Utilizing alternative energy for water purification, water disposal, industrial heat, and electricity
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.
1 . 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.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a condensation system for condensing the purified vapor after it exits the apparatus to purify water.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the condensation system comprises a plate heat exchanger.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the condensation system comprises a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a venturi, wherein the venturi is used to pull a vacuum inside the heat exchanger.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , the venturi is connected to the second outlet and creates a vacuum inside the heat exchanger sufficient to reduce pressure below 0.9 bar.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor positioned proximate to the inlet of the heat exchanger.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor is positioned proximate to the first outlet of the water purification apparatus heat exchanger.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the solar thermal apparatus comprises a plurality of linear Fresnel parabolic panel reflectors.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the solar thermal apparatus comprises a parabolic dish concentrator.
11 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a finned tube heat exchanger.
12 . 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.