AU2006345922A1 - Water-purifying device and method for production of such a device - Google Patents

Description

(12) NACH DEM VERTRAG IBER DIE INTERNATIONAL ZUSAMMENARBEIT AUF DEM GEBIET DES PATENTWESENS (PCT) VER6FFENTLICHTE INTERNATIONAL ANMELDUNG (19) Weltorganisation fir geistiges Eigentum Interationale,, sBlllilllll11|llllilllllllllrnlolll i (43) Internationales Ver6ffentlichungsdatum PC (10) Internationale Verfffentlielungsnummer 10. January 2008 (10,01.2008) W O 2008/003342 Al (51) Internationale Patentklassifikanlon: AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BE, BO, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, C02F 1174 (2006.01) Ba) 5/00 (2006.01) CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DI, DK, DM, DZ, 13, B, ES, B01) 1122 (2006.01) BOD 1/00 (2006.01) F1, CB, (D, OR, (331, GM, IN, FR, EU, ID, 1L, IN, IS, A', (21) Interalonales Aktenzelchen: PCT/EP2006/006628 XE, KG, KM, KK KI- KR, KZ, LA, LC, LX. LR, US, La LU, LT, LY, MA, M, MO, MK, MN, MW, MX, Z, NA, (22) Tnterialionale, Ammeldedatum): NO, N, NO, N, OM, P, PH, DL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, 6. u 20D6 (06.07.2006) SD, SE, SO, SK, SL, SM, SY TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT TZ1, (25) Einreichungssprache: Deutsch UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, 7M, ZW. (26) Ver~ffentliehungssprache: Deutsch (84) Bestirnmgstanten (soweii nich anglers 04)epehftr (71) Anmelder (far al esi mssaaen m Au lme oenfdbar ARIPO (W, US): SONNE + ENERGIES GMJBH [DE/DE); Schroeck- O1, GM, K13 LS, MW, M, NA, SD, SI, SZ, I1, UG, str. 6, 86152 Augsburg (DE). 724 ZW), eurasisches (AM, AZ, BY, KG, K, MD, RU, Ti, TM), evropisches (AT, BiE, BG, CHI, CY, C, DL8, DK, (72) Errinder; und 0% ES, Fl, MR, GB, OR, FRJ, 113, IS, IT LX LU, LV, MC. (75) Erlinder/Annelder (nur far US): KUNZE, Herbert NL, PL, PT. RO, SE, ST, SK. TR), OAPI (BF Hi, CF CO, [DL/DE]; Sonne & Energie GmbHi, Schmeckstr. 6, 86152 CI, CM GA, ON, OQ, OW, ML, MR, NE, SN,i) 0 Augsburg (DE). (74) Anwilte: RUMMLER, Felix uw.; R.GC. Jenkins & Co., kni i: Recharchenberihv Franziskanerstr. 16/209, 81669 MUnchen (DE). (81)o Betimugstate (soei nichtndemdersanrgegebenm geefar (81) Bestimungslaten (sowei ick:n8 is ; Verffentlictn (ind wviederhot, falds Anderuen jjde edeveArfnhR, AG, AL, b on anreffe) ZMZor)sezunr aasf der nAdZiY en SaRe) (54) Title: WAER-PRITN, DT ,pVICEs AND METcOD FOR PRODUCTION OF SUCH A DBE VICE S(54) Bezeichinung: C1IRk7 ZUR WASSEiRREiNIGlJNO UND ZUR HER-STELLUNG HINES soLCIJEN oOrS (57 Abtrat: Ftcinvntin rlatsla dvic fo prducng otale tr Abmpufsier au ho dering n etr Anprach eto nden 0 wherein ire condener isFansged atraffangleitoung cwird wiedeario/ot, housingnddeusiee forsezug a uf er ncsen Seite) 444 460 (57) A bst ract: The invention relats to a device for producing potable water, Comprising a housing, an evapmator and a Condenser, wherein the condenser is arranged at an anigle to the evaporator and/or a hon~ltunnderside. [ Fortsetzung auf dier nachstn Sitej J00048627AU WATER-PURIFYING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH A DEVICE The invention relates to a water-purifying device comprising a housing, an evaporator and a condenser as well as a method for producing a water-purifying device. A plurality of devices and apparatus are known for purifying water, For example, Unexamined Laid-Open Patent Application DE 199 23 682 Al describes a device for obtaining fresh water from raw water, which comprises an obliquely disposed housing in which a flat vaporiser and a flat condenser are arranged parallel to each other. The housing is sealed by a transparent cover disposed parallel to the vaporiser. The part of the raw water evaporated by the vaporiser is thereby condensed at the condenser to give fresh water and is guided out of the housing via a channel. In this case, the condenser consists of a heat exchanger disposed between the housing rear wall and the vaporiser, the raw water being fed to the underside of said vaporiser and after heating by the heat exchanger, is fed at the top via a bypass to a dropping device and by means of the dropping device, reaches the vaporiser. That part of the raw water which evaporates at the surface of the evaporator and is entrained by flowing air rises upwards inside the obliquely positioned device. There, the moisture-laden air is deflected by the housing boundary or by the housing rear wall so that the moisture-laden air flows on the one hand into a gap between the condenser and the evaporator and on the other hand, into a gap between the condenser and a housing base in a lower area of the device. In this case, the moisture from the moisture-laden air condenses at the condenser. This condensate now flows along the condenser in a fresh water collecting channel and is guided out from the device. Due to the condensation process, the air previously still highly laden with moisture is cooled so that it sinks into the lower area of the device and is again continuously heated thereby by solar energy. By this means. the heated air flows upwards between the air-permeable housing upper side and the evaporator and again absorbs evaporated raw water from the evaporator surface. Known from Unexamined Laid-Open Patent Application DE 43 21 192 Al is an apparatus for distilling water in the low- -2 temperature range, in which solar collectors consisting of glass cover, frame and absorber, are combined with evaporators and heat exchangers to form a wall. In this case, mirror foils are additionally irradiated, their angles being set by rigging means known from sailing ships. By this means, thermal energy is collected in an energy storage device by means of a thermosyphon system. Hot water flows to trickle over a sponge, which is only permeable to water at slight superatmospheric pressure, in Z-shaped flow mats. The droplets forming increase the evaporation surface area. A disadvantage with this apparatus is the relatively complex structure of the distilling apparatus which, inter alia, gives rise to relatively high production costs and makes the apparatus as a whole liable to technical problems. The wick method used in the known devices or apparatus also has a disadvantageous effect since, for example, cotton cloths or sponges which absorb the raw water rapidly become contaminated by the usually impure raw water and must be frequently cleaned or exchanged. The object of the invention is to further develop devices for obtaining fresh water and to increase their efficiency. The object of the invention is achieved by a device for obtaining fresh water comprising a housing, an evaporator and a condenser in which the condenser is disposed at an angle with respect to the evaporator and/or with respect to the housing underside. In normal everyday operation, the housing of the device is not simply arranged horizontally but preferably approximately at an angle of 300 with respect to a water surface inside or outside the device. For example, the water surface is located in an open container. Merely due to the overall alignment of the device, the condenser and the evaporator in particular also have a corresponding angle with respect to the water surface. Since the condenser is arranged in particular at an angle with respect to the evaporator, the condenser is preferably arranged more steeply in the device. This has the advantage on the one hand that the condensate drainage is hereby optimised since the condensate drains more rapidly from the surface of the more steeply arranged condenser. Since the condensate can drain more rapidly or - 3 more easily from the condenser, for example, new formation of condensate is promoted. On the other hand, the steeper position of the condenser has the advantage that with regard to the air flow in the device, the condenser together with the evaporator form a type of diffuser. In addition, the condenser arranged more steeply in the device and the housing underside of the device form a type of nozzle with regard to the air flow inside the device. The interplay of diffuser on the one hand and nozzle on the other hand has a particularly favourable effect on the air flow inside the device. In explanation, it should be stated here that due to the steeper situation of the condenser, the gap height of the gap between the evaporator and the condenser has a variable profile. If the angle between the evaporator and the condenser is suitably selected, the gap for example between these two components in the upper region has a smaller dimension that in the lower region. Assuming, with regard to the gap between these two components, a flow which flows through the gap from top to bottom, the selected arrangement of the two components forms a type of diffuser. It has been shown in many experiments that air flowing from above into the gap is retarded during flow through the gap which becomes broader towards the bottom. As a result, for example, the surface of the condenser is in contact with the preferably severely water-laden air for substantially longer. The surface of the condenser can thereby absorb more moisture or condensate, with the result that, inter alia, the efficiency of fresh water production is increased. For example, the steeper arrangement of the condenser inside the device is likewise advantageous for increased absorption of air moisture since as a result, the condensate can run off more rapidly from the condenser surface. In contrast, the gap between the condenser and the housing underside of the device has a precisely opposite cross sectional profile. This means that the gap height in the upper region is greater than the gap height in the lower region of the device. As a result, a nozzle tends to be formed. Air flowing from above into the gap is accelerated by the nozzle effect so that the air flowing between the condenser and the housing underside emerges substantially more rapidly at the narrowing gap in the lower area of the condenser than the speed at which it enters the broader gap at the top. In the lower area of the device, the retarded