar sea water desalination is multiplied.

The solar still has a frame, an evaporator within the frame and a glass sheet supported by the frame and spaced above the evaporator. The evaporator has a peripheral flange in contact with the edge of the glass sheet. The glass sheet and peripheral flange are nested within an inwardly facing channel on the frame, the sealing between the glass and the flange being by surface tension of water between the glass and the flange.

The present invention is directed to high efficiency solar still assemblies and their components, and more particularly, a solar still capable of absorbing direct sunlight and redirected sunlight using a mobile heliostat configured to align the still evaporator, the heliostat and a counter-current heat exchanger with the sun.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A solar distillation system includes a solar collector located adjacent to a condenser, the condenser located at an angle with respect to the condenser. The solar distillation system further includes a 2^nd effect and an insulated portion located between the condenser and the 2^nd effect. The solar collector, the condenser, the insulated portion, and the 2^nd effect function to desalinate and purify saltwater or brackish water flowing through the solar distillation system.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. Most or all of the apparatus can be biodegradable or removable, and the sand or soil can be similar to indigenous sand or soil. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.