Solar Distillation Apparatus with Nested Condensation Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar distillation systems for producing clean drinking water are either ineffective, complex, or prone to contamination, with large size, lack of maintenance capabilities, and inefficient energy use, leading to low output and durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact solar hot water and distillation apparatus with a coiled hot water tank, evaporation tray, and condensation surface on the outside of the tank, using a heat source like a stove or solar collector to enhance evaporation and condensation efficiency, and featuring a distillate collection system that prevents contamination and allows for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a solar distillation system uses a simple design, then it is easy to manufacture, but it is ineffective and produces low output
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a solar collector module, an evaporation chamber module, and a condensation module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation chamber is nested within the evaporation chamber, and the hot water tank is integrated into the condensation structure. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, increases the condensation surface area without increasing overall system size, and improves thermal efficiency.
2Productivity
If a solar distillation system uses a technically complex design, then it is more effective, but it becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation chamber is nested within the evaporation chamber, and the hot water tank is integrated into the condensation structure. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, increases the condensation surface area without increasing overall system size, and improves thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation surface is formed on the three-dimensional outer surface of the hot water tank, utilizing vertical and radial space rather than only horizontal plane area. This dimensional approach significantly increases the condensation surface area within a compact volume.
3Device complexity
If condensed water drips directly into the evaporation chamber opening, then the system is simple, but contaminated water splashes into the distilled water
Solution Approach 1:
The distillate collection function is extracted from the evaporation chamber by providing a separate distillate collection chamber. This separation prevents any potential contamination of collected distillate with water from the evaporation chamber while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation chamber acts as an intermediary barrier between the evaporation chamber and the distillate collection chamber. Condensed water forms on the condensation surface within the condensation chamber and drips into the distillate collection chamber through controlled pathways, preventing direct exposure to the evaporation chamber environment.
4Reliability
If the solar collector is permanently closed, then it is durable, but it cannot be cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The solar collector is segmented from the distillation system, allowing it to be independently accessed, removed, and cleaned without disassembling the entire system. This modular approach maintains the sealed integrity of the distillation chambers while enabling maintenance of the solar collector.
5Loss of energy
If feed water circulates between the evaporation chamber and solar collector, then heat exchange is improved, but aggressive water harms the solar collector
Solution Approach 1:
The solar collector is extracted from the water circulation loop, serving only as a heat source rather than part of the fluid pathway. This eliminates exposure to aggressive feed water while maintaining thermal coupling through the evaporation chamber structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporation chamber structure serves as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy from the solar collector to the feed water without direct contact between the solar collector and the water. This thermal coupling achieves heat exchange efficiency while protecting the solar collector from water damage.
6Quantity of substance
If a large volume of water is used in the lower tank, then it provides sufficient feed water, but it takes a long time to heat up and start evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to rapidly heat the feed water to evaporation temperature using concentrated solar energy or external heat source applied directly to the evaporation chamber. This preliminary heating action reduces the time required to reach operating temperature and start productive distillation.
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 apparatus achieves high efficiency in producing clean water with a higher output ratio, improved durability, and ease of maintenance, while preventing contamination and optimizing energy use, making it suitable for decentralized water purification.
Implementation Method 1
the water evaporates from the opening in the container body
Implementation Method 2
a heat source thermally connected to the evaporation tray
Implementation Method 3
the hot water and distillation apparatus is configured to condensate evaporated feed water from the evaporation tray by means of heat exchange between the hot water tank and a condensation surface
Implementation Method 4
heat exchange between the hot water tank and a condensation surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water and distillation apparatus configured to simultaneously produce distilled water and hot water is disclosed. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a hot water tank, a condensation and evaporation chamber, an (feed water) evaporation tray provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber, a heat source thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus is configured to condensate evaporated feed water from the evaporation tray by means of heat exchange between the hot water tank and a condensation surface. The condensation surface is provided at the outside surface of the hot water tank. The heat source is thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a distillate collection member configured to collect distillate. The hot water tank, the evaporation tray and the distillate collection member are provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber.