The system operates within a temperature range just below boiling point (at 98°C - 99°C). This prevents the occurrence of vapour bubbles which normally arise when water boils.
The absence of vapour bubbles bursting on the surface of the water eliminates any contamination of the condensate caused by substances rising in the bubbles, e.g. minerals. Earlier distilleries, which mainly functioned on the principle of delayed boiling, were usually very tall constructions due to this droplet contamination in the vapour bubbles. This process therefore makes it possible to design small plants of the same type, with all the ensuing benefits with regard to manufacture and deployment scenarios.
In addition, considerably less energy is required in comparison to the boiling process. This is due to the sub-boiling point operating temperature, as well as the ideal insulation incorporated in the constructional design. The system requires approx. 0.6 kW to produce one litre of water.
Around 12.5 litres of preheated water are fed into the processing section every 15 minutes. This interval is controlled and monitored by an SPS unit.
The drinking water has a temperature of 40-45°C when it exits the condenser. Gases such as chlorine are then physically separated from the drinking water within this temperature range in a specially designed degassing tank.
This distinguishes the system from the conventional vaporisation process. Constructional and technical process measures integrated in the system allow evaporation without the creation of contaminating vapour bubbles and the necessity for subsequent degassing.
During the design stage, care was taken to ensure that all the technical control components (e.g. the level switch and motor valves) are installed externally. This eliminates the need to open or dismantle the plant even when performing repairs.
A series of new constructional features have also been implemented. These affect, for example, the filling tank to keep the technical control components out of the high temperature range, installing the condenser in a new, geometrically adapted construction allowing automated manufacturing by welding robots using a segmented construction method, and the degassing tank for physically separating undesirable gases from the drinking water.
In addition to all types of fossil fuel, even electric power, as well as solar-thermal operation in combination with other energy sources, can also be used as primary sources of energy.
The system can also be operated with a so-called multifuel burner, which runs on biomass and can be simultaneously fed with other fuels. This was achieved by designing a completely new type of cake-shaped heat exchanger, which is orientated to the geometry of the processing space.
The cost of one litre of drinking water using heating oil as a fuel is around 2.4 cents depending upon the location.
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