Patent ID: 7225620
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y02A,Y02W

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for purifying water, comprising: a source of a heated air stream, said heated air stream having a temperature above an ambient temperature; at least one water heating structure for receiving a source water stream including at least one impurity to be purified and outputting a heated water stream which has a temperature above 30° C.; a diffusion tower having high surface area material therein coupled to receive said heated air stream and said heated water stream, said diffusion tower creating at least one region having thin films of heated water therein from said heated water stream and having structure for directing said heated air stream over said thin films of heated water to create a humidified air stream that is at least substantially saturated; and at least one direct contact condenser in fluid communication with said humidified air stream for condensing said humidified air stream, wherein purified water is produced.