JP4199887B2 - Solar pump and system including the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a solar pump and a system including the solar pump, and more particularly to a new system for sucking a liquid by utilizing evaporation of the liquid.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems]
At present, there are evaporation and reverse osmosis as practical seawater desalination technologies.
[0003]
The former evaporation method is a method of obtaining fresh water (pure water) by evaporating water, separating salts and the like, and collecting evaporated water vapor. The evaporation method includes a solar still method in which the evaporation energy depends on natural solar thermal energy and a method that depends on artificial energy such as electricity and oil.
[0004]
The latter reverse osmosis method is a method of separating water and solute by passing through a semipermeable membrane. For pure water and aqueous solution, the former has higher osmotic potential (lower osmotic pressure), so if only the semipermeable membrane separates the two, water molecules move (permeate) from the pure water side to the aqueous solution side. Arise. Therefore, in order to obtain pure water from a solution such as seawater, it is necessary to give energy to the solution side, that is, to apply reverse pressure osmosis by applying a pressure equal to or higher than the osmotic pressure to the solution side. At present, the energy for reverse osmosis depends entirely on artificial energy.
[0005]
Needless to say, securing water is the most important in dry and semi-arid areas on the earth. In particular, in order to prevent desertification, which has been pointed out as a major problem, and to restore vegetation, it is necessary to obtain a large amount of fresh water while minimizing the consumption of fossil fuels.
[0006]
In this regard, the solar still method among the above-described conventional techniques uses solar heat and is therefore a resource saving type and has a low environmental load. However, since incident solar solar radiation is used as it is, there is a problem that a large facility is required to secure a necessary amount of water. In addition, there is a problem that considerable labor or energy is required for transportation of seawater from a water source such as seawater to the evaporation area, removal of salts accumulated in the evaporation area, or distribution of purified fresh water.
[0007]
The reverse osmosis method can efficiently desalinate, but it is necessary to generate a high pressure for reverse osmosis, and there is a problem that considerable artificial energy is required.
[0008]
By the way, solar heat is used for power generation by generation of steam, generation of hot water, fresh water treatment as described above, etc., but from the viewpoints of global environment conservation, clean alternative energy generation, etc. Expected.
[0009]
This invention is made | formed in view of the said conventional subject, The objective is to implement | achieve the system which utilizes solar thermal energy for transport of a liquid.
[0010]
Another object of the present invention is to utilize solar thermal energy for desalination and filtration.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to use solar thermal energy for pumping water.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) In the plant body, solar heat is taken up during the day using natural energy, and the water in the soil is sucked up and diffused into the atmosphere as water vapor. The pumping action of trees may reach 100 m above the ground, for example. The present invention is intended to be used for desalination, power generation, and the like by using the principle of the water intake action and the pumping action.
[0013]
(2) In the embodiment according to the present invention, the solar pump includes an intake part immersed in a liquid source, a conductive medium that guides the liquid taken from the intake part, and a liquid from the conductive medium. And an evaporating device having an upper end evaporating unit, and a collecting device for condensing and recovering the vaporized liquid evaporated in the evaporating unit. Here, the recovery device is attached to the vaporized liquid from the evaporation unit, condensing the vaporized liquid, a transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporation unit and the condensation unit, An inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses the vaporized liquid from the diffusion space, and an outer surface of the condenser is a surface having an action of reflecting solar radiation, and the solar radiation is the transparent surface. It enters into the said evaporation part through a container.
[0014]
According to the above configuration, when the intake part at the lower end of the conducting medium (penetrating medium) is immersed in the liquid source, the liquid reaches the evaporation part from the taking part via the conducting medium, and solar thermal energy there. Causes the liquid to evaporate. When the liquid evaporates in the evaporating section, the potential energy there decreases, and the action of taking in the liquid and conducting (transporting) the liquid is exhibited due to the difference in potential energy between the taking-in section and the evaporating section. That is, in the hydraulic system from the continuous intake section to the evaporation section, mass flow (liquid transport) using the evaporation in the evaporation section as a driving force is realized. On the other hand, the evaporated liquid is recovered by the recovery device and used again. According to this system, the liquid can be raised to a high place using solar heat, and the solar heat can be used as a suction pressure source. Various applications can be given as the application. The above-mentioned liquids are seawater, ponds and rivers, oilfield oil, and other liquids, and can be used for transporting various liquids in industrial facilities.
[0015]
Desirably, the conducting medium is formed of a porous member. Desirably, the conducting medium and the evaporation portion are formed of a porous member formed integrally. Preferably, the evaporating part has a hemispherical shape for receiving solar solar radiation, and is installed at a position where solar solar radiation is irradiated.
