GB2608600A

GB2608600A - An apparatus for purifying a fluid

Info

Publication number: GB2608600A
Application number: GB2109578.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Hopper Joseph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-02
Filing date: 2021-07-02
Publication date: 2023-01-11
Also published as: GB202109578D0

Abstract

An apparatus for purifying a fluid comprises a receptacle 4a with an inlet 3a for receiving a liquid with one or more contaminants therein, e.g. seawater, the receptacle being configured to be heated to evaporate the liquid, and the receptacle has a vapour outlet 8a through which the fluid in gaseous form may pass with at least part of the contaminant(s) remaining in the receptacle. A pump 2 may deliver the liquid from a reservoir 5 to the inlet. The pump can be powered by wave energy and/or by wind energy. The liquid may be filtered 7 before delivery to the inlet, e.g. to remove material such as seaweed, fish etc. The receptacle may be heated by solar energy, e.g. by direct sunlight. An outer surface of the receptacle may be of a light absorbent material with high thermal conductivity, e.g. formed of a polymer, silicone or glass. The outer surface may be of a light absorbent dark colour, e.g. a matt black colour. The receptacle may be hemispherical in shape. The apparatus may comprise two or more receptacles in series with the outlet of a first receptacle connected with an inlet of a second receptacle.

Description

An apparatus for purifying a fluid

Introduction

This invention relates to an apparatus for purifying a fluid.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for purifying a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a receptacle having an inlet to receive a fluid in liquid form with one or more contaminants in the fluid, the receptacle being configured to be heated to at least partially evaporate the fluid into a gaseous form, the receptacle having an outlet through which the fluid in the gaseous form may pass with at least part of the one or more contaminants remaining in the receptacle.

By heating the receptacle the fluid is evaporated to separate the contaminants from the liquid. Tn this manner the fluid is purified. For example the liquid may he sea water and the contaminants may he sea salt. The invention may thus he employed to desalinate the water for drinking purposes.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises means to deliver a fluid in liquid form from a reservoir to the inlet. For example the reservoir may be a naturally occurring sea or ocean. In one case the delivery means may be configured to deliver the fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to a holding space, and subsequently deliver the fluid in liquid form from the holding space to the inlet. The delivery means may comprise a pump to pump a fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to the inlet. The pump may be configured to be powered by wave energy and/or by wind energy and/or by other forms of renewable energy. By employing a renewable energy source for pumping, the power required to operate the apparatus of the invention is minimised. The delivery means may comprise a first conduit to connect the pump to the inlet. The apparatus may comprise means to filter material from a fluid in liquid form before delivery to the inlet. For example the filter may be employed to remove debris, such as seaweed or fish or other forms of sea life, from the sea water.

In one embodiment of the invention the receptacle is configured to he heated by solar energy. By employing a renewable energy source for heating, the power required to operate the apparatus of the invention is minimised. The receptacle may be configured to be heated by direct sunlight. The apparatus may comprise means to focus sunlight on the receptacle. In this manner the heating effect of the sunlight is maximised. An outer surface of the receptacle may be of a light absorbent material and/or may be of a material with a substantially high thermal conductivity. An outer surface of the receptacle may he of a light absorbent colour and/or may be of a dark colour. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that a dark colour is a colour that absorbs a substantial amount of electromagnetic radiation within the visible light spectrum, the infrared light spectrum, the ultra-violet light spectrum, or any combination of these. For example, a dark colour may he a black colour or a dark grey colour.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises two or more receptacles in series with the outlet of a first receptacle connected in communication with the inlet of a second receptacle. In this manner the fluid is repeatedly purified in a series of iterative steps to maximise the overall purification efficacy. The apparatus may comprise means to condense the fluid from gaseous form to liquid form as the fluid passes from the outlet of the first receptacle to the inlet of the second receptacle. The apparatus may comprise a second conduit to connect the outlet of the first receptacle to the inlet of the second receptacle. An outer surface of the second conduit may be of a light resistant material and/or may be of a material with a substantially high thermal conductivity. An outer surface of the second conduit may he of alight resistant colour and/or may he of a light colour.

In one embodiment of the invention at least part of an outer surface of the receptacle is curved in shape. In this manner the surface area for direct sunlight is maximised. The outer surface of the receptacle may be substantially hemispherical in shape.

