U.S. patent application number 13/763904 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for methods and apparatus for distillation of shallow depth fluids.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hydrologic Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hydrologic Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Francis P. BURKE, Kenneth J. HORNE, David B. TAYLOR, Stephen R. TOPAZ.
Application Number | 20140054158 13/763904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39358808 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140054158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BURKE; Francis P. ; et
al. |
February 27, 2014 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF SHALLOW DEPTH FLUIDS
Abstract
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing that has at
least an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to receive
a volume of fluid via the inlet. The volume of fluid is in a
substantially liquid state and at least a portion of the volume of
fluid includes a dissolved impurity. The apparatus also includes a
heat-transfer element coupled to an interior volume of the housing.
The heat-transfer element includes a surface, at least a portion of
which is disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane.
The volume of fluid includes a surface parallel to the horizontal
plane. The apparatus further includes a compression component
configured to compress at least a portion of fluid boiled from the
volume of fluid.
Inventors: |
BURKE; Francis P.; (Zephyr
Cove, NV) ; HORNE; Kenneth J.; (Kaysville, UT)
; TAYLOR; David B.; (San Diego, CA) ; TOPAZ;
Stephen R.; (St. Helens, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hydrologic Industries, Inc. |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hydrologic Industries, Inc.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
39358808 |
Appl. No.: |
13/763904 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13530799 |
Jun 22, 2012 |
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13763904 |
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11936740 |
Nov 7, 2007 |
8206557 |
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13530799 |
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60864899 |
Nov 8, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
203/10 ;
202/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 1/2896 20130101;
C02F 1/06 20130101; B01D 1/2887 20130101; B01D 5/006 20130101; Y10S
159/16 20130101; Y02A 20/212 20180101; Y02W 10/33 20150501; C02F
1/14 20130101; B01D 5/0051 20130101; C02F 1/048 20130101; Y02W
10/37 20150501; B01D 1/0035 20130101; Y10S 159/40 20130101; B01D
3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
203/10 ;
202/206 |
International
Class: |
C02F 1/06 20060101
C02F001/06; B01D 3/06 20060101 B01D003/06 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving a signal from a sensor disposed
within a housing, the housing including a boiler portion and a
condenser portion, at least a portion of the boiler portion and at
least a portion of the condenser portion being defined by a
heat-transfer element coupled to an interior portion of the
housing; and modifying an angle of the heat-transfer element
relative to a horizontal plane in response to the signal such that
at least one of a heat-transfer rate associated with the
heat-transfer element or a flow-rate of a fluid changing phase
within the housing is modified.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying includes modifying
such that a rate of boiling of a portion of the fluid from a
mixture at the boiler portion of the heat-transfer element is
changed, the portion of the fluid is moved from the boiler portion
to the condenser portion after being boiled from the mixture.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying includes modifying
the angle such that a rate of boiling at the boiler portion and a
rate of condensation at the condenser portion are changed.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat-transfer rate is
associated with a latent heat transferred from the condenser
portion to the boiler portion via the heat-transfer element, the
latent heat is released from a fluid condensing from a gaseous
phase at a bottom surface of the heat-transfer element, the method
further comprising: moving the fluid from the boiler portion to the
condenser portion such that at least one of a temperature or a
pressure of the fluid is increased, the moving including moving
before the latent heat is released from the fluid.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat-transfer rate is
associated with a latent heat transferred from the condenser
portion to the boiler portion via the heat-transfer element, the
latent heat is from a fluid condensing at a bottom surface of the
heat-transfer element, the bottom surface of the heat-transfer
element defining the portion of the condenser portion.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat-transfer rate is
associated with a latent heat transferred from the condenser
portion to the boiler portion via the heat-transfer element, the
latent heat is from a portion of a first substance condensing at a
bottom surface of the heat-transfer element, the portion of the
first substance is boiled from a mixture of the first substance and
a second substance when the mixture is above a top surface of the
heat-transfer element, a concentration of the second substance is
increased when the first substance is boiled from the mixture.
7. An apparatus, comprising: a housing including a first portion
and a second portion, the housing being configured to receive a
mixture of a first substance and a second substance in a
substantially liquid state; a heat-transfer element coupled to the
housing and configured to transfer heat associated with a phase
change of a first portion of the mixture at the second portion of
the housing such that a phase of a second portion of the mixture is
changed at the first portion of the housing, the heat being
transferred at a rate, the first portion of the mixture and the
second portion of the mixture being different; a sensing component
coupled to the housing and configured to produce a signal
associated with a third portion of the mixture; and an actuator
coupled to the housing and configured to modify the rate in
response to the signal.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensing component includes
at least one of a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, or a temperature
sensor, the actuator is configured to change a slope of the
heat-transfer element, the rate is modified when the slope of the
heat-transfer element is changed.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensing component includes
at least one of a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, or a temperature
sensor, the actuator is configured to change a flow-rate of a
fourth portion of the mixture within the housing, the rate is
modified when the flow-rate is changed.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first substance is water
and the second substance is salt, the phase change of the first
portion of the mixture is associated with boiling at a pressure
below a standard atmospheric pressure, the phase of the second
portion of the mixture is changed from a gaseous phase to liquid
phase.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first substance is water
and the second substance is salt, the second portion of the mixture
including a salt concentration lower than a salt concentration of
the mixture.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third portion is
different than the first portion and the second portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a compression
component coupled to the housing, the compression component
configured to move the first portion of the mixture from the first
portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing such
that at least one of a pressure or a temperature of the first
portion of the mixture is increased.
14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heat associated with the
phase change of the first portion of the mixture is sufficient to
cause the change in the phase of the second portion of the mixture
at a substantially constant pressure.
15. A method comprising: receiving a signal from a sensor disposed
within a housing, the housing including a boiler portion and a
condenser portion, at least a portion of the boiler portion and at
least a portion of the condenser portion being defined by a
heat-transfer element coupled to an interior portion of the
housing; receiving a fluid at the boiler portion of the housing;
moving the fluid from the boiler portion to the condenser portion
such that energy from the fluid is released at the condenser
portion and transferred via the heat-transfer element to the boiler
portion; and modifying a flow rate of the fluid in response to the
signal such that a rate of a phase change at the housing is
changed.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the phase change is a first
phase change from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase at the boiler
portion, the modifying includes modifying such that a rate of a
second phase change from the gaseous phase to the liquid phase at
the condenser portion is changed.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the modifying includes
modifying such that a rate of heat transfer via the heat-transfer
element is changed.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the energy is latent energy,
the moving includes moving such that at least one of a temperature
or a pressure of the fluid is increased.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: modifying an angle
of the heat-transfer element relative to a horizontal plane in
response to the signal.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: modifying an angle
of the heat-transfer element relative to a horizontal plane in
response to the signal, the modifying of the angle and the
modifying of the flow rate are coordinated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/530,799, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Distillation of
Shallow Depth Fluids," filed Jun. 22, 2012, which is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/936,740, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,206,557, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Distillation of
Shallow Depth Fluids," filed Nov. 7, 2007, which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/864,899, entitled, "Liquid
Purification System," filed on Nov. 8, 2006, the entirety of each
of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to
distillation, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for
efficient distillation over a wide range of temperatures and
pressures.
