Multiple-effect evaporator external ducting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple-effect distillation systems for seawater desalination face challenges in reducing size for small to medium production capacities due to limitations in vapor passage channels and distillate collection channels, making maintenance and access difficult, which hinders the reduction of overall size and increases construction complexity.
Innovation Solution
A structural design where all components except tube bundles and drop separators are externally arranged, with access openings for maintenance and part extraction, allowing operators to replace parts without entering the module, and using externally mounted pre-heaters and vapor transfer ducts to simplify internal structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cross section of the effects is reduced for small production, then the overall size of the evaporator is reduced, but the vapor passage channels and distillate collection channels become too small to function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves vapor passage channels and distillate collection channels from internal positioning to external arrangement. The vapor transfer ducts are positioned outside the effect bodies, and distillate collection channels are arranged externally, allowing reduced cross-sectional area while maintaining functional capacity through external routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vapor passage channels and distillate collection channels from the internal structure of the effects and positions them externally. This separation allows the effect bodies to be minimized in size while the external ducts handle the vapor and distillate transport functions.
2Device complexity
If all members are placed inside a single central body, then the structure is compact, but maintenance and manufacturing become extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the evaporator system into separate effect bodies that can be accessed individually, with external vapor transfer ducts and distillate collection channels. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service specific components without disassembling the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts critical components (vapor transfer ducts, distillate collection channels) from the internal structure and positions them externally. This extraction enables easy maintenance and manufacturing access while maintaining the compact stacked arrangement of the effect bodies.
3Manufacturing precision
If the internal coating operation requires access to every part of the effect, then complete coverage is achieved, but the operation becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the internal surfaces that require coating by positioning vapor transfer ducts and distillate collection channels externally. This eliminates the need to access the interior of effect bodies for coating operations, while still achieving complete coverage of all functional surfaces through the external arrangement.
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 design simplifies maintenance, reduces construction costs, and allows for the use of low-cost materials while reducing the evaporator's height and construction complexity, enabling efficient production of fresh water with minimal heat consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion is made to evaporate by means of steam (or another heating fluid), which is sent inside the vaporizer tubes from an external source (boiler)
Implementation Method 2
The vapor itself condenses into fresh water, which represents the product of the plant
Implementation Method 3
a suction ejector which expels the incondensable elements into the atmosphere while the condensate is recovered
Implementation Method 4
after having been preheated through pre-heaters incorporated in the structure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A newly-conceived multiple-effect evaporator, preferably for obtaining fresh water from seawater, wherein every effect (1.i) has a box-like structure and at its interior only comprises a horizontal evaporation tube bundle (8) and a drop separator (9), while the remaining tubes, of joined type, are externally arranged. The height of the evaporator is reduced due to the alternating arrangement of the external components (3.i) and relative alternating eccentric arrangement of the horizontal evaporation tube bundles (8) inside the various effects.