air flow and the accelerated air flow thus encounter one another, with the result that a very turbulent air flow is obtained in particular in this region. In many tests it was found that this turbulent air flow has a positive effect on the entire air flows in the device since a more turbulent flow has a favourable effect particularly with regard to the evaporation process and the condensation process of the device. The evaporator is preferably arranged parallel to the housing upper side. Depending on the particular situation, however, it can also be appropriate if the evaporator is arranged at an angle with respect to the housing upper side. For example, the evaporator can be positioned in such a manner with respect to the housing upper side that the evaporator is arranged overall in a flatter manner in the housing, whereby raw water at the top on the evaporator flows less rapidly downwards via the evaporator. As a result, it can be achieved that the raw water remains for a longer time on the evaporator surface. This can in turn have a positive effect on the evaporation performance with regard to the raw water in the housing. A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the evaporator comprises at least one deep-drawn profile. The evaporator according to the invention has the major advantage that for the evaporation process it can completely dispense with a cotton cloth spanned over the surface of a conventional evaporator. The raw water is forcibly guided by the evaporator according to the invention in such a manner that almost the entire surface is always kept moist so that as a result, the evaporation process takes place very effectively. In particular, in known wick methods the surface was partially not moistened. It is advantageous if the deep-drawn profile forming the evaporator prevents the raw water from running into the pure region of the water by means of a frame and by means of forced water guidance. Due to the deep-drawn profile forming the evaporator, the surface of the evaporator is substantially increased compared with the surface area of an evaporator operating according to the wick method.

In contrast to a conventional evaporator surface spanned with a cotton cloth or to an evaporator surface provided with a rough, flow-inhibiting coating, the evaporator according to the invention comprising a deep-drawn profile having a low surface roughness has the advantage that the evaporator is less severely contaminated and in addition, can , be more efficiently cleaned. As a result, the evaporator needs to be cleaned less frequently so that the expenditure on maintenance work is thereby substantially reduced. The surface of the evaporator is, for example, selectively coated with a lacquer or vacuum coated with titanium oxide. It is also understood that the previously described evaporator is also important to the invention without the characterising features of the main claim since in particular due to its new forcible guidance of the water, it has a plurality of advantages compared with known evaporators. In order in particular to keep low or reduce the costs of the device for obtaining fresh water, it is particularly advantageous if the device has further components which can be produced from a single deep-drawn profile. The same deep-drawn profile is preferably used for the production of various components such as possibly the condenser, a heat exchanger of the device or a dropping device of the device. The possibility of manufacturing such components of the device from deep-drawn profiles which only require a deep drawing tool for their manufacture, not only minimises manufacturing costs but also simplifies the manufacture of the device per se and its assembly and structure. For example, if a plurality of components can be produced by a deep-drawing method, the production of this device is particularly simple. According to a further feature of the invention, it is advantageous if the condenser of the device is formed from at least one deep-drawn profile, preferably from two deep drawn profiles. The advantages described with reference to the evaporator also apply to the condenser. Thus, the device having a condenser configured in this manner is also important to the invention separately from the characterising features of the main claim of the invention. It is advantageous if the device comprises a heat exchanger which is formed from at least two deep-drawn profiles. To this end, it is proposed according to the invention that the heat exchanger is manufactured from at least two deep- - 6 drawn profiles which are arranged, for example, as a mirror image to one another in such a manner that a cavity is formed between them, through which the raw water can be passed. Due to the profiling of the deep-drawn profile, forced guidance of the raw water is likewise obtained for the heat exchanger, the raw water being guided from bottom to top through the heat exchanger in zigzag form. It is particularly advantageous in this case if the surface