[0003] A number of known devices and methods have been utilized to
distill (or separate) a fluid from a mixture of fluids. For
example, known desalinators can be used to purify seawater to
produce fresh water of a lower salinity for irrigation or drinking
purposes. Known distillation devices and methods, however, are
often complex, operate at high pressures and/or temperatures, and
require large quantities of power due to inefficiencies. Thus, a
need exists for a distillation apparatus and methods that can
enable efficient operation over a wide range of temperatures and/or
pressures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing that has
at least an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to
receive a volume of fluid via the inlet. The volume of fluid is in
a substantially liquid state and at least a portion of the volume
of fluid includes a dissolved impurity. The apparatus also includes
a heat-transfer element coupled to an interior volume of the
housing. The heat-transfer element includes a surface, at least a
portion of which is disposed at an angle with respect to a
horizontal plane. The volume of fluid includes a surface parallel
to the horizontal plane. The apparatus further includes a
compression component configured to compress at least a portion of
fluid boiled from the volume of fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a
distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a distillation system
configured to separate water from salt-water, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a steam saturation table that can be used
to determine an operating point of at least portion of a
distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a
characterization curve associated with a compression component,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
separating a portion of fluid from a volume of fluid, according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 6A is a exploded perspective view of several components
of a distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a heat-transfer element of
FIG. 6A without salt-water, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a heat-transfer element of
FIG. 6A with salt-water, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6D is a perspective, transparent view of a distribution
component, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram that illustrates a
distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a portion of the
distillation system shown in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a compression component,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a heat-transfer element,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 10A is a schematic block diagram of a side
cross-sectional view of a distillation system that has a
substantially conical heat-transfer element, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 10B is a schematic block diagram of a top partial
cut-away view of the distillation system shown in FIG. 10A,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a distillation
system that includes a control unit, according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
modifying an angle of a heat-transfer element of a distillation
system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
initiating a distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a
distillation system 100, according to an embodiment of the
invention. In some embodiments, the distillation system can also be
referred to as a distillation unit. The distillation system 100 is
configured to re-use energy to efficiently separate a substance
from a mixture of two or more substances. Specifically, energy that
is released and/or added to the system during the separation
process is utilized continuously to promote further separation in a
cyclical fashion. In some embodiments, the distillation system can
be a high efficiency distillation system that can have different
portions that operate at different temperatures (e.g., at low
temperature or at high temperature) and/or different pressures
(e.g., at low pressure or at high pressure).
[0024] The distillation system 100 includes a heat-transfer element
120, a compression component 140, and two chambers--chamber 110 and
chamber 130. The components of the distillation system 100 are
configured to operate in a coordinated fashion to separate a
substance from a mixture of two or more substances through phase
changes of the substance as portions of the mixture are cycled
through the distillation system 100. For example, the substance can
be separated from the mixture through a first phase change within
chamber 110. The first phase change can be induced (e.g., caused)
by energy that is released from a second phase change within
chamber 130 and that is transferred from chamber 130 to chamber 110
via the heat-transfer element 120. Energy can be added to at least
some portions of the mixture by the compression component 140 as
the portions cycle through the distillation system 100.
[0025] In some embodiments, the first phase change can be opposite
that of the second phase change. For example, the first phase
change can be a phase change from a liquid state to a gaseous state
and the second phase change can be a phase change from a gaseous
state to a liquid state, and vice versa. Thus, the first phase
change can be an endothermic (e.g., require/consume energy) phase
transition requiring, for example, a latent heat of vaporization
while the second phase change can be an exothermic (e.g., release
energy) phase transition releasing, for example, a latent heat of
condensation.
[0026] The distillation system 100 can be configured to operate
over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. For example, each
of the chambers 110 and 130 of the distillation system 100 can be
configured to operate at a temperature and/or a pressure
substantially below that of a normal boiling point of a substance
within a mixture. In some embodiments, the chambers 110 and 130 of
the distillation system 100 can be configured to operate at or
above a temperature and/or a pressure associated with a normal
boiling point of a substance within a mixture. In some embodiments,
chamber 110 and chamber 130 can be configured to operate at
temperatures and/or pressures that are separated by a specified
interval.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, chamber 110 can be configured to receive
via inlet 112 a volume of a mixture that is a fluid and that has a
concentration of an impurity. The impurity can be, for example, one
or more elements, compounds, substances, or materials included in
(e.g., ionized in, suspended in) the volume of fluid in any phase
(e.g., solid, liquid, gas). A portion of fluid can be boiled into a
gaseous phase from the volume of fluid within chamber 110, and
moved into the compression component 140. The gaseous portion of
fluid can be compressed by the compression component 140 and moved
into chamber 130 where the gaseous portion of fluid can release
heat 185 as the gaseous portion of fluid condenses against the
heat-transfer element 120. The heat 185 released from the
condensing portion of fluid can be used to further induce boiling
in a volume of fluid subsequently introduced into chamber 110 via
inlet 112 (e.g., after the gaseous portion of fluid is boiled
within chamber 110).
[0028] The portion of fluid boiled from the volume of fluid can be
referred to as a distillate and can have a relatively low
concentration of the impurity relative to the volume of fluid. In
other words, the portion of fluid boiled from the volume of fluid
can be a substantially purified fluid with a relatively low level
of the impurity compared with the original mixture. In some
embodiments, the impurity concentration of the original volume of
fluid will be increased because the portion of fluid is boiled from
the volume of fluid and has a relatively low concentration of the
impurity. In some embodiments, the purified fluid can be a desired
product (e.g., target product) from the distillation system 100.
The volume of fluid with the higher impurity concentration can be
referred to as a by-product and can be removed from chamber 110 via
outlet 114. In some embodiments, the by-product can also be a
desirable distillate or a target distillate.
[0029] Once the distillation system 100 attains a steady-state
operating condition, continuous heat transfer through a cycle of a
phase change in chamber 110, and an opposite phase change chamber
130, can be used to produce large volumes of a distillate
efficiently because the energy needed for the phase change to
obtain the distillate from a volume of fluid is substantially
provided by the opposite phase change. Energy needed to operate in
a continuous mode can substantially be equal to the energy
necessary to operate the compression component 140. In some
embodiments, the distillation system 100 can include a control
system (not shown) configured to process signals associated with,
for example, the flow of one or more fluids and/or heat transfer
within the distillation system 100. More details related to a
control system within a distillation system 100 will be discussed
in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0030] Although the distillation system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be
used to separate a variety of substances from a variety of mixtures
(e.g., methanol from a methanol-water mixture, gasoline from
gasoline-water mixture, water from a sap-water mixture) in a
variety of applications (e.g., waste water treatment), the
following disclosure in connection with embodiments of the
invention will focus on separation/distillation of water from a
salt-water compound (NaCl--H.sub.2O) in a liquid state as a
representative example. In some embodiments, the salt can be
dissolved in the water in, for example, an ionized state.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a distillation system
200 configured to separate water from salt-water, according to an
embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, the salt-water
can have other impurities included in (e.g., dissolved in,
suspended in) the salt-water such as calcium-based compounds (e.g.,
calcium chloride (CaCl)), zirconium-based compounds, and/or
magnesium-based compounds. Many of the phantom lines such as
phantom line 232 represent movement of a fluid associated with the
distillation system 200.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the distillation system 200 has a
housing 204 that has a boiler portion 206 and a condenser portion
208. An incoming salt-water stream 273 can be moved by, for
example, a pump (not shown) into a volume of salt-water 272 in the
boiler portion 206 of the housing 204 via an inlet 282. When the
volume of salt-water 272 is above a heat-transfer element 220 in
the boiler portion 206, heat is transferred to the salt-water 272
via the heat-transfer element 220 so that fresh steam can be boiled
from the salt-water 272 and can be moved 232 into a compression
component 240. The fresh steam can be drawn into (e.g., pulled
into) the compression component 240 by the compression component
240.