[0016]
The conducting medium can be configured to have a large number of capillaries, but if the conducting medium is composed of a porous member as in the above configuration, the conducting medium itself can be used effectively to form a conducting medium. The liquid can be guided further upward along. The porous member is, for example, a water-retaining ceramic, and an unglazed material such as brick can be used, and industrially produced materials can also be used. In order to avoid conduction resistance due to joining between members, it is desirable to integrally form the conduction medium and the evaporation portion. It is desirable that the evaporating section be exposed to solar radiation as much as possible. Instead of making the evaporation part hemispherical, it may be provided with a large number of fins.
[0017]
Preferably, the recovery device includes a condensing unit to which vaporized liquid from the evaporation unit adheres and condenses the vaporized liquid, and a container for sealing a diffusion space between the evaporation unit and the condensing unit. . Here, the condenser has a dome-shaped condensation surface that opens downward, and a collection groove that is provided at a peripheral edge of the condensation surface and collects droplets that travel on the condensation surface. Is desirable.
[0018]
The temperature of the condenser should be as low as possible as compared with the evaporator. Therefore, it may be composed of aluminum or the like having a low radiation absorption rate, and the side that receives solar radiation (outer surface) may be colored white for reflection of solar radiation . One evaporation part is usually black and absorbs as much solar heat as possible. An umbrella or a cover may be formed on the sun side of the condenser, and fins for heat dissipation may be provided on the atmosphere side. It is desirable that the container surrounding the diffusion space is made of a transparent member so as not to prevent the incidence of solar radiation. The recovery device is usually provided above the evaporation device, but it is possible to change the form such as extending the evaporation device horizontally. If the condenser is too far away from the evaporation section, the deposition of liquid droplets (condensation) on the vessel wall surface will increase and the collection efficiency will decrease, so as long as the solar radiation is sufficiently irradiated to the evaporator ( It is better not to keep the condenser too far from the evaporator, while avoiding as much shadow as possible on the evaporator.
[0019]
Preferably, the take-in unit is provided with a filter that takes in liquid selectively. Preferably, the filter is replaceable.
[0020]
The filter is provided to selectively take in the target liquid and to remove foreign matter. In order to cope with the deterioration of the filter due to clogging or the like, it is desirable to make the filter replaceable.
[0021]
(3) In the embodiment according to the present invention, the solar pump is supplied with a water intake unit at the lower end immersed in a water source, a conductive medium for guiding water taken from the water intake unit, and water from the conductive medium An evaporating device having an upper end evaporating part, and exhibiting a water absorbing action and a pumping action by the evaporating action of water in the evaporating part, and a recovery apparatus for condensing and collecting the water vapor evaporated in the evaporating part And including.
[0022]
(4) In the embodiment according to the present invention, the solar system is supplied with water at the lower end immersed in a water source, a conductive medium for guiding water taken from the water intake, and water from the conductive medium An evaporating device having an upper end evaporating portion, and an evaporating device that exhibits water absorption and pumping by the evaporating action of water in the evaporating portion, and is provided in the intake portion and selectively passes only water And a fresh water recovery device that condenses and recovers the water vapor from the evaporation section. Here, for example, a semipermeable membrane is used as the desalination filter.
[0023]
The above-described desalination system is similar to the above-described evaporation method in that evaporation is performed using solar heat. However, it does not separate water and salts by distillation and is based on a principle different from the evaporation method. Rather, since the salts are exclusively separated by the semipermeable membrane, it is similar to the above reverse osmosis method from this viewpoint. However, since the energy for reverse osmosis is obtained from solar heat, it is significantly different from the reverse osmosis method in that aspect. Therefore, this invention is positioned as what implement | achieves the 3rd system (evaporation type reverse osmosis method) different from any said system.
[0024]
Moreover, according to this invention, since the water obtained by desalination can be stored in a high place, the energy for water distribution can be reduced. It can also be used for pumping well water and groundwater. As described above, the system according to the present invention can be used particularly as equipment for domestic water and irrigation water.
[0025]
(5) In the embodiment according to the present invention , the solar system includes a lower-side water intake section immersed in a water source , a conductive medium that guides water taken from the intake section to a high place, and the conductive medium An evaporation unit at the upper end to which water is supplied, an evaporation device that exhibits water intake and pumping action by the evaporation of water in the evaporation unit, and condenses and collects water vapor from the evaporation unit a collecting device, including a power generation facility, the which generates power by the water recovered by the recovery device.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, power can be generated by realizing pumping using evaporation of water and turning the turbine using the potential energy of water stored in a high place.
