Vapor Compression Distillation with Parallel Partition Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desalination systems, such as multiple effect distillation (MED) and solar distillation, face inefficiencies in heat transfer and energy consumption, making them ineffective and costly for converting seawater to fresh water, especially under climate change conditions where fresh water supplies are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A vapor zigzag flow path distillation process with a turbine or screw expander to compress vapor and recover latent heat, combined with a multiple effect distillation system featuring closely spaced parallel partition cylinders or plates for enhanced heat flux and energy efficiency, and a control system for fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple boiler is used for vaporization and condensation, then the system is simple to operate, but energy efficiency is poor and heat recovery is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple effect chambers (first effect, second effect, etc.) with separate evaporators and condensers for each. This segmentation allows heat recovery in one effect to drive vaporization in the next effect, improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second effect is positioned inside the first effect chamber, and subsequent effects are nested within previous ones. This nested arrangement allows heat to be transferred from outer to inner effects, enabling heat recovery and reuse across multiple stages without requiring separate external heat exchangers for each effect
2Loss of energy
If multiple effect distillation system is implemented, then heat efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: each partition wall serves as both a structural separator and a heat transfer medium; the condenser of one effect simultaneously serves as the evaporator for the next effect; vapor flow paths are integrated through the nested chambers. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining multiple effect functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls serve multiple functions: they act as structural dividers between effects, as heat transfer surfaces for both condensation and evaporation, and as support structures for the nested chamber arrangement. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the system structure while achieving high heat efficiency
3Loss of energy
If vapor compression is added to recover latent heat, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system requires additional energy input to operate the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transitions (vaporization and condensation) at different temperature levels across multiple effects. By recovering latent heat during condensation in each effect and using it to drive vaporization in subsequent effects, the system creates a cascading energy recovery mechanism that reduces the need for external compression and energy input
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
This approach significantly reduces energy consumption and enhances the efficiency of seawater desalination, enabling the production of fresh water while also powering a generator to charge batteries, thus providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for water scarcity issues.
Implementation Method 1
establishing a heat flux across the plurality of partition cylinders or plates
Implementation Method 2
evaporation and condensation of the vapors in a zigzag way, for the separation of binary phase and multiple phase liquids
Implementation Method 3
condensation of the vapors in a zigzag way, for the separation of binary phase and multiple phase liquids
Implementation Method 4
enabling gravity flow of a liquid along the faces of the partition cylinders or plates from, an upper edge to a lower edge
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple effects with vapor compression distillation apparatus includes a plurality of parallel cylinders or plates for recovery of heat having opposed evaporation and condensation faces for alternately evaporating and condensing. There are forward, backward and parallel feeding method to the upper end of the cylinders or plates for gravity flow along the evaporator face of the cylinders or plates with vapor condensing on the opposite condensation faces. Compressor is included as means for collecting and recovering the condensed product from the system. Alternate embodiments including a solar heat input system and other combined configurations.