Patent Abstract:
A filtering system for filtering contaminated water includes an evaporation chamber for receiving the contaminated water. The evaporation chamber includes (i) a vessel for absorbing the contaminated water; (ii) a plurality of heat conductive pipes extending through the vessel for delivering the contaminated water to the vessel; and (iii) a heat source for heating the plurality of heat conductive pipes for evaporating the contaminated water absorbed by the vessel and causing the at least one contaminant to be retained by the vessel. A condensation chamber is connected to the evaporation chamber for receiving the evaporated water for condensing and producing purified water in liquid form. A storage device is connected to the condensation chamber for storing the purified liquid water.

Full Description:
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0001]     There are other filtering devices designed for treating water. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,659 issued to Snyder on Dec. 6, 1949.  
         [0002]     Another patent was issued to Smith, Jr. on Dec. 24, 1974 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,631. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,996 was issued to Maruko on Feb. 15, 1983 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 25, 1985 to Iida as U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,242.  
         [0003]     Another patent was issued to Olrik on Apr. 18, 1989 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,455. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,991 was issued to Deutsch on Jan. 26, 1993. Another was issued to Johnson on Mar. 17, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,303 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 12, 2000 to Max. et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,239.  
         [0004]     Another patent was issued to Markopulos on Dec. 26, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,326. Yet another U.K. Patent No. GB2330779 was issued to Filewood on May 5, 1999. Another was issued to Gadassi on Apr. 25, 2004 as Canadian Patent No. CA 2446829.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,659  
     Inventor: Robert E. Snyder  
     Issued: Dec. 6, 1949  
       [0005]     In apparatus for distilling water under reduced pressure: a water boiler; a condenser to condense water evaporated from said boiler; means for maintaining a predetermined pressure within said boiler below that of the outside air; means for adding and for removing elements of the distillation process to and from the still during its continuous operation within the established operating pressure range said means including a boiler flushing means comprising an overflow reservoir, a barometric column between said reservoir and said boiler, and a fluid trap in said barometric column wherein a certain amount of heavy salt water may collect prior to periodic flushing; and a solar heat absorbing means connected to said boiler by a plurality of tubular members through which water circulates by convection from and to said boiler.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,631  
     Inventor: Calvin S. Smith, Jr.  
     Issued: Dec. 24, 1974  
       [0006]     Apparatus and method for distilling aqueous solutions, especially saline water, for the purpose of producing fresh water, wherein a heat transfer medium in the form of a lower boiling immiscible liquid is employed in a manner to give up its latent heat of condensation directly to the solution and the resulting condensate is re-evaporated by heat from the resulting fresh water; such apparatus and method providing certain advantages such as ability to work with a small heat differential between the temperature of the source of external heat and the temperature of the heat sink.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,996  
     Inventor: Saburo Maruko  
     Issued: Feb. 15, 1983  
       [0007]     An apparatus for producing fresh water from sea water in which a vertical accumulator utilizes the sensible heat of sea water so as to evaporate said sea water to a temperature above 100 DEG C. under pressure, a heat-exchanger connecting between the upper and lower portions of said accumulator causes a high temperature liquid to effect heat-exchange with sea water to be evaporated, a fresh sea water feed line connected to the lower portion of said accumulator adjusts the pressure within the accumulator and an evaporator receives higher temperature sea water. The accumulator accumulates heat in such a manner that the upper portion of said accumulator holds higher temperature sea water and the lower portion of the accumulator holds lower temperature sea water so that when heat is accumulated, the amount of said higher temperature sea water increases and when heat is radiated, the amount of higher temperature decreases whereby sea water evaporates at all times.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,242  
     Inventor: Tomimaru Iida  
     Issued: Jun. 25, 1985  