[0027]
In the embodiment according to the present invention , the solar system includes a lower-end intake section immersed in a liquid source , a conductive medium that guides the liquid taken in from the intake section, and a liquid from the conductive medium. An evaporation unit at the upper end to which is supplied, an evaporation device that exerts a suction action by the evaporation action of the liquid in the evaporation part, and a filter having a selective transmission action provided in the intake part, including a recovery device, a recovering by condensing vaporized liquid evaporated in the evaporating section. That is, the solar pump according to the present invention can be used in various systems such as seawater desalination, liquid filtration, and power generation.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a system including a solar pump according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the system.
[0030]
A solar pump 10 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a water source and performs desalination (pure water) or pumping of water, and can be used for various applications such as a desalination system and a power generation system.
[0031]
The solar pump 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. The solar pump 10 includes a plurality of stages. Specifically, the water intake unit 11, the conducting unit (permeation unit) 12, the evaporation unit 14, and the diffusion unit. The part 16 and the condensing part 18 are comprised. Incidentally, this solar pump 10 is installed in a water source such as the sea, a lake, or a river. Of course, this solar pump 10 can also be applied to liquids (for example, oil) other than water.
[0032]
The water intake unit 11 is installed below the water surface of the water source 100, and water from the water source 100 permeates (osmosis) in the water intake unit 11. The water thus taken in is percolated by the conducting part 12 and guided upward, and reaches the evaporation part 14 provided on the upper part of the conducting part 12. The evaporating unit 14 is installed at a position where the solar solar radiation 102 is irradiated. Specifically, the evaporating unit 14 is installed at least above the water surface of the water source 100. When water infiltrates into the evaporation part 14, water is vaporized there, that is, the water evaporates, and as a result, the potential energy of water in the evaporation part 14 decreases. The reduction of the potential energy promotes the intake of water from the water intake unit 11.
[0033]
The water vapor evaporated in the evaporation unit 14 diffuses in the diffusion space 34 in the diffusion unit 16, is sequentially guided upward as the pressure in the diffusion space increases, and condenses on the condensation surface 36 </ b> A in the condensation unit 18. That is, water vapor condenses on the condensation surface 36A and becomes water droplets. The water droplets are collected by the collection unit 36B and collected in the external tank 104 or the like via the drain 40.
[0034]
As described above, in the solar pump 10, the solar radiation energy is converted into energy for water evaporation so that water is taken in from the roots of the tree by water evaporation in the tree, and the energy is further taken in. It can be used as energy and pumping energy. That is, in this solar pump 10, as long as the solar irradiation continues and as long as the water source is present, the above pumping action can be continuously performed. That is, it is possible to realize an energy saving pumping system or desalination system.
[0035]
Next, the structure of each part from the water intake part 11 to the condensing part 18 mentioned above is demonstrated concretely.
[0036]
The water intake unit 11 is desirably installed at a deep position in the water source 100. The water intake unit 11 includes a lower end portion 28A of the conductive medium 28, a osmotic membrane 24 enclosing the periphery of the lower end portion 28A, and a water-permeable reinforcing member 26 that reinforces the permeable membrane 24. ing. Here, the osmotic membrane 24 functions as a filter for allowing only water to permeate into the conducting medium 28 by removing a base or the like from seawater, and is composed of a semipermeable membrane or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, various types of filters can be used as long as the filters have selective permeability. The osmotic pressure in the osmotic membrane 24 is acquired by the evaporation of water in the evaporation unit 14 as described above.
[0037]
The conducting medium 28 is composed of a water-absorbing porous medium, and for example, a porous member such as ceramic is used. The conducting medium 28 is roughly divided into a lower end portion 28A, an intermediate portion 28B, and an upper end portion 28C. The intermediate portion 28B belongs to the conducting portion 12, and the upper end portion 28C constitutes the evaporation portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive medium 28 is composed of a single member as a whole, the lower end portion 28A and the intermediate portion 28B have a cylindrical shape, and the upper end portion 28C has a hemispherical shape. .
[0038]
In the conducting portion 12, the intermediate portion 28 </ b> B is encased by a cylindrical reinforcing member 30 and is reinforced by a structural surface. A plurality of support members 20 and 22 are connected to the reinforcing member 32, and the solar pump 10 is fixedly installed on the water source 100 by such support members 20 and 22. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the solar pump 10 so as to float on the water source 100.
