CA2241168A1 - Water purifying apparatus and process - Google Patents
Water purifying apparatus and process Download PDFInfo
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- CA2241168A1 CA2241168A1 CA 2241168 CA2241168A CA2241168A1 CA 2241168 A1 CA2241168 A1 CA 2241168A1 CA 2241168 CA2241168 CA 2241168 CA 2241168 A CA2241168 A CA 2241168A CA 2241168 A1 CA2241168 A1 CA 2241168A1
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- Prior art keywords
- water
- chamber
- heat sink
- vapour
- water purifier
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/02—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating
- C02F1/04—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D1/00—Evaporating
- B01D1/0011—Heating features
- B01D1/0017—Use of electrical or wave energy
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
- B01D5/0033—Other features
- B01D5/0042—Thermo-electric condensing; using Peltier-effect
Abstract
A water purifier comprising a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber; divider means separating said first and said second chamber one from the other;
said divider means comprising a thermoelectric module having a first heat sink received within said first chamber and a second heat sink within said second chamber means for feeding water to said first heat sink within said first chamber to produce water vapour transfer means for transferring said water vapour to said second heat sink to effect condensation of said water vapour to produce purified water; means for removing said purified water from said second chamber. The water purifier and method provides a means for producing purified water in a safe, reliable, convenient, relatively cheap manner, having low energy requirements, and which either eliminates or reduces the disadvantages of prior art purifiers.
said divider means comprising a thermoelectric module having a first heat sink received within said first chamber and a second heat sink within said second chamber means for feeding water to said first heat sink within said first chamber to produce water vapour transfer means for transferring said water vapour to said second heat sink to effect condensation of said water vapour to produce purified water; means for removing said purified water from said second chamber. The water purifier and method provides a means for producing purified water in a safe, reliable, convenient, relatively cheap manner, having low energy requirements, and which either eliminates or reduces the disadvantages of prior art purifiers.
Description
WATER PURIFYING APPARATUS AND PROCESS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of purifying water using a thermoelectric module and apparatus of use in said process.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Thermoelectric modules are small, solid state, heat pumps that cool, heat and generate power. In function, they are similar to conventional refrigerators in that they move heat from one area to another and, thus, create a temperature differential.
A thermoelectric module is comprised of an array of semiconductor couples (P
and N pellets) cormected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, sandwiched between metallized ceramic substrates. In essence, if a thermoelectric module is connected to a DC power source, heat is absorbed at one end of the device to cool that end, while heat is rejected at the other end, where the temperature rises.
This is known as the Peltier Effect. By reversing the current flow, the direction of the heat flow is reversed.
It is known that a thermoelectric element (TEE) may function as a heat pump that performs the same cooling function as Freon-based vapor compression or absorption refrigerators. The main difference between a TEE device and the conventional vapor-cycle device is that thermoelectric elements are totally solid state, while vapor-cycle devices include moving mechanical parts and require a working fluid. Also, unlike conventional vapor compressor systems, thermoelectric modules are, most generally, miniature devices. A module typical measures 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 4 mm, while the smallest sub-miniature modules may measure 3 mm x 3 mm x 2 mm. These small units are capable of reducing the temperature to well-below water-freezing temperatures.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of purifying water using a thermoelectric module and apparatus of use in said process.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Thermoelectric modules are small, solid state, heat pumps that cool, heat and generate power. In function, they are similar to conventional refrigerators in that they move heat from one area to another and, thus, create a temperature differential.
A thermoelectric module is comprised of an array of semiconductor couples (P
and N pellets) cormected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, sandwiched between metallized ceramic substrates. In essence, if a thermoelectric module is connected to a DC power source, heat is absorbed at one end of the device to cool that end, while heat is rejected at the other end, where the temperature rises.
This is known as the Peltier Effect. By reversing the current flow, the direction of the heat flow is reversed.