[0033] The fresh steam is compressed by the compression component
240 so that a temperature and/or a pressure of the fresh steam at
the outlet 244 of the compression component 240 is higher than the
temperature and/or the pressure of the fresh steam at the inlet 242
of the compression component 240. The mechanical energy of the
compression component 240 increases the temperature and/or the
pressure of the fresh steam as it is moved through the compression
component 240. In some embodiments, the volume of fresh steam is
reduced by as much as half when the fresh steam is compressed by
the compression component 240.
[0034] The compressed fresh steam is moved 234 into the condenser
portion 208 of the housing 204 and contacts a bottom surface of the
heat-transfer element 220 so that the compressed fresh steam can
condense and fall 236 into a volume of fresh water 270 in a fresh
water collection portion 209 of the housing 204. The fresh water
collection portion 209 can also be referred to as a fresh water
reservoir, fresh water container, or fresh water tank. The fresh
water 270 can be removed from the housing 204 in an outgoing fresh
water 275 stream via an outlet 284 by, for example, a pump (not
shown).
[0035] As the fresh steam is boiled from the salt-water 272, a
concentration of salt in the salt-water 272 is increased until the
salt-water 272 becomes brine 274. In some embodiments, the brine
274 can be water saturated or nearly saturated with salt. The brine
274 can be removed from the housing as an outgoing brine stream 277
via an outlet 286 by, for example, a pump (not shown). In some
embodiments, the outgoing brine stream 277 can be removed by
gravity. In some embodiments, the brine 274 can be, for example,
approximately 25% salt by weight. In some embodiments, the brine
274 can be sold as a product used for medicinal purposes, culinary
purposes, in an oil extraction process (not shown), in a heat
exchange process (not shown), and/or as a reactant in chemical
process (not shown).
[0036] Although the water boiled from the salt-water 272 and the
water condensed at the heat-transfer element 220 are referred to as
fresh steam and fresh water, respectively, the fresh steam and
fresh water can include some impurities. However, the concentration
of impurities (e.g., concentration based on moles, concentration
based on weight) can be significantly lower than that in the
salt-water 272. In other words, the salinity of the fresh water can
be lower than that of the salt-water 272. Said differently, the
fresh steam and/or the fresh water can have a salt concentration
lower than a salt concentration of the salt-water 272 before the
fresh steam is boiled from the salt-water 272.
[0037] The fresh steam can be boiled from the salt-water 272 above
the heat-transfer element 220 using almost exclusively a latent
heat released from condensation of the compressed steam from the
compression component 240. In other words, the energy/heat needed
for the endothermic phase transition of the liquid water in the
salt-water 272 into the fresh steam can be substantially provided
by the energy/heat from the exothermic phase transition of the
gaseous compressed steam into liquid water (e.g., condensed fresh
water 270). In some embodiments, the flow-rate of fluids (e.g.,
salt-water, steam, etc.) to, from, and/or within the housing 204
can be defined so that fresh steam is boiled nearly entirely by
heat from condensation of the compressed steam from the compression
component 240 (shown as line 234).
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat-transfer element 220 has a
sloped surface with respect to a horizontal plane 226. In some
embodiments, an angle 224 of the heat-transfer element 220 with
respect to the horizontal plane 226 can be a few degrees (e.g., 1
degree, 15 degrees, 45 degrees) or even a fraction of a degree. The
slope of the heat-transfer element 220 is designed to facilitate
boiling of the fresh steam from the salt-water 272 by enabling heat
transfer through the heat-transfer element 220 to a shallow depth
222 of the salt-water 272. In this embodiment, a surface of the
salt-water 272 intersects the heat-transfer element 220 at a
zero-depth point 228. In some embodiments, the depth 222 of the
salt-water 272 can be between a fraction of an inch (e.g., 0.1
inches) and several inches (e.g., 2.2 inches, 5 inches).
[0039] A higher percentage of heat transferred via the
heat-transfer element 220 can be directly used to cause boiling
because the depth 222 of the salt-water 272 over all or a portion
of the heat-transfer element 220 is shallow. In other words, the
shallow depth 222 promotes efficient heat transfer. Specifically,
the effects of the heat will not be offset significantly by
conduction to new, cooler incoming salt-water 273 as it flows via
inlet 282 into the volume of salt-water 272 in the boiler portion
206 of the housing 204. Also, boiling within the boiler portion 206
of the housing 204 will not be significantly inhibited by static
pressure related to the depth 222 of the salt-water 272 when the
depth 222 of the salt-water 272 is shallow.
[0040] The heat-transfer element 220 can be constructed of a
material that facilitates efficient heat transfer from the
condenser portion 208 to the boiler portion 206 of the housing 204.
Specifically, the material of the heat-transfer element 220 can be
chosen so that the thermal conductivity of the heat-transfer
element 220 is relatively high and will not result in undesirable,
inefficient heat loss. For example, the heat-transfer element 220
can be constructed of a pure metal and/or an alloy that can include
substances such as copper, silver, gold, and/or aluminum. Also, the
heat-transfer element 220 can be relatively thin so that the
heat-transfer element 220 will further promote efficient heat
transfer at a desirable level. In some embodiments, for example,
the heat-transfer element can be a fraction of an inch (e.g., 1/8
of an inch, 1/32 of an inch). In some embodiments, the
heat-transfer element 220 can be or can include a polymer-based
material.
[0041] In this embodiment, the heat-transfer element 220 is
entirely disposed within the housing 204 and defines at least a
portion of the boiler portion 206 and at least a portion of the
condenser portion 208 of the distillation system 200. For example,
the top surface of the heat-transfer element 220 defines a bottom
boundary of the boiler portion 206, and the bottom surface of the
heat-transfer element 220 defines a top boundary of the condenser
portion 208.
[0042] In some embodiments, the shape of the heat-transfer element
220 can be modified so that compressed fresh steam impinging on the
bottom surface of the heat-transfer element 220 will be channeled
to certain locations on the heat-transfer element 220. In some
embodiments, the heat transfer-element 220 can have different
(e.g., varying) thicknesses and/or shapes over at different
portions of the heat-transfer element 220 so that the different
portions will have different heat-transfer characteristics. The
heat-transfer characteristics can vary according to temperature
and/or pressure gradients within the boiler portion 206 and/or the
condenser portion 208. Various shapes and types of heat
transfer-elements are discussed in connection with subsequent
figures.
[0043] In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can have a
distribution component (not shown) to facilitate distribution of
compressed steam from the compression component 240 (shown as line
234) against the bottom surface of the heat-transfer element 220.
For example, the distribution component can be configured to cause
the compressed steam to be substantially evenly distributed along
the bottom surface of the heat-transfer element 220 or distributed
in a particular pattern against the heat-transfer element 220. In
some embodiments, the distribution component can be configured to
distribute the compressed steam against the bottom surface of the
heat-transfer element 220 based on and/or to create a specified
pressure gradient and/or temperature gradient within the boiler
portion 206 and/or the condenser portion 208.
