Title: Methods, apparatus and systems for generating and superheating vapor under sunlight

Abstract

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Inventors:

Chen, Gang; Boriskina, Svetlana; Ni, George; Cooper, Thomas P.; Zandavi, Seyed Hadi

Issue Date:

2021-04-13

Research Org.:

Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1823835

Patent Number(s):

10976076

Application Number:

16/153,352

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C02 - TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE C02F - TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION

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C - CHEMISTRY C02 - TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE C02F - TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE

C02F1/14 - using solar energy
C02F2103/08 - Seawater, e.g. for desalination

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION

F22B1/006 - {using solar heat

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

F24S10/10 - the working fluids forming pools or ponds
F24S10/17 - using covers or floating solar absorbing elements
F24S10/30 - with means for exchanging heat between two or more working fluids
F24S10/80 - comprising porous material or permeable masses directly contacting the working fluids
F24S20/70 - Waterborne solar heat collector modules
F24S2080/502 - {in the form of multiple covering elements}
F24S23/00 - Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
F24S50/80 - for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
F24S60/00 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
F24S60/10 - using latent heat
F24S70/225 - for spectrally selective absorption
F24S70/60 - characterised by the structure or construction
F24S80/30 - Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections
F24S80/56 - characterised by means for preventing heat loss
F24S80/60 - Thermal insulation
F24S80/65 - characterised by the material

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02A - TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Y02A20/124 - Water desalination
Y02A20/142 - the source being solar thermal or photovoltaics
Y02A20/212 - Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/44 - Heat exchange systems
Y02E10/47 - Mountings or tracking

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02W - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

Y02W10/37 - using solar energy

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DOE Contract Number:  

SC0001299

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 10/05/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English