Hermetic MVC Compressor for Low Energy Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical vapour compression (MVC) desalination methods face high electrical energy consumption due to low compressor efficiency and pressure drops in steam transport systems, leading to increased temperature and complexity in auxiliary equipment operation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a hermetic chamber with a compressor and motor located inside, operating at high rotation speeds and pressures below atmospheric levels, along with a Venturi tube design to minimize pressure drops and enhance compression efficiency, and integrating auxiliary equipment within the chamber to reduce complexity and heat losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional MVC system with external compressor and steam transport pipes is used, then the system can operate, but pressure drops occur in steam transport leading to increased energy consumption and temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compressor and auxiliary equipment into the hermetic chamber, eliminating external steam transport pipes. This integration removes the source of pressure drops and energy losses while simplifying the overall system architecture by combining previously separate components into a unified enclosed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the compressor and auxiliary equipment from the external environment and places them inside the hermetic chamber. This extraction eliminates the need for steam transport pipes connecting external components, thereby removing the pressure drops and energy losses associated with external steam transport.
2Productivity
If the compressor operates at high rotation speeds to improve compression efficiency, then compression efficiency increases, but the complexity of auxiliary equipment operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor with auxiliary equipment such as condensate collectors and vacuum pumps within the hermetic chamber. This merging allows the auxiliary equipment to operate in the same controlled environment, reducing operational complexity despite high rotation speeds by eliminating the need for complex external connections and steam transport infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If auxiliary equipment is located outside the hermetic chamber, then installation is simpler, but heat losses increase and system stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all auxiliary equipment into the hermetic chamber, eliminating external installations. This integration eliminates heat losses associated with external steam transport and improves system stability by ensuring all components operate in the same controlled vacuum environment, while the hermetic seal maintains a controlled environment for all components.
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 configuration significantly reduces pressure drops and energy consumption, improving compressor efficiency and simplifying the system, making MVC more competitive with other desalination methods by lowering operational costs and enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (04) connected to a motor, the compressor being able to increase the pressure of the vapour produced in the evaporation zone (02) and to convey it to the condensation zone (05)
Implementation Method 2
the hermetic chamber (01) is under partial vacuum, the pressure inside said chamber being less than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator/condenser (11) comprising an evaporation zone (02) and a condensation zone (05) inside said hermetic chamber (01)
Implementation Method 4
a compressor (04) connected to a motor, the compressor being able to increase the pressure of the vapour produced in the evaporation zone (02) and to convey it to the condensation zone (05)
Implementation Method 5
a Venturi tube design to minimize pressure drops and enhance compression efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides several innovations relative to MVC thermal distillation methods and facilities in order to decrease their specific electricity consumption to values of only 2 to 4 kWh/m3 of distillate produced, as well as their manufacturing costs. The vapour transport system is reduced to its simplest expression and has a practically null total dynamic pressure loss. The compression system including the compressor motor) is completely integrated into the evaporator-condenser, installed in the inlet of the condensation zones, preferably provided with a system preventing overheating of the vapour, and driven at a high speed of rotation. Preferably, the auxiliary equipment is installed in the enclosure in a partial vacuum (hermetic chamber). According to one particular embodiment, the condensation zones have a section that decreases with the path of the vapour. The exchangers on the incoming and outgoing flows are supplied with continuously balanced heat loads. Heat losses are offset by auxiliary heating. Preferably, the facility can be made using a modular concept.