The invention also provides in another aspect a method for purifying a fluid, the method comprising the steps of: receiving into a receptacle a fluid in liquid form with one or more contaminants in the fluid, facilitating heating of the receptacle to at least partially evaporate the fluid into a gaseous form with at least part of the one or more contaminants remaining in the receptacle.

By heating the receptacle the fluid is evaporated to separate the contaminants from the liquid. In this manner the fluid is purified. For example the liquid may be sea water and the contaminants may he sea salt. The invention may thus he employed to desalinate the water for drinking purposes.

In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises the step of delivering the fluid in liquid form from a reservoir to the receptacle. For example the reservoir may be a naturally occurring sea or ocean. The method may comprise the step of pumping the fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to the receptacle. The method may comprise the steps of pumping the fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to a holding space and subsequently from the holding space to the receptacle. The method may comprise the step of filtering material from the fluid in liquid form before delivery to the receptacle. For example the filter may be employed to remove debris, such as seaweed or fish or other fomis of sea life, from the sea water.

In one embodiment of the invention heating of the receptacle is facilitated by solar energy. By employing a renewable energy source for heating, the power required to operate the invention is minimised. Heating of the receptacle may he facilitated by direct sunlight. The method may comprise the step of focusing sunlight on the receptacle. In this manner the heating effect of the sunlight is maximised.

In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises the step of condensing the fluid from gaseous form to liquid form as the fluid passes from a first receptacle to a second receptacle. In this manner the fluid is repeatedly purified in a series of iterative steps to maximise the overall purification efficacy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will he more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for purifying a fluid according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of another apparatus for purifying a fluid according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, there is illustrated an apparatus 1 for purifying a fluid according to the invention.

The apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of receptacles 4a, 46, 4c, 4d, a pump 2, a first conduit tubing 6, and a plurality of second conduit tubing 9.

Each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has an inlet opening 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to receive the fluid in liquid form with one or more contaminants in the fluid. In this case the fluid in liquid form is sea water, and the contaminant is sea salt. Each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has an outlet opening 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d through which the fluid in a gaseous form may pass. In this case the fluid in gaseous form is water vapour. The plurality of receptacles 4a, 46, 4c, 4d are connected in series. The outlet opening 8a of one receptacle 4a is connected in communication with the inlet opening 3b of the next receptacle 4b by means of the respective second conduit tubing 9.

An outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is curved in shape. In this case each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is substantially hemispherical in shape. The outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 46, 4c, 4d is of a light absorbent material with substantially high thermal conductivity. In this case each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is formed of a polymer or silicone or glass. The outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is of a light absorbent dark colour. In this case the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 46, 4c, 4d is of a matt black colour.

The pump 2 is employed to pump the fluid in liquid form from a reservoir 10, such as a naturally occurring sea or ocean, into a temporary holding space 5, and subsequently from the temporary holding space 5 to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a. The first conduit tubing 6 connects the pump 2 to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a. The pump 2 is powered by a wind turbine arrangement 12 to power the pump 2 by wind energy. The fluid is filtered, via filter 7 to remove material, such as seaweed, fish and the like, from the fluid, such as sea water, before entering the first conduit tubing 6.

The apparatus 1 includes a free-standing mirror arrangement to focus sunlight 11 on the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The apparatus 1 also includes an arrangement for magnifying light in the region of the inlet opening 3a, 36, 3c, 3d of each receptacle 4a, 4h, 4c, 4d to further focus the sunlight 11 on the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d in the region of the inlet opening 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. An example of an arrangement for magnifying light could he a magnifying glass arrangement. hi this manner each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d may be heated by direct sunlight 11 on the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d to evaporate the sea water in the receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d into water vapour. The mirror arrangement and the arrangement for magnifying light maximise the heating effect from the sunlight 11. As the water vapour passes through the outlet opening Ra, 8h, 8c, Rd of the receptacle 4a, 4h. 4c, 4d, the contaminant, for example sea salt, remains hchind in the receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. Each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d includes a tray to collect the sea salt remaining behind.

An outer surface of each second conduit tubing 9 is of a light resistant material that has a substantially low thermal conductivity. The outer surface of each second conduit tubing 9 is of a light resistant reflective colour. A reflective colour is a colour that reflects a substantial amount of electromagnetic radiation within the visible light spectrum, the infrared spectrum, the ultra-violet spectrum or any combination of these. For example, a reflective colour may be a white or silver colour. In this case the outer surface of each second conduit tubing 9 is of a white or silver colour. The water vapour condenses to liquid form as the fluid passes through the second conduit tubing 9 from the outlet opening 8a of the receptacle 4a to the inlet opening 3h of the next receptacle 4b.