[0039]
In the evaporation part 14, the surface of the hemispherical upper end part 28C is colored, for example, black. This is to absorb the solar radiation 102 as efficiently as possible. Of course, a large number of fins and the like may be provided on the upper end portion 28C to absorb the solar radiation 102 energy more efficiently.
[0040]
A diffusion unit 16 is formed on the evaporation unit 14 as illustrated. The diffusion part 16 is constituted by a cylindrical container 32, and the internal space is the diffusion space 34 described above. In the diffusion space 34, the vapor evaporated from the evaporation unit 14 is diffused. Incidentally, it is desirable that the container 32 is made of a transparent member that transmits the solar solar radiation 102.
[0041]
The condensing part 18 is constituted by a condensing cap 36. The outer surface of the condensing cap 36 is colored, for example, white so as to reflect solar radiation as much as possible (that is, to have a reflecting effect) , and specifically, an aluminum plate or the like painted white on the outside is used as the condensing cap 36. Is desirable. The condensing part 18 and the diffusion part 16 make the diffusion space 34 a sealed space.
[0042]
The condensing cap 36 has a dome shape, and water vapor is condensed on the condensing surface 36A which is the inner surface of the condensing cap 36, which is collected as water droplets by the collecting portion 36B. This collection part 36B has a shape of a “crown” in which the lower side of the condensation cap 36 is folded inward. As described above, the collection unit 36B is connected to the drain 40, and water is collected through the drain 40 into, for example, the tank 104 installed on the ground.
[0043]
In the figure, reference numeral 106 indicates a facility that uses the water in the tank 104. For example, it is possible to generate power using the potential energy of the water in the tank 104, or to use the desalinated water as irrigation water. It is.
[0044]
By the way, it is also possible to carry the water in the low place to a higher position by installing the solar pump 10 using the water in the tank 104 as a water source and connecting them.
[0045]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the solar pump 10 is installed vertically, and the condensation unit 18 is provided vertically above the evaporation unit 14. However, when the shadow of the condensation part 18 is applied to the evaporation part 14, the condensation part 18 may be installed at a position moved in the horizontal direction from above the evaporation part 14. In that case, the diffusion unit 16 is configured to extend in an oblique direction, for example.
[0046]
In this embodiment, in the solar pump 10, the osmosis membrane 24 and the reinforcing member 26 in the water intake unit 11 constitute an osmosis module (selective permeation module), and the osmosis module can be replaced. That is, when the osmotic membrane 24 is deteriorated, it is possible to replace the osmotic module itself and regenerate its action.
[0047]
In the solar pump 10, it is desirable that the temperature in the evaporation section 14 is as high as possible, while the temperature in the condensation section 18 is desirably as low as possible. For this reason, a mirror or the like for concentrating solar radiation on the evaporating unit 14 may be separately installed, and an umbrella or the like for blocking solar radiation may be installed on the condensing unit 18.
[0048]
The solar pump 10 has a length of, for example, 10 m as a whole, and the length of the conducting portion 12 and the water intake portion 11 is, for example, 7 to 8 m in the entire length. In that case, the water intake part 11 is installed in the depth of 2-3 m, for example. The length of the diffusion part 16 is several meters, for example, and the length is preferably relatively short in order to prevent condensation in the container 32 as much as possible.
[0049]
Assuming that the amount of fresh water collected using the solar pump 10 is estimated, for example, Shionomisaki is assumed as the installation location, and the solar conversion efficiency (the ratio of the amount of solar radiation that can be used for evaporation) of the solar pump 10 is set to 0. Assuming that the average solar radiation of Cape Shionomis is 166 W / m ^2, it can be estimated that the evaporation from the horizontal plane is 3 mm / d, ie 1 m ² , and 3 liters per day. Under this estimation, it is estimated that about 5 liters of fresh water can be recovered per day from the evaporation section 14 having a diameter of 1 m. Therefore, a plurality of solar pumps 10 may be installed in parallel according to the required amount of water, or a plurality of solar pumps 10 may be installed stepwise in the vertical direction for power generation applications.
[0050]
As described above, according to the solar pump 10 according to the present embodiment, a solar system using solar energy naturally formed by trees or the like is artificially reproduced, thereby making it possible to use various types of water. is there.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, solar thermal energy can be used for liquid transportation, for example, it can be used for desalination or pumping.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a concept of a system including a solar pump according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Solar pump, 11 Water intake part, 12 Conducting part, 14 Evaporating part, 16 Diffusion part, 18 Condensing part, 28 Conducting medium (water retention porous medium).