of the deep-drawn profile has a slight roughness, whereby in particular a reduction in the friction losses between the inner surface of the heat exchanger and the raw water allows improved passage of the raw water. According to the invention, it is further proposed that the device comprises a dropping device which is formed from a deep-drawn profile. The raw water is brought onto the evaporator by means of the dropping device. For this purpose, the dropping device receives the raw water, for example, via a bypass from the heat exchanger. According to the invention, the dropping device is likewise made from the same deep-drawn profiles as, for example, the evaporator, the condenser and the heat exchanger so that a further substantial simplification of the structure of the entire device is hereby achieved. It is particularly advantageous if the dropping device has an outlet having a diameter of more than 1 mm, preferably an outlet having a diameter of more than 2 mm. In known dropping devices, for example, five one-millimetre outlets were provided. This had the major disadvantage that these holes readily become clogged if the raw water was not sufficiently pre-filtered. In particular, due to the forced guidance of the raw water with respect to the evaporator according to the invention. it is possible that the dropping device only has a single outlet. For example, this outlet is located on the opposite side of a passage of a first staircase segment of the deep drawn profile. Consequently, the raw water is predominantly distributed firstly on the upper side of the staircase segment. In order to achieve the previously described advantages with regard to the evaporator, the condenser, the heat exchanger and the dropping device, it is particularly advantageous if the deep-drawn profile has at least one staircase segment. The differently configured sides relate in this case firstly to the side length of the staircase segment and secondly to the side depth of the staircase segment. A staircase segment is understood here as a region of the deep-drawn profile which is preferably formed from two differently configured sides. It is understood that one components such as a condenser or an evaporator is formed from a plurality of staircase segments (deep drawn profiles) arranged in a row. In order, for example, to guide a liquid flowing over such a staircase segment favourably for a device for producing fresh water, it is advantageous if the two sides of a staircase segment are configured to be of different length. In order, for example, to optimise the ratio between a surface aligned favourably for evaporation and the installation space required for this purpose, in particular the installation space required for this purpose in the vertical direction, it is particularly advantageous if the two sides of the staircase segment are configured to be of different depth. For example, the first side favourably aligned for evaporation has a greater depth than the approximately vertically aligned second side, Thus, the first side can have a larger surface area than the second side. A further embodiment provides that at least one side has a water drainage boundary. Such a water drainage boundary ensures, for example, that the raw water flowing along on the deep-drawn profile does not simply shoot down from top to bottom on the surface of the staircase segment but is retained at least partly in the area of the side having the water drainage boundary. In this case, the water drainage boundary can be formed by a physical unit with the deep drawn profile. For example, the water drainage boundary is made directly during the deep drawing process. It is likewise possible that this water drainage boundary is attached as an independent component to the side. In this case, the water drainage boundary can be placed on, adhesively bonded, riveted, welded or attached to the side by another fastening technique. The water drainage boundary is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the side edge. However, it can also be arranged at a distance from the side edge. It is particularly advantageous if the water drainage boundary comprises at least one material recess. This material recess is preferably located on one of the front sides of a side. The material recess ensures that in the normal case, the water does not flow over the water drainage boundary of the staircase segment but merely accumulates at the water drainage boundary. The water preferably flows away at the material recess of the water drainage boundary. The material recess is preferably configured as a type of overflow. However, it can also be incorporated, for example, as a hole in the water drainage boundary or configured as a hole in the side. According to the invention, it is provided that at least one side has a passage by which means raw water is forcibly guided. This passage is preferably arranged in the area of a front side of a side. The passage serves to guide the water from a side of a first staircase segment