A multi-function solar panel, the panel being of the tilted tray type which is divided into three chambers, one chamber being used for electricity generation, and cooling of the PV panel and partial preheating of the feed water to a still, one for processing the feed water to produce potable water and the other for water storage and other ancillary devices used in the production process and PAYG functionality of the multi-function solar panel.

The current disclosure provides a method to improve the performance of evaporators and condensers by maintaining the vapor velocities on the heat exchange surfaces within a desired range. This is accomplished by providing a constant or tapered narrow gap for vapor flow in the heat exchangers. The shear induced by the vapor over the heat exchanger improves the evaporator performance by disturbing the liquid film flowing over the heat transfer surface. In the condenser, the vapor shear helps to remove the condensate in the form of film and droplets, and also removes the non-condensable gases from the heat transfer surfaces as the vapor condenses out and increases the concentration of the non-condensable gases over the heat transfer surfaces. Parameters identified include minimum gap and the taper angle between the cover plate and heat transfer surface.

The invention relates to a water purification system and distillation unit. The water purification system (3) comprises an input section (31) for providing water (21), in particular tap water, to a distillation unit (1), and said distillation unit (1) for producing distilled water. Said distillation unit comprises an evaporation section (12) for evaporating said water (21) and producing steam (23), and a condensation section (14) for at least partly condensing said steam (23), producing distilled water. The system further comprises a first admixing unit (32), in particular a cartridge, which is arranged and configured in such a way that it is enabled for admixing compounds, in particular minerals, to said distilled water, producing enriched distilled water, and an output section (33) for dispensing said enriched distilled water. Said evaporation section (12) is provided by a heatable side (101) of a first Peltier effect device (10) and said condensation section (14) is provided by a coolable side (102) of said first Peltier effect device (10).

A continuous process for the synthesis of biodiesel from microalgae oil by transesterification with supercritical methanol, where the synthesis of biodiesel is carried out in a single transesterification step in a reactor that operates continuously, said process being ideal to be carried out at industrial scale since it can provide a continuous flow of biodiesel.

A fog-based self-powered system for collecting atmospheric water and generating electricity is presented. The system includes a mesh-based fog harvester for accumulating water droplets from atmospheric moisture. A droplet distributor receives accumulated water droplets from the mesh-based fog harvester. A droplet electrical generator harvests energy from the water droplets accumulated in the droplet distributor. The droplet electrical generator includes an electret surface for receiving the water droplets from the droplet distributor and at least two electrodes. A water reservoir receives water droplets from the droplet electrical generator.

An atmospheric water generator apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid cooling device. A water condensing surface is thermally connected to the fluid cooling device, the water condensing surface having a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a highly hydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, a highly hydrophilic condensing surface, or a combination thereof. An air-cooled heat rejection device is in fluid communication with a fluid cooling device. An air fan is configured to induce airflow across the water condensing surface in order to condense and extract water from the atmosphere.

An evaporator apparatus, system, and method can be utilized for separating, purifying, and refining contaminated fluids. The evaporator comprises a burner, a conically shaped heat sink to form an evaporate from the fluids with profiles arranged on the liquid contacting surface a unique multiple surfaced apparatus for collecting the evaporate, condensing the evaporate as purified water separating it from the evaporator, a device for collecting the unevaporated brine.

The present disclosure describes an apparatus that may be used to generate desalinated water from a supply of untreated water using a photovoltaic cell. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is partially enclosed to form an evaporation chamber. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is exposed to sunlight or another light source. This exposure results in power generation by the photovoltaic cell and also heats the air in the evaporation chamber. Untreated water is subsequently introduced into the evaporation chamber. Upon contacting the heated air and the front surface of the photovoltaic cell, a portion of the untreated water evaporates to generate water vapor. The water vapor is then removed from the evaporation chamber and transported to a condensation chamber. The water vapor is cooled in the condensation chamber to yield desalinated water.

A condenser bag includes a body bounding a channel that extends between an inlet opening at a first end and an outlet opening at an opposing second end, the body being comprised of a polymeric film; an intake port bounding a port opening that extends therethrough, the intake port being directly physically secured to the first end of the body so that the port opening communicates with the channel of the body; and a tubular transfer line having a first end directly mechanically coupled with the body at a first location located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to communicate with the channel and an opposing second end directly mechanically coupled to the intake port so as to communicate with the port opening thereof.

A condenser bag includes a body bounding a channel that extends between an inlet opening at a first end and an outlet opening at an opposing second end, the body being comprised of a polymeric film; an intake port bounding a port opening that extends therethrough, the intake port being directly physically secured to the first end of the body so that the port opening communicates with the channel of the body; and a tubular transfer line having a first end directly mechanically coupled with the body at a first location located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to communicate with the channel and an opposing second end directly mechanically coupled to the intake port so as to communicate with the port opening thereof.