       [0008]     A heat-transfer medium is heated by a solar heat collector and then adiabatically compressed. The heat-transfer medium thus compressed exchanges heat with the seawater to heat it, and is then adiabatically expanded with the heated seawater being evaporated and the steam thus produced, upon heat exchange with the seawater, changed into fresh water.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,455  
     Inventor: Henrik-Gemer Olrik  
     Issued: Apr. 18, 1989  
       [0009]     A distilling and desalination apparatus comprising an evaporation chamber and a condensing chamber in which the evaporation chamber through a cooling circuit communicates by way of heat exchange with the condensing chamber and rotates in relation thereto. The evaporation chamber is constructed to form a thin fluid film on the inner surface of the evaporation chamber during rotation, surplus water being slung out along the edge and into channels and led tangentially to the rear by blades. The cooling circuit comprises a condensing portion and an evaporation portion, the fluid being evaporated along the inner surface of the coolant condensing portion, and fluid vapors being condensed along the outer surface of the coolant condensing portion, whereupon the drops of fluid are slung outwards and collected.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,991  
     Inventor: David Deutsch  
     Issued: Jan. 26, 1993  
       [0010]     The disclosure relates to an improved solar water purification apparatus. More specifically, it relates to a solar water purification apparatus that includes a first and second preheater, an evaporation load tank, condenser, and pure distillate collecting tank. The condensing surface is a domed upper structure which includes a corrugated inner surface to increase the condensing surface. The outersurface of the domed upper structure is likewise corrugated and completely enclosed by a first preheater chamber that permits efficient cooling of the domed upper structure and encourage rapid condensation, thus transferring heat from the interior corrugations to the exterior corrugations of the first preheater chamber, further adding to the overall thermal efficiency. After the load, which is any form of polluted water including seawater, is preheated in the first preheater chamber, it is directed to the an external solar operated preheater from which it is directed into the load evaporation tank within the domed upper structure where it evaporates and condenses on the internal corrugated surface of the domed upper structure and flows by gravity into a distillate collecting tank which is inverted mirror image of the domed upper structure. Back-up electrical heater units are provided for periods of cloudy days.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,303  
     Inventor: Dennis E. J. Johnson  
     Issued: Mar. 17, 1998  
       [0011]     An improved electro-coalescent/magnetic separation (ECMS) system for removing contaminants from water, including desalinization, comprises a device for exposing a stream of water to be treated to an electric field, followed by introduction of ionized coagulating substances, including ionized gases and/or metal ions, followed by plural filter stages. The first filter stage may comprise a polarizable glass, alumina, or ceramic media provided as a bed in a tank with an underdrain, so as to provide substantial residence time. A polishing filter may comprise a very fine fiber or organic gel filter element confined between relatively flexible electrically-conductive screen members and provided with a DC power supply to polarize the filter. This assembly is confined between relatively rigid, perforated members such that the filter assembly can move slightly upon backwash to dislodge caked-on contaminants or the like, while preserving the structural integrity of the filter assembly.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,239  
     Inventor: Michael D. Max.  
     Issued: Dec. 12, 2000  
       [0012]     In one embodiment, this invention pertains to desalination of seawater by feeding methane into seawater at a depth generally exceeding 100 meters to form methane hydrate which rises to where it is decomposed into methane and water, and recovering water. Methane is recycled to depth to form more buoyant hydrate.  
       U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,326  
     Inventor: Johannes Markopulos  
     Issued: Dec. 26, 2000  
       [0013]     A facility for the desalination and purification of sea water or brackish water by solar energy provided with a closed cycle including a thermal solar collector and a heat exchanger in which a heat transfer medium is circulating, and a basin for receiving the sea water or brackish water with the heat exchanger being placed in the basin for heating and evaporating water. A cooling surface is disposed above the basing for condensing the evaporated water which is then diverted to water collectors. The solar collector is located above the cooling surface so as to keep it in the shade.  
