WO2010012868A1

WO2010012868A1 - Solar distiller

Info

Publication number: WO2010012868A1
Application number: PCT/FR2008/001129
Authority: WO
Inventors: José RUIZ DIEZ
Original assignee: Ruiz Diez Jose
Priority date: 2008-07-28
Filing date: 2008-07-28
Publication date: 2010-02-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar distiller that comprises a chamber (1) for receiving the water to be processed and having a lid (2) on the top thereof, said lid (2) defining the evaporation and condensation chamber and being adapted to enable the condensation of steam in the form of drops and to collect the same. According to the invention, the lid (2) and the receiving chamber (1) are arranged so as to have a fitting area, wherein at least one member (3) is provided so as to define, at the fitting area, at least one communication channel (C) leading towards the outside of the distiller so that the water condensed on the lid (2) can flow outside the distiller and so that air can flow into the distiller.

Description

Solar Distiller

The present invention relates to a solar distiller comprising an enclosure for receiving the water to be treated and surmounted by a lid, said lid defining the evaporation and condensation chamber and being arranged to allow the condensation in the form of drops of the vapor. water and their collection.

Distillation is a process of separating substances, mixed in liquid form. It involves bringing the mixture to a boil and collecting a light fraction called distillate, and a heavy fraction called residue. Thus the distillation can in particular allow the recovery of water from aqueous solutions containing other substances such as brackish water, or seawater.

It is thus possible to use solar energy as a source of heat to bring the water to evaporation so as to subsequently collect this evaporated water by condensation.

Thus, it is known to implement a solar distillation in which the heat of the sun is used, the device used being generally in the form of a bowl having a transparent cover. The heat of the sun causes the heating of the water in the bowl and its evaporation. The lid is then generally sloped so that drops of water from the condensation on the lid slide to a separate collection container. Thus, the recovered water no longer contains mineral salts or other impurities that could be suspended in it.

Such a process for recovering clear water from rainwater, dirty water or seawater in countries where water is a valuable commodity can be a significant contribution to improving the conditions of domestic life of these inhabitants.

Another advantage of this solar distillation is that it requires no energy other than that of the sun, freely available to everyone and accessible regardless of the geographical location. So, during the Second World War, Dr. Maria Telkes developed drinking water distillers for the US Army's lifeboats powered by the heat of the sun. In US 3,415,719, a demountable solar distiller has also been proposed by the same inventor using a conventional operating principle but having a structure to prevent any risk of mixing between untreated water and distilled water that can intervene when the distiller is used at sea for example. Thus, a chamber containing the water to be treated consisting of a membrane permeable to water vapor is housed in a dome-shaped evaporation chamber provided with a gutter for collecting distilled water. lower part.

In GB 2 345 002, a demountable solar distiller has been proposed comprising a transparent roof, a gutter circulating around the inner periphery of the base of the roof, an evaporation tray and feet for keeping this still above a container for collecting distilled water. The gutter thus allows the collection of water that condenses on the walls of the roof and flows along them to the base of the roof. It is expected that this system is removable to allow its installation in different places.

As can be seen, solar distillation has given rise to many developments. However, it has been found that these distillers still have a relatively high manufacturing cost because of their specific structure or by the materials used, such as glass.

The present invention therefore has the main objective of providing a solar distiller whose manufacturing cost is relatively low and whose use is simple to implement for domestic use or even agricultural.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a solar still that can be manufactured from at least one container having already contained a product initially, thus advantageously allowing a recycling of this container in particular to produce the water in countries where water is a precious commodity while preserving in addition to the environment, the "useful" recycling of this type of container also makes it possible to reduce the pollution associated with these containers once they have been used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for containing a product and whose shape can be specifically adapted to allow the recycling of this container as a solar still according to the invention.

Thus, the main object of the invention is a solar distiller comprising an enclosure for receiving the water to be treated and surmounted by a lid, said lid defining the evaporation and condensation chamber and being arranged to allow condensation in the form of drops of water vapor and their collection, characterized in that the cover and the receiving chamber are arranged so as to have an interlocking zone, at least one member being provided so as to form at the level of the zone interlocking at least one communication channel to the outside of the distiller allowing condensed water on the lid to flow out of the distiller and air into said distiller.