[0044] In some embodiments, the distribution component can be
configured to force the compressed steam to impinge on the bottom
surface of the heat-transfer element 220 to facilitate
condensation. For example, the compressed steam can be forced onto
the bottom surface of the heat-transfer element 220 to move
substances off of the bottom surface heat-transfer element 220 that
may inhibit condensation (e.g., precipitates, condensed fresh
water). More details related to a distribution component are
discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6D.
[0045] The components of the distillation system 200 can be
constructed of various materials such as, for example, metals,
rubbers, and/or polymer-based materials (e.g., acrylic,
polyethylene, fiberglass). For example, the housing 204 of the
distillation system 200 can be constructed of a plastic material
such as Teflon or polystyrene, and the piping of the distillation
system 200 can be a poly-vinyl chloride (PVC)-based material.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the outgoing brine stream 277 from
outlet 286, the outgoing fresh water stream 275, and the incoming
salt-water stream 273 are configured to exchange heat in a
heat-exchanger 260. The heat-exchanger 260 is configured to
exchange heat from the outgoing brine stream 277 and the outgoing
fresh water stream 275 with the incoming salt-water stream 273 to
preheat the incoming salt-water stream 273. By transferring heat to
the incoming salt-water stream 273 before it enters the boiler
portion 206, the temperature of the incoming salt-water stream 273
can be at or substantially close to the boiling point of water at
the operating pressure of the boiler portion 206 of the
distillation system 200. Thus, only a relatively small quantity of
heat will be required to cause the salt-water 272 to boil (e.g., a
latent heat of condensation). The small quantity of heat can be
added by the compression component 240 to the compressed steam,
which eventually releases the heat to the salt-water 272 to cause
it to boil when the compressed steam condenses at the heat-transfer
element 220. It logically follows that the energy used by the
compression component 240 can be reduced when the incoming
salt-water stream 273 (which feeds into the salt-water 272) is
closer to a desired boiling point (e.g., a desirable temperature
and/or pressure for boiling).
[0047] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 260 can be
configured to use energy from outside of the distillation system
200 to preheat the incoming salt-water stream 273. For example, the
heat exchanger 260 can be configured to use solar energy (not
shown) or energy from an output (e.g., a waste stream, a low-grade
waste heat) from a separate process (not shown) to preheat the
incoming salt-water stream 273 to a desired temperature at a
specified operating pressure of the boiler portion 206 of the
housing 204. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 260 can be,
for example, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat
exchanger, and/or a regenerative heat exchanger.
[0048] In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the
distillation system 200, in addition to, or instead of the heat
exchanger 260, can be configured to use energy scavenged from an
environment surrounding the distillation system 200. For example,
one or more pumps (not shown), control units (not shown), and/or
sensors (not shown) associated with the operation of the
distillation system 200 can be powered by wind energy, solar
energy, and/or energy from an output (e.g., waste stream) from a
separate process (not shown). One or more of the components of the
distillation system 200 can be powered by an energy storage device
such as a battery and/or a fuel cell.
[0049] The distillation system 200 can be configured to produce
fresh water from salt-water 272 over a wide range of temperatures
and pressures. In this embodiment, one or more portions of the
distillation system 200 (e.g., the boiler portion 206, the
condenser portion 208) can be configured to operate at a
temperature and/or a pressure substantially below that associated
with a normal boiling point of water. For example, the boiler
portion 206 can be configured to operate at a specified pressure
substantially below a standard atmospheric pressure (e.g., 1
atmosphere). In some embodiments, one or more portions of the
distillation system 200 (e.g., the boiler portion 206, the
condenser portion 208) can be configured to operate at a
temperature and/or a pressure at or above that associated with a
normal boiling point of water.
[0050] The distillation system 200 can be configured so that the
boiler portion 206 and the condenser portion 208 operate at a
temperature separated by a specified interval and/or operate at a
pressure separated by a specified interval. For example, the boiler
portion 206 and the condenser portion 208 can be configured to
operate at temperatures separated by a few degrees (e.g., a few
degrees Fahrenheit (F), a few degrees Kelvin (K)). In some
embodiments, the boiler portion 206 and the condenser portion 208
can be configured to operate at pressures separated by a fraction
of a pressure unit (e.g., a pounds per square inch absolute (psia)
unit, a millimeters of mercury (mmHg) unit). The energy resulting
in the difference in pressure and/or the difference in temperature
between the boiler portion 206 and the condenser portion 208 can be
provided by mechanical energy from the compression component
240.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a steam saturation table that can be used
to determine an operating point of at least a portion of a
distillation system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
The operating point can be defined by a combination of, for
example, an operating pressure, an operating temperature, an
operating humidity, and so forth. The distillation system can be,
for example, distillation system 200 shown in FIG. 2. The
respective operating points of the boiler portion 206 and the
condenser portion 208 can be selected by: (1) selecting the boiler
portion 206 operating point using the saturation table shown in
FIG. 3, and (2) calculating the condenser portion 208 operating
point based on the boiler portion 206 operating point. The
operating point of the condenser portion 208 can be calculated from
the boiler portion 206 operating point based on several factors,
including, for example, the heat transfer characteristics of the
heat-transfer element 220 and heat of vaporization changes due to
impurities.
[0052] For example, at an operating point of 0.5 psia and
78.degree. F. (shown at 306), 1096.4 British Thermal Units (BTUs)
are required to cause a phase change of a pound (lb) of liquid
water at the boiler portion 206. If the heat-transfer efficiency at
the heat-transfer element 220 is 99.91% and impurities within the
salt-water 272 increase the heat of vaporization by 0.14%, the heat
required at the condenser side of the heat-transfer element 220 to
cause vaporization is 1098.9 BTU/lb. Based on the saturation table,
the operating point at the condenser portion 208 should be 0.6 psia
and 85.degree. F. (shown at 308) to meet this heat requirement. The
condenser portion 206 is operated at a slightly higher steady-state
temperature and pressure so that heat from condensation in the
condenser portion 208 will be transferred to the boiler portion 206
via the heat-transfer element 220. In some embodiments, a reduction
in a thickness of the heat-transfer element 220 can increase the
efficiency of the heat-transfer element 220.
[0053] Referring back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, a difference
in temperature and/or pressure of the operating points of the
boiler portion 206 and the condenser portion 208 can substantially
be produced by the compression component 240. In other words,
energy can be added to fluids (e.g., fresh steam) moving from the
boiler portion 206 to the condenser portion 208 to maintain the
different conditions of the operating points. In some embodiments,
the boiler portion 206 of the distillation system 200 can operate
at high temperature and/or pressure and the condenser portion 208
of the distillation system 200 can operate at low temperature
and/or pressure, and vice versa.
[0054] If the boiler portion 206 is configured to operate at a low
pressure that is substantially below a standard atmospheric
pressure, the low pressure can be maintained/generated by the
weight of the incoming salt-water 273 stream. Although not shown in
FIG. 2, the distillation system 200 can be configured so that the
incoming salt-water 273 is a column of incoming salt-water with a
weight that is suspended below the boiler portion 206 by the
pressure in the boiler portion 206. Moreover, the height of the
column of the incoming salt-water 273 stream can be defined to
create a specified low pressure within the boiler portion 206.
Other streams of the distillation unit 200 such as the outgoing
brine 277 stream can be similarly configured to assist in
maintaining/defining a low pressure within the boiler portion 206.
