Directly Heated Patents (Class 202/234)
  • Patent number: 11007455
    Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Patent number: 10981805
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a solar humidifier. The solar humidifier includes a solar collector comprises perforations, wherein the solar collector exhibits an absorptance in the range of 0.70 to 0.95 when dry. The solar humidifier also includes a frame on which the solar collector is mounted, wherein the frame provides at least one opening for supplying brine to a surface of the solar collector. The solar humidifier further includes a collection box, wherein the collection box includes an interior volume and is enclosed on a side by the solar collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Peter Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10976076
    Abstract: A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Svetlana Boriskina, George Ni, Thomas Cooper, Seyed Hadi Zandavi
  • Patent number: 10898825
    Abstract: A passive solar water distiller is an apparatus that utilizes sunlight to maximize the output of clean water with increased surface area for evaporation and condensation and effective means to retain and store heat. The apparatus includes a retaining basin, a plurality of evacuated tubes, a vapor-enhancing system, a plurality of transparent condensing covers, and a gutter system. The retaining basin houses contaminated water. The plurality of evacuated tubes heats the contaminated water within the retaining basin with solar energy. The vapor-enhancing system facilitates the vaporization of the contaminated water, leaving the contaminants within the retaining basin. The vapor-enhancing system also stores heat so that the apparatus is able to release heat and operate during nighttime hours or while there is a lack of direct sunlight. The plurality of transparent condensing covers increases the surface area for condensate of clean water to drip into the gutter system for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Vincent Cuthbert McClean
  • Patent number: 10850992
    Abstract: An evaporation system including a reservoir, for receiving a liquid mixture to be reduced through evaporation; and a tray, for being received in the reservoir, the tray defining a heating chamber into which the liquid from the reservoir may flow, the heating chamber configured to heat the liquid therein to increase evaporation of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Vapteq IP Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gideon Steyl, David C. Macfarlane, Philip Fouche
  • Patent number: 10788202
    Abstract: An apparatus for production of steam from an aqueous liquid includes (a) a solar panel with a pliable, essentially impermeable, polymer membrane having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is adapted to be directed towards the sun; a lattice structure adapted to support the inner surface of the polymer membrane; a backing, which together with the pliable polymer film, encases the lattice structure; an inlet for the aqueous liquid; an outlet for the steam produced, and (b) means for providing a vacuum connected to the outlet. The apparatus can be produced with few and relatively simple components thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HSL Energy Holding Aps
    Inventor: Niels Hansen
  • Patent number: 10758837
    Abstract: The invention provides a desalination system comprising: a controller; a salt water tank operable to receive salt water therein; a solar collector in fluid communication with the salt water tank and adapted to receive salt water therein; a first pump operable to pump salt water from the salt water tank into the solar collector; a photovoltaic (PV) panel operable to convert incident solar energy to electrical energy, and operable to supply electrical energy to the first pump; a water condenser tank in fluid communication with the first pump and arranged to receive water vapour from the solar collector and to condense such received water vapour; and a temperature detector operable to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the solar collector, and to supply such a temperature signal to the controller, wherein the controller is arranged to receive a temperature signal from the temperature detector, and is operable to control the first pump in dependence upon such a received temperature signa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Epicuro Ltd
    Inventors: Vejen Hlebarov, Denis Chamberlain, Robert Davidson Binns
  • Patent number: 10384165
    Abstract: The solar desalination system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a desalination chamber, and which uses membrane distillation for desalination of seawater. The desalination chamber includes a lower wall having a central absorber base, at least one sidewall, and an upper wall. A pair of hydrophobic membranes are mounted within the desalination chamber such that a central chamber is defined therebetween above the absorber base. The desalination chamber is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array so that the absorber base is positioned at a focal line thereof. Seawater is fed into the central chamber, where it is heated to produce water vapor, which passes through the pair of hydrophobic membranes into a pair of condensate retrieval chambers. The water vapor cools in the pair of condensate retrieval chambers, and may then be removed in the form of pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Zeyad Abdulwahid Ghaleb Haidar, Jamel Orfi
  • Patent number: 10343119
