Sequential Evaporation Heat Collectors for Low-Energy Desalination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current saline water treatment methods are inefficient, costly, and energy-intensive, leading to soil salinization and environmental pollution, as they either focus solely on desalination or salt production without effectively managing the by-products, and lack applicability in areas with limited energy resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing sequential evaporation of multiple groups of heat collecting devices, including solar heat collectors and a condenser, to efficiently separate water and salt under micro-negative pressure, leveraging natural flow and potential energy differences to reduce energy consumption and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional distillation desalination technology (MVR or multi-effect evaporation) is used, then water-salt separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heat collection process into multiple groups of heat collectors (M groups, N collectors each) connected in series and parallel combinations. This segmentation allows gradual temperature increase of saline water through sequential heating stages, reducing the energy gap between heat source and evaporation chamber, thereby improving thermal efficiency and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines solar heat collection with light-gathering heat collection in a unified system. The light-gathering heat collectors are integrated between the traditional heat collectors and the evaporation chamber, merging two heat collection methods to maximize temperature increase while minimizing energy loss, thus achieving efficient water-salt separation with reduced energy input.
2Productivity
If multi-effect evaporation technology is used, then water-salt separation is achieved, but the system requires high vacuum and stable large amount of electric power resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses natural flow driven by potential energy differences between heat collectors at different heights to move saline water through the heating stages. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external pumps and stable electric power resources, making the system adaptable to areas with limited energy infrastructure while maintaining effective water-salt separation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If salt field method is used for salt production, then no electric energy is required, but the process is slow, occupies large area, and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter by using sequential heat collection to progressively increase saline water temperature to near-boiling points before evaporation. This parameter change enables rapid evaporation and salt crystallization in a compact system, achieving high salt production efficiency without requiring large areas or external electric energy input.
4Area of stationary object
If electrodialysis method is used for salt production, then small area is occupied and product quality is high, but a lot of electricity is consumed and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric field-based electrodialysis mechanism with a thermal field-based evaporation system. By using heat collectors to thermally drive water evaporation and salt crystallization, the system achieves compact footprint and high product quality without consuming electricity, substituting mechanical/electric processes with thermal 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
This approach significantly reduces energy consumption, saves water resources, and enables the production of fresh water and crystal salt without additional energy or water inputs, making it suitable for areas with water scarcity and limited energy availability.
Implementation Method 1
multiple groups of heat collecting devices, light-gathering heat collectors
Implementation Method 2
heating chamber, evaporation chamber
Implementation Method 3
evaporation chamber has two outlets, a top vapor outlet being connected with the condenser
Implementation Method 4
separating water and salt by sequential evaporation
Implementation Method 5
top vapor outlet being connected with the condenser
Implementation Method 6
condenser has a sleeve-type structure, a tube ring inlet between an inner tube and an outer tube
Implementation Method 7
so that the evaporation chamber and tube rings of the condenser are in a micro-negative pressure environment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for separating water and salt by sequential evaporation of multiple groups of heat collecting devices. The system comprises heat collectors, a light-gathering heat collector, a heating chamber, an evaporation chamber, a condenser, a buffer chamber and a vacuum pump; a saline water stock solution is rapidly heated by multiple series-connected-multiple groups of parallel solar heat collecting devices and series-connected light-gathering heat collectors with decreasing water levels, and the water levels control water inlet and the temperature controls water outlet; several groups are started up in turn to perform micro-negative pressure evaporation, while other groups provide phase change heat energy, and the buffer chamber collects concentrated saline water; natural convection heat exchange occurs between the saline water stock solution and a vapor manifold, vapor heat energy is recovered and condensed fresh water is produced.