Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.

A hot water and distillation apparatus configured to simultaneously produce distilled water and hot water is disclosed. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a hot water tank, a condensation and evaporation chamber, an (feed water) evaporation tray provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber, a heat source thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus is configured to condensate evaporated feed water from the evaporation tray by means of heat exchange between the hot water tank and a condensation surface. The condensation surface is provided at the outside surface of the hot water tank. The heat source is thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a distillate collection member configured to collect distillate. The hot water tank, the evaporation tray and the distillate collection member are provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber.

A new and innovative power and treated water co-generation system is provided that includes a modified Kalina cycle and a forward osmosis (FO) membrane. The Kalina cycle of the provided system is used for power production, whereas the system's FO process is used for water production. The provided system modifies a typical Kalina cycle to include a more efficient and relatively low-temperature heat source, while still utilizing the same working fluid, which is ammonia-water. The draw solution for the provided system's FO process is also ammonia-water, which is known and efficient for desalination and wastewater treatment. In some aspects, the working fluid of the system may be a specific ammonia-water composition including between 30-95% ammonia. The presently disclosed system combines the Kalina process and the FO process into an improved and innovative heat integration system to minimize energy requirements and enable operation at both small and large scales.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for recovering water from an aqueous stream containing a solute are disclosed herein. In accordance with an aspect, provided is method comprising receiving an inlet brine stream comprising water and a solute; producing a concentrated brine stream by contacting the inlet brine stream with an ion exchange resin configured to extract water from the inlet brine stream, the ion exchange resin comprising a plurality of pores adapted to receive water molecules; ceasing the contact of the ion exchange resin with the inlet brine stream and the concentrated brine stream; and evaporating at least a portion of the water contained in the ion exchange resin aided by unsaturated air with less than 100% relative humidity using an evaporation unit.

A method and system for treating and purifying saltwater contaminated by volatile compounds. The saltwater is evaporated resulting in a gas composed of water vapor and gaseous volatile compounds. The gas is condensed into a condensate containing the contaminated volatile compounds which is biologically treated to remove the volatile compounds thereby producing purified water. The latent heat released by condensing is used to evaporate the purified water into the atmosphere in an energy efficient manner.

A device for the decentralized and continuous production of biomass at home, which comprises: a culture container for continuous processes, in batch and in a fed batch connected to a system that provides gaseous components; and all the supplied components are sterilized by a filter; a solids dispenser that is connected to a solids reservoir, and which can quantify the dispensed solids; a dissolving-unit that is connected to the solids dispenser, to a liquids metering pump, and to a purified water generation system, and where the dissolving-unit exit is connected to the culture tank by the culture medium filters; and the latter communicate the fluids with the dissolving-unit and the culture tank; a device that contains and dispenses the inoculum that initiates the culture, and which is connected to the culture tank; a temperature-controlled rotary drum system is connected to the culture tank to separate the biomass, with a drain of liquids; a sterilizer is connected to the culture tank and the associated filters; a microprocessor with instructions to control the variables of the process, which is connected to a user interface; and connections to a water source, electric power source, drain of liquids, and to Internet and servers with AI. Procedure for the continuous production at home of biomass using said device.

A heating system for use in the solar powered heating of water. In one embodiment, the heating system is used in conjunction with a solar water farm to desalinate water. The water farm can be utilized on a variety of scales and can be applied to agricultural farms for large scale reclamation of deserts.

A refining system includes a Peltier heat exchanger, an evaporation tank, and a nozzle. The Peltier heat exchanger is configured to receive unrefined liquid and comprising a Peltier cell. The nozzle is positioned within the evaporation tank and configured to receive unrefined liquid from the Peltier heat exchanger and provide unrefined liquid into the evaporation tank such that vapor is formed. The Peltier heat exchanger is configured to receive vapor from the evaporation tank while simultaneously receiving unrefined liquid. The Peltier cell is configured to heat unrefined liquid within the Peltier heat exchanger and cool vapor within the Peltier heat exchanger simultaneously.

A system and method for converting non-potable water into potable water. Non-potable water, such as sea water or non-potable ground water, and the like, is fed down a conduit into a deep underground enclosure. Due to its extreme depth, the enclosure is geothermally heated above the boiling point of water at the pressure within the enclosure. The water boils and creates water vapor. The water vapor rises and can be drawn up through a vapor conduit to the surface. The water vapor can be condensed (and further purified, if necessary) into potable water. The steam can be used in a hybrid system, and condensed after being used for heating purposes or electrical production. Prior to being sent down into the enclosure, the source of non-potable water can be used in counter current heat exchange to reduce the temperature of the water vapor rising through the vapor conduit.

An evaporator for submerged combustion and delayed evaporation, a method of the same and a system of combined evaporation devices, the evaporator for submerged combustion and delayed evaporation comprises: a housing formed with a space for containing an evaporating liquid; a separator plate arranged in an interior of the housing and dividing the housing into a heat transfer (submerged combustion) area and an evaporation area; a vapor chamber located above a liquid surface of the evaporation area; a flue gas chamber located above a liquid surface of the heat transfer area, wherein the flue gas chamber is provided with a flue gas outlet, the flue gas outlet is provided with a pressure valve which is capable of controlling a gas pressure within the flue gas chamber such that a gas pressure within the flue gas chamber is larger than a gas pressure within the vapor chamber.