    Abstract: A water distillation system including a reservoir unit configured to reserve a second liquid of higher concentration than the first liquid; a pipe including a first end communicated with the first liquid and a second end communicated with the second liquid in the reservoir unit; a semipermeable membrane fitted on the pipe to separate the first liquid and the second liquid, so that the first liquid is mixed into the second liquid through the semipermeable membrane and led to the reservoir unit by osmotic action; and a distillation unit configured to distill the second liquid in the reservoir unit by solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Shudo
  • Patent number: 10329167
    Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus configured to produce a distillate from a source liquid mixture, including a base member defining at least one flow path, a transparent cover panel spaced apart from the base member to define a volume therebetween; and an intermediate panel positioned between the base member and the transparent cover panel to divide the volume into an evaporation chamber and a condensation chamber, wherein the evaporation chamber communicates with the condensation chamber, the flow path of the base member is configured to carry the source liquid mixture in a first direction in the evaporation chamber to increase evaporation of a liquid from the source liquid mixture, and the evaporated liquid is configured to flow from the evaporation chamber in a second and opposite direction into the condensation chamber where the evaporated liquid condenses into the distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: John L. Calene, Garth J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10155175
    Abstract: Saline water from a body of water is desalinated using a water purification system. Chambers of a plurality of tanks are filled with a volume of saline water. The saline water is heated to increase a pressure and produce water vapor within the chamber of each tank. A condensation valve disposed within a condensing tube is moved to an open position such that the water vapor is released into a respective condensing tube. The water vapor is condensed to provide potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventor: Herbert J. Roth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10024579
    Abstract: The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is “compacted” by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clint Justin Govar, Evan Thomas Rule, Eric Bennet Shields, Anthony C. Suggs, Richard Patrick Hardy
  • Patent number: 9352981
    Abstract: Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus allowing the contaminants to be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Simpson, Scott R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9227149
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting atmospheric and soil vapor condensate and transferring said condensate to a storage vessel for use in farming or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SSPP, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph W. Boudeman
  • Patent number: 9169133
    Abstract: A water vapor collector assembly consists of a transparent cover and a box which will float on a water surface. The transparent cover allows sun rays to evaporate some water in the box which confines and collect the vapor condensates. The condensates will be conveyed away by a tube under the box. A water wave operated shaker, a wind operated knocker, inserts to increase the water condensation surfaces, and various kinds of the box are also introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsia, Michael Jonathan Hsia, Patricia Shirley Hsia
  • Patent number: 9162159
    Abstract: A water vapor collector bottle consists of a transparent cover, a top box, a water supplier, an optional insulator, an optional bottom cover, and a bottom box. The transparent cover allows sun rays to evaporate some water to the top box which confines and collect the vapor condensate. The condensates will drop into a container in the bottom box. A wind operated knocker and an insert to increase the water condensation surfaces are also introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsia, Michael Jonathan Hsia, Patricia Shirley Hsia
  • Publication number: 20150107983
    Abstract: The invention discloses the design of an improved household solar still with enhanced output and high recovery. The output and recovery are enhanced by (i) aligning the top glass and basin so as to maximize the input solar radiation, (ii) using North-South reflectors in V trough configuration to further raise the incident radiation, (iii) employing metallic condensers on sides to maximize condensation efficiency, (iv) using suitably heated and cooled saline water by taking advantage of ambient temperature differential during a day and using such water as feed water and condenser water respectively. Use of detachable top glass assembly and teflon cork at the bottom allow for easy cleaning of the interior of the still and discharge of concentrate, respectively. The still is also demonstrated to be useful for other applications where, besides producing distilled water, the concentrate is a more value added product than the feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Subarna Maiti, Pankaj Arvindbhai Patel, Chitrangi BankimBhai Bhatt, Jitendra Narsinhbhai Bharadia, Mahesh Ramjibhai Gajjar, Pratap Sashikant Bapat, Pushpito Kumar Ghosh
  • Patent number: 8951391
    Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Miles McClure
  • Patent number: 8926791