It is known that a thermoelectric element (TEE) may function as a heat pump that performs the same cooling function as Freon-based vapor compression or absorption refrigerators. The main difference between a TEE device and the conventional vapor-cycle device is that thermoelectric elements are totally solid state, while vapor-cycle devices include moving mechanical parts and require a working fluid. Also, unlike conventional vapor compressor systems, thermoelectric modules are, most generally, miniature devices. A module typical measures 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 4 mm, while the smallest sub-miniature modules may measure 3 mm x 3 mm x 2 mm. These small units are capable of reducing the temperature to well-below water-freezing temperatures.
Thermoelectric devices are very effective when system design criteria requires specific factors, such as high reliability, small size or capacity, low cost, low weight, intrinsic safety for hazardous electrical environments, and precise temperature control.
Further, these devices are capable of refrigerating a solid or fluid object.
A bismuth telluride thermoelectric element consists of a quaternary alloy of bismuth, tellurium, selenium and antimony - doped and processed to yield oriented polycrystalline semiconductors with anisotropic thermoelectric properties. The bismuth telluride is primarily used as a semiconductor material, heavily doped to create either an excess (n-type) or a deficiency (p-type) of electrons. A plurality of these couples are connected in series electrically and in parallel thermally, and integrated into modules.
The modules are packaged between metallized ceramic plates to afford optimum electrical insulation and thermal conduction with high mechanical compression strength.
Typical modules contain from 3 to 127 thermocouples. Modules can also be mounted in parallel to increase the heat transfer effect or stacked in multistage cascades to achieve high differential temperatures.
'These TEE devices became of practical importance only recently with the new developments of semiconductor thermocouple materials. 'The practical application of such modules required the development of semiconductors that are good conductors of electricity, but poor conductors of heat to provide the perfect balance for TEE
performance. During operation, when an applied DC current flows through the couple, this causes heat to be transferred from one side of the TEE to the other; and, thus, creating a cold heat sink side and hot heat sink side. If the current is reversed, the heat is moved in the opposite direction. A single-stage TEE can achieve temperature differences of up to 70°C, or can transfer heat at a rate of 125 W. To achieve greater temperature differences, i.e up to 131°C, a multistage, cascaded TEE may be utilized.
A typical application exposes the cold side of the TEE to the object or substance to be cooled and the hot side to a heat sink, which dissipates the heat to the environment.
A heat exchanger with forced air or liquid may be required.
Water in bulk may be purified by a number of commercial methods, for example by reverse osmosis and by distillation processes.
Further, these devices are capable of refrigerating a solid or fluid object.
A bismuth telluride thermoelectric element consists of a quaternary alloy of bismuth, tellurium, selenium and antimony - doped and processed to yield oriented polycrystalline semiconductors with anisotropic thermoelectric properties. The bismuth telluride is primarily used as a semiconductor material, heavily doped to create either an excess (n-type) or a deficiency (p-type) of electrons. A plurality of these couples are connected in series electrically and in parallel thermally, and integrated into modules.
The modules are packaged between metallized ceramic plates to afford optimum electrical insulation and thermal conduction with high mechanical compression strength.
Typical modules contain from 3 to 127 thermocouples. Modules can also be mounted in parallel to increase the heat transfer effect or stacked in multistage cascades to achieve high differential temperatures.
'These TEE devices became of practical importance only recently with the new developments of semiconductor thermocouple materials. 'The practical application of such modules required the development of semiconductors that are good conductors of electricity, but poor conductors of heat to provide the perfect balance for TEE
performance. During operation, when an applied DC current flows through the couple, this causes heat to be transferred from one side of the TEE to the other; and, thus, creating a cold heat sink side and hot heat sink side. If the current is reversed, the heat is moved in the opposite direction. A single-stage TEE can achieve temperature differences of up to 70°C, or can transfer heat at a rate of 125 W. To achieve greater temperature differences, i.e up to 131°C, a multistage, cascaded TEE may be utilized.
