Patent ID: 7258767
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: A01G,B01D,C02F,Y02A,Y02W,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A device suitable for use in an installation for the evaporation and the condensation of water from an aqueous liquid by means of a temperature gradient, which device comprises: (a) a vapor chamber that can be brought in contact through an open or a water-permeable lower surface with (b) a condensation compartment wherein at least part of the water vapor from the aqueous liquid condenses, and (c) an evaporation compartment located inside of said vapor chamber comprising a closed, hollow and liquid water impermeable and water vapor permeable membrane, and wherein the vapor chamber has an outer surface that comprises a substantially water-impermeable insulation skirt and the outer surface of the evaporation compartment which has an average shortest width (s) of at least 0.1 cm., so that the inner surface of the insulation skirt does not or predominantly does not touch the outer surface of the evaporation compartment, and wherein the vapor chamber has a lower surface of an active width (w) which is at least 10% of the effective diameter (d) of the evaporation compartment, wherein the lower surface is defined as the part of the vapor chamber that is in liquid and vapor flow with the condensation compartment.