    Abstract: A tank or bed has a plurality of sidewalls that create a bed cavity and a Fresnel panel frame that includes at least one Fresnel panel. The Fresnel panel frame may be adjacent to the bed cavity and may cover at least a portion of the bed cavity. An amount of sludge may be contained within the bed cavity. When placed in sunlight, the heat enhanced by the Fresnel panels may heat the sludge sufficiently for the sludge to be used as fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Gary Hammond
  • Patent number: 8888963
    Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan K. LaRocque, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp, Jeremy M. Swerdlow
  • Publication number: 20140332366
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a hydrocarbon content from a material matrix composes the hydrocarbon content and a water content, the apparatus comprising: a material feeder arranged to feed material through a treatment chamber, the treatment chamber comprising a window which is substantially transparent to microwaves; a microwave emitter arranged in use to expose feed material in the treatment chamber to microwaves via the window in order to cause rapid heating of at least part of the water content of the matrix to form steam, so as to remove at least part of the hydrocarbon content from the matrix; wherein the material feeder and treatment chamber are arranged so that in use, the treatment chamber is substantially tilted with material/matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: NOV Downhole Eurasia Limited, University of Nottingham
    Inventors: John Robinson, Sam Kingman, Chris Dodds, George Burnett
  • Patent number: 8877016
    Abstract: Systems and methods for solar steam generation are described. The systems and methods include moving at least one frame mounted optical focusing lens to track the sun in two axes and disposing a water boiler at a focus of each optical focusing lens. Raw water is pumped through an inlet at a bottom of each boiler and solar energy is concentrated, using each optical focusing lens, on each boiler, heating the raw water in each boiler and evaporating steam from the raw water. The steam exits each boiler, via a steam outlet pipe. Remaining salts and solids in each boiler are ground by rotation of salt grinding-cleaning gears. These ground salts and solids are drained and/or pumped out of each boiler from an exit in the bottom of each boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
  • Publication number: 20140305788
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus which can be automatically replenished with a liquid, does not require a large amount of energy and can be produced at suppressed facility cost is provided. A distillation apparatus 100 for generating distilled water by use of solar heat 72 includes a heat transmissive window 10 that transmits the solar heat 72; a housing 20 that secures the heat transmissive window 10; and a heat absorber 25 that is located in the housing 20 and absorbs the solar heat 74 transmitted through the heat transmissive window 10. The housing 20 includes a first chamber 21 in which the heat absorber 25 is located; and a second chamber 22 connected to the first chamber 21 via a water vapor permeable membrane 40 that allows permeation of water vapor 64 generated in the first chamber 21. An intake opening 50 through which a liquid is introduced is provided below the first chamber 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoichi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8852393
    Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having dissolved solids therein comprising a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, a submerged combustion chamber with burner suspended within the holding tank, the submerged combustion chamber having a plurality of vertical slots defined therein near a bottom thereof which span a substantial portion of a height of the submerged combustion chamber, a blower connected to provide air under positive pressure to the burner, and, a vent stack coupled to an upper portion of the holding tank for allowing water vapor to exit the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Inproheat Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Leopold Panz, Steven Eric Panz, Wesley Young, Roger P. Boulter
  • Patent number: 8852394
    Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Inproheat Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Leopold Panz, Steven Eric Panz, Wesley Young, Roger P. Boulter
  • Publication number: 20140284201
    Abstract: A solar-powered concentration unit and method of conducting a solar powered separation are described. An improved method of solar-powered concentration of ethylene glycol is described and exemplified. The invention also includes a mobile distillation/concentration unit that can be placed on a truck and transported to a desired location. A further advantage of the invention is that good separations can be achieved without the use of a selective membrane and/or mechanical pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Lincoln G. Remmert, Shane S. Walton
  • Publication number: 20140284200
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to liquid purifiers and pumps. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a chamber including top portion and a bottom portion. A surface configured to be heated is proximate the bottom portion of the chamber. A baffle is disposed within the chamber and above the surface. The baffle is disposed at an angle relative to a vertical direction. The chamber further includes an inlet and a first outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Leif Alexi Steinhour
