Pressurized vapor cycle liquid distillation
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
1. A water vapor distillation system comprising:
a compressor upstream from a condenser, the compressor having a rotatable housing;
at least one capacitive level sensor for measuring the level of water in the compressor;
a controller for receiving information from the at least one capacitive level sensor; and
at least one variable flow valve coupled to the at least one capacitive level sensor and controlled by the controller, wherein the at least one capacitive level sensor, the controller and the at least one variable flow valve maintain the level of water in the compressor in the water vapor distillation system,
wherein the water vapor distillation system further comprising:
means for distilling source water to produce product water;
means for measuring the conductivity of the product water;
means for determining whether the conductivity of the product water is below a pre-set level; and
if the conductivity of the product water is below a pre-set level, means for triggering a signal mechanism to pump a volume of at least one additive into the product water.
2. A water vapor distillation system comprising:
a compressor upstream from a condenser, the compressor having a rotatable housing, the water vapor distillation system configured to:
drive the compressor with vapor from the water distillation system;
control pressure within the compressor with at least one valve; and
add water to the compressor as needed;
at least one capacitive level sensor for measuring the level of water in the compressor;
a controller for receiving information from the at least one capacitive level sensor; and
at least one variable flow valve coupled to the at least one capacitive level sensor and controlled by the controller, wherein the at least one capacitive level sensor, the controller and the at least one variable flow valve maintain the level of water in the compressor in the water vapor distillation system,
wherein the water vapor distillation system further comprising:
means for distilling source water using a water vapor distillation system;
means for measuring conductivity of product water;
means for determining whether the conductivity of the product water is below a pre-set level; and
if the conductivity of the product water is below a pre-set level, means for triggering a signal mechanism to pump a volume of at least one additive into the product water.
3. A method for controlling a vapor pump of a water distillation system, the method comprising:
driving a liquid ring vapor pump with vapor from the water distillation system using the water distillation system comprising:
a compressor upstream from a condenser, the compressor having a rotatable housing;
at least one capacitive level sensor for measuring the level of water in the compressor;
a controller for receiving information from the at least one capacitive level sensor; and
at least one variable flow valve coupled to the at least one capacitive level sensor and controlled by the controller, wherein the at least one capacitive level sensor, the controller and the at least one variable flow valve maintain the level of water in the compressor in the water vapor distillation system;
controlling pressure within the liquid ring vapor pump with at least one valve; and
adding water to the liquid ring vapor pump as needed.