Thus, advantageously, a solar still according to the invention can in its simplest version serve for example to supply fresh water to a plant, from brackish or salty water. Indeed, the heat of the sun is used to heat the water contained in the receiving chamber of the distiller, then the water vapor released can then condense on the wall or walls of the cover fitted on the receiving chamber. The water condensed in drops on the wall or walls of the lid is driven towards the interlocking zone, the at least one channel formed at said interlocking thereby allowing the distilled water to be discharged to the outside of the distiller, for example directly in the soil on which the distiller rests, for example, at the foot of a plant.

These channels also allow an air intake to the interior of the distiller promoting heat exchange within the distiller and therefore the condensation.

The distiller according to the invention is particularly advantageous insofar as it is of a simple design to implement and can in particular be manufactured in form units of different sizes that can be adapted to a variety of uses, such as survival equipment for the army or even for recreational equipment, watering plants, trees, provision of fresh water for consumption domestic, etc.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be manufactured either as a specific article, in one piece or constituted by the two elements subsequently assembled, or as resulting from the recycling of a container initially manufactured for a second time. use other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the enclosure for receiving the water to be treated is in the form of a container provided with a bottom from which extends at least one peripheral wall delimiting said enclosure and suitable for allowing condensation vapor in the form of drops and their collection. The lid can then be presented as a container provided with a bottom from which extends one or walls and whose dimensions are adapted to allow its nesting on the receiving chamber. The lid may be in the form of a cone, a dome or a funnel whose opening advantageously allows the filling of the distiller water to be treated, a plug being then placed in the distillation cycle.

Very advantageously, the still according to the invention can be obtained by at least one cut of at least one existing container to form at least one receiving chamber of the water to be treated and a lid, nestable one with the another to form said distiller.

Very advantageously, the still according to the invention may be manufactured, to present the form described above, from the transverse cut of at least one existing container to achieve at least one enclosure and a lid and the assembly of cutouts obtained, the bottom of the container constituting the chamber of the distiller and the portion provided with the opening of the container constituting the lid of the distiller, the opening advantageously serving to fill the distiller obtained. Alternatively, it may also be manufactured from at least one cut, at least partial along the longitudinal axis, of at least one existing container and the assembly of the cutouts obtained, one constituting the enclosure and the other the lid.

According to a preferred embodiment and in such a way as to promote condensation, at least a part of the lid may be covered to protect it from the sun, by means of protective means such as a piece of cloth, plastic, metal or other, which can also facilitate the passage of air around the lid. Such protection means thus make it possible to reduce the temperature of the lid and to increase the power of condensation within said lid.

For the bottles, it is possible to use a plate of any shape, square or other, flat or with a form studied, for example having a hole in the center or not, which allows it to be fixed between the cap and the bottle. For cans this can be a plate, fabric, earth, branches, etc. fixed on the upper part. In most cases, the plug facilitates assembly of the element thus forming "umbrella".

According to a first embodiment, said enclosure preferably comprises, in the vicinity of the edge of the wall, at least one member for forming at least one communication channel between the inside of the solar distiller thus formed and the outside.

Advantageously, the one or more organs formed in the upper part of the enclosure may consist of bosses projecting from the outside of the wall of the enclosure, the cover part fitting on this outer face of the enclosure. the enclosure, the bosses allowing to delimit spaces between the enclosure and the cover element that create a communication between the inside and the outside.

It may also be envisaged that this or these members consist of flaps of the edge of the wall of the enclosure, towards the inside of the enclosure forming communication channels to the outside of the distiller thus formed. According to a second embodiment, the cover comprises, formed on the edge of its wall, at least one member to form at least one communication channel between the interior of the solar distiller thus formed and the outside.

The member or bodies may consist of cutouts formed on the edge of the lid at the nesting zone.

According to another embodiment, the member (s) leaving the channel (s) at the interlocking zone consist of a spacer member inserted between the enclosure and the cover, such as a rod, a wedge, or a tension cord surrounding the enclosure to fold the walls of the enclosure inwardly.

