Desalination and cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water desalination systems, particularly those using Forward Osmosis (FO), face high energy consumption in the draw solution regeneration process, with existing methods relying heavily on hydraulic pressure and inefficient thermal recovery.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a single effect water-lithium bromide vapor absorption cycle (VAC) system and a Forward Osmosis with Thermal-Recovery (FO-TR) desalination system, utilizing a Thermo-Responsive Draw Solution (TRDS), where waste heat from the VAC system is used to regenerate the draw solution, reducing energy requirements and enhancing water permeability through the FO membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Forward Osmosis (FO) technology is used for water desalination, then energy consumption is reduced compared to conventional methods, but the draw solution regeneration process still consumes significant thermal energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures waste thermal energy from the VAC system's cooling process and converts it into a useful resource for driving the FO-TR desalination system's draw solution regeneration, transforming what would be energy loss into a beneficial input that powers the desalination process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the VAC cooling system and FO-TR desalination system into an integrated hybrid system where the waste heat from cooling applications directly powers the thermal recovery process, eliminating the need for separate energy inputs for both functions
2Use of energy by moving object
If a hybrid VAC-FO-TR system is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved by utilizing waste heat, but system complexity increases due to integration of multiple subsystems
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid VAC-FO-TR system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the VAC system provides both cooling and waste heat generation, while the FO-TR system uses that waste heat for desalination, creating a multi-functional integrated system that reduces overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-sufficient by using its own internally generated waste thermal energy to power the desalination process, reducing dependence on external energy sources and creating a self-supporting operational cycle
3Productivity
If Thermo-Responsive Draw Solution (TRDS) is used in FO system, then water permeability is enhanced through improved thermal recovery, but the regeneration process requires precise thermal control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs TRDS that changes its properties in response to temperature variations, allowing the system to optimize water permeability and regeneration efficiency by controlling thermal parameters within specific ranges during different operational phases
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This combination significantly reduces energy consumption by leveraging waste heat for thermal recovery, improving water yield and efficiency in desalination, while also providing a cooling source for air conditioning applications.
Implementation Method 1
The FO driving force is the water chemical potential (pw) difference between the feed solution and the draw solution. DS has high osmotic pressure and low water chemical potential (μw,DS), while the FS has lower osmotic pressure but higher water chemical potential (μw,FS). The result of μw,FS>μw,DS induces net water flow from the FS to the DS without applying pressure on the saline water
Implementation Method 2
the heating of the DS to liberate fresh water and reconcentrate the DS again in a process called thermal recovery
Implementation Method 3
thermal energy is used to regenerate the DS from the diluted DS
Implementation Method 4
single effect water-lithium bromide vapor absorption cycle (VAC) system
Data Source
AI summary
A desalination and cooling system includes a single effect water-lithium bromide vapor absorption cycle (VAC) system and a forward osmosis with thermal-recovery (FO-TR) desalination system. The FO system employs a Thermo-Responsive Draw Solution (TRDS) Fresh water flows from the FS to the TRDS without application of pressure on the saline water. Afterwards, only thermal energy is required to extract fresh water from the TRDS and recover or regenerate the draw solution. The VAC system serves as a cooling source for cooling or air conditioning applications, generating waste heat as a result. The waste heat generated by the VAC system provides the thermal energy needed to recover the draw solution (DS). The VAC system can be powered by low-grade heat sources like solar thermal energy.