A typical application exposes the cold side of the TEE to the object or substance to be cooled and the hot side to a heat sink, which dissipates the heat to the environment.
A heat exchanger with forced air or liquid may be required.
Water in bulk may be purified by a number of commercial methods, for example by reverse osmosis and by distillation processes.
Reverse osmosis (R.O.) technology relies on a membrane filtration system that is operated under high pressure. While this technology is one of the two leading technologies of water purification, it suffers from the following main disadvantages:-(a) the infrastructure of the system is complex because of the operating pressure, typically 8 atmospheres, required to cause the reverse osmosis process in the membrane;
(b) the membrane is an expensive component that needs to be replaced, frequently, depending on the salinity and the purity of the source water, generally, every 4 to 6 months. Also, there is a problem of membrane fouling, if the quality of the source water is not within certain bounds. The restriction on the water quality that is inputted into the system precludes many sources of water or would necessitate the utilization of pretreatment systems;
(c) the amount of purified water is very low when compared to the amount of water that has to be pumped into the system. Therefore, the cost of pumping and discharging the rejected water (capital cost to install the required facility and the energy cost to operate and maintain it) makes this system very costly;
(d) the quality of purified water obtained by the reverse osmosis process is inferior to that of distilled water, in the sense that it leaves small microorganisms and any impurities that are small enough to go through the membrane. Also, as the membrane ages, the water quality does not remain consistent;
(e) the system is feasible from a physical and economical point of view, for only large commercial installations. The system is not amenable for use in household units or even in small commercial units; and (f) energy, operating and maintenance costs are high for the R.O. system.
The main disadvantages of distillation technologies, such as the multistage flashback evaporation systems, are:-(i) relatively large capital cost needed to assemble and install the system;
(ii) high energy costs to perform the evaporation, provide energy and equipment for the vacuum system and the condensation in, literally, three independent subsystems;
(iii) significant corrosion problems that necessitate significant pretreatment of input water and complete replacement of plant equipment as frequently as every three to four years;
(iv) the system, generally, needs to be installed only near large power plants and large bodies of water; and (v) the disadvantages listed in item (e) and (f) hereinabove.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a means for producing purified water in a safe, reliable, convenient, relatively cheap manner, having low energy requirements, and which either eliminates or reduces the aforesaid disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing purified water in a safe, convenient, reliable and relatively cheap manner by means of thermoelectric modules to generate hot and cold heat sinks.
Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a process for treating an impure water to produce purified water, said process comprising -(i) electrically activating a thermoelectric element to provide a heated heat sink in a first chamber and a cooled heat sink in a second chamber;
(ii) feeding said impure water to said heated heat sink, to produce water vapour;
(iii) transferring said water vapour from said first chamber to said second chamber;
(iv) contacting said water vapour on said cooled heat sink to effect condensation to provide said purified water; and (v) collecting said purified water.
By the term "impure water" is herein meant water containing impurities such as, for example, dissolved salts and other matter, and/or suspended particulate matter which impure water may be evaporated and concentrated without unwanted carry-over of such impurities.
The term "vapour" in this specification and claims includes "steam".
In a further aspect, the invention provides a water purifier comprising a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber; divider means separating said first chamber from said second chamber comprising a thermoelectric element having a first heat sink 5 received within said first chamber and a second heat sink within said second chamber;
means for feeding water to said first heat sink within said first chamber to produce water vapour; transfer means for transferring said water vapour to said second heat sink to effect condensation of said water vapour to produce purified water; and means for removing said purified water from said second chamber.
Preferably, the apparatus has a vacuum extraction means, forced-air fan or other suitable means for enhancing the transfer of the water vapour from the first chamber to the second chamber.
Most preferably, the divider has a plurality of the thermoelectric modules aligned coplanar within the divider.