  • Publication number: 20140262739
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to techniques for forming underground caverns, and also to desalinization processes that may be employed in conjunction therewith. Particular embodiments form a salt cavern by introducing heated water into a salt formation, followed by removal of the resulting brine to leave a salt cavern. The injected water is provided as a result of a desalinization process of the brine. Concentrated brine resulting from the desalinization process, is used to form a solar pond whose stored thermal energy provides the heat source for the injected water. The resulting underground cavern may be employed to house large volumes of materials such as pressurized natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, or compressed gas for energy storage. Also disclosed is a particular desalinization process based upon a Regenerative Evaporative Distiller (RED) structure, which efficiently leverages low grade heat available from the solar pond by relying primarily upon a latent heat of evaporation and condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LIGHTSAIL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Danielle A. FONG, Edwin P. BERLIN, JR., Stephen E. CRANE, Andrea C. ASHWOOD, Sebastian C. MANCHESTER
  • Publication number: 20140166467
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing the volume of waste water through evaporation including a tank with a combustion pipe and burner unit, wherein water is injected into the combustion pipe, flash evaporated, and gases are projected into the tank to drive evaporative and water treatment functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Clegg
  • Patent number: 8753487
    Abstract: An evaporation device has an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is made of a hydrophilic membrane, such as DutyionT. The outer tube is preferably made of a material that readily absorbs solar radiation and is a good heat conductor. There is a gap between the inner tube and the outer tube for the flow of air. The inner tube contains a flow of impure water. The hydrophilic membrane allows water to pass to the outside of the inner tube as vapor, but prevents impurities from passing through. Air flowing in the gap takes up the water vapor and humidified air exits the evaporation device. This humidified air is subsequently cooled to collect the vapor and provide purified water, e.g. at a condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Design Technology and Innovation Ltd
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Tonkin
  • Publication number: 20140124356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for solar thermal energy production in which switching between daytime and nighttime operation is possible, and also to a device for solar thermal energy production. The present invention relates, in particular, to the use of the process and of the device for producing drinking water or service water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian MUELLER, Otto MACHHAMMER, Peter ZEHNER
  • Patent number: 8709216
    Abstract: A fresh water recovery system includes a solar heated evaporator and a heat exchanger operating in a waste heat recovery mode for recovering fresh water from a salt water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Dwight L. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8673119
    Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic panel-interfaced solar-greenhouse distillation technology is provided that is capable of utilizing solar waste heat to perform liquid distillation while co-generating solar electricity. Solar waste heat co-generated at a photovoltaic panel is effectively utilized by in situ distillation liquid as an immediate heat sink in thermo contact with the photovoltaic panel front surface, thus providing beneficial cooling of the photovoltaic panel and co-making of distillation products while generating electricity with significant improvement on total-process solar energy utilization efficiency. Its enabled beneficial utilization of waste heat can provide a series of distillation-related products such as: freshwater, sea salts, distilled water, hot water, hot steam, saline/brine products, and brine photobiological cultures for production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts, in addition to solar electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Patent number: 8668812
    Abstract: Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a first vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The first vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus simplifying maintenance of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Simpson, Steve R. McNeany, Thomas V. Dinsmore, Scott R. Hunter, Ilia N. Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20140054159
    Abstract: A tent or covering with a pyramid-shaped structure, with an inner dark-coloured sheet and an outer transparent sheet, installed on a supporting base anchored to the ground or on floats on the surface of the sea, wherein in the apex of the pyramid there are included vaporizers with micronebulisers for nebulising the water to be treated, a device for capturing humid air through a continuous or sectioned condensation column and for subsoil distillation and heat dissipation in the smaller, water-collecting tank and recirculation of the air devoid of humidity into the enclosure. In addition, it includes a computerised control system of the processes includes controls of the air and nebulised water flow rates and of the working regime of the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA
