NL2012294C2

NL2012294C2 - Device for purifying soiled water.

Info

Publication number: NL2012294C2
Application number: NL2012294A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Stefano Buiani; Marco Antonio Attisani
Original assignee: Enry S Plex Sl
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2014-02-20
Publication date: 2015-08-25

Description

Title

Device for purifying soiled water.

Background

The present invention relates to a device for purifying soiled water. In order to produce clean water suitable to drink, soiled water needs to be purified from all kinds of contaminations, such as viruses and bacteria, poison, heavy metals, or liquid contents of a latrine.

Soiled water may be, for example, ocean water, rainwater, water from a river, creek or pond, indicated in general as polluted water and/or water comprising mud, rocks an/or sand.

Often, at many locations and/or situations where a need to purify soiled water is present, no reliable source of electrical power is available. Examples are, for example, villages in third world countries, isolated islands, out in the see/ocean or the like.

One possible way to perform such a purification known in the art, is to use solar panels for producing electrical energy, wherein the electrical energy is used to drive a water purification plant. A disadvantage of such known methods is that they suffer from low efficiency due to, for example, losses that occur in the solar panels. A known device for desalting seawater is disclosed in US 2006/0016682. The device comprises a solar module, an insulating plate mounted below the solar module defining a seawater channel there between, a conductive plate mounted to the upper side of the insulating plate for heating seawater flowing through the seawater channel, a condensing room below the insulating plate and communicated with the seawater channel, wherein a top of the condensing room being delimited by a cooling plate, wherein the thermal plate is being supplied with electricity from the solar module such that the thermal plate is heated.

Here, seawater is guided into the condensing room via the seawater channel and is heated by the conductive plate, using the thermal plate, wherein the water is vaporized in the condensing room and is condensed at the cooling plate, wherein the condensed, desalted, water is collected in a collecting chamber.

Another known device for providing desalted water from sea water is disclosed in US 3,960,668. Here, a cover comprising a boiling vessel is immersed into a water body, wherein the boiling vessel is heated using incident sunlight, which is focussed onto the vessel using a lens arranged above the surface of the water. The evaporated steam is then led to a condenser, in which it is collected in the form of condensed, desalted water.

The disadvantage of these known devices is related to their efficiency in converting the sunlight to clean water.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an efficient water purifier device, i.e. a device which is able to efficiently user solar energy to produce purified water.

In order to reach that objective, the invention provides in a device for purifying soiled water, comprising a housing, a soiled water container arranged for storing soiled water, the soiled water container comprising a container water inlet for inputting the soiled water, and a container gas outlet, a heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat from a heat exchanging fluid to the stored soiled water for vaporizing the water, a pump arranged for pumping the fluid through the heat exchanger, a condenser for condensing the vaporized water, the condenser comprising a condenser water output and a condenser gas input connected to the container gas output of the soiled water container and a purified water container for storing condensed water, the purified water container comprising a water input connected to the condenser water output.

The water purifier device further comprises a solar panel assembly arranged for powering the pump and mounted at a top side of the housing and, wherein the solar panel assembly has a circular arc shaped form, such that incident sunlight is striking substantially perpendicular at any part of the solar panel assembly.

The water purifier device is based on the insight that converting solar energy into electrical energy is most efficient in case incident sunlight is striking substantially perpendicular somewhere at the solar panel assembly. The effect of a circular arc shaped panel assembly is that incident sunlight will always substantially perpendicularly strike the solar panel assembly at a certain spot.

Although the efficiency of the solar panel assembly at parts where the sunlight does not strike perpendicular is decreased, the inventors noted that the efficiency of the parts of the solar panel assembly in which the incident sunlight does strike perpendicular more than makes up for this decrease at the other parts. As such, the overall efficiency of the solar panel assembly increases substantially.

In an example, the solar panel assembly is comprised of multiple interconnected solar panels. Here, the solar panels themselves may be arranged as straight panels, i.e. having a flat structure, wherein these panels are interconnected with each other such that the assembly has circular arc shaped form. The solar panels are connected to each other in a facetted manner. The solar panels are considered to represent facets, i.e. flat faces on a geometric shape such as the circular arc.