Thus, the present invention provides a water purification system which provides the advantages o~-(a) providing both water evaporation and cooling simultaneously within the same unit;
(b) being significantly energy efficient because the same amount of electrical energy is used to perform evaporation, condensation and chilling; which energy utilization does not exist in any of the water purification technologies known at this time;
(c) recovering all of the water inputted into the system as pure water, without having to discharge water with high concentrations of impurities and salt as is the case in reverse osmosis technology;
(d) portability of the system and its ability to be scale up over a very wide range of dimensions and capacities; and wherein the capacity of the system can be increased in a modular fashion;
(e) having the ability to energize the system from a very wide variety of power sources, such as, for example, operable throughout in the world, including remote areas that are not even connected to an energy generation grid; and (f) having the ability of the system to handle any type of water regardless of its salinity and impurities, while still producing pure water that has the same quality as distilled water, which is free from all organic, non-organic and microbial elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPITION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be better understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described by way of example only, wherein Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a water purifier according to the invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded, isometric view, in part, of a hot end sink of a divider plate of use in the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a divider plate, in part, of use in the present invention; and wherein the same numerals denote like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Fig. 1 this shows generally as 10 a water purifying apparatus having a rectangularly-shaped container 12 partitioned into a "hot-end"
chamber 14 and a "cold-end" chamber 16 by a planar divider member shown generally as 18, as hereinafter further described. Container 12 has walls 20, base 22 and top 24, thermally insulated by a layer of polystyrene 25. Top 24 has a water inlet sprinkler head 26 which receives a supply of impure water through a conduit 28.
With reference now also to Fig. 2 divider plate member 18 has a thermally insulating polystyrene frame 30, within which is retained a plurality of thermoelectric modules 32 (PolarTECT"" model PT2-12-30; Melcor Corporation, Trenton, N.J., U.S.A.), each of which is connected to a hot end sink 34 protruding within chamber 14 and a cold end sink 36 within chamber 16. The modules 32 are essentially in coplanar arrangement one adjacent another separated by the intervening patchwork of polystyrene.
Each hot end sink 34 and cold end sink 36 consists of a rectangularly shaped copper block spacer 38, which at its "hot" face 40 is abutted to thermoelectric element 32 in a satisfactory, thermally conductive manner. Copper spacer 38 at its coplanar face 42, opposite its face 40 is bonded to a multi-finned member 44, formed of aluminum having a plurality of fins 47 extending perpendicularly to divider plate 18. Cold end sink 36 consists of an analogous copper spacer and aluminum multi-finned member arrangement bonded to the appropriate face of module 32, i.e. its' "cold" face. Sprinkler head 26 is so arranged as to operatively direct an appropriate water flow onto finned member 44 as to effect vapourization of the water.
Within chamber 16 is suitably located a water level sensor 48 and a thermal sensor 50, both electrically connected to a microprocessor control unit 52.
Chamber 16 has a water outlet 54 within a wall 20. Within chamber 14 is a water heater 46 for optionally boiling off any excess water which drips to the bottom of chamber 14. A drain plug 15 is provided in base 22, for chamber cleaning purposes.
Divider member 18 has an upper portion defining an aperture 56 within which is an extraction fan 58 for transferring steam from chamber 14 to chamber 16.
DC power is supplied to the thermoelectric element array in divider member 18 from a solar panel 60 and/or 12 volt DC power supply 62 through control unit 52. Water is fed through conduit 28 and solar panel 60 under the control of valve 64 and control unit 52 from water source 66.
In the embodiment shown, container 12 has dimensions of 50 cm length, 35 cm wide and 30 cm high. Chamber 14 for water evaporation is 15 cm long, while chamber 16 for steam condensation is 25 cm long. Divider member 18 is 10 cm wide and in the embodiment described has six thermoelectric modules having dimensions of 2.5 cm wide x 2.5 cm long x 0.5 cm thick and 12 V - 2 amp rating, sandwiched between the hot and cold heat sinks. The distance between the two heat sinks is increased by copper spacers 38 to a suitable distance, because the 0.5 cm thickness of the modules offers low thermal resistance between the hot and cold sides of the elements. Use of the copper spacers enhances the thermal resistance and minimized the effect between the hot side on the sold side.