    Inventor: Angel Bosch I Bosch
  • Patent number: 8652303
    Abstract: A desalination device includes a vessel, a breathable sheet, a water-repellent particle layer and a tank layer. The tank layer is positioned at the lower portion inside the vessel and the breathable sheet is interposed between the water-repellent particle layer and the tank layer. The breathable sheet includes a through-hole, the water-repellent particle layer is composed of a plurality of water-repellent particles, and the surface of the respective water-repellent particles includes a water-repellent film. The saltwater is desalted by a step of pouring saltwater into the vessel to dispose the saltwater on the surface of the water-repellent particle layer, a step of heating the saltwater to evaporate the saltwater into vapor; and a step of liquefying the vapor to obtain fresh water in the tank layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Mino, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 8623180
    Abstract: A seawater desalinization system includes a container portion, a heat conduction cover, and a heating device. The container portion defines a receiving chamber and a slot. The heat conduction cover covers on the container portion and seals the receiving chamber and the slot. The container portion is heated by the heating device. The heating device can absorb solar energy to heat the seawater under the dark condition. Therefore, the seawater desalinization system can heat the seawater to obtain fresh water continually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8623179
    Abstract: A seawater desalinization device includes a container portion, a guiding pipe, a plug, a heat conduction cover, a switch, and a connecting pipe. The container portion defines a receiving chamber, a slot, and a through hole communicating with the receiving chamber. The guiding pipe is fixed on the container portion to communicating with the slot. The plug is detachably inserted into the guiding pipe. The heat conduction cover covers on the container portion and sealing the receiving chamber and the slot. The switch is assembled in the container portion to control open or close the through hole upon a seawater level in the container portion. The connecting pipe is inserted into the through hole and a seawater source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8623181
    Abstract: A seawater desalinization device includes a container portion and a heat conduction cover covering on the container portion. The container portion defines a receiving chamber and a slot. The receiving chamber is configured for receiving seawater, and the slot is defined around the receiving chamber for receiving fresh water evaporated from the seawater. The heat conduction cover defines a plurality of guiding slots facing the container portion for guiding the fresh water drop into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8613840
    Abstract: The solar-powered distillation system is particularly adapted for small scale seawater distillation to produce fresh water. The system includes a single heat-absorbent evaporation panel having mutually opposed evaporation surfaces, the panel being contained within a single housing. Each side of the housing includes a lens panel. The lenses of each panel focus solar energy onto the respective surfaces of the evaporation panel. A mirror is positioned to each side of the housing to reflect solar energy onto the respective lens panels. Contaminated water enters the top of the housing to run down the surfaces of the evaporation panel. A fresh water collection pipe extends from the top of the housing to a collection tank. A scraper mechanism removes salt and/or other residue from the surfaces of the evaporation panel to allow the residue to be removed periodically from the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Salem Ibrahem Abdullatef Alayoub
  • Patent number: 8608911
    Abstract: A device for desalination of water having an inlet for saltwater, a first inner container arranged rotatable around an axis, a second container having an evaporation surface, a heater for heating of the second container and thereby also the evaporation surface, and a motor arranged to rotate the containers around the axis of rotation. The second container encloses the first inner container and is connected fixed to the first inner container. A mechanism for distributing water on the evaporation surface is constituted by holes arranged in the container wall of the first inner container so that water may pass out to the second container. Holes are also arranged in the container wall of the second container so that steam may pass out from the second container. A condensation surface is arranged for condensation of steam which passes out through the holes in the container of the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Rolf Ingeson
  • Patent number: 8580085
    Abstract: The invention is generally directed to solar distillation methods and systems for recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, a process for water distillation includes a cycled arrangement, alternating between a day cycle and a night cycle to enhance the yield of potable water. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the system includes a solar still having a design and orientation to maximize solar energy capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kll, Inc.