The advantage of the above is that the construction of the solar panels themselves does not need to be complicated, as the solar panels may be fabricated flatly. The effect of the invention is obtained by cascading these flat solar panels in a circular arc shaped form.

In another example, the circular arc shaped solar panel assembly subtends an angle between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°, and even more preferably around 45°.

In the context of the present invention an in basic geometry, an angle subtended by an arc, line, or other curve is one whose two rays pass through the endpoints of the arc. As such the angle is considered to be between the end points of the circular arc, as viewed from a virtual centre of the circular arc.

The inventors found that these angles may be beneficial, as these angles are directly related to the position of the sun in the sky during a day, in which most of the solar energy may be received.

In a further example, the housing of the water purifier device has a circular arc shaped formed top side, such that the construction of the solar panel assembly may be easily integrated in the housing.

The circular arc shaped top side of the housing may, in an example, subtend an angle between 170° and 180°, preferably between 175° and 180°, and even more preferably around 180°. A benefit of this example is that the solar panel assembly may be mounted at different position at the top side. The inventors noted that a more versatile water purifying device is obtained in case the solar panel assembly may be mounted at any position on the top side of the housing. As such, the solar panel assembly may be mounted in dependence on the degree of latitude of the geographical area in which the water purifying device is to be used. For example, in the Netherlands this angle is approximately 45°, and for countries near the equator the angle is approximately 0°.

In yet another example, the solar panel assembly is moveable over the circular arc shaped top side of the housing, i.e. the solar panel assembly is mounted at the top side of the housing in a moveable manner. The solar panel assembly is arranged to move along the circular arc shaped top side of the housing. This has the benefit that the solar panel assembly does not need to be mounted at the top side of the housing at the final location of the device. The mounting may be performed at the factory itself, and the angle of the solar panel assembly may be amended at any location.

In an even further example, the water purifying device comprises a motor, powered by the solar panel assembly, wherein the motor is arranged for moving the solar panel assembly over the circular arc shaped formed top side of the housing.

The advantage of this example is that the end-user, i.e. the person who purchased the device for purifying soiled water, does not need to perform any cumbersome mounting of the solar panel assembly. By activating the motor, the solar panel assembly may be moved to any desired position, i.e. related to any degree of latitude in which the device is to be used. As such, also no maintenance personal or the like are required.

In yet another example, the motor is arranged for moving the solar panel assembly substantially along the top side of the device during a day such that the position of the sun in the sky is followed. The advantage hereof is that incident sunlight is always striking a part of the solar panel assembly substantially perpendicular during a whole day.

In another aspect of the invention, the inventors noted that using the solar panel assembly for heating the soiled water may not be very efficient. As such, it is a further objective to provide in a device for purifying soiled water in which the soiled water is heater, i.e. vaporized, more efficiently.

The following examples are directed to this further aspect, but may be applied either alone or in combination with any of the examples disclosed above, i.e. in combination with the solar panel assembly.

In order to reach that further objective, the invention provides in a device for purifying soiled water, comprising a housing, a soiled water container arranged for storing soiled water, the soiled water container comprising a container water inlet for inputting the soiled water, and a container gas outlet, a heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat from a heat exchanging fluid to the stored soiled water for vaporizing the water, a pump arranged for pumping the fluid through the heat exchanger, a condenser for condensing the vaporized water, the condenser comprising a condenser water output and a condenser gas input connected to the container gas output of the soiled water container and a purified water container for storing condensed water, the purified water container comprising a water input connected to the condenser water output.

The device for purifying soiled water further comprises multiple tubes mounted at the top side of the housing, which, at least in use, are in heat exchangeable contact with the heat exchanging fluid, and arranged to generate heat due to incident sunlight for transferring the heat to the heat exchanging fluid.

