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.

Processes and systems suitable for purifying or otherwise treating liquids to remove contaminants therein, including but not limited to contaminated water, to permit reclaiming, recycling, and reuse of the liquids. Such a process and system entails the use of a cascading distillation system that evaporates a liquid from the feedstock and then condenses and collects a more purified form of the liquid. The cascading distillation system can be operated to selectively process the feedstock through any of a series of vessels at which different amounts and/or contaminants may be removed from the feedstock.

A membrane for water collection may include a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of conical structures disposed on the top surface of the sheet, the conical structures comprising a hydrogel material. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have a height of 1 mm to 50 mm, wherein height is measured from the top surface of the sheet to an apex of a conical structure. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have an apex angle of 10 to 60 degrees.

An evaporation system for spray evaporating undesired water comprising: a first pump, a container comprising a sump, a second pump, a spray manifold comprising a spray nozzle, a packing system disposed within the container, a third pump, and an air system comprising an air blower and an air preheater is disclosed. An outlet of a water inlet is connected to an inlet of the first pump. A first portion of a ceiling of the container is constituted by a demister element such that the first portion of the ceiling is entirely configured as an outlet for evaporated water. A second portion of the ceiling is adjacent to an upper edge of a wall of the container. An outlet of the first pump is connected to an inlet of the container. An inlet of a draw line is disposed in the sump; and an outlet of the draw line is connected to an inlet of the second pump. An outlet of the second pump is connected to an inlet of the spray manifold. The spray nozzle discharges water droplets onto the packing system. An inlet of the third pump is connected to an outlet of the sump. An outlet of the third pump is connected to a discharge outlet. The air system is disposed through the wall of the container; and the air system discharges air flow counter to and/or crossways to the water droplets from the spray nozzle. A method of using the evaporation system is also disclosed.

A water treatment device comprising a clear container with lid surrounded by a solar reflector, and an insert in the form of a thin sheet or mesh permanently coated with titanium dioxide as a water sanitizing catalyst. The container is filled with non-potable water, covered with the lid, and placed in direct sunlight. Direct and reflected sunlight enters the water through the clear container and lid, where the sunlight's UV radiation and increased solar thermal heat disinfect the water. Further, the catalyst on the insert reacts with dissolved oxygen in the water to produce reactive oxygen species. These reactive species react with and decompose organic compounds in the water, and kill or inactivate pathogens. In addition, the reactive oxygen species further react with the water itself to produce additional free radical species, which also react with and decompose organic compounds and kill or inactivate pathogens.

An emitter apparatus is mounted on a marine structure powered by wind or marine hydrokinetic energy to disperse a carbon dioxide sorbent such as sodium hydroxide. The sorbent can be generated by reverse osmosis of seawater with electrolysis of the brine, or delivered from an external supply. Suitable marine structures include offshore wind turbines, marine hydrokinetic generators, offshore oil platforms, merchant vessels, and other fixed and mobile structures. Effective capture is made by dispersing a fine mist or fog of aqueous sorbent from nozzles with a particle size from a nozzle of less than 100 microns. The sorbent reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide forming carbonates and bicarbonates, which drift and fall to the ocean surface, reducing surface acidity and capturing additional atmospheric carbon dioxide via absorption at the local ocean surface. The resulting carbonates sink to the ocean floor and are there sequestered.

A novel solar-powered desalination and water purification system is disclosed herein. The system includes a nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel, an untreated water source, a water collection surface, and a purified water storage container. A novel photocatalytic nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel for desalination and photodegradation of contaminants for use in the disclosed system is also disclosed herein. The nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel exhibits excellent hydrophilicity, thermal insulation, and photodegradation capability, and allows for efficient solar-powered evaporation of water. The introduction of photocatalytic nanofibers into the graphene aerogel allows effective interfacial evaporation and in situ photodegradation of contaminants. The rate of water evaporation is preferably greater than 1.3 gal/ft.sup.2 per day, and the contaminant removal is preferably greater than 90%. A method of desalinating and purifying water using the disclosed system is also disclosed herein.

Methods and systems for separating a first metal from a metal-containing feed stream are provided. The method can include applying solar energy, for example, by focusing one or more mirrors in one or more heliostats, to heat a metal-containing feed stream in a heating zone to a first temperature to produce a first vapor including the first metal. The first vapor can be condensed in a condensation zone to produce a first liquid including the first metal, and the first liquid can be collected. The system can include a separation unit include a heating zone in fluid communication with a condensation zone and a means for applying solar energy to heat a metal-containing feed stream disposed in the heating zone.

A mobile water purification system comprises a movable trailer, a storage tank positioned within the trailer, a water filtration and treatment system positioned at least partially within the trailer, a water dispensing system positioned at least partially within the trailer. and one or more solar panels coupled to the trailer.