Low energy vacuum distillation method and apparatus
US7597785B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S203/11
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.