The inventors noted that using a solar panel assembly for heating the soiled water such that the water vaporizes may not be very efficient. As such, tubes in heat exchangeable contact with the heat exchanging fluid are incorporated for heating the soiled water.

The mounting of the tubes at a the top side of the housing is additionally beneficial in case the top of the housing is form in the shape of a circular arc, wherein the top housing subtends an angle between 160° and 180°. Using such a housing provides the benefit that the tubes may be mounted along the top side, i.e. over the arc shaped form, such that incident sunlight is striking these tubes substantially perpendicular.

In a further example, the heat exchanging fluid is heated solely via the tubes. In order to further improve the efficiency of the device for purifying soiled water, the inventors noted that the solar panel assembly should not be used for heating the soiled water. They found that using these tubes for the purpose of heating the heat exchanging fluid is sufficient for vaporizing the soiled water.

The heat exchanging fluid does not need to flow through the tubes and/or the heat exchanging fluid is, in an example, not in physical contact with the tubes. The device for purifying soiled water may comprise a pipeline system, connected to the heat exchange, for circulating the heat exchanging fluid from and to the tubes. The pipeline system and the tubes are then arranged such that heat is transferred from the tubes to the pipeline system, through with the heat exchanging fluid flows. As such, the heat exchanging fluid is heated, albeit indirectly, by the heat of the tubes.

To make sure the tubes are able to generate sufficient heat, these tubes may be vacuum tubes comprising thermal conductive material for transporting the heat towards said fluid. The inventors noted that, in case the tubes are not vacuum, any gas substance in the tubes may act as a thermal insulation, i.e. decreasing the efficiency of the heat exchange between the tubes and the heat exchanging fluid.

In another example, the thermal conductive material is coated at an inner side of the vacuum tubes for further enhancing the thermal capability of the tubes.

In a further example, the tubes are interconnected and arranged for transporting the heat exchanging fluid from and to the heat exchanger.

In yet another example, the tubes have a substantially circular circumference, i.e. a round circumference. The benefit thereof is that incident sunlight is always striking somewhere at the tubes substantially perpendicular, such that heat transfer from the sunlight to the tubes is increased.

The tubes may also be coated exteriorly with a thermal conductive material. In another example, the tubes are glass tubes painted at the exterior with a nano-technological product. The advantage thereof is that such a paint is not adhesive such that dirt and/or moisture will not stick onto the tubes

In an even further example, the tubes are mounted in a plane formed by the top side of the housing. The tubes may be mounted along the circular arc shaped top side of the housing, such that the tubes are extending along the width of the device, perpendicular to the circular arc shaped top side. As such, the tubes are comprised in a plane formed by the circular arc shaped top side.

In yet another example, the condenser is connected to the purified water container via a salt dosing module arranged for dosing salt to the condensed water.

The benefit hereof is that the purified water pH value, i.e. a measure of the acidity or basicity of the water can be adapted, i.e. the device for purifying water may be arranged to dose the water such that it is neutral, for example a pH level of 7.

In another example, the heat exchanger is positioned inside the soiled water container. The benefit hereof is that the exchange of heat between the heat exchanger and the soiled water is improved, as the soiled water is in direct contact with the heat exchanger.

In a further example, the soiled water container further comprises a residue outlet for removing soiled residue. Vaporized water may leave behind soiled residue, for example in the form of rocks, sand, contaminations, etc. A person operating the device is then able to remove such a residue via the residue outlet present at the soiled water container.

In a third objective of the present invention, the inventors noted that there is an on going need to provide for a device for purifying water, which is more versatile deployable.

The following examples are directed to this third aspect, but may be applied either alone or in combination with any of the examples disclosed above, i.e. in combination with the solar panel assembly and/or the tubes for heating the soiled water.

