WO2020000004A1

WO2020000004A1 - Apparatus and method for solar sea-water desalination

Info

Publication number: WO2020000004A1
Application number: PCT/AT2019/060197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörg Storz; Eric HÖFGEN
Original assignee: Storz Joerg
Priority date: 2018-06-27
Filing date: 2019-06-14
Publication date: 2020-01-02

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for solar sea-water desalination, comprising an evaporation chamber (1) having a housing (1c), an evaporation vessel (1b) with a supply line (6) and a discharge line (7) and a heating window (1a), wherein the evaporation chamber (1) is designed in an isolated manner, and a condensation chamber (2) comprising at least one condensation surface (2a) and at least one collection vessel (2b) with an overflow connection (10), wherein the condensation chamber (2) is arranged beneath the isolated evaporation chamber (1) separated by the condensation surface (2a).

Description

Apparatus and method for solar desalination

The present invention relates to an apparatus for solar sea water desalination and a plant with such apparatus.

The apparatus is a device for producing distilled water and concentrated brine using the energy of sunlight.

Almost all systems for solar seawater desalination follow the scheme evaporation - condensation, except systems with solar modules and connected reverse osmosis devices.

The simplest form of solar sea water desalination is the simple solar still, which works according to the greenhouse principle.

To increase efficiency, various systems have been developed to increase the temperature of the water to be distilled, here sea water, and to increase the evaporation.

In order to raise the water temperature of the sea water, solar collectors, tube collectors or mirror systems that concentrate the sunlight on one point are used.

In order to intensify the condensation, various systems have been developed which work with suppression, use of the low temperature of the sea water or both.

Various systems have been and are being developed using membrane distillation.

There are still various collector systems, e.g. the Rosendahl system, which want to increase the evaporation of the sea water with black materials and mostly work with temperatures below 100 ° C. The present invention is intended to simplify the technology of seawater desalination and to reduce both the production and operating costs by its implementation, but is also suitable for cleaning biologically contaminated river and brackish water.

This object is achieved by an apparatus with the features of claim 1 and an installation with such apparatus. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, the invention provides an apparatus for solar seawater desalination with an evaporation chamber comprising a housing, an evaporation vessel with inlet and outlet and a heating window, the evaporation chamber being insulated, and with a condensation chamber comprising at least one condensation surface and at least one collecting container Drainage connection, the condensation space being arranged below the insulated evaporation space separated by the condensation surface.

The evaporation chamber is insulated or in connection with heat-storing materials and insulation.

The heating window faces the sun during operation.

It can be provided that the evaporation vessel is positioned approximately in the middle of the evaporation space.

It can be provided that an inside of the evaporation vessel is provided with a non-stick coating.

It can be provided that the evaporation vessel comprises a cover. The cover can prevent water from splashing out.

It can be provided that the feed line is connected to an outer container. This enables the evaporation vessel to be filled according to the principle of the communicating containers. It can be provided that a ball valve or float valve for regulating the water level is arranged on the outer container.

It can be provided that the material of the heating window comprises metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites.

It can be provided that the material of the heating window is temperature-resistant. Temperature resistant means temperature resistance or insensitivity to the effects of high temperatures (up to approx. 200 ° C) or to

Understand temperature fluctuations.

It can be provided that the heating window consists of a material that is permeable to sunlight and an absorber, the material that is permeable to sunlight and the absorber preferably being framed and equipped with seals for thermal separation.

It can be provided that the material that is continuous for sunlight is solar glass. Solar glass is known per se. It is a special glass for covering thermal solar collectors and in photovoltaics, which should allow as much solar radiation as possible to enter the collector. It usually has a lower iron content, which makes it more transparent, and it is often thermally or chemically hardened in order to better withstand mechanical stresses. It usually also has a higher resistance to temperature changes than window glass in order to be able to better endure a laterally inhomogeneous temperature distribution.

It can be provided that the absorber is a sheet metal. The absorber or sheet has strong absorbing properties for sunlight.

It can be provided that the absorber is designed as a selective surface. Selective surfaces are considered the most suitable. It can be provided that the heating window is curved.

It can be provided that the housing of the evaporation chamber is prismatic or cubic or spherical or cylindrical or semi-cylindrical.

It can be provided that an inside of the evaporation space is designed to be reflective.