The weight of the outgoing fresh water 275 can be used to
maintain/define a specified pressure in the condenser portion
208.
[0055] In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can be
operated at a specified temperature and/or pressure to
substantially prevent a particular undesirable side-effect. In some
embodiments, the distillation system 200 can be configured operate
at a specified temperature and/or at a specified pressure to
prevent precipitation and/or dissolution of different compounds
(e.g., magnesium-based compounds). For example, the distillation
system 200 can be configured to operate at a temperature below
185.degree. F. so that impurities such as calcium-based compounds
that may be in the salt-water 272 will not precipitate. In some
embodiments, the boiler portion 206, for example, can be configured
to operate above a specified temperature so that particular
impurities (e.g., microbes, bacteria) will be destroyed. Also,
insulation of the distillation system 200 from, for example, an
ambient environment can be reduced by operating at a lower
temperature than if the distillation system 200 were operating at a
high temperature.
[0056] In some embodiments, condensation of fresh steam at the
bottom surface of the heat-transfer element 220 can assist in
maintaining the low pressure environment at, for example, a
condenser portion 208 of the distillation system 200. In other
words, the collapse of the voluminous compressed steam into a
liquid when the compressed steam condenses can create a negative
pressure environment that can decrease the pressure of the
condenser portion 208 of the distillation system 200.
[0057] In some embodiments, as the outgoing brine stream 277 is
pumped out of the boiler portion 206 of the housing 204, the
pressure within the boiler portion 206 of the housing 204 can be
decreased. In some embodiments, the flow-rate of the brine stream
277 can be adjusted to assist in maintaining a low pressure
operating environment within the boiler portion 206 of the housing
204. In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can
continuously operate at a steady-state after a start-up sequence.
In some embodiments, the energy required during steady-state is
substantially the energy required to operate the compression
component 240. More details related to a start-up sequence are
discussed in connection with FIG. 13.
[0058] In some embodiments, the compression component 240 can have
a monotonically changing pressure differential versus flow-rate
characteristic such as that shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic
diagram that illustrates a characterization curve 420 associated
with a compression component, according to an embodiment of the
invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a pressure differential (.DELTA.P)
(shown on the y-axis) of the compression component monotonically
decreases as a flow-rate (shown in the x-axis) through the
compression component increases. The pressure differential is a
difference in pressure between an outlet of the compression
component and an inlet of the compression component. The
monotonically changing characteristic of the compression component
promotes stability of a distillation system (e.g., distillation
system 100 shown in FIG. 1) especially when the distillation system
is operating at low temperatures and/or at low pressures.
[0059] In some scenarios, a compression component that does not
have a monotonically changing pressure differential versus
flow-rate characteristic could oscillate between flow-rates in an
unstable fashion when a pressure in a housing of the distillation
system were to, for example, unexpectedly drop. This type of
oscillation could cause the distillation system to fail to produce
a distillate or to produce an undesirable distillate because a
continuous phase change energy would not be available due to the
inconsistent flow.
[0060] In some embodiments, the compression component 240 can
include one or more compressors (e.g., staged compressors) and/or
one or more valving components (not shown). The compression
component 240 can be, for example, a centrifugal compressor, a
hydraulic compressor, a diagonal or mixed-flow compressor, an
axial-flow compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary screw
compressor, a scroll compressor, a lobe type compressor (e.g.,
roots blower) and/or a diaphragm compressor. In some embodiments,
the compression component 240 can include a system of coordinated
valves such as that shown in and described in connection with FIG.
8.
[0061] In some embodiments, the compression component 240 can be
disposed within the housing 204 of the distillation system 200. In
some embodiments, by disposing the compression component 240 in the
housing 204, issues associated with, for example, small leaks
within the compression component 240 can be mitigated or completely
avoided. For example, the compression component 240 can include a
hydraulic motor disposed within the housing 204. In some
embodiments, heat generated by mechanical portions of the
compression component 240 can be transferred to the salt-water 272
to further induce boiling at the boiler portion 206 of the housing
204. In some embodiments, a motor disposed outside of the housing
204 can be magnetically coupled to a propeller(s) or fan blade(s)
that is disposed within the housing 204 and that is configured to
compress fresh steam.
[0062] In some embodiments, the compression component 240 can be
disposed below the heat-transfer element 220 and/or the housing
204. In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can have
multiple compression components, multiple incoming streams of each
type of incoming stream (e.g., multiple incoming salt-water
streams), multiple outgoing streams of each type of outgoing stream
(e.g., multiple outgoing brine streams), multiple boiler and/or
condenser portions, and/or multiple heat-transfer elements. In some
embodiments, the distillation system 200 can have multiple stages.
For example, an outgoing stream from a first distillation system
can be an incoming stream on a second distillation system.
[0063] In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can have a
degassing system (not shown) configured to degas, for example, the
incoming salt-water stream 273 so that boiling above the
heat-transfer element 220 will not be undesirably disrupted if a
gas is released from the salt-water. In some embodiments, the
degassing system can be configured to degas the incoming salt-water
273 before the salt-water is received at the heat exchanger 260. In
some embodiments, the degassing system can be configured to degas
the incoming salt-water 273 after the heat-exchanger 260. In some
embodiments, at least a portion of the degassing system can be
disposed within the housing 204.
[0064] In some embodiments, the distillation system 200 can
include, for example, a sonic transducer (not shown) configured to
facilitate boiling above the heat-transfer element 220. In some
embodiments, the sonic transducer can be an ultrasonic transducer.
The sonic transducer can enhance fracturing of the salt-water, for
example, to facilitate a change from a liquid state to a vapor
state. In some embodiments, the sonic transducer can be further
used to degas the salt-water 272. In some embodiments, the
ultrasonic transducer can be disposed within the boiler portion 206
of the housing 204.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
separating a portion of fluid from a volume of fluid, according to
an embodiment of the invention. The flowchart illustrates that a
volume of fluid with an impurity concentration is received at a
housing of a distillation system at 500. The volume of fluid can be
a volume of water and the impurity concentration can be, for
example, salt. In some embodiments, the volume of fluid can include
multiples types of impurities (e.g., calcium-based impurities,
magnesium-based impurities).
[0066] The volume of fluid is received at a top surface of a
heat-transfer element within a boiler portion of the housing at
510. The volume of fluid can be pumped from, for example, a body of
salt-water and received via an inlet of the housing. The top
surface of the heat-transfer element can define at least a portion
of the boiler portion of the housing.
[0067] A portion of fluid is boiled from the volume of fluid at
520. If the volume of fluid is a volume of salt-water, the portion
of fluid can be fresh water boiled from the salt-water in a gaseous
state as steam.
[0068] The volume of fluid is received at a brine collection
portion of the distillation system at 530 after the portion of
fluid is boiled from the volume of fluid. In some embodiments, the
volume of fluid can have a different impurity concentration after
the portion of fluid is boiled from the volume of fluid.
[0069] The portion of fluid is compressed and moved from the boiler
portion into a condenser portion of the housing at 540. The portion
of fluid can be compressed and moved by a compression component
coupled to the housing.
[0070] The portion of fluid is condensed at a bottom surface of the
heat-transfer element at 550. The portion of fluid can be condensed
as the portion of fluid is impinged against the bottom surface of
the heat-transfer element. The bottom surface of the heat-transfer
element can define at least a portion of the condenser portion of
the housing.