We have found that the use of pump extraction fan 58 or a vacuum pump within divider member 18 enhances water evaporation and transfer to chamber 16 without the need for a boiling temperature of about 100°C. Very satisfactory evaporation can be achieved at 70 - 80°C, to result in significant savings in energy.
During a steady state operation the temperature on the hot side of the heat sink was between 50 - 60°C while the temperature on the cold side was 10 -15°C, to provide a gradient in temperature of 35 - 50°C, which is less then the designed rate of these elements (70°C), and consequently, the efficiency of the thermal electric elements increases. Under intermediate operations the temperature of the hot side reached 85°C
and 25°C at the cold side. Water level sensor 48 on the cold side monitors the water level and sends a signal when the water level is above or below the desired range.
The thermal sensor 50 monitors and maintains the temperature of the cold water within desired limits.
When the temperatures rises above the desired limited, sensor 50 sends a signal to processor 52 to turn on thermal modules 32 and cool the water.
Water has been purified at a steady-state rate of 1 litre/hour in the embodiment shown.
Several cleaning methods can be implemented for this system. These methods include, but are not limited to:
1. Jet cleaning.
2. Sonic technology.
3. Chemical cleaning.
4. Manually cleaning (opening a re-sealed lid and scrubbing the tank).
The selection of a particular cleaning method will depend on the size of the system and the economic considerations for a particular unit.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.
(b) the membrane is an expensive component that needs to be replaced, frequently, depending on the salinity and the purity of the source water, generally, every 4 to 6 months. Also, there is a problem of membrane fouling, if the quality of the source water is not within certain bounds. The restriction on the water quality that is inputted into the system precludes many sources of water or would necessitate the utilization of pretreatment systems;
(c) the amount of purified water is very low when compared to the amount of water that has to be pumped into the system. Therefore, the cost of pumping and discharging the rejected water (capital cost to install the required facility and the energy cost to operate and maintain it) makes this system very costly;
(d) the quality of purified water obtained by the reverse osmosis process is inferior to that of distilled water, in the sense that it leaves small microorganisms and any impurities that are small enough to go through the membrane. Also, as the membrane ages, the water quality does not remain consistent;
(e) the system is feasible from a physical and economical point of view, for only large commercial installations. The system is not amenable for use in household units or even in small commercial units; and (f) energy, operating and maintenance costs are high for the R.O. system.
The main disadvantages of distillation technologies, such as the multistage flashback evaporation systems, are:-(i) relatively large capital cost needed to assemble and install the system;
(ii) high energy costs to perform the evaporation, provide energy and equipment for the vacuum system and the condensation in, literally, three independent subsystems;
(iii) significant corrosion problems that necessitate significant pretreatment of input water and complete replacement of plant equipment as frequently as every three to four years;
(iv) the system, generally, needs to be installed only near large power plants and large bodies of water; and (v) the disadvantages listed in item (e) and (f) hereinabove.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a means for producing purified water in a safe, reliable, convenient, relatively cheap manner, having low energy requirements, and which either eliminates or reduces the aforesaid disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing purified water in a safe, convenient, reliable and relatively cheap manner by means of thermoelectric modules to generate hot and cold heat sinks.
Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a process for treating an impure water to produce purified water, said process comprising -(i) electrically activating a thermoelectric element to provide a heated heat sink in a first chamber and a cooled heat sink in a second chamber;
(ii) feeding said impure water to said heated heat sink, to produce water vapour;
(iii) transferring said water vapour from said first chamber to said second chamber;
(iv) contacting said water vapour on said cooled heat sink to effect condensation to provide said purified water; and (v) collecting said purified water.