In use, the wind turbine powers the pump 2. The pump 2 pumps the sea water with the sea salt contaminants in the sea water from the reservoir 10 to the holding space 5, from the holding space 5 through the filter 7, through the first conduit tubing 6 to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a. The mirror arrangement focuses the sunlight 11 on the outer surface of the first receptacle 4a to heat the outer surface of the first receptacle 4a to evaporate the sea water in the first receptacle 4a into water vapour. The water vapour passes through the outlet opening 8a in the first receptacle 4a with the sea salt remaining behind in the first receptacle 4a. The water vapour passes into the second conduit tubing 9. As the fluid passes through the second conduit tubing 9 from the outlet opening 8a of the first receptacle 4a to the inlet opening 3h of the second receptacle 4h, the water vapour condenses to liquid.

The sea water passes into the second receptacle 4b through the inlet opening 3b. The mirror arrangement focuses the sunlight 11 on the outer surface of the second receptacle 4h to heat the outer surface of the second receptacle 4h to evaporate the sea water in the second receptacle 4h into water vapour. The water vapour passes through the outlet opening 8h in the second receptacle 4h with any sea salt contaminants remaining behind in the second receptacle 4b. The water vapour passes into the second conduit tubing 9. As the fluid passes through the second conduit tubing 9 from the outlet opening 8b of the second receptacle 4h to the inlet opening 3c of the third receptacle 4c the water vapour condenses to liquid.

A similar process is repeated in the third receptacle 4c and in the fourth receptacle 4d. By repeatedly evaporating and condensing the fluid, this process purifies the sea water. In particular if any of the sea salt contaminant is still dissolved in the water vapour after the first evaporation in the first receptacle 4a, the efficacy of the invention is enhanced by repeating the process in the second receptacle 4h, and then repeating the process again in the third receptacle 4c, and then repeating the process again in the fourth receptacle 4d.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that other forms of renewable energy may be employed to power the pump 2, such as wave energy or solar energy.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that conventional foams of energy sources may he employed to power the pump 2, such as electrical energy generated using oil or gas.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that any number of pumps may be used to move the fluid from the reservoir 10 to the holding space 5 or from the holding space 5 to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a. It will also he appreciated by the skilled addressee that the fluid may be pumped from the reservoir 10 to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a directly bypassing the holding space 5.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the fluid may be filtered a plurality of times between the reservoir 10 and the inlet opening 3a of the receptacle 4a.

It will he appreciated by the skilled addressee that the fluid in receptacles 4a, 4h, 4c, 4d may be heated by alternative means. For example a solar panel may he employed to convert solar energy into electricity to subsequently heat the receptacles 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d using an electrical powered heater element.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the fluid in the conduit tubing 9 may be cooled by alternative means. For example a solar panel may be employed to convert solar energy into electricity to subsequently cool the conduit tubing 9 using an electrical powered cooling element. Furthermore, the conduit tubing 9 may be cooled by partly inserting the conduit tubing 9 into the reservoir 10.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated another apparatus 1 for purifying a fluid according to the invention, which is similar to the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1, and similar elements in Fig. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the apparatus 1 comprises means to deliver the sea water to the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a by wave action 23, instead of using a pump and a first conduit tubing. In particular the apparatus 1 comprises two converging solid retaining walls 21 and a wire mesh 22.

The sea water is filtered, via the wire mesh 22 to remove material, such as seaweed, fish and the like, from the sea water before entering the first receptacle 4a.

The apparatus 1 includes a free-standing reflecting mirror 20 to focus sunlight 11 on the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. In this manner each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d may he heated by direct sunlight 11 on the outer surface of each receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d to evaporate the sea water in the receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d into water vapour. The reflecting mirror 20 maximises the heating effect from the sunlight 11.

In use, the wave action 23 forces the sea water through the wire mesh 22, between the two converging solid retaining walls 21, and into the inlet opening 3a of the first receptacle 4a. The Venturi action of the retaining walls 21 harnesses the wave action 23 to force the sea water into the first receptacle 4a, instead of using a wind turbine or a pump. The wind turbine and the pump are not required in this embodiment, because the first receptacle 4a is located in the region of the water edge 24 and employs the channel arrangement 21 to feed the sea water into the first receptacle 4a.

