Potable Water Production Module

This proposal describes new technology for water purification based on heat pumps, and more specifically based on transcritical CO2 system. Heat pumps in general are excellent thermal transformation tools when both sides (warm and cold) are utilized. Energy efficiency can be extremely high when designed properly. Transcritical CO2 based systems offer even better opportunity due to characteristics of the fluid - high compressor discharge temperatures. The purification system proposed is based on distillation using a heat pump. At this point chemical aspects of water taste are deferred to the second phase. Water will be preheated in the internal regenerative heat exchanger prior to evaporate in contact with gas cooler in counter flow arrangement. Condensation will start in regenerative heat exchanger while being completed on the evaporator of the heat pump system. The deliverables will include: a. detailed analysis of the processes, b. design of the pilot system prototype and 3. small scale demonstration unit of the water purifier based on CO2 heat pump. In option phase water chemistry and heat exchanger cleaning will be addressed.