By the term "impure water" is herein meant water containing impurities such as, for example, dissolved salts and other matter, and/or suspended particulate matter which impure water may be evaporated and concentrated without unwanted carry-over of such impurities.
The term "vapour" in this specification and claims includes "steam".
In a further aspect, the invention provides a water purifier comprising a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber; divider means separating said first chamber from said second chamber comprising a thermoelectric element having a first heat sink 5 received within said first chamber and a second heat sink within said second chamber;
means for feeding water to said first heat sink within said first chamber to produce water vapour; transfer means for transferring said water vapour to said second heat sink to effect condensation of said water vapour to produce purified water; and means for removing said purified water from said second chamber.
Preferably, the apparatus has a vacuum extraction means, forced-air fan or other suitable means for enhancing the transfer of the water vapour from the first chamber to the second chamber.
Most preferably, the divider has a plurality of the thermoelectric modules aligned coplanar within the divider.
Thus, the present invention provides a water purification system which provides the advantages o~-(a) providing both water evaporation and cooling simultaneously within the same unit;
(b) being significantly energy efficient because the same amount of electrical energy is used to perform evaporation, condensation and chilling; which energy utilization does not exist in any of the water purification technologies known at this time;
(c) recovering all of the water inputted into the system as pure water, without having to discharge water with high concentrations of impurities and salt as is the case in reverse osmosis technology;
(d) portability of the system and its ability to be scale up over a very wide range of dimensions and capacities; and wherein the capacity of the system can be increased in a modular fashion;
(e) having the ability to energize the system from a very wide variety of power sources, such as, for example, operable throughout in the world, including remote areas that are not even connected to an energy generation grid; and (f) having the ability of the system to handle any type of water regardless of its salinity and impurities, while still producing pure water that has the same quality as distilled water, which is free from all organic, non-organic and microbial elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPITION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be better understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described by way of example only, wherein Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a water purifier according to the invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded, isometric view, in part, of a hot end sink of a divider plate of use in the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a divider plate, in part, of use in the present invention; and wherein the same numerals denote like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Fig. 1 this shows generally as 10 a water purifying apparatus having a rectangularly-shaped container 12 partitioned into a "hot-end"
chamber 14 and a "cold-end" chamber 16 by a planar divider member shown generally as 18, as hereinafter further described. Container 12 has walls 20, base 22 and top 24, thermally insulated by a layer of polystyrene 25. Top 24 has a water inlet sprinkler head 26 which receives a supply of impure water through a conduit 28.
With reference now also to Fig. 2 divider plate member 18 has a thermally insulating polystyrene frame 30, within which is retained a plurality of thermoelectric modules 32 (PolarTECT"" model PT2-12-30; Melcor Corporation, Trenton, N.J., U.S.A.), each of which is connected to a hot end sink 34 protruding within chamber 14 and a cold end sink 36 within chamber 16. The modules 32 are essentially in coplanar arrangement one adjacent another separated by the intervening patchwork of polystyrene.
Each hot end sink 34 and cold end sink 36 consists of a rectangularly shaped copper block spacer 38, which at its "hot" face 40 is abutted to thermoelectric element 32 in a satisfactory, thermally conductive manner. Copper spacer 38 at its coplanar face 42, opposite its face 40 is bonded to a multi-finned member 44, formed of aluminum having a plurality of fins 47 extending perpendicularly to divider plate 18. Cold end sink 36 consists of an analogous copper spacer and aluminum multi-finned member arrangement bonded to the appropriate face of module 32, i.e. its' "cold" face. Sprinkler head 26 is so arranged as to operatively direct an appropriate water flow onto finned member 44 as to effect vapourization of the water.
Within chamber 16 is suitably located a water level sensor 48 and a thermal sensor 50, both electrically connected to a microprocessor control unit 52.