In order to reach that third objective, the invention provides in a device for purifying soiled water, comprising a housing, a soiled water container arranged for storing soiled water, the soiled water container comprising a container water inlet for inputting the soiled water, and a container gas outlet, a heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat from a heat exchanging fluid to the stored soiled water for vaporizing the water, a pump arranged for pumping the fluid through the heat exchanger, a condenser for condensing the vaporized water, the condenser comprising a condenser water output and a condenser gas input connected to the container gas output of the soiled water container and a purified water container for storing condensed water, the purified water container comprising a water input connected to the condenser water output.

The device for purifying soiled water further comprises a control unit powered by a solar panel assembly and arranged for distributing generated power among the device for purifying soiled water, and a power outlet connected to the control unit for outputting power to external devices.

As such, even at locations where no reliable source of electrical power is available, a power outlet is created, connected directly or indirectly to the solar panel assembly, which power outlet may be used to power external devices such as, mobile phones, tablets, etc.

The control unit may be directly connected to the solar panel assembly for directly outputting electricity generated by the solar panel assembly, by may also be connected to a battery assembly, which battery assembly is fed by the generated electricity from the solar panel assembly.

In a further example, the device for purifying soiled water further comprises a router connected to the control unit and arranged for providing wireless connectivity.

In an even further example, the device for purifying soiled water comprises a USB outlet connected to the control unit and arranged for providing USB connectivity, and USB power.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the invention will be best understood from the following description referring to the attached drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote identical parts or parts performing an identical or comparable function or operation.

The invention is not limited to the particular examples disclosed below in connection with a particular type of communications service provider or public IP network.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the electrical part of the device is illustrated.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the electrical part of the device is illustrated.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the thermal part of the device is illustrated.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the water part of the device is illustrated.

Detailed description

The below descripted embodiment disclose a device for purifying soiled water, wherein the device is arranged to perform a variety of functions. Main functions of the device are directed to the purification and desalination of soiled water, and wherein additional functionality is established by incorporating power outlets, lighting and internet connectivity.

Further, the same functionality and/or the same aspects in the several figures are references with a same reference numeral for clarity purposes.

Figure 1a shows a first embodiment of a device 1a for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the electrical part of the device is illustrated.

Here, the solar panel assembly is comprised of multiple solar panels 15/a, which are connected to each other in a circular arc shaped form (not shown). Incident sunlight striking the multiple solar panels is converted to electrical energy, and is subsequently transported to the control unit 16. The solar panels 15/a may be connected in series or in parallel. The delivered output voltage, of the solar panels 15/a, to the control unit 16 may vary, depending on how the solar panels 15/a are connected.

The control unit 16 is arranged to perform multiple tasks. A first task is to charge a battery pack 17, which battery pack 17 comprises, for example, a 20 Ah battery and a 100 Ah battery. The battery 17 is used, for example, for providing power to the outside world, i.e. external to the device 1a, which will be explained further below.

The second task of the control unit 16 is to provide the electrical energy to a DC/AC converter 16 for converting the Direct Current, DC, voltage to an Alternating Current, AC, voltage. Traditionally, solar panels 15/a are arranged to output a DC voltage, which needs to be converted to an AC voltage for further powering the different modules in the device 1a.

The DC/AC converter 18 is arranged to drive a fan of the condenser 7 such that the vaporized water is cooled more rapidly, i.e. the vaporized water is transformed back to a liquid. The converter 18 is further arranged to power a circulation pump 5, which pump 5 is arranged for pumping the heat exchanging fluid to and from the heat exchanger 9.

To do so, the DC/AC converter 18 may be arranged to convert a relative high DC voltage outputted by the control unit 16 into a 220V or 230V AC voltage, as required by the circulation pump 5.

In another example, the circulation pump 5 and its corresponding fan are fed by a DC voltage, such that the circulation pump 5 and the fan may be powered directly from the DC voltage outputted by the control unit 16.

As explained above, the battery pack 17 is arranged to power USB sockets 19, providing USB connectivity to the outside world, such as for powering computers, mobile phones and lamps. Further, an Ultraviolet-B lamp 13 is connected, for example, for preventing the proliferation of bacteria and algae.

In another example, the device 1a may further comprise one or more plugs for outputting, for example, a 220V AC voltage.