It can be provided that the evaporation chamber consists of metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites. The metals can e.g. trade steel or aluminum. The mineral substances can e.g. to deal with concrete.

It can be provided that an outer jacket of the condensation space has a prismatic or cubic or spherical or cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape.

It can be provided that an outer jacket of the condensation space comprises metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites and / or fabrics and mats. The metals can e.g. trade steel or aluminum. The mineral substances can e.g. trade concrete. The fabrics and mats can e.g. are carbon and fiberglass fabrics.

It can be provided that the material of the condensation surface is temperature-resistant. The material can be very suitable for the condensation.

It can be provided that the material of the condensation surface has hydrophobic properties. In particular, it can have hydrophobic surface properties.

It can be provided that the condensation surface made of fabric and mats and / or metal fabric and / or plastic fabric and / or ceramics and / or Membranes and / or felting exist. The fabrics and mats can be, for example, glass fiber fabrics and glass threads.

It can be provided that the condensation surface consists of a tissue with a three-dimensional structure. It can e.g. are fiberglass or carbon fabric. Ideally, threads of the fabric are spun very finely (less than 10 microns) and woven relatively densely. Two fabrics with large dimensions can also be placed on top of each other.

Provision can be made for glass fibers to be suspended from an underside of the condensation surface facing the condensation space. This can be done like a carpet, for example, to better remove the condensing water or to further increase the condensation area.

It can be provided that the evaporation space and the condensation space sit on a frame or a rail system.

The frame, as well as the free space below the frame, can be used for another purpose, e.g. by Photovoltaic modules in alignment with the sun.

It can be provided that the frame consists of metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites.

It can be provided that a stainless steel flexible pipe is attached to the drain connector. If a drain pipe or drain system in the form of a stainless steel flexible pipe is attached to the drain connector, additional condensation surfaces are provided.

The present invention can also be expanded into a system by connecting individual apparatuses.

Protection is therefore also sought for a system according to claim 27. In a system with an outer container, an electronic control on the outer container connected to the evaporation vessels can perform the task for several devices.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained on the basis of the following description of the figures. Show:

1 a proposed apparatus for solar desalination,

2 an evaporation chamber of a proposed apparatus,

Fig. 2a shows a detailed view of the stain window of the evaporation room according to

Fig. 2, and

Fig. 3 shows a condensation space of a proposed apparatus.

An apparatus 100 for separating salt and water using the energy of the sun is described below. However, this can also be used to clean river and brackish water.

The main goal is to provide clean water for a wide variety of applications, e.g. for agriculture, reforestation projects and drinking water.

The apparatus 100 essentially consists of 5 parts, see FIG. 1:

- Evaporation chamber 1 (part 1) with the details of heating window 1 a and evaporation vessel 1 b, see Figure 2;

- Condensation chamber 2 (part 2) with the details of the condensation surface 2a and collector or collecting container 2b, see FIG. 3;

- Frame 3 (part 3), on which part 1 and part 2 are mounted, see Figure 1;

- Drain system 4 (part 4), see Figure 1;

- Collection container 5 (part 5), see Figure 1.

The apparatus 100 is composed of the evaporation chamber 1, the condensation chamber 2 and the discharge pipe or drainage system 4, which are seated on the frame 3, see FIGS. 1 and 2. Different designs are possible. The housing 1 c of the evaporation chamber 1 can be prismatic, spherical, cubic or cylindrical fail. Preferred is the shape shown in FIG. 1, which is very well suited to give the stain window 1a a corresponding tendency to sunlight and has better aerodynamic properties in wind. Furthermore, the inside of the evaporation space 1 is ideally reflective.

The isolated evaporation space 1 consists of three fluff components, housing 1 c, evaporation vessel 1 b with supply line 6 and discharge line 7 and the so-called stain window 1 a, see FIG. 2. The evaporation space 1 is insulated or is designed in connection with heat-storing materials and insulation.

The stain window 1 a consists of solar glass 11 and a sheet which has strong absorbing properties for sunlight, also called absorber 8. Selective surfaces are considered the most suitable. Solar glass 11 and sheet metal are framed (see frame 12), but are equipped with seals 9 for thermal separation, see FIG. 2a. The stain window 1 a can also be curved. However, there are various options for the material selection, but the materials must be temperature-resistant.

