A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.

A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.

A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled. At least a portion of the electrical power capacity of the electric generation unit may power a water purification unit such as a vapor compression distillation unit, and heat output of the electric generation unit may supply heat to the water purification unit.

A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.

A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.

A method for starting up vapor-recompression units comprises: providing a vapor recompression sub-system comprising one or more vapor-recompression units, wherein the vapor recompression sub-system has a vapor inlet and a compressed-vapor outlet; providing a means of reducing vapor density through pressure reduction in vapor communication with the vapor recompression sub-system; reducing pressure within the vapor recompression sub-system to reach a sub-system pressure selected from 0.1 kPa to 1000 kPa; introducing a vapor mass flow to the vapor recompression sub-system at a restricted vapor mass flow rate; starting up the vapor recompression sub-system while maintaining the restricted vapor mass flow rate for a start-up time period; and then, following the start-up time period, introducing additional vapor mass flow to the vapor recompression sub-system to reach a full vapor mass flow rate. The restricted vapor mass flow rate is from 0.1% to 90% of the full vapor mass flow rate.

A method for starting up vapor-recompression units comprises: providing a vapor recompression sub-system comprising one or more vapor-recompression units, wherein the vapor recompression sub-system has a vapor inlet and a compressed-vapor outlet; providing a means of reducing vapor density through pressure reduction in vapor communication with the vapor recompression sub-system; reducing pressure within the vapor recompression sub-system to reach a sub-system pressure selected from 0.1 kPa to 1000 kPa; introducing a vapor mass flow to the vapor recompression sub-system at a restricted vapor mass flow rate; starting up the vapor recompression sub-system while maintaining the restricted vapor mass flow rate for a start-up time period; and then, following the start-up time period, introducing additional vapor mass flow to the vapor recompression sub-system to reach a full vapor mass flow rate. The restricted vapor mass flow rate is from 0.1% to 90% of the full vapor mass flow rate.

A vapor distillation system, method, and control architecture are provided for producing purified water using an evaporator-condenser assembly, a sump with a heater, and a control system that operates the apparatus across multiple operating states. Temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors are used to regulate heater operation and venting of vapor. Liquid-level information from one or more level sensors is used to control fluid inlet and outlet valves, including source-water and blowdown flow paths, to maintain stable operation under varying load and thermal conditions. Additional embodiments include product-water handling assemblies incorporating product tanks, product-level sensing, and automated product-flow control. Further embodiments include downstream additive management, where additives are supplied using time-release elements or reservoir coatings, and water-quality parameters are monitored to trigger user-perceptible indications for servicing. Biological detection elements, microarray monitoring, and remote reporting of water-quality parameters may also be incorporated.