The battery pack 17 may further be arranged to supply electrical power to a router 22 for wireless connection to an internet network. As such, data representing, for example, the ON-time of the device, or the amount of purified water, or the amount of electrical energy generated, etc., may be communicated via the internet for management purposes.

Further, a integrated GPS module 23 may be incorporated in the device 1a. The GPS module 23 may be used to establish the coordinates of the actual location of the device 1a. The control unit 16 may then be arranged to drive a motor (not shown) such that the solar panel assembly is moved over a circular arc shaped form of the top side of the housing, in order to position the solar panel assembly in accordance with its geographical position. As such, the solar panel assembly may be pointed more efficiently towards the sun, at least during a day.

The GPS module 23 may also be arranged to perform an alarming function. Once the device 1a is installed at its final destination, i.e. at a certain geographical position, the alarming function of the GPS module 23 may be activated. As such, the GPS module 23 will issue an alarm in case the device 1a is being transported.

According to the present invention, the size of the device for purifying soiled water 1a is arranged to be transported by a truck, follower, trailer or the like. In some situations, the device 1a is arranged to be carrier by one or several persons.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1b for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the electrical part of the device is illustrated.

Here, the device 1b for purifying soiled water further comprises a fan for cooling a heat sink 28. In case the temperature of the heat exchanging fluid, i.e. antifreeze, exceeds a predefined safety limit, a thermostat at the connection pipe, through which the antifreeze flows, will operate a diverter valve to direct the flow of the antifreeze towards the heat sink 28. The fan is, again, powered by the battery pack 17.

Further is comprised a Programmable Logic Controller 30 arranged for controlling, monitoring and managing the devices, and for communicating, for example via a router, data of the device. The data may be directed to the effective water output, the purification efficiency, the ON-time of the device, the amount of energy excited due to incident sunlight, etc.

In this particular example, solar panels 15/b are arranged along a side, i.e. edge, of the device 1b for purifying soiled water. The solar panels 15/b are mounted along the arc shaped top side of the device 1b, i.e. wherein the top side of the housing subtends an angle of approximately 180°.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device for purifying soiled water 1c according to the present invention, wherein the thermal part of the device is illustrated.

The device comprises a soiled water container in the form of a stainless steel evaporator 8. Soiled or dirty water is to be put into the evaporator 8, by a user, via an opening (not shown). A solar panel assembly, comprising multiple solar panels 15/a, is mounted on the top side of the housing of the device 1c, wherein the construction of the solar panels 15/a is formed as a circular arc. In the present example, the top of the housing is also formed as a circular arc, such that the solar panels 15/a may be easily mounted on top of the housing.

As shown the location of the solar panels 15/a, at the top of the housing, is about in the centre of the device 1c, i.e. facing substantially perpendicular to the ground surface. This indicates that the device 1c may be used, for example, somewhere close to the equator.

The device for purifying soiled water 1c further comprises a circulation pump 5, a solenoid valve 25 for draining polluting vapours, a heat exchanger 9 made of stainless corrugated steel and an expansion vessel 27, all connected to each other via the connecting pipes 6.

The circulating pump 5 is arranged to pump, i.e. circulate, the heat exchanging fluid through the pipes 6. As such, the heat absorbed by the heat exchanging fluid is exchanged with the soiled water in the stainless steel evaporator 9, via the heat exchanger 9. Heat is absorbed by the heat exchanging fluid, at the top side of the housing of the device 1c, via incident sunlight striking the top side of the housing.

Further, the device 1c comprises a plurality of tubes 4, extending perpendicular to the circular arc shaped top housing, and across a width of the device 1c. The connecting pipes 6 are guided via the tubes 6, such that heat transfer between the tubes 4 and the heat exchanging fluid can take place, at least efficiently.

The circular circumference of the tubes 4 provides the benefit that incident sunlight is striking each of the tubes 4, at any time of the day, substantially perpendicular at a spot on the tubes 4.

