Solar Thermal Panel with Reflective Concentrator for Water Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing drinking water from ambient humidity are inefficient, require costly installations, and occupy significant space due to low temperature limitations and the need for bulky vacuum pumps.
Innovation Solution
A solar thermal panel with a reflective surface, heat exchanger, and desiccator material that concentrates solar rays to achieve high temperatures for efficient water adsorption and desorption, allowing for higher water production and sterilization, and incorporating a photovoltaic panel for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solar thermal panels heat saline solution to low temperatures (less than 100°C), then the system can operate with simple components, but the water production efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from low (less than 100°C) to high (above 100°C, reaching several hundreds of degrees Centigrade) by using a reflective solar concentration surface. This parameter change enables efficient evaporation and sterilization while maintaining system simplicity through direct solar heating without complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical heating systems with a reflective solar concentration surface that uses optical energy to achieve high temperatures. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components while improving water production efficiency through direct thermal heating.
2Reliability
If vacuum pumps are used to reduce dew point for condensation, then water condensation can occur, but the system becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the vacuum pump component from the system. Instead of using mechanical vacuum pumps to reduce dew point, the invention uses direct solar thermal heating to achieve evaporation and condensation, eliminating the need for complex vacuum equipment while maintaining condensation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses natural solar energy and passive thermal processes to achieve condensation without external mechanical assistance. The reflective solar concentration surface and desiccator material work together in a self-service manner to enable water production without complex vacuum pumping systems.
3Productivity
If extensive and bulky dimensions are used for water production systems, then sufficient processing capacity is achieved, but installation becomes complex and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational temperature parameter to several hundreds of degrees Centigrade, which dramatically improves evaporation efficiency and water production capacity. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high productivity in a compact form factor, reducing space requirements while maintaining sufficient processing capacity.
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 solution enables efficient production of high-quality, sterilized water with reduced space requirements and improved heat utilization, achieving temperatures above 100°C for effective evaporation and bacterial elimination.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective solar concentration surface (3) which is secured to said frame (2), said reflective solar surface (3) having a solar focusing axis (A) at which it concentrates incident solar rays
Implementation Method 2
concentrates incident solar rays
Implementation Method 3
a container (11) comprising an ambient humidity desiccator material (11a') and at least one opening (12)
Implementation Method 4
releasing it when the desiccator material (11a') and the water contained therein are heated to such a temperature as to allow a significant and functional evaporation
Implementation Method 5
allow a significant and functional evaporation
Implementation Method 6
the solar thermal panel comprises a heat exchanger which is positioned at the solar focusing axis
Data Source
AI summary
Solar thermal panel (1) for producing water, comprising a frame (2), a reflective solar concentration surface (3), a heat exchanger (10) which is positioned at the solar focusing axis (A) and comprising a container (11) comprising an ambient humidity desiccator material (11a′), at least one opening (12), a first valve (13) which is positioned at the at least one opening (12) and selectively actuatable by moving from an open configuration to a closed configuration so as to selectively and reversibly allow the fluid-dynamic connection between the desiccator material (11a) and surrounding ambient air.