Solar Facade Water Reuse Enclosure With Optical Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment and thermal energy production systems in buildings are inefficient in terms of energy and water consumption, and do not effectively integrate with architectural design, particularly due to limitations in orientation, concentration possibilities, and energy losses from solar radiation.
Innovation Solution
A Solar Enclosure for Water Reuse (SEWR) system that integrates solar absorption strategies with building facades, utilizing modular geometry and optical concentration elements to synergistically provide closed-loop recycled water and thermal energy, overcoming existing impediments by maximizing heat input and achieving solar pasteurization, disinfection, and desalination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional vertical solar collectors are used, then thermal energy production is achieved, but energy losses due to refraction of solar radiation occur and orientation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional vertical flat plate collectors to three-dimensional refractive optical elements (lenses, prisms, curved surfaces) that capture solar radiation from multiple directions and angles, fundamentally changing the geometric dimensionality of the collector aperture to eliminate refraction losses and improve orientation adaptability
2Reliability
If solar concentration is increased to improve water treatment effectiveness, then pasteurization and disinfection efficiency improves, but system complexity and optical alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar concentration function into modular refractive optical elements (individual lenses, prisms, or curved surface segments) that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing high concentration ratios to be achieved while maintaining system manageability and reducing overall complexity through distributed modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive optical elements are designed to automatically track and concentrate solar radiation onto the water treatment channels through their inherent geometric properties, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tracking systems or active control mechanisms while maintaining high concentration effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If building facade integration is implemented, then architectural aesthetics and space utilization improve, but manufacturing precision and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facade system is divided into standardized modular units, each containing complete refractive optical elements and water treatment channels, allowing precise manufacturing of individual modules that can be assembled on-site with tolerances concentrated at the module level rather than the entire facade level
Solution Approach 2:
The modular facade units are designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow them to be adapted to various building types and facade configurations, reducing the need for custom manufacturing while maintaining precise optical alignment through modular design features
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 SEWR system significantly reduces energy and water consumption profiles by harnessing solar energy for water treatment and thermal modulation, providing a decentralized, scalable, and flexible solution for building water and energy needs, capable of operating as an off-grid water treatment center.
Implementation Method 1
The collector aperture areas integrate optics to increase the incident solar acceptance angles and to achieve solar concentration ratios higher than one
Implementation Method 2
A Solar Enclosure for Water Reuse (SEWR) system is a building facade-integrated solar absorption strategy
Implementation Method 3
Optical concentration is utilized to attain preferred transfer fluid temperatures in preferred time periods in consideration of achieving solar pasteurization, disinfection, desalination, or viral inactivation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for treating wastewater using concentrated solar energy are described herein. The system includes a lens that is positioned either on or adjacent, or forms part of a façade of a building. A fluid passageway, through which the wastewater is circulated, is positioned either within or adjacent the lens. The lens is configured to direct solar energy onto the wastewater to treat the wastewater.