Distillation apparatus and method
AssigneeSanjeev Bedi
InventorSanjeev Bedi
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Abstract
A distillation apparatus includes an evaporator-condenser heat exchanger in combination with a compressor. The heat exchanger is mounted to float in an at least partially immersed position in a sump of liquid. The liquid may be a sap, or may be soiled water, and may have suspended solid. Heating of the liquid yield steam, the steam is compressed, and the heated, compressed steam is fed back into the heat exchanger to provide further heat to the liquid. The process yields a concentrated in the liquid bath and distilled water, each of which may be a desired product. The system may include a pre-heater that exchanges residual heat from the hot distillate with the cooler input liquid. The apparatus and process may have multiple stages.
Claims20
A distillation apparatus comprising:
- a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side, said first side defining an evaporator and said second side defining a condenser;
- and
- a compressor;
- said evaporator being mounted to interact with an at least partially liquid source of soiled water, whereby to heat at least a portion of the soiled water;
- the compressor being mounted to take in vapour drawn off the source water in the evaporator;
- the condenser being connected to receive compressed vapour output the compressor;
- said condenser being in heat transfer co-operation with the evaporator, such that in operation heat flows from the condenser into the evaporator to heat the portion of the soiled water;
- and
- said heat exchanger being mounted to accommodate changes in fluid level of the at least partially liquid source of soiled water.
A method of distillation of water from a source of soiled water source using a heat exchanger that is a combined evaporator and condenser, and a compressor mounted in cooperation therewith, the combined evaporator condenser being located in a reservoir of the soiled water, the method comprising:
- heating a portion of the soiled water in the evaporator to cause vapour to be given off, and to leave a concentrate remainder;
- collecting said vapour;
- compressing said vapour to produce compressed vapour;
- directing the compressed vapour to the condenser;
- transferring heat from the condenser to the evaporator whereby to condense at least a portion of said compressed vapour into a liquid distillate in said condenser and to heat at least another portion of the soiled water;
- and
- directing said liquid distillate to at least one of (a) a pre-heater of the soiled water;
- (b) a domestic potable hot water use;
- (c) a domestic water heating load;
- and (d) a domestic space heating load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.