Efficient Solar Desalination with Microporous Aluminum Nitride Technology

Introduction

Water scarcity is one of the most urgent global challenges today, affecting millions of people, industries, and ecosystems. Traditional desalination methods, while effective, are energy-intensive and often rely on thermal processes or reverse osmosis, which are costly and environmentally taxing. Our patented method and system for capillary flow in microporous aluminum nitride offers a breakthrough non-thermal solar desalination process. This technology provides an energy-efficient and eco-friendly solution to converting seawater into fresh water, addressing both water shortages and the need for sustainable desalination.

Current Limitations in Desalination Technologies

Traditional desalination systems are essential for providing potable water in arid regions, coastal areas, and industries that require large amounts of fresh water. However, these systems generally consume vast amounts of energy and often rely on thermal or pressure-based processes, such as multi-stage flash distillation or reverse osmosis. While these processes can be effective, they are expensive to maintain and operate, particularly for remote or developing regions where access to electricity or fossil fuels is limited.

For industries and communities looking to adopt more sustainable water treatment methods, there is a growing demand for desalination technologies that are less energy-dependent, more cost-effective, and capable of functioning efficiently in off-grid or remote locations.

A Game-Changer for Non-Thermal Solar Desalination

Our patented system leverages the unique properties of microporous aluminum nitride, which allows for capillary-driven flow to desalinate water without relying on traditional thermal energy. This system uses solar energy, not for heating, but as a driving force behind a non-thermal desalination process that significantly reduces energy consumption. By facilitating the movement of water through microporous aluminum nitride, the system can separate salt and impurities from seawater, resulting in fresh water without the need for high-pressure pumps or excessive heat.

This method is particularly well-suited for remote regions, disaster-stricken areas, and off-grid applications where traditional desalination systems are not practical or sustainable. Additionally, its low energy footprint makes it an attractive solution for agricultural and industrial applications that require large volumes of fresh water but aim to minimize environmental impact.

Key Benefits

  • Energy-Efficient Desalination: Utilizes capillary flow and solar energy for desalination without requiring thermal processes, significantly reducing energy consumption.
  • Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: Provides a clean water solution with minimal environmental impact, perfect for remote areas and off-grid applications.
  • Low Operational Costs: The system’s reliance on solar energy and microporous materials leads to reduced long-term operational and maintenance costs.
  • Versatile Applications: Ideal for coastal, rural, and industrial use where fresh water is needed, but energy resources are limited.

A Sustainable Path to Fresh Water

Licensing this non-thermal solar desalination technology provides companies and organizations with a powerful tool to address global water scarcity. Its energy efficiency, sustainability, and scalability make it a key solution for industries and communities striving for clean water in an environmentally responsible way.

A microporous wick and a method for non-thermal solar desalination is disclosed, which includes placing a capillary wick in a brine containing sodium chloride (NaCl), the capillary wick comprising a plurality of bonded aluminum nitride (Al—N) microparticles and illuminating the capillary wick with a light source.

What is claimed is:

1. A microporous wick, the microporous wick comprising:

a plurality of bonded aluminum nitride particles.
2. The microporous wick according to claim 1, wherein the aluminum nitride particles are microparticles.
3. The microporous wick according to claim 1, wherein the aluminum nitride particles have a diameter of approximately 10 μm.
4. The microporous wick according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bonded aluminum nitride particles forms a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels having approximately a same diameter as the plurality of aluminum nitride particles themselves.
5. The microporous wick according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bonded aluminum nitride particles forms a plurality of capillaries.

6. A method for non-thermal solar desalination or debrining, the method comprising:

placing a capillary wick in a brine containing sodium chloride or other ions, the capillary wick comprising a plurality of bonded aluminum nitride microparticles; and
illuminating the capillary wick with a light source.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

illuminating the capillary wick with the light source having a wavelength of 190 nanometers to 750 nanometers.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

illuminating the capillary wick with the light source having a wavelength of 190-nanometers to 495 nanometers.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

Illuminating the capillary wick with the light source having a wavelength of 380 nanometers to 495 nanometers.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

illuminating the capillary wick with the light source having a wavelength of 450 nanometers to 495 nanometers.
11. The method according to claim 6, further comprising illuminating the capillary wick with the light source having a wavelength of wavelength of 380 nanometers to 750 nanometers at 35 mW·cm−2 to 100 mW·cm−2.
12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the brine is sea water.

13. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

reducing a relative humidity of a surrounding of the capillary wick and the brine to increase evaporation rate.

14. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

separating the sodium chloride from water in the brine by crystallizing the sodium chloride and evaporating the water as a liquid.

15. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

obtaining a zero liquid discharge in the separation of the sodium chloride from the water in the brine and the evaporation of the water as a liquid.
16. The method according to claim 6, wherein the brine is from an industrial source.
17. The method according to claim 6, wherein the brine is a waste-water brine or industrial effluent.
18. The method according to claim 6, wherein the brine is a brine carrying valuable minerals to be harvested.

19. A method for evaporative cooling that leverages radiative cooling of aluminum nitride comprising:

blowing a source of air through a capillary wick to obtain cooling from evaporation outdoors, the capillary wick comprising a plurality of bonded aluminum nitride microparticles.

Share

Title

Method and system for capillary flow in microporous aluminum nitride for non-thermal solar desalination

Inventor(s)

Luat T. Vuong, James Li-Guo LEUNG, Navindra D. SINGH

Assignee(s)

University of California

Patent #

20240076213

Patent Date

March 7, 2024

Inquire about this intellectual property

Learn more about "Efficient Solar Desalination with Microporous Aluminum Nitride Technology"