       U.K. Patent Number GB 2330779  
     Inventor: Alan Roy Filewood  
     Issued: May 5, 1999  
       [0014]     A process for the desalination of salt-containing water (16), comprises feeding a web (26) of water-absorbent material through a body (12) of brackish water (16) into an air space (28) above said body (12) of water. A stream of air (52) is directed over said web (26) in said air space (28) to evaporate water therefrom. Thereafter said web (26) is returned to said body (12) of water. The water-containing air stream (52) is directed to a condensation space (42) where desalinated water is condensed therefrom.  
       Canadian Patent Number CA2446829  
     Inventor: Haim Gadassi  
     Issued: Apr. 25, 2004  
       [0015]     Many areas in the world already suffer shortages of water, and others will suffer from it in the coming years. Therefore more efficient water sweetening is essential for our survival on this planet. The most commonly used water sweetening methods are: Reversed osmosis, distillation, electrodyalisis, and partial freezing. However, these methods suffer from low efficiency and high energy consumption, thus making them significantly more expensive than naturally obtained water. The present invention describes a system &amp; method for efficient and low energy sweetening of water, based on borderline fast fluctuation between liquid to gaseous state and back, by using centrifugal forces to make water droplets fly at a high speed, so that they evaporate for a split second, the salt is separated, and they condense again. The present invention tries to make the process energy-efficient by enabling the use of lower speeds and smaller droplet sizes and solving various problems involved with that, while preferably using a parabolic plate with a preferably vertical axis of rotation. Other solutions covered are for example automatically collecting the salt particles into larger molecules, for example by the use of Chelating agents, so that the larger molecules can be removed for example by magnetic forces or with a larger-hole sieve that requires considerably less energy than reverse osmosis.  
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention relates generally to water treatment and, more specifically, to a process for water desalination, or purifying contaminated water. The process involves salt or contaminated water being fed into ceramic vessels, which absorb the water. Warmth is provided thereby causing the water to evaporate and leaving salt crystals behind on the vessels. The evaporated air is filtered and then moved to a separate area where it is condensed into purified water. The purified water is stored in a tank until needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0017]     The present invention relates generally to water treatment and, more specifically, to a process for water desalination, or purifying contaminated water. The process involves salt or contaminated water being fed into ceramic vessels, which absorb the water. Warmth is provided thereby causing the water to evaporate and leaving salt crystals behind on the vessels. The evaporated air is filtered and then moved to a separate area where it is condensed into purified water. The purified water is stored in a tank until needed.  
         [0018]     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.  
         [0019]     Another secondary object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that desalinizes water.  
         [0020]     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that includes an evaporation chamber.  
         [0021]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that includes a leaching material.  
         [0022]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process wherein baked clay is the leaching material.  
         [0023]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby the baked clay is located within the evaporation chamber.  
         [0024]     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby water evaporates from the exterior surface of the baked clay.  
         [0025]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby the water evaporates after an application of heated air.  
         [0026]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby the salt that remains on the clay after evaporation is periodically removed.  
         [0027]     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that includes a sensor.  
         [0028]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby the sensor controls the movement of the vapor laden air from the evaporation chamber to a condensation chamber.  
         [0029]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process wherein a plurality of condensation pipes is located in the condensation chamber.  
         [0030]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby the desalinated water is stored.  
         [0031]     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby solar energy is used to raise the air temperature and therefore water vapor levels in the evaporation chamber.  
         [0032]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process whereby household heaters are used to raise the air temperature in the evaporation chamber.  
         [0033]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that is simple and easy to use.  
         [0034]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a desalination process that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate.  
         [0035]     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.  
