Utilizing alternative energy for water purification, water disposal, industrial heat, and electricity
AssigneeKatz Water Tech, LLC
InventorsGary P. Katz, Paul L. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method can for separating, purifying, and disposing contaminated fluids using alternative energy including geothermal, waste heat recovery, and solar energy. In one embodiment, the evaporator comprises an outer protective housing, a heat exchanger inside the outer protective housing, and a distillation column inside the heat exchanger, wherein the distillation column has at least one inlet and at least two outlets, and wherein density differences between the lighter vapor and the heavier contaminated fluids causes the lighter vapor to sperate from the heavier contaminants.
Claims12
An apparatus comprising:
- a. a solar thermal apparatus, the solar thermal apparatus uses solar energy to heat a thermal fluid;
- b. an apparatus to purify water;
- wherein the apparatus requires heat energy;
- and
- c. a closed thermal loop connecting the solar thermal apparatus to the apparatus to purify water, wherein, the thermal fluid provides heat to the apparatus to heat water and create a vapor state inside the apparatus which separates from concentrated water containing salts;
- wherein:
- the apparatus to purify water is a heat exchanger comprising at least one inlet and at least two outlets, wherein the heat exchanger distills saltwater and separates purified vapor from a concentrated water stream inside the heat exchanger and at least a portion of the purified vapor exits a first outlet and at least a portion of the concentrated water exits a second outlet of the heat exchanger;
- and
- the heat exchanger comprises an inner annulus and an outer annulus, the inner annulus configured to receive the water and the outer annulus configured to receive the heated thermal fluid.
A method comprising:
- a. obtaining an apparatus comprising:
- i. a solar thermal apparatus, the solar thermal apparatus uses solar energy to heat a thermal fluid;
- ii. an apparatus to purify water;
- wherein the apparatus requires heat energy;
- and
- iii. a closed thermal loop connecting the solar thermal apparatus to the apparatus to purify water, wherein, the thermal fluid provides heat to the apparatus to heat water and create a vapor state inside the apparatus which separates from concentrated water containing salts;
- wherein:
- the apparatus to purify water is a heat exchanger comprising at least one inlet and at least two outlets, wherein the heat exchanger distills saltwater and separates purified vapor from a concentrated water stream inside the heat exchanger and at least a portion of the purified vapor exits a first outlet and at least a portion of the concentrated water exits a second outlet of the heat exchanger;
- and
- the heat exchanger comprises an inner annulus and an outer annulus, the inner annulus configured to receive water and the outer annulus configured to receive the heated thermal fluid;
- b. flowing water to the apparatus to purify water;
- c. flowing the thermal fluid through the closed thermal loop connecting the solar thermal apparatus to the apparatus to purify water;
- and
- d. exiting purified vapor from the first outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.