The invention will now be described in more detail embodiments of stills according to the invention with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively represent a front view of a still according to the invention and the receptacle which made it possible to manufacture;

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the receiving chamber of the distiller of Figure la;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a variant of the distiller of Figure la;

Figure 4 shows a view of the distiller of Figure 3 after a quarter turn;

Figures 5a and 5b respectively show a sectional view of the collection members;

Figures 6a and 6b respectively show a partial front view of a container and the distiller obtained with the aid of this container, according to the invention;

Figures 7a and 7b respectively show a partial front view of a container and the distiller obtained with the aid of this container, according to the invention; FIG. 8 represents a partial front view of a variant of distiller obtained with the aid of two containers according to FIG. 7a;

Figure 9 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a container for forming a still according to the invention;

Fig. 10 shows a plan view of a still obtained using the container of Fig. 9;

Figures 11a and 11b respectively show a sectional view of a container according to Figure 10 and a distiller obtained from this container;

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a variant of a still according to Figure 1 Ib;

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a distiller variant according to Figure 1 Ib;

Figures 14a and 14b show respectively a sectional view of a container of Figure 10 of substantially square cross section and a distiller obtained from this container;

Figures 15a, 15b and 15c, 15d show respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a solid container and the same empty container to constitute a still according to the invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 1a, a solar still according to the invention consists of a receiving chamber 1 for the water to be treated and a lid 2 mounted to interlock on the chamber 1. This chamber 1 is in the example shown constituted of a container provided with a bottom la from which extends a peripheral wall Ib delimiting said enclosure 1. The cover 2 also has a bottom 2a from which extends a peripheral wall 2b, the cover 2 being of cross-section and of dimensions complementary to those of the enclosure 1 so as to be able to fit on said enclosure 1, the internal face wall 2b bearing on the outer face of the wall Ib of the enclosure.

Said enclosure 1 comprises arranged on the edge of the wall Ib of the organs for providing in the nesting area channels of communication between the interior of the solar distiller thus formed and the outside. These members here consist of flaps 3 towards the inside of the enclosure 1 of the edge of the wall Ib.

Such a still can easily be obtained by recycling an already existing container such as the can 10a shown in Figure Ib of circular cross section, the can 10a being cut along the line of section AA. Thus, the bottom of the can becomes the enclosure 1 and the upper part of the can forms the cover 2.

For filling large cans of 100 liters or other, it is possible to provide automatic filling regulated by a water level. In this way the salt can be removed, for example periodically in the desired quantities, when seawater is treated.

On the edge of the chamber 1 thus formed, the flaps 3 are made inwards which generates a narrowing of the opening of the chamber 1 and promotes the engagement of the cover 2 on said enclosure 1, the flaps 3 forming the communication channels C between the inside of the distiller and the outside.

Advantageously, the opening 4 of the can 10a allows manual or automatic filling of the desired time of the chamber 1 with water to be treated, the cap 5 once put back in place allows to close the chamber evaporation and condensation so that if such a distiller is exposed to the sun, the temperature rises inside the distiller and the water contained will evaporate leaving the impurities or the salt at the bottom, then the water evaporated will condense on the wall 2b of the lid along which the formed drops will then slide to the nesting area and go flow out of the distiller by the communication channels formed at this nesting zone.

It is then conceivable to allow the water to flow freely from the distiller to the ground, the distiller being able to be placed, for example at the foot of a plant which is thus watered with the aid of reclaimed water which has been treated.

It is also conceivable to set up at the level of the communication channels means for collecting the treated water guiding it to a collection container as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. These collection means may consist of a ring which acts as a gutter, and which surrounds the can and facilitate the flow and then be channeled in one place by a tube 8 or gutter as can be seen in Figures 5 a and 5b, to a collection container 11.

As seen in the previous example, it is possible to use a container such as a bottle, a can, a brick, or even a bobbin of any cross-sectional size, intended for manufacturing the still according to the invention. initially to contain a product and that once the product used can be recycled to make a distiller according to the invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b, a container such as a bottle 6 'consisting of a wall 6'b extending from a bottom 6'a, the profile of the wall 6'b of the container is used. has a single narrowing zone 60 '. Above this second enlargement zone the wall 6'b narrows again to form the neck 62 'of the bottle and the neck 63'. This zone makes it possible to define a transverse DD cutting plane, and the cutting makes it possible to obtain a lid 20 'and an enclosure 10'. The cover 20 'fits on the enclosure 10' leaving little space for the passage of water and air, at least one member can then be inserted at the interlocking zone to form a communication channel C to better channel water and let in air. It is also possible to make at least one cutout 70 in the edge of the cover 20 ', which makes it possible to provide a communication channel C. In the example shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the container is a bottle 6 whose shape has been specifically designed to easily and easily produce a solar still according to the invention.