Chamber 16 has a water outlet 54 within a wall 20. Within chamber 14 is a water heater 46 for optionally boiling off any excess water which drips to the bottom of chamber 14. A drain plug 15 is provided in base 22, for chamber cleaning purposes.
Divider member 18 has an upper portion defining an aperture 56 within which is an extraction fan 58 for transferring steam from chamber 14 to chamber 16.
DC power is supplied to the thermoelectric element array in divider member 18 from a solar panel 60 and/or 12 volt DC power supply 62 through control unit 52. Water is fed through conduit 28 and solar panel 60 under the control of valve 64 and control unit 52 from water source 66.
In the embodiment shown, container 12 has dimensions of 50 cm length, 35 cm wide and 30 cm high. Chamber 14 for water evaporation is 15 cm long, while chamber 16 for steam condensation is 25 cm long. Divider member 18 is 10 cm wide and in the embodiment described has six thermoelectric modules having dimensions of 2.5 cm wide x 2.5 cm long x 0.5 cm thick and 12 V - 2 amp rating, sandwiched between the hot and cold heat sinks. The distance between the two heat sinks is increased by copper spacers 38 to a suitable distance, because the 0.5 cm thickness of the modules offers low thermal resistance between the hot and cold sides of the elements. Use of the copper spacers enhances the thermal resistance and minimized the effect between the hot side on the sold side.
We have found that the use of pump extraction fan 58 or a vacuum pump within divider member 18 enhances water evaporation and transfer to chamber 16 without the need for a boiling temperature of about 100°C. Very satisfactory evaporation can be achieved at 70 - 80°C, to result in significant savings in energy.
During a steady state operation the temperature on the hot side of the heat sink was between 50 - 60°C while the temperature on the cold side was 10 -15°C, to provide a gradient in temperature of 35 - 50°C, which is less then the designed rate of these elements (70°C), and consequently, the efficiency of the thermal electric elements increases. Under intermediate operations the temperature of the hot side reached 85°C
and 25°C at the cold side. Water level sensor 48 on the cold side monitors the water level and sends a signal when the water level is above or below the desired range.
The thermal sensor 50 monitors and maintains the temperature of the cold water within desired limits.
When the temperatures rises above the desired limited, sensor 50 sends a signal to processor 52 to turn on thermal modules 32 and cool the water.
Water has been purified at a steady-state rate of 1 litre/hour in the embodiment shown.
Several cleaning methods can be implemented for this system. These methods include, but are not limited to:
1. Jet cleaning.
2. Sonic technology.
3. Chemical cleaning.
4. Manually cleaning (opening a re-sealed lid and scrubbing the tank).
The selection of a particular cleaning method will depend on the size of the system and the economic considerations for a particular unit.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.
Claims (14)
1. A water purifier comprising a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber; divider means separating said first and said second chamber one from the other; said divider means comprising a thermoelectric module having a first heat sink received within said first chamber and a second heat sink within said second chamber means for feeding water to said first heat sink within said first chamber to produce water vapour transfer means for transferring said water vapour to said second heat sink to effect condensation of said water vapour to produce purified water; means for removing said purified water from said second chamber.
2. A water purifier as defined in claim 1 wherein said divider means comprises a portion defining an aperture and said transfer means comprises said aperture.
3. A water purifier as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising water vapour transfer means selected from forced air means and vacuum extraction means.
4. A water purifier as defined in any one of claims 1 - 3 wherein said divider means comprises a plurality of said thermoelectric modules.
5. A water purifier as defined in any one of claims 1 - 4 wherein at least one of said first heat sink and said second heat sink comprises a water or water vapour receiving member formed of a thermally conductive metal in and adapted to receive said water or said water vapour
6. A water purifier as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said first heat sink and said second heat sink comprise said thermally conductor member.
7. A water purifier as defined in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said thermally conductive member comprises a plurality of planar fin members.
8. A water purifier as defined in any one of claims 5 - 7 wherein said thermally conductive metal is selected from aluminum, copper and alloys thereof.
