System and Method for Desalinating Water Using Alternative Energy

• US 20080149573A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glouster Applications LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Genedics, LLC
• Inventors: Merritt, Edward, Fein, Gene S.
• Application Number:
  US11/829,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20080149573A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/799
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/0011 Heating features
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/0035 Solar energy for treatment of water C02F1/14
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/0058 Use of waste energy from other processes or sources, e.g. combustion gas for water treatment C02F1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/006 with evaporation or distillation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/00 Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/04 by distillation or evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/047 using eolic energy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/14 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/16 using waste heat from other processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/08 Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/007 the wind motor being combined with means for converting solar radiation into useful energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/257 the wind motor being part of a wind farm
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/46 Tunnels or streets
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/911 : already existing for a prior purpose
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/9113 : which is a roadway, rail track, or the like for recovering energy from moving vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 : which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F24T 10/10 : with circulation of working fluids through underground channels, the working fluids not coming into direct contact with the ground
• CPC Class Codes: F24T 10/40 : operated without external energy sources, e.g. using thermosiphonic circulation or heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/10 : including a supplementary source of electric power, e.g. hybrid diesel-PV energy systems combinations with gas-turbine plants F02C6/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/12 : Hybrid wind-PV energy systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/124 : Water desalination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/141 : Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/142 : Solar thermal; Photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 : Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 : Geothermal energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 : Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 : Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 : Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for removing contaminants from seawater by an evaporation/condensation process. The method and system utilize alternative energy sources, such as geothermal, solar, and wind energy. The system may include a water separation unit powered by a geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize source water. The system may further include a first input line configured to receive the source water for distillation by the water separation unit. A first heat exchanger coupled to the first input line is powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices. The first heat exchanger is configured to preheat the source water. At least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices is configured to condense the vaporized source water into a distilled water product. The plurality of energy harnessing devices are electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid.

Claims

1. A system to remove contaminants from water, the system comprising:

a water separation unit powered by a geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize source water;

a first input line configured to receive the source water for distillation by the water separation unit;

a first heat exchanger powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices, the first heat exchanger configured to preheat the source water; and

at least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices, the at least one second heat exchanger configured to condense the vaporized source water into a distilled water product.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the water separation unit includes:

at least one heat unit configured to supplement the geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize the source water, the at least one heat unit is powered by a roadway system electricity grid;

a stirring mechanism powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices configured to maintain an equal temperature throughout the source water;

at least one level catch basin to collect salt particles from the source water;

a second input line configured to receive the source water to the at least one second heat exchanger to condense the vaporized source water into the distilled water product; and

at least one valve to regulate the flow of the source water.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of energy harnessing devices are electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid, the roadway system electricity grid configured for mass distribution of electricity and being based on a roadway system having one or more roads.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of energy harnessing devices are solar energy generating devices, wind energy generating devices, or any combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1 further including a storage unit configured to store the distilled water product.

6. The system of claim 1 further including a conduit to convey heat output of the geothermal system to the water separation unit.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the conduit, first input line, and a second input line are made from non-corrosive material.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the source water is seawater.

9. The system of claim 1 further including at least one pump configured to transfer the source water to the first and at least one second heat exchangers and water separation unit, the at least one pump powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices.

10. The system of claim 1 further including a filtering unit coupled to the first input line to separate the source water from solid materials.

11. The system of claim 1 further including a filtering unit coupled to a second input line to separate the source water from solid materials.

12. A method for removing contaminants from water, comprising:

supplying source water to a water separation unit;

preheating the source water by a first heat exchanger powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices;

vaporizing the source water in the water separation unit by employing a geothermal system; and

condensing the vaporized source water into a distilled water product by at least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices.

13. The method of claim 12 further including:

vaporizing the source water by at least one heat unit receiving power from a roadway system electricity grid;

stirring the source water for maintaining an equal temperature throughout the source water in the water separation unit;

collecting salt particles from the source water; and

condensing the source water into the distilled water product by a second input line for receiving the source water.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of energy harnessing devices are solar energy generating devices, wind energy generating devices, or any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 12 further including storing the distilled water product.

16. The method of claim 12 further including transferring heat output of the geothermal system to the water separation unit.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein supplying the source water is supplying seawater.

18. The method of claim 12 further including:

generating energy using the plurality of energy harnessing devices, along one or more roads, the plurality of energy harnessing devices forming a roadway network of harnessed energy; and

distributing the generated energy to using a roadway system electricity grid, wherein each of substantially all of the energy harnessing devices is electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and positioned on part of one of the roads or near to the one or more roads.

19. The method of claim 12 further including transferring the source water to the first and at least one second heat exchangers and water separation unit.

20. The method of claim 12 further including filtering the source water from solid materials prior to the source water entering the first heat exchanger.

21. The method of claim 12 further including filtering the source water from solid materials prior to the source water entering at least one second heat exchanger.