Thus, the wall 6b of the bottle 6 extends from a bottom 6a and has an area provided with bosses 7 arranged protruding outwardly around the bottle, this wall 6b having above said bosses 7, a first enlargement zone 60 of the bottle followed by a second enlargement zone 61. Above this second enlargement zone, the wall 6b narrows again to form the neck 62 of the bottle and the neck 63.

Such a bottle can be used to contain spring water, for example. Once the spring water is drunk, this bottle can then be cut along a line of section BB located between the bosses 7 and the first enlargement zone 60. Two elements are thus obtained for forming the still, the receiving chamber 10 and the cover 20, the cover 20 being interlocked by the first enlargement zone 60 on the bosses 7 of the enclosure 10, the communication channels C being formed between the bosses 7.

Thus, salt water ES can thus be poured through the neck 63 into the chamber 10, the cap 5 of the bottle 6 is put back in place to close the evaporation and condensation chamber in which the steam rises. water under the effect of the heat of the sun radiating on the distiller, the water vapor condenses on the walls of the lid 20 and dribbles towards the nesting zone and the communication channels C.

If a second bottle of this type is taken, and a section is made above the second enlargement zone 61, a collection container 30 is obtained in which the distiller described above can be inserted (see FIG. Figure 8). In this manner, the distilled water ED flowing through the communication channels C of the distiller falls into the collection vessel 30, where it can then be recovered. Thus, the specific shape of this container makes it possible to recycle the latter into a particularly efficient distiller according to the invention in a manner that is simple and easy to implement.

In the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, a container 60 such as a bottle of relatively common shape is used.

Cutting takes place along the longitudinal axis and in the middle of the bottle 60 to approximately the level of the neck, thus forming a receiving chamber 100, having a bottom and a wall rising from this bottom, in the form of bowl, consisting of the half bottle in the direction of the length and a lid 200 also provided with a bottom to which part extends a domed wall, consisting of the other half bottle in the direction length, which is fitted on one another as can be seen in Figure 10, the opening or neck 63 of the initial container still serving to fill the water to be treated distiller formed.

A longitudinal cut of the bottle 60 is thus made as can be seen in FIG. 13b, without cutting the bottom and going up to about the level of the neck 62, thus forming a receiving enclosure 100 and a cover 200 that the it can be spread with a spacer member such as a rod or wedge 9 or a part 12 to fold inwardly the walls of the enclosure as can be seen in Figures 12 and 13.

As can be seen in Figures l ia and l lb, if one longitudinally cuts a substantially identical container to the container 60 but in a non-central sectional plane to the container, a lid 200 'is obtained whose walls fall better on the enclosure 100 'thus formed as can be seen in Figure 1 Ib.

Thus, depending on the selected cutting plane (s) and the shape of the starting container, an enclosure and a lid may be provided to form a still according to the invention of multiple shapes and sections.

In FIGS. 14a and 14b, a substantially square cross-section container 600 can be seen, as can be frequent in the case of a bottle, as well as the distiller which can then be obtained by cutting along the longitudinal axis of the container.

In FIGS. 15a and 15b there is shown a container substantially identical to that of FIG. 6a and whose wall 6b "extends from the bottom 6a" while presenting a narrowing zone 60 ", for example a discontinuous zone. to contain a pressurized liquid such as carbonated drinks and this pressurized liquid maintains a pressure on the shrink zone 60 "which is then kept taut.Once the carbonated beverages evacuated out of the container, the wall 6b" resumes its original form (recovery of shrinkage). If, then, a cross-section is performed along AA, this container 6 "can be used as a distiller.

This can allow the carbonated bottle, keep its usual form when it is on sale, and make an interesting competitive differentiation.

The invention is of course not limited to the examples described but encompasses all the variants described in the claims.

