Patent ID: 6761802
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y02A,Y10S

Abstract:
A system for distillation of fresh water from a supply of salt water, the system comprising:a closed tunnel; an evaporation plate located in the tunnel to hold salt water for evaporation of fresh-water vapor therefrom; the tunnel having a roof configured to focus solar energy onto the evaporation plate and warm the salt water thereon; a rotary agitator positionable proximate the plate and operative to agitate the salt water thereon as it rotates; a vacuum pump having (i) an inlet communicating with the closed tunnel to draw a low-pressure environment in the tunnel and to draw fresh-water vapor therefrom, and (ii) an outlet through which the fresh-water vapor exits; a heat exchanger provided with first and second fluid-flow circuits, the first circuit having (i) an inlet communicating with the outlet of the vacuum pump to receive the fresh-water vapor therefrom, (ii) a first outlet for discharge of condensed fresh water, and (iii) a second outlet communicating with the tunnel for return of un-condensed fresh water vapor to the tunnel, the second circuit having (i) an inlet communicating with the supply of salt water, and (ii) an outlet communicating with the evaporation plate to supply warmed salt water thereto; and a pressure control valve operative between the tunnel and the second outlet of the first fluid-flow circuit to control the pressure, therein.