The evaporation vessel 1 b is positioned approximately in the middle of the evaporation space 1. This enables the supply of heat from all sides of the evaporation vessel 1b, see FIG. 2. Here too, a large variation of the materials used is possible. Likewise, the inside of the evaporation vessel 1 b can be provided with a non-stick coating. In addition, a cover can prevent the water from splashing out.

The evaporation vessel 1 b has a feed line 6 and a discharge line 7. The feed line 6 is in turn connected to an outer vessel or outer container 13 in order to enable the evaporation vessel 1 b to be filled, according to the principle of the communicating containers, see FIG. 2. For regulation of the water level, a ball valve or float valve on the outer container 13 is also conceivable. In a system, an electronic control on the outer container 13 can perform the task for several apparatuses 100. The discharge line 7 is intended to discharge the brine. With an appropriate evaporation and evaporation rate, the brine must be drained off and rinsed, if necessary, see Figure 2.

The condensation chamber 2 is arranged below the evaporation chamber 1 and consists of the condensation surface (s) 2a and the collecting container 2b with a drainage connection 10, see FIG.

The condensation surface 2a consists of a fabric with a three-dimensional structure, e.g. Glass fiber fabric, carbon fabric, which ideally has hydrophobic surface properties. The threads have to be spun very finely, less than 10 micrometers, and woven relatively densely. Alternatively, two fabrics with flat dimensions can be placed one above the other. On the underside of the condensation surface 2a (facing the collecting container 2b of the condensation space 2), glass fibers can again be “hooked in” (for example, like in the case of a carpet) in order to better remove the condensing water or to further increase the condensation surface, see FIG. 3.

A drain system 4 in the form of a stainless steel flexible pipe is attached to the drain connector 10. This provides additional condensation areas.

Evaporation chamber 1 and condensation chamber 2 stand on a frame 3. This can also be used to attach solar modules or other equipment for energy or water production.

In a system, a rail system can be used for charging instead of the frame 3.

The mode of operation of the apparatus 100 is explained below.

It is known that the evaporation / evaporation becomes much more effective with increasing process temperature. With the simple solar still (greenhouse principle), a maximum of between 70 ° C and 90 ° C can be achieved in the interior. Higher process temperatures are achieved through the use of solar collectors (flat and tube collectors). Here temperatures below the steam formation (approx. 95 ° C) are realized.

The highest temperatures are achieved by mirror systems that concentrate the sunlight at one point (500 ° C -1200 ° C).

The disadvantage of these systems, which are extremely sophisticated in terms of technology, is the heavy use of material to remove the heat and the high demand for control technology, which in turn affects maintenance and operating costs.

With the heating window 1 a used in the present apparatus 100, well over 200 ° C. are reached in the evaporation chamber 1, depending on the irradiation power. This effect is known as the stagnation temperature for flat plate collectors. This can be read in the information sheet No. 34 from March 2011 of the Federal Association of the German Heating Industry.

Due to the surface with a selective coating or black surface (black chrome, solar paint coating) used in the heating window 1a, the incident sunlight is converted into heat energy (minus reflection of solar glass and selective coating). A large part of the heat remains in the insulated evaporation space 1. A combination of heat-storing materials and insulation is also possible.

Due to the arrangement of the evaporation vessel 1 b in the middle of the evaporation space 1, the heat can pass over a large area into the sea water and steam formation occurs after a start-up time. Water vapor is to be understood as a gas. The evaporation chamber 1 is structurally airtight, so that the water vapor generated can only be discharged downwards into the condensation chamber 2 (cooking pot with lid principle). So here the mass transfer takes place with the formation of the gas water vapor, after all 16231 water vapor per liter of water. The evaporation vessel 1 b is also the first point (outer surfaces of the container) where condensation takes place, here again the heat from the condensation process is used.

The evaporation vessel 1 b is connected to an outer container 13 via communicating tubes, as a result of which the filling takes place.

To discharge the brine and the possibility of rinsing the evaporation vessel 1 b, a drain 7 is provided with a shut-off device.

The water vapor must now flow through the condensation surface 2a. Due to the temperature differences between the evaporation space 1 and the non-insulated condensation space 2, the condensation begins and the heat from the process remains in the evaporation space 1. The condensation surface 2a acts like a condensation core during cloud formation.

