Ocean Thermal Membrane Distillation for Cascaded Freshwater and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for harnessing ocean thermal energy are limited to electricity generation and do not effectively utilize the thermal energy for other sustainable processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize the temperature gradient between high and low temperature waters in oceans to perform primary processes like membrane distillation for freshwater production and secondary processes such as air conditioning, carbon sequestering, and aquaculture by employing a membrane distillation apparatus that uses the thermal energy of a body of water with dissolved minerals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) processes are used to generate electricity, then electrical energy is produced, but the thermal energy cannot be simultaneously used for other sustainable processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a system where the same thermal energy resource (temperature gradient between surface and deep ocean water) simultaneously drives multiple processes: electricity generation through OTEC, freshwater production through membrane distillation, and air conditioning through heat exchange. This allows one thermal energy source to serve multiple purposes, resolving the contradiction between single-use electricity generation and multi-process utilization.
2Productivity
If thermal energy is used for a single primary process, then process efficiency is maintained, but energy waste occurs due to unused thermal resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy recovery by capturing thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted. The cold deep ocean water, after serving its primary function in OTEC electricity generation, is not discarded but instead recovered and utilized for membrane distillation and air conditioning processes. This cascading utilization ensures that thermal energy is extracted at multiple temperature levels, minimizing energy loss while maintaining process efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If high temperature water is used for membrane distillation, then freshwater is produced, but the temperature gradient required for distillation reduces the availability of thermal energy for other processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing different temperature parameters from the same thermal source for different processes. The temperature gradient is exploited at multiple levels: higher temperature differences drive membrane distillation for freshwater production, while lower temperature differences are utilized for air conditioning and other thermal processes. This multi-level parameter utilization allows simultaneous freshwater production and thermal energy availability for other processes.
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
Efficiently produces freshwater, reduces energy costs, and minimizes environmental impact by utilizing thermal energy for multiple sustainable processes, including air conditioning and carbon sequestration, while addressing the limitations of existing ocean thermal energy conversion technologies.
Implementation Method 1
either the temperature difference between the high and low temperature water provides a temperature gradient to drive the membrane distillation
Implementation Method 2
distilling the high temperature water by membrane distillation in the distillation apparatus to extract freshwater vapour from the high temperature water
Implementation Method 3
the low temperature water is used to condense freshwater vapour
Data Source
AI summary
A method 30 and apparatus 31 for performing a primary and a secondary process using thermal energy of a body of water comprising a dissolved mineral. The method 30 comprising providing 40 high temperature water 34 from the body of water 33 and low temperature water 35 at from the body of water 33 to a primary apparatus 41, wherein the high temperature water 34 is at a first temperature which is higher than a second temperature of the low temperature water 35. Performing a primary process 50 in the primary apparatus 41, wherein the primary process comprises distilling the high temperature water 34 by membrane distillation to extract freshwater vapour from the high temperature water 34, wherein either the temperature difference between the high 34 and low 35 temperature water provides a temperature gradient to drive the membrane distillation or the low temperature water 35 is used to condense freshwater vapour. Removing the low temperature water 35 from the primary apparatus 60 and performing a secondary process 70 using the low temperature water 35.