Claims

1. Solar distiller comprising an enclosure (1, 10, 10 ', 100, 100') for receiving the water to be treated and surmounted by a lid (2, 20, 20 ', 200, 200'), said lid ( 2, 20, 20 ', 200, 200') defining the evaporation and condensation chamber and being arranged to allow condensation in the form of drops of water vapor and their collection, characterized in that the lid (2 , 20, 20 ', 200, 200') and the receiving chamber (1, 10, 10 ', 100, 100') are arranged so as to have an interlocking area, at least one member (3, 7 , 9, 12) being provided so as to form at least one communication channel (C) at the interlocking zone towards the outside of the distiller, allowing condensed water on the cover (2, 20, 20 ' , 200, 200 ') to flow out of the distiller and into the air to enter said distiller.

2. Distiller according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving chamber (1, 10) of the water to be treated consists of a container provided with a bottom (la, 6a) from which extends a peripheral wall (Ib, 6b) delimiting said enclosure (1, 10).

3. Distiller according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cover (2) has a bottom (2a) from which extends a peripheral wall (2b), the cover (2) being of cross section and of dimensions complementary to those of the enclosure (1) so as to fit on said enclosure (1), the inner face of the wall (2b) bearing on the outer face of the wall (Ib) of the pregnant.

4. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said enclosure (1, 10) comprises, preferably formed in the vicinity of the edge of the wall (Ib), at least one member to form at least one channel communication between the interior of the solar distiller thus formed and the outside.

5. Distiller according to claim 4, characterized in that the member or bodies consist of flaps (3) towards the inside of the enclosure (1) of the edge of the wall (Ib).

6. Distiller according to claim 4, characterized in that the member or bodies consist of bosses (7) provided projecting on the outer face of the wall (6b) of the enclosure (10), or bosses (7). ) for delimiting a space between the enclosure (10) and the cover (20) creating a communication channel between the inside and the outside of the distiller.

7. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said cover (20 ') comprises, provided on the edge of its wall, at least one member to form at least one communication channel between the inside of the solar distiller thus formed and outside.

8. Distiller according to claim 7, characterized in that the member or bodies consist of cutouts (70) formed on the edge of the cover (20 ') at the interlocking zone.

9. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the member or bodies consist of a spacer member inserted between the enclosure (100, 100 ') and the cover (200, 200'), such a rod, a shim (9), a piece (12) to fold inward the walls of the enclosure.

10. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, at or communication channels, _f water treated collection means are provided to guide towards a collection container.

11. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is manufactured as a specific article, in one piece.

12. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is manufactured as a specific article, consisting of two assembled elements.

13. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is obtained by at least one cut of at least one existing container, to constitute at least one receiving chamber of the water to be treated and a lid, nestable with each other to form said distiller.

14. Distiller according to claim 13, characterized in that it is manufactured from a transverse cut of at least one container (10a, 6, 6 ') existing and the assembly of the cuts obtained, the bottom of the container constituting the chamber of the distiller (1, 10, 10 ') and the part provided with the opening of the container constituting the lid (2, 20, 20') of the distiller.

15. Distiller according to claim 13, characterized in that it is manufactured from at least one cut along the longitudinal axis of at least one container (60, 60 ') existing and the assembly of the cuts obtained. .

16. Distiller according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the container is of the bottle, can, brig, can.

17. Distiller according to claim 16, characterized in that the container is a bottle (6) whose form has been specifically studied to manufacture said solar still.

18. Distiller according to claim 17, characterized in that the bottle has a wall (6b) extending from a bottom (6a) and having an area provided with at least one boss (7) arranged projecting outwardly. , this wall (6b) having above said at least one boss (7), a first enlargement zone (60) of the bottle followed by a second enlargement zone (61), above which the wall (6b) narrows again to form the neck (62) of the bottle and the neck (63), the bottle being cut along a cutting line located between the bosses (7) and the first zone (60) of widening so as to form the receiving chamber (10) and the cover (20), the cover (20) being interlocked by the first enlargement zone (60) on the bosses (7) of the enclosure (10). ), communication channels being formed between the bosses (7).

19. Distiller according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a collection container made from a second container cut above the second enlargement zone (61).

20. Distiller according to claim 16, characterized in that it consists of a container such as a bottle cut longitudinally to about the neck, thereby forming a receiving chamber (100) and a cover ( 200) that is nested one on the other.

21. Distiller according to claim 16, characterized in that the container has a wall (6b ") extending from a bottom (6a") having a narrowing zone (60 ").

22. Distiller according to one of claims 1 to 21,

Characterized in that at least a portion of the lid is covered to protect it from the sun, using protective means such as a piece of cloth, plastic, metal.