9. A water purifier as defined in any one of claims 1 - 8 wherein said divider means comprises a plurality of said thermoelectric modules.
10. A water purifier as defined in claim 9 wherein said divider means comprises a planar frame member retaining said plurality of thermoelectric modules in coplanar arrangement one adjacent another.
11. A water purifier as defined in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein said plurality of thermoelectric modules is thermally insulated one from another.
12. A process for treating an impure water to produce purified water, said process comprising (i) electrically activating a thermoelectric module to provide a heated heat sink in a first chamber and a cooled heat sink in a second chamber;
(ii) feeding said impure water to said heated heat sink; to produce water vapour;
(iii) transferring said water vapour from said first chamber to said second chamber;
(iv) contacting said water vapour on said cooled heat sink to effect condensation to provide said purified water; and (v) collecting said purified water.
(ii) feeding said impure water to said heated heat sink; to produce water vapour;
(iii) transferring said water vapour from said first chamber to said second chamber;
(iv) contacting said water vapour on said cooled heat sink to effect condensation to provide said purified water; and (v) collecting said purified water.
13. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein said transfer of said water vapour comprises subjecting said vapour to vacuum extraction or forced air propulsion.
14. A process as defined in claim 12 or claim 13 comprising spraying said water onto said heated heat sink.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2241168 CA2241168A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1998-06-19 | Water purifying apparatus and process |
| AU43549/99A AU4354999A (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1999-06-18 | Apparatus and process for purifying and chilling a liquid |
| PCT/CA1999/000575 WO1999067004A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1999-06-18 | Apparatus and process for purifying and chilling a liquid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2241168 CA2241168A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1998-06-19 | Water purifying apparatus and process |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2241168A1 true CA2241168A1 (en) | 1999-12-19 |
Family
ID=4162569
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2241168 Abandoned CA2241168A1 (en) | 1998-06-19 | 1998-06-19 | Water purifying apparatus and process |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU4354999A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2241168A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999067004A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6375805B1 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2002-04-23 | Youssef Hanna Dableh | Apparatus and process for purifying a liquid |
| CA2292383A1 (en) | 1999-12-17 | 2001-06-17 | Youssef Hanna Dableh | Apparatus and process for purifying a liquid |
| AUPR533501A0 (en) * | 2001-05-29 | 2001-06-21 | Virgin Pure Water Pty Ltd | Improvements in or relating to distillation apparatus |
| EP3357869A1 (en) * | 2017-02-01 | 2018-08-08 | mittemitte GmbH | Water purification system and distillation unit |
| KR20200130694A (en) | 2018-03-13 | 2020-11-19 | 제니버 엘엘씨 | Method and apparatus for water purification and remineralization |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3539086A1 (en) * | 1985-11-04 | 1987-05-07 | Wagner Finish Tech Center Gmbh | Apparatus for recovering solvents in surface technology |
| US4792059A (en) * | 1987-02-04 | 1988-12-20 | United States Thermoelectric Corporation | Sealed hot, cold and room temperature pure water dispenser |
| JPH01184094A (en) * | 1988-01-18 | 1989-07-21 | Noriharu Nakamura | Water purifying plant |
| DE4011877A1 (en) * | 1990-04-12 | 1991-10-17 | Vacutec Anlagen Und Verfahrens | Heat pump procedure for distn. and drying - has semiconductor heat pump to evaporate and condense liq. in system which requires little maintenance and can be operated by solar power |
| JPH07209841A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1995-08-11 | Koichi Hayashi | Device for concentrating waste developing solution |
-
1998
- 1998-06-19 CA CA 2241168 patent/CA2241168A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1999
- 1999-06-18 AU AU43549/99A patent/AU4354999A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-06-18 WO PCT/CA1999/000575 patent/WO1999067004A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4354999A (en) | 2000-01-10 |
| WO1999067004A1 (en) | 1999-12-29 |
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