EVACOLD
Treatment of salty waters and brine effluents with a high potential for recovering salts and generating new freshwater resources
EVACOLD uses the residual heat generated in steam boilers of chimneys or the energy generated by renewable infraestructures, to evaporate salty waters at temperatures below 50 ºC. Salts are concentrated for being treated or reused, while water vapour can be condensed to collect new water resources. In semiarid areas with brackish water resources, EVACOLD emerges as an energy low-cost solution able to treat the brine effluents resulting from osmosis desalinization plants.
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
A semi-industrial scale prototype for on-site testing of about 1000 liters/day is available. Additionally, in situ-operational tests have been carried out for two companies: ARD an olive industry that generates brine effluents, and Nanta an agrofeed industry that generates polluted effluents from its poured steam boiler and descaling systems. Promising results were achieved in both cases.
How does it work?
EVACOLD heats incoming brackish (polluted) water to 50 °C and passes through an exchanger in which it is in contact with an incoming pre-heated air flow. The system generates two by-products: an air saturated with water, which can be condensed to generate distilled water, and dry salty residue that need to be handled properly. The energy required by EVACOLD to heat both incoming fluids (brackish water and air) is provided by: a) a photovoltaic solar panel which feeds a fan, the air cooling system and a set of small transfer pumps, and b) solar thermal panels which heat the incoming water to 50 °C, and the air up to the saturation point. In EVACOLD, there is no change between the liquid and vapor phases, so the energy consumption is minimal.
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