Stacked-Cell Desalination for Low-Energy Thermal Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing desalination methods, such as multi-stage flash distillation, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis, are unsuitable for certain environments due to high power requirements, construction complexity, and physical constraints, making them impractical for seawater desalination in some settings.
Innovation Solution
A stacked cell apparatus with a heat source and pressure control system that utilizes thermal communication between cells to efficiently evaporate seawater, using solar power and vacuum solar panels, and a heat recovery system to minimize energy consumption and produce distilled water with minimal saltwater discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multi-stage flash distillation is used, then distilled water can be produced, but high power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the distillation process into multiple stacked cells, each operating at different pressure levels. This segmentation allows progressive evaporation and condensation stages, where steam from lower cells heats upper cells, significantly reducing external power requirements while maintaining production capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pressure parameters across different cells, with each cell operating at progressively lower pressure from bottom to top. This pressure gradient enables water to evaporate at lower temperatures in upper cells, reducing energy consumption while maintaining distillation efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis is used, then distilled water can be produced, but very high pump pressure of around 60 bar is required with associated construction and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the high-pressure mechanical pumping system of reverse osmosis with a thermal-driven evaporation-condensation process. Steam generation and condensation occur naturally driven by heat transfer and pressure gradients, eliminating the need for high-pressure pumps and complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to liquid) across multiple cells. Water evaporates in lower cells and condenses in upper cells, creating a natural flow mechanism that eliminates the need for high-pressure mechanical systems required in reverse osmosis.
3Quantity of substance
If electrodialysis is used, then salt separation can be achieved, but electricity applied to electrodes is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the electrical field-driven ion transport of electrodialysis with thermal-driven evaporation and condensation. Salt separation is achieved through phase change rather than electrical forces, eliminating the need for electrodes and electricity consumption.
4Loss of energy
If stacked cells with thermal communication are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but pressure control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and control valves in each cell that continuously monitor and adjust pressure levels. This feedback mechanism maintains optimal pressure gradients across cells, ensuring efficient thermal communication and energy transfer while automatically compensating for system variations.
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 efficient seawater desalination with reduced energy input, producing distilled water and saltwater with minimal environmental impact, suitable for various installations including land and sea-based applications.
Implementation Method 1
the top surface of each cell of the stacked cells except the uppermost cell, is in thermal communication with the bottom surface of the cell above
Implementation Method 2
when the cells are heated, steam is produced in each of the cells
Implementation Method 3
The steam is then condensed on the top surface of the cell which is the underside of the bottom surface of the cell above
Implementation Method 4
The condensation produces/releases heat energy/enthalpy which heats the bottom of the cell above thereby conveying the heat energy of the steam, including the latent heat to the overlying cell
Implementation Method 5
By controlling the pressure of each cell, a different temperature may be required in each cell to achieve boiling/evaporation of the water. The boiling point of water is dependent on both pressure and temperature
Implementation Method 6
using solar power and vacuum solar panels
Implementation Method 7
The pressure control system comprises a vacuum control system. This enables the cells to have a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to reduce the required temperature to reach evaporation point
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, (100) system and method for desalination of seawater. The apparatus comprises: a series of stacked cells (101, 101L, 101U), each cell comprising a bottom surface (102) and a top surface (103), and a heat source (104) for providing heat to the lowermost cell (101L). The top surface (103) of each cell of the stacked cells except the uppermost cell (101U), is in thermal communication with the bottom surface (102) of the cell above. Each cell (101, 101L, 101U) comprises a saltwater collection outlet (105) in fluid connection with the bottom surface (102) and a distilled water collection outlet (106) in fluid communication with the top surface (103). The apparatus (100) further comprises a pressure control system configured to control the pressure in each of the cells (101, 101L, 101U).