Solar Desalination with Ultrasonic Atomized Droplets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing desalination technologies, such as seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO), are energy-intensive and have drawbacks like brine production, seawater intakes, and high energy requirements, making them inefficient for decentralized applications.

Innovation Solution

A portable and direct solar thermal desalination system that uses a solar receiver and evaporator unit with an ultrasonic atomizer to generate atomized droplets, which directly capture solar energy for evaporation, producing freshwater with low energy consumption and minimal maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) is used for desalination, then desalination capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesalination capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of water from bulk liquid to atomized droplets, increasing surface area to volume ratio. This parameter change enables direct solar energy absorption by droplets, reducing the energy required for evaporation and resolving the contradiction between desalination capacity and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transition from liquid water to water vapor through direct solar heating of atomized droplets. The ultrasonic atomizer creates fine droplets that rapidly evaporate when exposed to solar radiation, enabling efficient desalination with minimal energy input compared to conventional SWRO systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If ultrasonic atomizer is used to generate atomized droplets, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex thermal processing equipment with a simple ultrasonic atomizer. The ultrasonic device uses high-frequency vibrations to atomize water, substituting mechanical heating systems with a more compact and efficient atomization mechanism, thereby improving evaporation efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If direct solar energy capture by atomized droplets is implemented, then energy cost is reduced, but system portability requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy costVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs self-service principles by using natural solar radiation as the energy source. The atomized droplets directly capture solar energy without requiring external heating equipment, making the system portable and adaptable to decentralized applications. The system serves itself by utilizing freely available solar energy, reducing energy costs while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively produces high-quality freshwater using renewable solar energy, reducing energy costs and operational complexity, while being cost-effective and suitable for decentralized applications.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic atomizer positioned within the solar receiver and evaporator unit for generating atomized droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

entrained droplets of the air-droplet mixture are exposed to solar radiations falling on the solar receiver and evaporator unit, which enables the atomized droplets to directly capture the incident solar radiations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

directly capture solar energy for evaporation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

leading to droplets evaporation, thereby producing freshwater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

a condenser in connection with the solar receiver and evaporator unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS12324993B1Direct solar desalination with atomized droplets and heat recovery

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY

AI summary

There is disclosed a portable direct solar desalination system, comprising a solar receiver and evaporator unit comprising inlet and outlet ports for incoming and outgoing water and air; an ultrasonic atomizer unit positioned within the solar receiver and evaporator unit for generating atomized droplets inside the solar receiver and evaporator unit; wherein air flows into the solar receiver and evaporator unit via the inlet port, thereby carrying the atomized droplets through the solar receiver and evaporator unit, wherein entrained droplets of the air-droplet mixture are exposed to solar radiations falling on the solar receiver and evaporator unit, which enables the atomized droplets to directly capture the incident solar radiations, leading to droplets evaporation, thereby producing freshwater. Also disclosed is a process of solar desalination comprising directly capturing solar energy by atomized water droplets in a solar evaporator.