Floating Membrane Distillation Module Solar Heating Bubble Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current membrane distillation processes face challenges with high energy consumption and contamination issues in traditional desalination and water purification methods, particularly with reverse osmosis, which require pre-treatment and high-pressure operation, whereas membrane distillation driven by partial vapor pressure differences offers advantages but needs efficient heating and bubble management to maintain membrane efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A floating type membrane distillation module with a solar heat collector having a plate-like structure with pores, positioned between the raw water inlet and the membrane distillation separation membrane, collects sunlight to uniformly heat raw water, separates bubbles through floatation, and directs the heated water to the membrane distillation separation membrane, enhancing efficiency by preventing bubble accumulation and maintaining a temperature difference for effective vaporization and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional solar heat collector is used to heat raw water in membrane distillation, then energy saving is achieved, but bubble accumulation on the membrane surface occurs, reducing effective membrane area and distillation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The solar heat collector is designed with a porous structure containing multiple pores. These pores allow trapped bubbles to escape from the raw water as it flows over the heat collector surface, preventing bubble accumulation on the membrane and maintaining effective membrane area for distillation while continuing to provide solar heating
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful bubbles are extracted and removed from the system through the pores in the solar heat collector. By providing an escape path for bubbles through the porous structure, the collector eliminates the harmful effect of bubble accumulation while preserving the beneficial heating function
2Productivity
If high pressure is applied to drive reverse osmosis membrane for water purification, then separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and pre-treatment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the driving parameter from high pressure (reverse osmosis) to temperature difference (membrane distillation). By heating raw water using solar energy and utilizing vapor pressure differences created by temperature gradients, the system achieves separation without requiring high pressure pumps or extensive pre-treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor and back to liquid. Water vapor generated by solar heating passes through the hydrophobic membrane pores and condenses on the cooling side, achieving separation based on phase change rather than pressure-driven filtration
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 module effectively heats raw water, uniformly supplies it to the membrane distillation separation membrane, increases membrane distillation efficiency by preventing bubble-induced area reduction, and enhances treated water production, demonstrating improved efficiency and durability compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a solar heat collector provided in an internal space of the upper chamber to heat the raw water introduced into the upper chamber
Implementation Method 2
the solar heat collector having a plate-like structure with pores... collects sunlight to uniformly heat raw water
Implementation Method 3
the raw water on the membrane distillation separation membrane turns into vapor by a temperature difference between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, the vapor of the raw water passes through the membrane distillation separation membrane
Implementation Method 4
a phase change takes place on the surface of a hydrophobic polymer separation membrane, and vapor passes through micropores in the surface of the separation membrane
Implementation Method 5
vapor passes through micropores in the surface of the separation membrane
Implementation Method 6
a float provided on one side of a lower end of the lower chamber to provide buoyancy
Implementation Method 7
the vapor having moved to the lower chamber condenses, producing treated water
Implementation Method 8
a cooling plate provided on a lower surface of the lower chamber to cause the vapor to condense
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a floating type membrane distillation module for collecting sunlight to heat raw water and supplying the heated raw water to a membrane distillation separation membrane, to ensure effective heating of raw water and supply of the uniformly heated raw water to a membrane distillation separation membrane.