Vacuum Water Distillation Device Thermal Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water distillation devices are energy-consuming, leading to high costs and inefficiencies, especially in small-scale processes, and there is a need for a device that can efficiently produce distilled water while being compact and easy to realize.
Innovation Solution
A water distillation device with a body having a lateral wall defining a cavity for a distillation chamber and a condensation chamber, featuring an intermediate separating element with a through hole for steam passage and a collection portion for distilled water, utilizing a Peltier cell cooler and a refrigerator compressor to enhance energy efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional electric heaters are used for water distillation, then the distillation process can be carried out, but energy consumption is high and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers thermal energy from the condensation chamber where water vapor condenses into liquid. This recovered thermal energy is then used to preheat the incoming water or to maintain the distillation process, significantly reducing the energy input required from external electric heaters and lowering production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the heat that would normally be wasted during condensation into a useful resource. The thermal energy released when water vapor condenses into liquid in the condensation chamber is captured and utilized to heat the feed water or sustain the distillation process, transforming what was previously a loss into a benefit.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact distillation device is designed, then space is saved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the distillation chamber and condensation chamber into a single integrated unit with a shared wall structure. The separating wall between the two chambers incorporates the heating element and condensation surfaces, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device volume while maintaining functional efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the heating element is positioned within the separating wall structure, and the condensation chamber is arranged to utilize the space created by the distillation chamber. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of functional components without increasing overall device dimensions.
3Loss of energy
If thermal energy recovery is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating wall between the distillation and condensation chambers serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural divider between chambers, serves as a mounting structure for the heating element, provides a surface for condensation, and functions as a heat exchange interface. This multi-functionality enables thermal energy recovery without adding separate components, thereby avoiding increased system complexity.
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 device achieves high energy efficiency, compactness, and ease of realization, allowing for efficient production of distilled water while recovering thermal energy, thus reducing costs and improving process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a Peltier cell cooler and a refrigerator compressor to enhance energy efficiency
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a Peltier cell cooler and a refrigerator compressor to enhance energy efficiency
Implementation Method 3
at least a heater (15c), configured to heat the amount of water (201) to distill
Implementation Method 4
said intermediate or separating element (100) comprising at least a through hole (105) configured to allow the passage of at least a distillation steam from the distillation chamber to the condensation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Water distillation device, comprising:a body having a lateral wall and defining a cavity suitable for allowing the distillation of an amount of water to distill, wherein in said cavity are defined a distillation chamber and a condensation chamber, wherein the condensation chamber comprises a collection portion designed to collect at least temporarily distilled water,at least a heater, configured to heat the amount of water to distill present, in use, in the distillation chamber,a cooler, configured to cause a condensation of a distillation steam deriving from the heating of the water to distill through the heater,wherein the condensation chamber comprises an outlet configured to allow an outflow of the distilled water from the collection portion,wherein the water distillation device is a vacuum distillation device, configured to carry out the distillation of the water to distill at a pressure lower with respect to the atmospheric pressure,wherein the water distillation device has an operating configuration of supply of distilled water, within which the distilled water collected in the collection portion is made flown outside of said cavity, optionally in an outlet duct, said device being configured to maintain within said cavity a predetermined vacuum level with respect to a predetermined threshold in the continuation of said operating configuration of supply of distilled water,the water distillation device comprising an extraction pump connected with said outlet, said extraction pump being configured to be activated during the operating configuration of supply for extracting the water from the collection portion allowing to maintain the vacuum inside the cavity and/or preventing that the vacuum inside the cavity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and/or preventing, during its operation, the access of the air inside said cavity.