[0071] The heat released at the bottom surface of the heat-transfer
element is transferred from the portion of fluid to the boiler
portion at 560. In some embodiments, all or substantially all of
the heat released at the bottom surface of the heat-transfer
element can be transferred via the heat-transfer element.
[0072] The condensed portion of fluid is received at a fresh water
collection portion of the distillation system at 570. In some
embodiments, the condensed portion of fluid can be pumped from the
fresh water collection portion of the distillation system. In some
embodiments, the fresh water collection portion of the distillation
system can be disposed within the housing.
[0073] FIG. 6A is a an exploded perspective view of several
components of a distillation system 600, according to an embodiment
of the invention. The distillation system 600 has a top portion 610
of a housing 680 that defines at least a portion of a boiler, a
heat-transfer element 620, a distribution component 630, and a
fresh water collection reservoir 640. In this embodiment, incoming
salt-water 631 is received within the distillation system 600 via
inlet 674. The salt-water flows along a top portion 622 of the
heat-transfer element 620 in the direction of arrow 632 and fresh
steam is boiled from the salt-water as shown by arrow 634. In some
embodiments, a slope of the heat-transfer element 620 is
substantially less then 1 degree with respect to a horizontal
plane.
[0074] Perspective views of the heat-transfer element 620 are shown
in FIGS. 6B and 6C. FIG. 6B illustrates the heat-transfer element
620 (also shown in FIG. 6A) without salt-water and FIG. 6C
illustrates the heat-transfer element 620 (also shown in FIG. 6A)
with salt-water 664. The salt-water 664, which has a concentration
that increases as it passes over a corrugated portion 666 of the
heat-transfer element 620 until it reaches a brine concentration,
exits out of opening 626. The salt-water 664 intersects at a
zero-depth point between nearly every furrow and ridge of the
corrugated portion 666. At the deepest point of each furrow, a
depth of the salt-water 664 can be, for example, a few inches or
less. In this embodiment, the incoming salt-water 631 (shown in
FIG. 6A) is pumped into a reservoir 668 of the heat-transfer
element 620, so that the salt-water 664 can be evenly distributed
over the corrugated portion 666 of the heat-transfer element 620.
The reservoir 668 can be referred to as a distribution
reservoir.
[0075] Referring back to FIG. 6A, the brine 636 exits out of the
housing 680 of the distillation system 600 via outlet 676. After
the steam 634 is compressed, the compressed steam 638 is injected
towards a bottom portion 624 of the heat-transfer element 620 via
slots 652 into a middle portion 650 of the housing 680. The
compressed steam 638 is distributed into the slots 652 using the
distribution manifold 690 shown in FIG. 6D. As shown in FIG. 6D,
the distribution manifold 690 has an inlet 694, and outlet slots
696 that correspond to slots 652 (shown in FIG. 6A). The compressed
steam 638 is distributed to the slots 652 via the manifold system
692 of the distribution manifold 690. In some embodiments, the
distribution manifold 690 can be referred to as a distribution
component.
[0076] Referring back to FIG. 6A, the compressed steam 638 is
further directed by the channeling system 644 of distribution
component 630. In some embodiments, a horizontal plane 646 of the
distribution component 646 can have multiple openings (e.g.,
orifices) to direct the compressed steam 638 towards the bottom
surface 624 of the heat-transfer element 620 (in the direction of
arrow 648) after the compressed steam 638 is injected into the
housing 680. After the compressed steam 638 condenses at the bottom
portion 624 of the heat-transfer element 620, the condensed fresh
water 662 is collected in reservoir 660.
[0077] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram that illustrates a
distillation system 700, according to an embodiment of the
invention. The distillation system 700 has a housing 710 that
includes a heat exchanger 760, compression component 740, and a
heat-transfer element 720. The housing 710 has a portion that
functions as a boiler 712 and a portion that functions as a
condenser 714.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 7A, salt-water 722 flows down (e.g., pulled
by gravity) the heat-transfer element 720 from a salt-water
reservoir 754 to brine 774 in a brine reservoir 776. As the
salt-water 722 flows down the heat-transfer element 720, fresh
water is boiled from the salt-water 722 as fresh steam and moved
724 into the compression component 740 (shown as line 724). The
fresh steam is compressed into compressed steam (e.g., compressed
fresh steam) at the compression component 740 and moved towards a
bottom surface 728 of the heat-transfer element 720 where the
compressed steam condenses (shown as line 726). Heat released from
the phase transition at the bottom surface 728 of the heat-transfer
element 720 is transferred via the heat-transfer element 720 to the
flowing salt-water 722 to cause fresh steam to boil from the
flowing salt-water 722. In some embodiments, the distillation
system 700 can have a distribution component (not shown) configured
to facilitate distribution of compressed steam against the bottom
surface 728 of the heat-transfer element 720. After the compressed
steam condenses into fresh water, the fresh water 770 is collected
in a fresh water reservoir 778.
[0079] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a portion of the
distillation system 700 shown in FIG. 7A, according to an
embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7B, a surface of the
salt-water 722 flowing down the heat-transfer element 720 is
substantially parallel to the slope of the heat-transfer element
720. Accordingly, the salt-water 722 can have a shallow depth 782
over substantially the entire length of the heat-transfer element
720. In some embodiments, the flow-rate of the salt-water 722 and
depth 782 of the salt-water 722 can be determined by a level of
salt-water in the salt-water reservoir 754 and/or a height of an
opening 784 from the salt-water reservoir 754. In some embodiments,
the flow-rate of the salt-water 722 can be controlled by the shape
and/or slope of the heat-transfer element 720.
[0080] In some embodiments, the distillation system 700 (e.g.,
heat-transfer element 720, boiler 712, etc.) can be configured so
that the vapor pressure of the salt-water 722 at points 732 and 736
(points at opposite ends of the heat-transfer element 720) during
operation of the distillation system 700 can be substantially the
same. Also, the flow-rate of the salt-water 722 over the
heat-transfer element can be defined so that the static pressures
at points 734 and 738 can be substantially the same and
approximately equal to the pressure within the boiler 712. In other
words, the depth 782 of the salt-water 722 can be defined so that
that static pressure from the depth 782 of the salt-water 722 will
be negligible, thus promoting boiling above a top surface of the
heat-transfer element 720. For example, if the boiler 712 is
configured to operate at a specified pressure substantially below a
standard atmospheric pressure, the vapor pressure at points 732 and
736 can be substantially equal to the specified pressure, and the
pressure at points 734 and 738 can be substantially the same as the
specified pressure.
[0081] Referring back to FIG. 7A, a recycling pump 780 is
configured to recycle at least a portion of the brine 774 by
pumping the portion from the brine reservoir 776 into the
salt-water reservoir 754. The portion of the brine 774 can then be
subjected to the boiling process where additional fresh water can
be extracted from the brine 774. Fresh water can be more
effectively extracted by recycling some of the brine 774 especially
if the brine 774 is not saturated with salt. In other words, a
higher percentage of fresh water can be removed from the salt-water
722 than without the recycling.
[0082] In some embodiments, the recycling of the brine 774 using
the recycling pump 780 can be performed in response to a signal
indicating that additional fresh water can be extracted from the
brine 776. For example, a sensor (not shown) and an associated
control module (not shown) can be configured to activate and/or
control the recycling pump 780 when it is determined that the salt
concentration of the brine 774 is below a specified threshold
value.
