Seawater Desalination Equipment with Zigzag Condensation Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seawater desalination methods face high energy consumption, high initial investment costs, and marine pollution due to inefficient freshwater extraction and disposal of concentrated seawater.
Innovation Solution
A seawater desalination equipment utilizing natural energy sources like solar heat and wind to evaporate seawater, condense vapor into freshwater, and store gases for discharge, while recycling concentrated seawater for mineral extraction, reducing energy consumption and preventing marine pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional evaporation methods (MSF, MED) are used for seawater desalination, then freshwater can be produced, but energy consumption is high and corrosion occurs due to high-temperature operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water between liquid and vapor states through solar heating and natural condensation. The solar still converts liquid seawater to vapor through solar energy, then condenses vapor back to liquid freshwater, eliminating high-temperature industrial heating and reducing energy consumption significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical heating systems (furnaces, heat exchangers) with solar thermal energy conversion. The black-painted basin absorbs solar radiation directly, converting light energy to thermal energy without mechanical intermediaries, thereby reducing energy consumption and system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis method is used for seawater desalination, then freshwater can be separated from ionic substances, but significantly high energy consumption is required due to high-pressure pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition (evaporation and condensation) instead of pressure-driven reverse osmosis. Solar heating converts liquid to vapor, and natural condensation converts vapor back to liquid, eliminating the need for high-pressure pumps and significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure pump system with solar thermal energy conversion and natural condensation processes. This substitution eliminates mechanical energy input requirements and reduces overall system energy consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional seawater desalination apparatuses are used, then freshwater is obtained, but concentrated seawater is dumped into the sea causing marine pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers concentrated brine by allowing it to evaporate completely under solar heating, converting it to solid salt deposits that can be harvested. This eliminates the discharge of concentrated seawater into the marine environment and transforms waste into a useful product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful concentrated brine waste into beneficial solid salt through complete solar evaporation. The brine that would normally be discharged as pollution is instead transformed into harvestable salt, eliminating marine pollution while creating additional value.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional seawater desalination methods are used, then freshwater can be produced, but large production facility areas and high initial investment costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple phase transition processes (evaporation and condensation) that can be implemented in compact solar still designs. The condensation surfaces are integrated vertically, maximizing surface area within minimal footprint, thereby reducing facility area requirements compared to large-scale industrial plants.
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 equipment enhances energy efficiency and reduces costs by leveraging natural energy for desalination and recycles seawater to extract salt and minerals, minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generation unit configured to generate gas from seawater by evaporating the seawater
Implementation Method 2
a condensation unit configured to receive the gas from the gas generation unit and condense the gas to generate freshwater
Implementation Method 3
the cooling unit supplies seawater to an outer surface of the condensation pipe to lower a temperature of the condensation pipe by evaporation of the seawater
Data Source
AI summary
Seawater desalination equipment includes a gas generation unit for generating gas from seawater by evaporating the seawater, a condensation unit for receiving and condensing the gas to generate freshwater, a cooling unit, a gas storage unit connected to the condensation unit and storing gas that has passed through the condensation unit, a vacuum pump, and a control unit for operating the vacuum pump that is configured to discharge the gas stored in the gas storage unit to an outside area when an internal gas pressure difference between the condensation unit and the gas storage unit is within a predetermined range. The condensation unit includes a condensation pipe having a zigzag shape and through which the gas passes. The cooling unit supplies the seawater to the outer surface of the condensation pipe to lower a temperature of the condensation pipe by evaporating the seawater.