         [0036]     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a process for water desalination, or purify contaminated water. The ceramic material absorbs the salt or contaminated water, working its way to the outer surface of the vessel. The ceramic vessel serves acts as a medium for moving contaminated or salt water to a surface where it is then evaporated. The ceramic vessel also acts as a means for absorbing heat that evaporates the water. The ceramic vessel also acts as a rigid structure, which forms surface area for water evaporation and salt crystalization. Also because the amount of water evaporated depends on the surface area available, the ceramic vessels are a cheap means for expanding evaporation surface area without increasing operating costs unnecessarily. The evaporated water is extracted from the evaporation chamber by a ventilation pump and is blown into a cooling chamber containing a system of water or fluid cooled pipes. The water (or fluid) flowing through the pipes is cooled to a temperature of 10 degrees centigrade. The evaporated water is blown over the cooled pipes. This causes the water vapor to condense and precipitate as water. The precipitated water is collected and channeled into a storage tank.  
         [0037]     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.  
         [0038]     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0039]     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is an additional vessel configuration of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is another additional vessel configuration of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is another additional vessel configuration of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 7  of the desalination process of the present invention;  
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a logic diagram of the desalination process of the present invention; and  
         [0049]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tubing lattice condensation of the desalination process of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS  
       [0050]     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the desalination process of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures. 
         10  Desalination process of the present invention      12  cold water tank      14  salt water tank      16  fresh water tank      18  condensation chamber      20  condensation surface pipes      22  return duct      24  ventilation pump      26  evaporation chamber      28  windows      30  copper tubing      32  vessel      34  filter      36  panels      38  salt water      40  evaporated water      42  inflow directional arrow      44  outflow directional arrow      46  fresh water pipe      48  first salt water pipe      50  second salt water pipe      52  salt water tank top      54  salt water tank bottom      56  salt water tank side      58  fresh water      60  air extraction pump      62  first end salt water pipe      64  second end salt water pipe      66  first exposed end of tubing      68  second embedded end of tubing      70  first connection point on second salt water pipe      72  second connection point on second salt water pipe      74  condensation structure      76  cold water inflow pipe      78  cold water outflow pipe        
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0086]     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.  
         [0087]     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate a desalination process of the present invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0088]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes a salt water tank  14 . Salt water  38  flows through a first salt water pipe  48  into the salt water tank  14 . However, this is shown for purposes of example only, and the water in the tank  14  can also be contaminated water. A second salt water pipe  50  connects the salt water tank  14  to a vessel  32 . The vessel  32 , shown herein, is made from ceramics or clay. However, the vessel  32  can be made from any material that absorbs water. The vessel  32  is located within an evaporation chamber  26 . The salt water  38  flows from the salt water tank  14  through the second salt water pipe  50  and into the vessel  32 , via a plurality of tubing  30  which will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 2 . The vessel  32  absorbs the salt water  38  until the vessel  32  is saturated. The evaporation chamber  26  transforms the salt water  38  into evaporated water  40  and salt crystals. The salt crystals remain on the surface of the vessel  32  until removed.  
         [0089]     The evaporated water  40  is removed from the evaporation chamber  26  by a ventilation pump  24 . The ventilation pump  24  moves the evaporated water  40  from the evaporation chamber  26  to a condensation chamber  18 . As the evaporated water  40  leaves the evaporation chamber  26 , it passes through a filter  34 , not shown. The filter  34  removes dust or gaseous byproducts of the evaporation process.  
         [0090]     The condensation chamber  18  cools the evaporated water  40  until it condenses and precipitates into fresh water  58 . A fresh water pipe  46  connects the condensation chamber  18  to a fresh water tank  16 . The fresh water  58  flows through the fresh water pipe  46  and into the fresh water tank  16 . The fresh water  58  is stored in the fresh water tank  16  until needed.  
         [0091]     The evaporated water  40  that remains in the condensation chamber  18  because it has not been condensed is extracted therefrom by an air extraction pump  60 , not shown. A return duct connects the air extraction pump  60  to the evaporation chamber  26 . The air extraction pump  60  pumps the non-condensed evaporated water  40  through the return duct  22  and into the evaporation chamber  26 .  