As such, the solar panel assembly comprising the solar panels 15/a is not directly involved in heating the exchanging fluid, as the heat exchanging fluid is only heated by the plurality of tubes 4.

The solar panels 15/a are indirectly involved in heating the exchanging fluid, as the energy excited by the panels 15/a is used for driving the circulation pump 5. The inventors noted that such a setup for heating the heat exchanging fluid is more beneficial than traditional setups in which the solar panels 15/a are directly involved in heating the heat exchanging fluid.

The temperature of the soiled water in the evaporator is measured with a thermostat. A solenoid valve (not shown) present in the upper part of the evaporator 8 remains open as long as the measured temperature is below a safety temperature, for example 90°C. The solenoid valve is intended to allow any material having a boiling point below 100°C to be expelled. Such a material is considered to be originating from chemical pollutants present in the soiled water. As such, it is prevented that these chemical pollutants are condensed into the water using the condenser.

As the water reaches 100°C, the soiled water begins to boil, i.e. evaporate, and leaves the evaporator 8 in a gaseous form. The vaporized water is then condensed via the condenser 7 to obtain purified, distilled, water at the purified water container, i.e. the tank 10 may of alimentary polyethylene. Via the faucet 12, the clean water may be obtained.

The condensed water may pass a container of salts 11, i.e. carbonate, calcium, magnesium, before the water reaches the purified water container. Such a container of salts 11 may be used to allow water to obtain different values of pH and mineral salts to be collected in the purified water container 10.

Further, a UVB bulb may be present in the purified water container 10 for preventer the proliferation of bacteria and algae in the clean water. The housing of the device 1c may be made from a PVC kind of material.

For safety reasons, the connecting pipes 6 may be equipped with a diverter valve 29 and a emergency heat sink 28. In case the temperature of the heat exchanging fluid is too high, the diverter valve 29 may divert the heat exchanging fluid to the emergency heat sink 28. The heat sink 28 is arranged to cool down the heat exchanging fluid, for example by using a fan powered by the solar panel assembly.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device 1d for purifying soiled water according to the present invention, wherein the water part of the device is illustrated.

Here it is shown that the stainless steel evaporator 8 is connected to the condenser 7, via a waterproof thermostat 25, a solenoid valve for draining polluting vapours 26 and a waterproof thermostat set at 93°C.

The device 1d is further equipped with a residue outlet 14 for removing soiled residue, present at the evaporator 8, once the soiled water has been purified.

The advantage of the device for purifying water according to the present invention, in a first aspect thereof, is that incident sunlight is efficiently transformed in electrical energy. It was the insight of the inventors that an arc shaped form of the solar assembly is advantageous as in such a case, incident sunlight is followed or tracked, during a day.

Another advantage of the device for purifying water according to the present invention, in a second aspect thereof, is that the efficiency of purifying water is further improved by the incorporation of tubes for heating the heat exchanging fluid. The inventors noted that the electrical energy produced by the solar panel assembly may not be efficient for heating the heat exchanging fluid. As such, a passive system for heating the heat exchanging fluid is proposed by transferring heat from tubes present at the top side of the housing directly to the heat exchanging fluid. A further advantage or the device for purifying water according to the present invention, in a third aspect thereof, is that the device may be employable in more versatile situations. The device is not only suitable for providing clean, distilled water, but may further provide electrical energy, wireless connection, etc. This could be especially helpful in locations where the device is intended to be used. In, for example, third world countries, not only a lack in clean water is present, but also a need for electrical energy and/or connectivity. As such, the device according to the present invention provides all of these features at once, using the solar panel assembly.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed above, and can be modified and enhanced by those skilled in the art beyond the scope of the present invention as disclosed in the appended claims without having to apply inventive skills.

