Ejector Cooling and Membrane Distillation Heat-Reuse Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current desalination and cooling technologies face challenges in energy efficiency, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness, with traditional methods like reverse osmosis and thermal distillation being energy-intensive and environmentally harmful, and existing combinations of membrane distillation and ejector cooling cycles lacking a closed loop or efficient integration.
Innovation Solution
A desalination and cooling system integrating an ejector cooling cycle (ECC) and direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system, where the ECC system generates a super-heated stream to heat the feed stream in the DCMD system, utilizing waste heat for pre-heating and enhancing energy efficiency and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional desalination techniques like reverse osmosis and thermal distillation are used, then desalination capability is achieved, but energy consumption is high and environmental impact is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines membrane distillation and ejector cooling cycle systems into an integrated unit where the ejector cooling system provides cooling for the membrane distillation feed water while its waste heat is used to preheat the feed water, eliminating the need for separate desalination and cooling systems and reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the waste heat from the ejector cooling cycle, which would normally be discarded, into a useful resource by using it to preheat the feed water in the membrane distillation process, thereby reducing the energy input required for desalination
2Use of energy by moving object
If membrane distillation is used for desalination, then energy efficiency is improved, but cooling requirements increase operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector cooling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the feed water for membrane distillation, provides cooling for the permeate condensate, and its waste heat is utilized for preheating feed water, thereby reducing operational complexity by eliminating dedicated cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system uses its own waste heat and cooling capabilities to serve the membrane distillation process, with the ejector cooling system providing both cooling and heating functions internally, reducing dependence on external utilities and simplifying operations
3Use of energy by moving object
If ejector cooling cycle is used for cooling, then energy consumption is reduced, but waste heat release creates environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat release from the ejector cooling cycle into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the feed water in the membrane distillation process, thereby eliminating environmental impact while maintaining energy efficiency
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate desalination and cooling systems are used, then system functionality is achieved, but operational costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate desalination and cooling systems into a single integrated unit where the ejector cooling cycle and membrane distillation system share thermal resources, reducing operational costs and complexity while maintaining both desalination and cooling functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat from the ejector cooling cycle that would normally be discarded and uses it for preheating feed water in the membrane distillation process, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining system functionality
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
The integrated system improves energy efficiency by reusing waste heat, reduces costs by combining operations, and provides both desalination and cooling capabilities, making it suitable for water-scarce regions with high cooling demands.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane configured to be in direct contact with the feed stream and the water permeate on opposing sides. The membrane includes a plurality of pores configured to allow water vapors originating from the hot feed stream to pass from the feed chamber through the membrane to the permeate chamber
Implementation Method 2
an ejector configured for the primary flow and the secondary flow to pass through to obtain a super-heated stream of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a condenser configured to cool the super-heated stream of the refrigerant, wherein the feed stream is heated by the super-heated stream of the refrigerant at the condenser
Implementation Method 4
The vapor pressure difference between the hot feed stream and the cold distillate stream of the cold clean water chamber across the membrane causes water vapor of the hot feed stream to travel through the membrane pores, and condense directly in a clean cold stream flowing on the other side of the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A desalination and cooling system is disclosed, integrating an Ejector Cooling Cycle (ECC) system and a Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) system. The ECC system includes a generator, an evaporator, an ejector, and a condenser. The generator produces a primary flow of refrigerant, the evaporator provides cooling and a secondary flow of the refrigerant, and the ejector combines these flows to generate a super-heated stream of the refrigerant, which the condenser cools. The DCMD system, including a feed chamber, a permeate chamber, a membrane with pores, and an external cooling source, allows water vapors from a hot stream to pass from the feed chamber to the permeate chamber. The ECC and DCMD systems are connected at the condenser, where the super-heated stream of the refrigerant heats the cold stream to produce the hot stream, facilitating efficient desalination and cooling.