         [0092]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes the salt water tank  14 . The salt water tank  14  includes a top  52 , a bottom  54  and a side  56 . Shown herein, the salt water tank  14  is cylindrically shaped. However, this is for purposes of example only, and the salt water tank  14  can be of any geometric shape. The first salt water pipe  48  is connected to the top  52  of the salt water tank  14 . Salt water  38  flows through the first salt water pipe  48  into the salt water tank  14 . However, this is shown for purposes of example only, and the water in the tank  14  can also be contaminated water.  
         [0093]     The second salt water pipe  50  has a first end  62  and a second end  64 . The first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected to the side  56  of the salt water tank  14 . The salt water pipe  50  then passes through the evaporation chamber  26  and through the vessel  32 . The second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected to the side  56  of the salt water tank  14  at a location different from where the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected. As indicated by the directional arrows, the salt water  38  flows from the salt water tank  14  into the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50 , through the second salt water pipe  50  and out of the second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  to be returned to the salt water tank  14 .  
         [0094]     The plurality of tubes  30  are integrally connected at a first exposed end  66  to the second salt water pipe  50  between the first end  62  and the vessel  32 . Shown herein the tubing  30  is made of copper. However, the tubing  30  can be made of any material that is a good conductor of heat. The tubing  30  has a second end  68  embedded within the vessel  32 . The tubing  30  contains a plurality of perforations, not shown, along their length. The vessel  32 , shown herein, is made from ceramics or clay. However, the vessel  32  can be made form any material that absorbs water. A quantity of salt water  38  passes from the second salt water pipe  50  through the tubes  30 . The salt water  38  passes through the perforations in the tubes  30  to saturate the vessel  32 .  
         [0095]     Shown herein the evaporation chamber  26  includes a window  28  to heat the evaporation chamber  26  by solar power. However, this is for purposes of example only, and the evaporation chamber  26  can be heated by other means. The tubing  30  and the vessel  32  are heated by the solar power, which in turn warms the salt water  38 . When the salt water  38  is heated to a particular temperature, the salt water  38  evaporates from the vessel  32  leaving salt crystals on the surface of the vessel  32  and becoming evaporated water  40 .  
         [0096]     The evaporated water  40  is removed from the evaporation chamber  26  by the ventilation pump  24 . The ventilation pump  24  moves the evaporated water  40  from the evaporation chamber  26  to the condensation chamber  18 . As the evaporated water  40  leaves the evaporation chamber  26 , it passes through the filter  34 , not shown. The filter  34  removes dust or gaseous byproducts of the evaporation process.  
         [0097]     The condensation chamber  18  houses a plurality of condensation surface pipes  20 . Water or a fluid flows through the condensation surface pipes  20 . The water or fluid is kept at a temperature of approximately 10° C. As the evaporated water  40  passes over the cooled condensation surface pipes  20 , the evaporated water  40  condenses and precipitates as fresh water  58 . The fresh water  58  passes through a fresh water pipe  46  which connects the condensation chamber  18  to a fresh water tank  16 . The fresh water  58  is stored in the fresh water tank  16  until needed.  
         [0098]     The portion of evaporated water  40  that has not condensed and thus remains in the condensation chamber  18  is extracted therefrom by the air extraction pump  60 , not shown. The return duct connects the air extraction pump  60  to the evaporation chamber  26 . The air extraction pump  60  pumps the non-condensed evaporated water  40  through the return duct  22  and into the evaporation chamber  26 , where it is re-circulated.  
         [0099]      FIG. 3  is an alternate embodiment of the vessel  32  of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes the second salt water pipe  50  as described above with specific reference to  FIG. 2 . The salt water pipe  50  passes through the evaporation chamber  26  and through the vessel  32 . The second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected to the side  56  of the salt water tank  14  at a location different from where the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected. As indicated by the directional arrows, the salt water  38  flows through the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50 , through the second salt water pipe  50  and out of the second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  to be returned to the salt water tank  14 .  
