Rotating Tray Water Decontamination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desalination methods are energy-intensive and inefficient, particularly when dealing with heavily salted solutions, and existing systems face issues with membrane clogging, high operational costs, and maintenance challenges due to complex mechanical designs.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal water processing system with rotating trays and stationary baffles that centrifugally and axially compress fluids to separate contaminants, utilizing sensors and a control system to optimize rotation speed and energy use, and incorporating a turbine for energy recovery and efficient water vapor generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse osmosis membranes are used for desalination, then water purification is achieved, but membrane clogging occurs and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the membrane-based mechanical filtration system with a centrifugal separation system. The rotating tray assembly creates centrifugal force that separates contaminants from water without requiring membranes, thereby eliminating membrane clogging while maintaining purification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from pressure-driven membrane filtration to centrifugal force-driven separation. By rotating the tray assembly at controlled speeds, the system achieves separation based on density differences without the membrane clogging issues inherent in pressure-based systems.
2Productivity
If high-pressure pumps or centrifuges are used in reverse osmosis systems, then water flow rate is increased, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gravity-assisted flow system where water naturally flows through the rotating tray assembly without requiring high-pressure pumps. The centrifugal separation occurs during the natural rotation process, and condensed vapor drains back by gravity, eliminating the need for energy-intensive pressurization systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vapor condensation and gravitational drainage to move water through the system. Condensed water vapor drains back into the lower chamber through gravity, creating a continuous circulation cycle without mechanical pumps, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity.
3Productivity
If complex mechanical designs are used in desalination systems, then processing efficiency is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into distinct modular components: an upper chamber, a rotatable tray assembly with multiple trays, a lower chamber, and a condensation chamber. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily accessed, inspected, and maintained without disassembling the entire system, reducing maintenance difficulty while preserving processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a rotatable tray assembly that can be rotated to different positions during operation and maintenance. This dynamic positioning allows operators to access different trays for cleaning or inspection without shutting down the entire system, facilitating easier maintenance while maintaining continuous processing capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If evaporation-based desalination is used, then water vapor is generated for purification, but energy input requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor and back to liquid in a controlled manner. Water in the upper chamber evaporates due to heat input, the vapor rises and condenses on the condensation chamber walls, and the condensed water drains back. This phase transition cycle achieves purification while allowing for energy recovery and reduced input requirements compared to direct evaporation systems.
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 system achieves high water recovery rates (up to 99%) while reducing energy consumption and operational costs, with improved durability and ease of maintenance by distributing rotational loads and using low-friction bearings, and allows for efficient desalination and water vapor generation.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid is centrifugally and axially compressed through the vessel as the shaft rotates
Implementation Method 2
The fluid is centrifugally and axially compressed through the vessel as the shaft rotates
Implementation Method 3
The fluid is heated to at least a boiling temperature thereof so as to create steam
Implementation Method 4
The steam is passed through a turbine operably connected to an electric generator
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.