The reflecting mirror 20 focuses the sunlight 11 on the outer surface of the first receptacle 4a to heat the outer surface of the first receptacle 4a to evaporate the sea water in the first receptacle 4a into water vapour. The water vapour passes through the outlet opening 8a in the first receptacle 4a with the sea salt remaining behind in the first receptacle 4a. The water vapour passes into the second conduit tubing 9. As the fluid passes through the second conduit tubing 9 from the outlet opening 8a of the first receptacle 4a to the inlet opening 3b of the second receptacle 4b, the water vapour condenses to liquid.

The sea water passes into the second receptacle 4b through the inlet opening 3b. The reflecting minor 20 focuses the sunlight 11 on the outer surface of the second receptacle 4b to heat the outer surface of the second receptacle 4b to evaporate the sea water in the second receptacle 4h into water vapour. The water vapour passes through the outlet opening 8b in the second receptacle 4b with any sea salt contaminants remaining behind in the second receptacle 4b. The water vapour passes into the second conduit tubing 9. As the fluid passes through the second conduit tubing 9 from the outlet opening 8b of the second receptacle 4h to the inlet opening 3c of the third receptacle 4c the water vapour condenses to liquid.

A similar process is repeated in the third receptacle 4c and in the fourth receptacle 4d.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that any number of receptacles connected in series may be employed. The invention is not limited to having four receptacles.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the invention may also be employed to purify other types of fluids. The invention is not limited to desalination of sea water. For example the invention may be employed to purify water including other types of contaminants. The invention may be employed to purify urine.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which may be varied in construction and 20 detail.

Claims

Claims 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.An apparatus for purifying a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a receptacle having an inlet to receive a fluid in liquid form with one or more contaminants in the fluid, the receptacle being configured to be heated to at least partially evaporate the fluid into a gaseous form, the receptacle having an outlet through which the fluid in the gaseous form may pass with at least part of the one or more contaminants remaining in the receptacle.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises means to deliver a fluid in liquid form from a reservoir to the inlet.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the delivery means comprises a pump to pump a fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to the inlet.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pump is configured to be powered by wave energy and/or by wind energy.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the delivery means comprises a first conduit to connect the pump to the inlet.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the apparatus comprises means to filter material from a fluid in liquid form before delivery to the inlet.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the receptacle is configured to be heated by solar energy.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the receptacle is configured to he heated by direct sunlight.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the apparatus comprises means to focus sunlight on the receptacle.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein an outer surface of the receptacle is of a light absorbent material and/or is of a material with a substantially high thermal conductivity.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein an outer surface of the receptacle is of a light absorbent colour and/or is of a dark colour.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the apparatus comprises two or more receptacles in series with the outlet of a first receptacle connected in communication with the inlet of a second receptacle.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the apparatus comprises means to condense the fluid from gaseous form to liquid form as the fluid passes from the outlet of the first receptacle to the inlet of the second receptacle.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the apparatus comprises a second conduit to connect the outlet of the first receptacle to the inlet of the second receptacle.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein an outer surface of the second conduit is of a light resistant material and/or is of a material with a substantially low thermal conductivity. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein an outer surface of the second conduit is of a light resistant colour and/or is of a reflective colour.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 wherein at least part of an outer surface of the receptacle is curved in shape.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the outer surface of the receptacle is substantially hemispherical in shape.
An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A method for purifying a fluid, the method comprising the steps of: receiving into a receptacle a fluid in liquid form with one or more contaminants in the fluid, facilitating heating of the receptacle to at least partially evaporate the fluid into a gaseous form with at least part of the one or more contaminants remaining in the receptacle.
A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the method comprises the step of delivering the fluid in liquid form from a reservoir to the receptacle.
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the method comprises the step of pumping the fluid in liquid form from the reservoir to the receptacle.
A method as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein the method comprises the step of filtering material from the fluid in liquid form before delivery to the receptacle.
24. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 26 wherein the method comprises the step of condensing the fluid from gaseous form to liquid form as the fluid passes from a first receptacle to a second receptacle.
25. A method for purifying a fluid substantially as hercinbcforc described with reference to the accompanying drawings.