The condensation space 2, which is not insulated and collects the condensed water, offers additional condensation areas, which is important when the apparatus 100 is running at full load, i.e. from midday until late afternoon where the highest steam production is expected.

The drain system 4 is a stainless steel flexible pipe, so the distilled water is discharged into the collecting container 5 and an additional condensation surface is provided. In a system, drain system 4 can also be connected directly to pipes.

On the one hand, this produces almost pure H ₂ 0 and brine, which can be used for further processing.

The invention has several advantages.

The biggest advantage of the equipment lies in its technically very simple structure, which helps to realize a very good price in a mass production, ie purchase costs are very low. A system can be easily created by using several devices. Very environmentally friendly, since no chemicals have to be added to the process, as is often the case with reverse osmosis, additional cost savings.

There is no waste, such as filter material such as reverse osmosis, very ecological.

The apparatus itself requires no electrical energy, cost savings and environmental protection.

Elimination of complex control and regulation systems, cost savings.

The equipment or system can be set up, operated and maintained by personnel who require a short qualification, using occupational safety, workplaces. Due to the simple structure, a high recycling rate can be expected.

The apparatus works under normal pressure.

Due to the temperature range in which the apparatus works, a stocking with algae is almost impossible and the purified water is almost biologically pure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 evaporation room 1 a heating window

1 b evaporation vessel 1 c housing

2 condensation room

2a condensation surface 2b collecting container

3 frames

4 drain system

5 collecting containers

6 supply line

7 derivative

8 absorbers

9 seals

10 drain socket 1 1 solar glass

12 framing

13 outer container 100 apparatus

Claims

claims:

1. Apparatus (100) for solar seawater desalination with an evaporation chamber (1) comprising a housing (1 c), an evaporation vessel (1 b) with feed line (6) and discharge line (7) and a heating window (1 a), the evaporation chamber (1) is insulated, and with a condensation space (2) comprising at least one condensation surface (2a) and at least one collecting container (2b) with drainage connection (10), the condensation space (2) below that separated by the condensation surface (2a), insulated evaporation chamber (1) is arranged.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaporation vessel (1 b) is positioned approximately in the middle of the evaporation space (1).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an inside of the evaporation vessel (1 b) is provided with a non-stick coating.

4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the evaporation vessel (1 b) comprises a cover.

5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the feed line (6) is connected to an outer container (13).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that a ball valve or float valve for regulating the water level is arranged on the outer container (13).

7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the material of the heating window (1 a) comprises metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites.

8. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the material of the heating window (1 a) is temperature-resistant.

9. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the heating window (1a) consists of a continuous material for sunlight and an absorber (8), preferably the continuous material for sunlight and the absorber (8) are framed and are equipped with seals (9) for thermal separation.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the continuous material for sunlight is solar glass (11).

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the absorber (8) is a sheet.

12. Apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the absorber (8) is designed as a selective surface.

13. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the heating window (1 a) is bent.

14. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the housing (1c) of the evaporation chamber (1) is prismatic or cubic or spherical or cylindrical or semi-cylindrical.

15. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that an inside of the evaporation space (1) is designed to be reflective.

16. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the evaporation space (1) consists of metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites.

17. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that an outer jacket of the condensation space (2) has a prismatic or cubic or spherical or cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape.

18. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that an outer jacket of the condensation space (2) comprises metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites and / or fabrics and mats.

19. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the material of the condensation surface (2a) is temperature-resistant.

20. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the material of the condensation surface (2a) has hydrophobic properties.

21. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the condensation surface (2a) consists of fabric and mats and / or metal fabric and / or plastic fabric and / or ceramics and / or membranes and / or felts.

22. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the condensation surface (2a) consists of a fabric with a three-dimensional structure.

23. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that glass fibers are suspended on a bottom side of the condensation surface (2a) facing the condensation space (2).

24. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the evaporation space (1) and the condensation space (2) are seated on a frame (3) or a rail system.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the frame (3) consists of metals and / or mineral substances and / or thermoplastic materials and / or ceramics and / or composites.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that a stainless steel flexible tube is attached to the drain connector (10).

27. Plant comprising a plurality of interconnected apparatuses (100) according to one of claims 1 to 26.