         [0100]     Shown herein, each tube  30  is shaped like a U-bracket. The first end  66  of the tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at a first connection point  70 . The second end  68  of the tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at a second connection point  72 . Shown herein the tubing  30  is made of copper. However, the tubing  30  can be made of any material that is a good conductor of heat. In the present embodiment, a plurality of panels  36  is used instead of the vessel  32  shown in  FIG. 2 . Shown herein, the panels  36  are rectangular in shape. However, any geometric shape may be used. The panels  36  shown herein are made from ceramics or clay. However, the panels  36  can be made form any material that absorbs water. Each tube  30  passes transversely through each panel  36 . The tubing  30  contains a plurality of perforations, not shown, along their length. A quantity of salt water  38  passes from the second salt water pipe  50  through the tubes  30 . The salt water  38  passes through the perforations in the tubes  30  to saturate the panels  36 .  
         [0101]      FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the vessel  32  of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes the second salt water pipe  50  as described above with specific reference to  FIG. 2 . The salt water pipe  50  passes through the evaporation chamber  26 . The second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected to the side  56  of the salt water tank  14  at a location different from where the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected. As indicated by the directional arrows, the salt water  38  flows through the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50 , through the second salt water pipe  50  and out of the second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  to be returned to the salt water tank  14 .  
         [0102]     Shown herein, the first end  66  of each tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at a point on the pipe  50  where the salt water  38  is flowing from the first end  62 . The second end  68  of each tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at a point on the pipe  50  where the salt water  38  is being returned through the second end  64  to the salt water tank  14 . Shown herein the tubing  30  is made of copper. However, the tubing  30  can be made of any material that is a good conductor of heat. In the present embodiment, the plurality of panels  36  is used instead of the vessel  32  shown in  FIG. 2 . Shown herein, the panels  36  are rectangular in shape. However, any geometric shape may be used. The panels  36  shown herein are made from ceramics or clay. However, the panels  36  can be made form any material that absorbs water. Each tube  30  passes transversely through each panel  36 . The panels  36  are linearly aligned. The tubing  30  contains a plurality of perforations, not shown, along their length. A quantity of salt water  38  passes from the second salt water pipe  50  through the tubes  30 . The salt water  38  passes through the perforations in the tubes  30  to saturate the panels  36 .  
         [0103]      FIG. 5  is an alternate embodiment of the vessel  32  of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes the second salt water pipe  50  as described above with specific reference to  FIG. 2 . The salt water pipe  50  passes through the evaporation chamber  26  and through the vessel  32 . The second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected to the side  56  of the salt water tank  14  at a location different from where the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50  is connected. As indicated by the directional arrows, the salt water  38  flows through the first end  62  of the second salt water pipe  50 , through the second salt water pipe  50  and out of the second end  64  of the second salt water pipe  50  to be returned to the salt water tank  14 .  
         [0104]     Shown herein, the first end  66  of each tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at the first connection point  70 . The second end  68  of each tube  30  is integrally connected to the second salt water pipe  50  at the second connection point  72 . Shown herein the tubing  30  is made of copper. However, the tubing  30  can be made of any material that is a good conductor of heat. In the present embodiment, the vessel  32  is cylindrically shaped. However, any geometric shape may be used. The vessel  32  is made from ceramics or clay. However, the vessel  32  can be made form any material that absorbs water. Each tube  30  passes transversely through the vessel  32 . The tubing  30  contains a plurality of perforations, not shown, along their length. A quantity of salt water  38  passes from the second salt water pipe  50  through the tubes  30 . The salt water  38  passes through the perforations in the tubes  30  to saturate the vessel  32 .  
