An Integrated Evaporator-Condenser for Adsorption Desalination Unit

Desalination has been a practical solution to water shortage problems encountered in numerous countries in the world. Several commercial scale desalination plants have been designed built and operated such as multi-stage flash (MSF) type the multi-effect desalination type the membrane-based reverse osmosis (RO) plants hybrid RO and MSF plants and Ion exchange systems. However conventional desalination plants have three main drawbacks – the high energy usage to maintain relative high temperature the high energy consumption of the plant and the high maintenenace costs arisng from salt depositiion or fouling. This invention enables the desalination of saline or brackish water to produce desalinated water. By using a novel integrated evaporator-condenser system the energy requirements to create the water vapour are considerably reduced. Addtionally low temperature evaporation reduces fouling significantly during evaporation of the saline solution and lowers maintenance costs. The evaporation process may also be enhanced by the energy ejected from the condenser resulting in higher system pressures for increased adsorption capacity. Technology Features: (1) Low temperature - hot water may be attained by solar energy or industrial waste heat (2) Adsorption beds comprise adsorbent material such as silica gel or synthetic zeolite or any other hydrophilic adsorbent. Applications: (1) Desalination (2) Evaporation/ Condensation (3) Clean Technology (4) Renewable Energy Patent Status: Patent Pending; Opportunity for Exclusive/ non-exclusive licensing and for Partnership in commercial development