    Inventor: Hillery Thomas Kemp
  • Publication number: 20130277199
    Abstract: Membrane distillation system. The system includes a solar radiation absorbing porous membrane positioned to receive solar radiation to heat the membrane. A transparent cover is spaced apart from the membrane to form a channel through which a saline feed stream flows. A condensation structure is spaced apart from an opposite side of the porous membrane forming an air gap channel there between. Means are provided for coolant flow along an outside surface of the condensation structure so that distilled water will condense on the condensation structure for collection from the air gap channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Kurt Summers, Ryan Enright, John H. Lienhard
  • Publication number: 20130206582
    Abstract: A device (100) for distilling or thickening fluids, having a chamber (102), an electromagnetic radiation generator (104) and a waveguide (106) connecting the electromagnetic radiation generator (104) with the interior of the chamber (102). The device (100) has a channel (108) located below the end (110) of the waveguide (106), the channel being adapted for transporting the fluid. One end of the channel (108) is the inlet (112) and the other end of the channel (108) is the outlet (114) for the fluid, the channel being shaped so as to prolong the dwell time of the fluid in the chamber (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: PLAZMATRONIKA NT Sp. zo.o.
  • Publication number: 20130175156
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: TITANIUM CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Moran, Andy H. Hill, Chakravarthy Sishtla
  • Patent number: 8470138
    Abstract: A distillation assembly that reduces malodors resulting from a process of recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution that includes a distillation chamber defined by a top wall, a side wall and a bottom wall, a heating element disposed in the distillation chamber including an active portion and an inactive portion. The contaminated solvent solution disposed at a level within the distillation chamber such that the active portion always disposed below the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8465628
    Abstract: A solar energy conversion and distillation apparatus floats on a body of saltwater and includes a matrix of buoyant distillation modules that produce and collect distilled water for on-shore usage. The distillation modules and other buoyant structures are mutually joined within a peripheral seawall to form an atmospheric barrier, and each distillation module includes a submerged energy absorber layer to form an energy conversion chamber that confines a shallow volume of solar-heated seawater. Water vapor in the air above the confined water condenses on chilled heat exchanger conduits, and the energy absorber layer is water permeable so that confined water lost to evaporation and condensation is replenished with water from a thermal reservoir underlying the energy conversion chamber. Buoyant mistifier units in each distillation module enhance the evaporative surface area of the water vapor subject to condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Richard L. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20130118889
    Abstract: A method of producing one or more precipitable substances such as salt (NaCl) from a feed liquid source (such as sea water) in a precipitation apparatus, the method involving steps of providing a first solar energy treatment arrangement having at least one treatment panel construction having an upper solar energy transmission wall capable of passing solar energy to a treatment member located beneath the upper solar energy transmission wall, the or each treatment panel construction being arranged to receive liquid from the feed liquid source, the solar radiation energy concentrating the precipitable substance or substances in the treatment liquid within the or each said treatment panel construction, the method further sensing via a sensor the density of the treatment liquid discharged from the first solar energy treatment arrangement, returning the liquid discharged from the first solar energy treatment apparatus to an inlet region of the first solar energy treatment apparatus if the sensed density is below a
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FIRST GREEN PARK PTY LTD
    Inventor: Peter Johnstone
  • Publication number: 20130092522
    Abstract: Provided is a pure liquid manufacturing apparatus capable of manufacturing pure liquid such as pure water efficiently. Together with a series of units, from a heating unit to a condensation unit, for obtaining pure liquid from vapor, a drain tank unit for storing liquid is disposed, after the liquid discharged from the vaporization unit and the separation unit and new liquid are mixed in advance in the drain tank unit, the mixed liquid is pressurized by a pump unit and supplied to the heating unit. Consequently, the drain tank unit serves as a buffer for pressure, thus making it possible to maintain easily the pressure in the respective units such as the vaporization unit, etc., and reduce load of a vacuum exhaust unit to ensure a reduced pressure state, and dispose the required minimum valves for maintaining the pressure, thereby achieving the simplification of the apparatus structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Haruo Uehara
  • Patent number: 8419904
    Abstract: Systems and methods for solar water purification are described. In one exemplary aspect, the system includes a sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit, and a two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit to collect sunlight reflected from the sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit and focus the sunlight. A central water purification boiler module includes a heating zone upon which the sunlight is focused by the two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit. The focused sunlight heats the water contained therein to create steam which is redirected to heat water coming into the boiler and to condense as purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen Ba-abbad, Hany Al-Ansary, Essam Al-Bahkali, Essam Al-Ammar, Ibrahime Al-Olayan, Davinder Surah