Claims

Device for cleaning contaminated water, comprising: - a housing; - a contaminated water container adapted for storing contaminated water, wherein the contaminated water container comprises a container water inlet for entering the contaminated water, and a container gas outlet; - a heat exchanger adapted for transferring heat from a heat exchange fluid to the stored contaminated water for evaporating the water; - a pump adapted for pumping the liquid through the heat exchanger; - a condensing element for condensing the evaporated water, the condensing element comprising a condensing element water outlet and a condensing organ gas inlet connected to the container gas outlet of the polluted water container; - a purified water container for storing the condensed water, wherein the purified water container comprises a water inlet connected to the condensation member water outlet; the device further comprising: - a solar panel assembly adapted to feed the pump and mounted on an upper side of the housing, and wherein the solar panel assembly has a circular arc shape, such that incoming sunlight invades substantially perpendicularly to a portion of the solar panel assembly.

Apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel assembly comprises a plurality of interconnected solar panels.

3. Polluted water purification apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the circular arcuate solar panel assembly underlines an angle ("subtends") between 30 ° and 60 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 °, and even more preferably approximately 45 °.

Device for purifying contaminated water according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a circular arcuate top.

Contaminated water purification apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the circular arcuate top of the housing underlines an angle ("subtends") between 170 ° and 180 °, preferably between 175 ° and 180 °, and even more preferably approximately 180 °.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the solar panel assembly is movable over the circular arcuate top of the housing.

The contaminated water purification apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a motor powered by the solar panel assembly, the motor being adapted to move the solar panel assembly across the circular arc-shaped upper side of the housing.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 6, wherein the motor is adapted to move a solar panel assembly substantially over the top during a day such that the position of the sun in the air is monitored.

Device for purifying contaminated water, comprising: - a housing; - a contaminated water container adapted for storing contaminated water, wherein the contaminated water container comprises a container water inlet for entering the contaminated water, and a container gas outlet; - a heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat from a heat exchange fluid to the stored contaminated water for evaporating the water; - a pump adapted for pumping the liquid through the heat exchanger; - a condensing element for condensing the evaporated water, the condensing element comprising a condensing element water outlet and a condensing organ gas inlet connected to the container gas outlet of the polluted water container; - a purified water container for storing condensed water, wherein the purified water container comprises the water inlet connected to the condensation water outlet; and wherein the device further comprises: - a plurality of tubes mounted at the top of the housing at least in use in heat exchange contact with the heat exchange fluid, and adapted to generate heat by means of incoming sunlight for transferring the heat to the heat exchange fluid.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 9, wherein the heat exchange fluid is heated only via the tubes.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any of claims 9 to 10, wherein the tubes are vacuum tubes comprising thermally conductive material for conveying the heat towards the liquid.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 11, wherein the thermally conductive material is coated on an inside of the vacuum tubes.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the tubes are interconnected and adapted to transport the heat exchange fluid from and to the heat exchanger.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the tubes have a substantial circular circumference.

Device for purifying contaminated water according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the tubes are glass tubes.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the tubes are mounted in a plane formed by the top of the housing.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the condensing member is connected to the purified water container via a salt dosing module adapted for dosing salt to the condensed water.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned within the contaminated water container.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the contaminated water container further comprises a residue outlet for removing contaminated residue.

Device for purifying contaminated water, comprising: - a housing; - a contaminated water container adapted for storing contaminated water, wherein the contaminated water container comprises a container water inlet for entering the contaminated water and a container gas outlet; - a heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat from a heat exchange fluid to the stored contaminated water for evaporating the water; - a pump adapted for pumping the liquid through the heat exchanger; - a condensing member for condensing the evaporated water, the condensing member comprising a condensing member water outlet and a condensing organ gas inlet connected to the container gas outlet of the polluted water container; - a purified water container for storing condensed water, wherein the purified water container comprises a water inlet connected to the condensation member water outlet; wherein the device further comprises: - a control unit fed by the solar panel assembly and adapted to distribute the generated power over the contaminated water purification device, and - a power output connected to the control unit for outputting power to external devices.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 20, further comprising: - a router connected to the control unit and adapted to provide wireless connectivity.

An apparatus for purifying contaminated water according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising: - a USB output connected to the control unit and adapted to provide USB connectivity.