Apparatus and methods for water treatment

A solar powered desalination apparatus for reducing the salinity of salt water, said apparatus comprising:

• a first membrane layer;
• and
• a second membrane layer, wherein the first membrane layer is contacting the second membrane layer thereby forming a plurality of channels, including a first channel and a second channel,
• wherein:
• said first channel is configured to receive said salt water for desalination;
• a first area connected to said first channel is configured to increase the temperature of said salt water so as to cause evaporation of said salt water upon said first area being exposed to solar generated light;
• and
• said second channel comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to convey condensed water having a higher salinity from said evaporation of said salt water and said second portion configured to convey condensed freshwater.

A process for the evaporative demineralization of mineral-containing water comprising:

• placing at least one module exposed to the sun or other source of radiant energy into at least associative contact with a comparatively cold body of mineral containing water, whereby an evaporation cycle is performed by:
• allowing a portion of mineral-containing water to flow into a first dendritically formed liquid receiving channel and into the reservoir and to flow from the reservoir into a second dendritically formed liquid receiving channel until the water level in the reservoir rises and blocks or reaches the exit port of the first dendritically formed liquid receiving channel;
• allowing water in the reservoir to be heated by radiant energy radiating through the dome into the evaporation chamber causing water in the reservoir to evaporate, condense on the condensing surface, collect on the floor of the chamber's capillary bed channeled surface, and flow into the exit drain to fill the collection channel whereby condensate exits the module and the filling of the collection channel blocks or is assisted in exiting exit of vapor's flow by virtue of its flow, from the evaporation chamber;
• introducing higher concentration mineralized water in the reservoir during evaporation proceeding as effluent to flow into the second dendritically formed liquid receiving channel and out of the module through the exit port in communication with the exterior of the module below the reservoir;
• and
• during flow of mineral-containing water and effluent into and from the module, the first and second dendritically formed liquid receiving channels are continuously filled respectively with mineral-containing water and effluent in heat exchange relationship as the evaporation cycle is repeated within the module and demineralized water is continuously collected through the collection channel.