[0083] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a compression component
840, according to an embodiment of the invention. The compression
component 840 is configured to use heat from a waste stream 850 to
compress fresh steam in a chamber 846 before moving the fresh steam
towards a heat-transfer element (not shown) where energy from the
fresh steam can be transferred upon condensation. The compression
component 840 has an inlet valve 842 and an outlet valve 844 that
are configured to operate in a coordinated fashion. The inlet valve
842 is opened while the outlet valve 844 is closed to allow fresh
steam to enter and fill the chamber 846 of the compression
component 840. After a specified period of time, the inlet valve
842 is closed and the fresh steam in the chamber 846 is heated to
increase the temperature and/or the pressure of the fresh steam.
After a specified period of time, the outlet valve 844 is opened
and the steam is released to, for example, a condenser (not shown)
of a distillation system.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a heat-transfer element
990, according to an embodiment of the invention. The heat-transfer
element 990 has several steps 992. The steps 992 of the
heat-transfer element 990 can be configured to modify or define the
flow-rate of salt-water 980 over the heat-transfer element 990
and/or heat-transfer characteristics of the heat-transfer element
990.
[0085] FIG. 10A is a schematic block diagram of a side
cross-sectional view of a distillation system 1000 that has a
substantially conical heat-transfer element 1020, according to an
embodiment of the invention. The conical heat-transfer element 1020
has a top surface 1048 above which salt-water 1022 from a
salt-water reservoir 1054 can be boiled. The fresh steam can be
moved (as shown by line 1094) through an opening 1046 at a top
portion of the conical heat-transfer element 1020 towards a bottom
surface 1049 of conical heat-transfer heat element 1020 where the
fresh steam can be condensed. The fresh steam can be moved by
blades of a propeller 1026 driven by a motor 1090 disposed within a
housing 1010 of the distillation system 1000. After the fresh steam
is condensed into condensed water, the condensed water can be
collected at (or below) the base 1044 of the conical heat-transfer
element 1020 in a fresh water reservoir 1070. In some embodiments,
the heat-transfer element 1020 can be configured similar to the
heat-transfer element 990 illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 10A, the propeller 1026 (which is a portion
of a compression component 1040) rotates about a shaft 1024 (e.g.,
axis) extending from the opening 1046 to the base 1044. The shaft
1024 is secured to the housing 1010 by two sets of bearings 1078
and 1076. Because the components of the compression component 1040
are entirely disposed within the housing 1010, seals and other
components to prevent leakage are not needed in some embodiments.
Also, much of the heat generated by the compression component 1040
can be used to pressurize and/or increase the temperature of fresh
steam as it is moved (shown by line 1094) from outside of the
conical heat-transfer element 1020 to a portion within the conical
heat-transfer element 1020.
[0087] Also as shown in FIG. 10A, a heat exchanger 1060 can be used
to transfer heat from the fresh water reservoir to incoming
salt-water (not shown) being moved to the salt-water reservoir
1054. In some embodiments, the heat-exchanger 1060 can be
configured to utilize energy from outside of the distillation
system 1000 (e.g., solar energy). High concentration salt-water
and/or brine are collected in a brine reservoir 1074.
[0088] FIG. 10B is a schematic block diagram of a top partial
cut-away view of the distillation system 1000 shown in FIG. 10A,
according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 10B,
the heat-transfer element 1020 is a substantially circular
heat-transfer element 1020. In some embodiments, the heat-transfer
element 1020 can be semi-circular or a different shape (e.g.,
pentagonal, octagonal). In some embodiments, the housing 1010 can
also have a different shape than that shown in FIG. 10B (e.g.,
round, circular, triangular).
[0089] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a distillation
system 1100 that includes a control unit 1110, according to an
embodiment of the invention. The distillation system 1100 has a
heat-transfer element 1120 defining at least a portion of a boiler
1140 and at least a portion of a condenser 1142. The distillation
system 1100 also has a compression component 1130, an actuator 1150
coupled to the heat-transfer element 1120, an outlet valve 1162
coupled to an outlet 1172, and an inlet valve 1164 coupled to an
inlet 1174. The outlet 1172 is an outlet from a housing 1104 and
the inlet 1174 is an inlet into the housing 1104. The outlet valve
1162 and the inlet valve 1164 can each have an actuator configured
to modify flow.
[0090] The control unit 1110 is configured to control (e.g.,
change, modify, trigger a change) one or more portions or functions
of the distillation system 1100 in response to a signal from a
sensor 1160. The control unit 1110 can be configured to control the
distillation system before, after, or during operation of the
distillation system 1100. The control unit 1110 can be configured
control the distillation system 1100 based a control module 1112 of
the control unit 1110. For example, the control unit 1110 can be
configured to implement a start-up sequence. The control module
1112 can include one or more hardware modules (e.g., firmware,
digital signal processor) and/or one or more software modules
(e.g., instructions, software programs) that can be based on one or
more instructions (e.g., computer programs, algorithms). The
control module 1112 can include one or more memory portions (not
shown) and/or one or more processing portions (not shown).
[0091] The control unit 1110 can be configured to control at least
a portion of the distillation system 1100 based on a control
algorithm (e.g., control procedure) such as a feedback algorithm
and/or a feed-forward algorithm. The control algorithm can be based
on any combination of proportional control, derivative control,
and/or integral control. The control unit 1110 can be configured to
control at least a portion of the distillation system 1100 based on
historical data associated with the distillation system 1100. The
historical data can be stored in response to an instruction from
the control unit 1110 and can be stored in a database (not shown)
that can be accessed by the control unit 1110.
[0092] The sensor 1160 can include one or more of, for example, a
temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a
flow-rate sensor, an electromagnetic radiation sensor, and so
forth. Although one sensor 1160 is shown in this embodiment, in
some embodiments, a distillation system 1100 can have many sensors
(not shown) in various portions of the distillation system 1100.
For example, a sensor (not shown) can be coupled to the
heat-transfer element 1120, a sensor (not shown) can be disposed
within the condenser 1142, and/or a sensor (not shown) can be
disposed within the compression component 1130. In some
embodiments, at least a portion of the sensor 1160 (or another
sensor) can be disposed outside of the housing 1104 of the
distillation system.
[0093] The control unit 1110, for example, can be configured to
modify an angle 1112 of the heat-transfer element 1120 with respect
to a horizontal plane 1118 in response to a signal from the sensor
1160. The control unit 1110 can change the slope of the
heat-transfer element 1120 by sending a signal that triggers
movement of the actuator 1150 coupled to the heat-transfer element
1120. The signal can be sent from the control unit 1110 when one or
more conditions are satisfied (e.g., threshold condition is
satisfied). In some embodiments, a flow-rate of fluid 1114 can be
modified when the angle 1112 is changed. In some embodiments, the
control unit 1110 can be configured to modify a rate of
heat-transfer rate of the heat-transfer element 1120 based on a
signal from the sensor 1160. The heat-transfer rate can be
calculated at the control unit 1110 based on one or more signals
from sensor 1160 (and/or another sensor) of the distillation system
1100.