Claims (10)

An intake section immersed in a liquid source, a conducting medium that guides the liquid taken in from the intake section upward, an evaporation section that is supplied with liquid from the conducting medium and is evaporated by solar radiation, and An evaporator having
A collection device for condensing and collecting the vaporized liquid evaporated in the evaporation section;
Including
The recovery device is
A condensing device for adhering vaporized liquid from the evaporation section and condensing the vaporized liquid;
A transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporator and the condenser;
Including
The inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses the vaporized liquid from the diffusion space,
The outer surface of the condenser is a surface having a function of reflecting solar radiation,
Solar solar radiation enters the evaporation section through the transparent container,
A solar pump characterized by that. The solar pump according to claim 1, wherein
The solar pump according to claim 1, wherein the conducting medium is composed of a porous member. In the solar pump according to claim 2,
The solar pump according to claim 1, wherein the conducting medium and the evaporating part are constituted by a porous member formed integrally. The solar pump according to claim 1, wherein
The condenser is
The dome-shaped condensation surface opened downward,
A collecting groove that is provided at a peripheral edge of the condensing surface and collects droplets traveling on the condensing surface;
A solar pump characterized by comprising: In the solar pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A solar pump according to claim 1, wherein a filter for selectively taking in liquid is provided in the take-in portion. In the solar pump according to claim 5,
The solar pump, wherein the filter is provided so as to be replaceable. A water intake unit at the lower end immersed in a water source, a conducting medium for guiding water taken in from the water intake unit upward, and an evaporating unit at the upper end where water from the conducting medium is supplied and evaporation is performed by solar radiation. And an evaporation device that exhibits water absorption and pumping action by the evaporation of water in the evaporation section,
A recovery device for condensing and recovering the water vapor evaporated in the evaporation section;
Including
The recovery device is
A condenser for adhering water vapor from the evaporation section and condensing the water vapor;
A transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporator and the condenser;
Including
The inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses water vapor from the diffusion space,
The outer surface of the condenser is a surface having a function of reflecting solar radiation,
Solar solar radiation enters the evaporation section through the transparent container,
A solar pump characterized by that. A water intake unit at the lower end immersed in a water source, a conducting medium for guiding water taken in from the water intake unit upward, and an evaporating unit at the upper end where water from the conducting medium is supplied and evaporation is performed by solar radiation. And an evaporation device that exhibits water absorption and pumping action by the evaporation of water in the evaporation section,
A desalination filter that is provided in the intake and selectively allows only water to pass through;
A fresh water recovery device for condensing and recovering water vapor from the evaporation section;
Including
The fresh water recovery device is:
A condenser for adhering water vapor from the evaporation section and condensing the water vapor;
A transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporator and the condenser;
Including
The inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses water vapor from the diffusion space,
The outer surface of the condenser is a surface having a function of reflecting solar radiation,
Solar solar radiation enters the evaporation section through the transparent container,
A solar system characterized by that. A water intake at the lower end immersed in a water source, a conduction medium for guiding water taken from the water intake to a high place, and an evaporation section at the upper end where water from the conduction medium is supplied and evaporation is performed by solar radiation. And an evaporator that exhibits water intake and pumping action by the evaporation of water in the evaporation section,
A recovery device for condensing and recovering water vapor from the evaporation section;
A power generation facility for generating power with water recovered by the recovery device;
Including
The recovery device is
A condenser for adhering water vapor from the evaporation section and condensing the water vapor;
A transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporator and the condenser;
Including
The inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses water vapor from the diffusion space,
The outer surface of the condenser is a surface having a function of reflecting solar radiation,
Solar solar radiation enters the evaporation section through the transparent container,
A solar system characterized by that. A lower-end intake section immersed in a liquid source, a conduction medium that guides the liquid taken in from the intake section upward, and an upper-end that is supplied with liquid from the conduction medium and is evaporated by solar radiation. An evaporating unit, and an evaporating device that exerts a suction action by the evaporating action of the liquid in the evaporating part,
A filter having a selective permeation effect provided in the intake section;
A collection device for condensing and collecting the vaporized liquid evaporated in the evaporation section;
Including
The recovery device is
A condensing device for adhering vaporized liquid from the evaporation section and condensing the vaporized liquid;
A transparent container that seals the diffusion space between the evaporator and the condenser;
Including
The inner surface of the condenser is a condensation surface that condenses the vaporized liquid from the diffusion space,
The outer surface of the condenser is a surface having a function of reflecting solar radiation,
Solar solar radiation enters the evaporation section through the transparent container,
A solar system characterized by that.

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