Solar Panel Cooling via Forward Osmosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification methods through reverse osmosis and forward osmosis require high energy consumption, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates forward osmosis with solar panel efficiency, using a semipermeable membrane and a heat exchange tubing system to purify water while increasing solar panel efficiency by cooling the panels and utilizing the produced heat for water purification, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse osmosis is used for desalination, then water purification is achieved, but energy consumption becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure system of reverse osmosis with a thermal field-driven forward osmosis system. Instead of using mechanical pressure to force water through the membrane, the system uses temperature differences to create osmotic pressure gradients that drive water purification, thereby eliminating the high energy consumption associated with mechanical pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving parameter from mechanical pressure (reverse osmosis) to temperature difference (forward osmosis). By controlling temperature parameters rather than pressure parameters, the system achieves water purification with significantly lower energy input, as thermal energy can be more efficiently harnessed and controlled.
2Use of energy by moving object
If forward osmosis is used for desalination, then energy efficiency is improved, but solar panel efficiency is reduced due to heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the solar panel serves dual purposes: generating electricity and providing thermal energy for water purification. The heat that would normally be wasted and reduce panel efficiency is instead captured and utilized to drive the forward osmosis process, making the system more versatile and efficient overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat accumulation (which reduces solar panel efficiency) into a beneficial resource. The excess thermal energy that would normally be discarded is now used to power the forward osmosis desalination process, turning a disadvantage into an advantage and improving overall system efficiency.
3Power
If solar panels are cooled to increase efficiency, then power output is improved, but additional energy is required for cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel cooling system serves itself by using its own generated thermal energy for cooling. The forward osmosis process requires thermal energy, and this demand is used to create the cooling effect, eliminating the need for external cooling energy input. The system's own operational requirements provide the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling function with the water purification function. The thermal energy transfer that cools the solar panel is the same energy transfer that drives the forward osmosis process. These two functions are combined into a single integrated system rather than being separate 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
The system achieves efficient water purification with low energy consumption by enhancing solar panel efficiency and utilizing thermal energy for water treatment, improving both solar energy and water production efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
Forward osmosis refers to a phenomenon wherein water moves from a lower solute concentration solution to a solution of a higher solute concentration by osmotic pressure
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchange tubing system being configured for cooling down the solar panel and heating the diluted draw solution stream passing through the heat exchange tubing system
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for purifying water comprising the steps of: - providing a feed solution stream (10) comprising water, having a first osmotic pressure and a temperature T1 on a feed side (4) of a semipermeable membrane (3); - providing a draw solution stream (11) comprising a draw solute, having a second osmotic pressure and a temperature T2 on a draw side (5) of the semipermeable membrane (3), the second osmotic pressure being higher than the first osmotic pressure; - passing water through the semipermeable membrane (3) to the draw side (5) so as to mix the water with the draw solution stream (11) to produce a diluted draw solution stream (12) having a temperature T3; characterized in that - the temperature T2 of the draw solution stream (11) is higher than the temperature T1 of the feed solution stream (10), such that the temperature T3 of the diluted draw solution stream (12) is lower than temperature T2; - at least one solar panel (13) is provided, said solar panel (13) comprising a heat exchange tubing system (14) being in communication with the draw side (5) and said solar panel (13) having a temperature T4 being higher than the temperature T3; - the diluted draw solution stream (12) is passed into the heat exchange tubing system (14) such that the solar panel (13) is cooled down to a temperature T5 and the diluted draw solution stream (12) is heated, thereby forming a heated draw solution stream (22) having a temperature Τ6; - the heated draw solution stream (22) is passed into a separation unit (17) such that said stream (22) is separated into a stream of purified water (24) and a stream of recovered draw solution (23); - the stream of recovered draw solution (23) is passed to the draw side (5) of the semipermeable membrane (3) to be recycled. A system for purifying water, and use thereof, is provided as well.