[0094] The control unit 1110 can be configured to modify a
flow-rate of the outlet 1172 and/or a flow-rate of the inlet 1174
based on a signal from the sensor 1160 (or another sensor (not
shown)) by changing valve 1162 and/or valve 1164, respectively. For
example, if the rate of boiling, pressure, and/or temperature of a
fluid 1114 above the heat-transfer element 1120 is below a
threshold value as determined by the control unit 1110 based on a
signal from the sensor 1160, the control unit 1110 can change the
flow-rate (shown as line 1132) via outlet 1172 by moving a portion
of valve 1162. Likewise, if the rate of boiling, pressure, and/or
temperature of a fluid 1114 above the heat-transfer element 1120
satisfies a condition as determined by the control unit 1110 based
on a signal from the sensor 1160, the control unit 1110 can change
the flow-rate (shown as line 1134) via inlet 1174 by moving a
portion of valve 1164.
[0095] In some embodiments, the control unit 1130 can be configured
to modify the output and/or input (e.g., input temperature, input
pressure, output temperature, output pressure) of the compression
component 1130 in response to a signal from the sensor 1160. For
example, the control unit 1130 can be configured to modify a speed
of a motor (not shown) of the compression component 1130 when a
condensation rate, a pressure, and/or a temperature below the
heat-transfer element 1120 satisfies a threshold condition. In some
embodiments, the control unit 1130 can be configured to modify the
output and/or input of the compression component 1130 when a fresh
water production rate and/or compressed steam production rate are
below a specified limit.
[0096] In some embodiments, the control unit 1110 can be configured
to modify a flow-rate of a fluid into the housing 1104 from a
reservoir (not shown) disposed outside of the housing 1104. In some
embodiments, the control unit 1110 can be configured to modify a
flow-rate, a temperature, and/or a pressure of a fluid within the
housing 1104 from a reservoir (not shown) disposed within the
housing 1104. In some embodiments, the control unit 1110 can be
configured to modify a flow-rate, a temperature, and/or a pressure
of a waste product (e.g., brine) within and/or outside of the
housing 1104.
[0097] The control unit 1110, in some embodiments, can be
configured to modify a portion of the distillation system 1100
(e.g., slope of heat-transfer element 1120, flow-rate of a fluid)
so that a temperature within the boiler 1140 (e.g., at or above the
heat-transfer element 1120) and a temperature within the condenser
1142 (e.g., at or below the heat-transfer element 1120) are
separated by a specified interval. In some embodiments, the control
unit 1110 can be configured to modify a portion of the distillation
system 1100 (e.g., slope of heat-transfer element 1120, flow-rate
of a fluid) so that a pressure within the boiler 1140 and a
pressure within the condenser 1142 are separated by a specified
interval.
[0098] In some embodiments, multiple components associated with the
distillation system 1100 can be modified in a coordinated fashion
(e.g., simultaneously, serially) to achieve a desired result. For
example, if the boiling rate above the heat-transfer element 1120
is below a specified (e.g., desirable) level, the flow of fluid
boiled from fluid 1114 can be increased by modifying the angle 1112
of the heat-transfer element 1120 to increase the flow-rate of
fluid 1114 and by increasing the speed of a motor of the
compression component 1130. In some embodiments, the control unit
1110 can be configured to control one or more portions of multiple
distillation systems (not shown) through a wired network and/or
wireless network.
[0099] In some embodiments, the distillation system 1100 can have a
user-interface (not shown) that can be used by a user to manually
change an aspect of the distillation system 1100. For example, a
user can change a flow-rate of a fluid associated with the
distillation system 1100 or a heat-transfer rate of the
heat-transfer element 1120 via the user-interface. In some
embodiments, a user can change an operating point of one or more
portions of the distillation system 1100 via a user-interface. The
control unit 1110 can be configured to modify, for example, a
flow-rate and/or an angle of the heat-transfer element 1120 to
implement the operating point change.
[0100] In some embodiments, for example, a heating component (not
shown), such as an electric heater, can be temporarily used during
a transition to a particular operating point of at least a portion
of the distillation system 1100. For example, if the operating
temperature of the boiler portion 1140 were increased, a heating
component can be used to temporarily heat an incoming salt-water
stream (not shown) until a steady-state condition is attained. In
some embodiments, a heating component can be permanently used to
maintain a steady-state condition of a portion of the distillation
system 1100.
[0101] FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
modifying an angle of a heat-transfer element of a distillation
system, according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow chart
shows that a fluid with an impurity concentration is received at a
housing of a distillation system at 1210. A signal from a sensor
associated with the distillation system received at 1220. In some
embodiments, the sensor can be a temperature sensor or a pressure
sensor.
[0102] An angle of a heat-transfer element coupled to the housing
is modified based on the signal at 1230. For example, when a
threshold condition is satisfied based on the signal, a control
unit can trigger an actuator to change the angle of the
heat-transfer element. In some embodiments, a flow-rate of at least
a portion of a fluid can also be modified in addition to, or in
place of, the angle of the heat-transfer element being
modified.
[0103] FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for
initiating a distillation system, according to an embodiment of the
invention. The flowchart illustrates that at least a portion of a
housing of a distillation system is evacuated using a vacuum pump
at 1300. The housing of the distillation system, in some
embodiments, must be evacuated if one or more portions of the
distillation system are configured to operate at a low pressure. In
some embodiments, the vacuum pump is not necessary because the
distillation system is configured to operate at, for example,
atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, a blower is needed to
increase a pressure of the distillation system to a high pressure
operating point.
[0104] A compression component coupled to the housing is initiated
at 1310. A fluid flowing to the housing of the distillation system
is heated using a heating component at 1320. The fluid can be a
mixture of two or more substances. In some embodiments, the fluid
can be heated to an operating temperature of a boiler portion of
the distillation system. In some embodiments, the heating component
can be, for example, an electric heating component only used during
start-up. In some embodiments, a cooling component is needed to
decrease a temperature of an incoming and/or outgoing stream of the
distillation system to a low temperature operating point.
[0105] The operation of the vacuum pump and the heating component
are terminated when the distillation system attains steady-state at
1330. In some embodiments, the distillation system operates at
steady state when a boiler portion of the distillation system and a
condenser portion of the distillation system reach their respective
operating points. At the steady-state operating point, a
heat-transfer rate of a heat-transfer element disposed within the
housing of the distillation system is substantially constant.
[0106] Some embodiments relate to a computer storage product with a
computer-readable medium (also can be referred to as a
processor-readable medium) having instructions or computer code
thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The
media and computer code (also can be referred to as code) may be
those specially designed and constructed for the specific purpose
or purposes. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are
not limited to: magnetic storage media such as hard disks, floppy
disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as Compact
Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories
(CD-ROMs), and holographic devices; magneto-optical storage media
such as floptical disks; carrier wave signals; and hardware devices
that are specially configured to store and execute program code,
such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), and ROM and random-access memory
(RAM) devices. Examples of computer code include, but are not
limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions, machine instructions,
such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level
instructions that are executed by a computer using an interpreter.
For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented
using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and
development tools. Additional examples of computer code include,
but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, and
compressed code.
[0107] In conclusion, among other things, methods and apparatus for
distillation over a wide range of temperatures and pressures are
described. While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and various changes in form and details may be made.
For example, any combination of the components in the distillation
systems shown in the figures can be used to create a different
and/or separate distillation system. In some embodiments, for
example, some of the components of the distillation system shown in
FIG. 2 can be combined with the distillation systems shown in FIGS.
10A and 11.
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