         [0105]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The desalination process  10  includes a supply of salt Water  38  or contaminated water. The salt water  38  is fed into the ceramic vessel  32  located in the evaporation chamber  28 . The evaporation chamber  28  is heated to a temperature that causes the water portion of the salt water  38  to become evaporated water  40  while the salt portion crystallizes on the external surface of the ceramic vessel  32 . The evaporated water  40  is passed through the filter  34  to remove dust and other gaseous byproducts of the evaporation process. From the filter  34 , the evaporated water  40  pumped by the ventilation pump  24  into the condensation chamber  18 . In the condensation chamber  18 , the evaporated water  40  is cooled until it condenses and precipitates into fresh water  58 . The fresh water  58  is removed from the condensation chamber  18  and stored in the fresh water storage tank  16  until needed.  
         [0106]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. In step S 100  salt or contaminated water is fed into ceramic vessels. In step S 102 , the ceramic material absorbs the salt or contaminated water, working its way to the outer surface of the vessel by capillary force. Capillary force causes the water to move from high moisture locations to low moisture locations until the entire ceramic body is saturated. Household heaters or direct solar radiation provides mild temperature (20 to 50° C.) to the vessel in step S 104 . The mild temperature causes the water on the surface of the ceramic vessel to evaporate. The mild temperature also increases the capacity of the air to absorb more vapor. In step S 106 , as the water evaporates, salts in the water are precipitated as crystals on the surface of the ceramic vessel. The salt can be air brushed or washed off the surface of the vessel at regular intervals. In step S 108 , the evaporated water is sucked from the evaporation chamber through a filter by a ventilation pump. The filter removes dust or gaseous byproducts of the evaporation process from the evaporated water.  
         [0107]      FIG. 8  is a continuation of the flow diagram shown in  FIG. 7  of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. In step S 110 , the ventilation pump pumps the evaporated water into a condensation chamber containing a system of water or fluid cooled pipes. The water (or fluid) flowing through the pipes is cooled to a temperature of 10° C. The evaporated water is blown over the cooled pipes, causing the water vapor to condense and precipitate as water. The precipitated water is collected and channeled into a storage tank in step S 112 . In step S 114 , after the evaporated water is blown over the cooled water pipes it will cool down. The air pump blowing action will force the cooled air that has not condensed into a return pipe system that leads back to the evaporation chamber. In step S 116 , the air in the return pipe system then continues through another cycle of circulation. Air is circulated throughout the evaporation chamber until predetermined threshold humidity is reached. It is them pumped into the condensation chamber to precipitate water.  
         [0108]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. In step S 200 , the evaporation chamber, the air pump, the condensation chamber and the return air pipes are connected in a closed air system where introduction of fresh air is controlled. In step S 202 , the evaporation from the ceramic vessel surface is continuous, so that the humidity builds up until precipitation occurs on the surface of the cooled water pipes.  
         [0109]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the condensation surface pipes  20  of the desalination process  10  of the present invention. The condensation surface pipes  20  are located within the condensation chamber  18  shown in  FIG. 2 . Herein the condensation surface pipes  20  are made of copper. However, this is for purposes of example only, and any material that is a good conductor of hot and cold may be used. Shown herein is one possible configuration of the condensation surface pipes  20 . However, this is for purposes of example only, and any number of configurations may be used. Herein, there are three condensation structures  74 . Each condensation structure  74  is formed from the condensation surface pipes  20  in the shape of a rectangle. The condensation structure  74  also includes three condensation surface pipes  20  connecting the long parts of the rectangle. The condensation structures  74  rest between a cold water inflow pipe  76  and a cold water outflow pipe  78 .  
         [0110]     Water or liquid cooled to approximately 10° C. leaves the cold water tank  12  and flows through a cold water inflow pipe  76 , as indicated by the inflow directional arrow  42 . The water then circulates through the condensation structures  74 , making them cold. The water then flows from the condensation structures  74  into a cold water outflow pipe  78 , as indicated by the outflow directional arrow  44 . The cold water outflow pipe  78  is attached to the cold water tank  12 , where the water flows back into to be recirculated.  
         [0111]     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of devices differing from the type described above.  
         [0112]     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0113]     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8