US 4,227,970 AGranted

Solar distillation apparatus

AssigneeReynolds Metals Company

InventorsAlexander G. Howell, Jr., Evan E. Settle, III

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Abstract

A solar distillation apparatus is provided which employs at least one pan which is adapted to contain a distilland therein and which has its upper portion heated directly by solar radiant energy passing through a transparent cover disposed above the pan and has its lower portion at least partially heated by radiant energy reflected from a reflective inside surface comprising a bottom wall of the apparatus such that simultaneous heating of both the upper and lower portions of the distilland is achieved and results in a more efficient heating and the provision of vapors from such distilland which engage the bottom surface of the cover and condense thereon to define a distillant which because the apparatus and cover are disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane move under the influence of gravity along such bottom surface into a reservoir therefor. The pan is disposed above the reflective inside surface such that there is an ambient air space between the bottom of the pan and the reflective inside surface whereby there is a minimum heat loss from the distilland through the bottom of the pan due to the cooperating action of the air space and reflective surface.

A solar distillation apparatus for use in ambient air comprising, a box-like structure defined by a bottom wall having a reflective surface for reflecting radiant energy and a plurality of adjoining substantially rigid peripherally walls, said peripheral walls being comprised of a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls, each of said side walls and said end walls having portions made of U-shaped sections of similar cross-sectional configurations and inner housing portions made of L-shaped sections of similar cross-sectional configurations, each of said L-shaped sections having a leg defining a top surface, each of said outer housing portions being disposed with respect to one of said inner housing portions so as to define a high strength housing which characterizes one of said peripheral walls, there being a thermally insulating material contained within each such high strength housing;

removable pan means mounted in spaced relation above said reflective surface and defining an ambient air space between said pan means and said reflective surface;
a flat transparent cover having a bottom surface disposed parallel to said reflective surface and supported by said top surfaces;
said structure being adapted to be supported at an inclined angle to a horizontal plane so that said cover is disposed at a corresponding inclined angle;
said pan means being adapted to contain a distilland therein which has its upper portion heated by solar radiant energy passing through said cover and simultaneously has its lower portion at least partially heated by radiant energy reflected from said reflective surface with the simultaneous heating resulting in more efficient heating of said distilland and the provision of vapors from said distilland which engage said bottom surface of said cover and condense thereon due to cooling action produced by said ambient air to define a distillate which is adapted to move under the influence of gravity along said bottom surface;
and a reservoir for collecting said distillate;
said reflective surface cooperating with said air space thereabove to assure minimum conductive heat loss from said bottom wall.

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Abstract

Claims21