to a side of a second staircase segment. If the passage is arranged on the respective opposite front side of a staircase segment, the water flows over the longest possible distance over the side. Thus, the largest possible surface area is wetted with water. In order that the deep-drawn profile can be used particularly effectively as a component for an evaporator, condenser etc., it is advantageous if the deep-drawn profile has a frame. The frame of the deep-drawn profile in particular forms a termination at the front sides of the side so that, for example, the raw water cannot escape uncontrollably from the deep-drawn surface. It is particularly advantageous if the deep-drawn profile has an inlet and an outlet which are substantially identical. This ensures that, for example, only as much raw water can flow into the deep-drawn profile as can be removed. It is also appropriate in this case if the inlet is smaller than the outlet. According to a further embodiment, the surface condition of the deep-drawn profile is smooth. In this case, the smooth surface can be polished, for example, by means of a 400 grade abrasive. It is also possible to implement the surface of the deep-drawn profile as a "no-drop surface". It is understood that the surface of the deep-drawn profile can be provided with a particularly smooth coating, for example, with a lacquer coating. The surface can also be treated in such a manner that it exhibits the so-called lotus effect. In this case, contamination of the surface is almost eliminated.

- 9 The deep-drawn profile having a smooth surface property has the advantage that dirt particles cannot accumulate so rapidly on the surface of the deep-drawn profile. In addition, this surface has the advantage that the friction losses with respect to a medium in contact therewith are reduced. It is particularly advantageous if the deep-drawn profile comprises polypropylene (PP), preferably a polypropylene derivative. A polypropylene deep-drawn profile is particularly easy to manufacture. In order to increase the absorption of solar energy, for example, a solar lacquer can be incorporated into the polypropylene and/or the surface can be coated with solar lacquer. Increased absorption of solar energy is particularly advantageous with regard to the evaporator. It is understood that not only the evaporator can be made from the previously described materials but also other components of the device. This particularly relates to all the components of the device which are produced by means of the deep-drawn profile according to the invention. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the device has a raw-water collecting container. In order, for example, to supply several successively connected devices uniformly with raw water, it is advantageous if each device preferably has a raw-water collecting container. A certain raw-water reservoir can then be stored in such a raw-water collecting container so that each device is supplied by raw water at the same pressure. In the case of devices connected in series, that device located at the greatest distance from the raw water connection has the lowest water pressure. For example, the preliminary pressure at the device for obtaining fresh water is kept constant by means of an integrated container having a float valve. The raw-water collecting container is preferably arranged at a location at which the raw water has not yet flowed through the heat exchanger of the device so that the heat exchangers of the approximately successively connected devices are supplied with the same amount of raw water under the same pressure conditions. It is also possible to connect the raw-water container to a bypass which is arranged, for example, between the heat exchanger and the dropping device.

- 10 Depending on the embodiment, the raw-water collecting container can also be arranged externally, that is not fastened directly to the device. Instead of a raw-water collecting container, the device outside the housing can comprise at least one channel. By means of the channel, it is likewise ensured that the raw water has approximately the same pressure or a constant volume of raw water is available at each device, in particular at each device connected in series. It is particularly advantageous if the raw-water collecting container has at least one pressure control valve. A pressure control valve is understood in the sense of the invention as any device which is capable of keeping the raw water pressure constant and/or near a preset value at least directly before the device. This is particularly advantageous when a plurality of devices are connected in series. As has already been mentioned previously, the pressure control valve can be arranged as a float valve on or at the raw-water collecting container. The pressure control valve ensures that all the devices are supplied with the same amount of raw water, in particular with the same raw water pressure. It is understood in this case that the features with regard to the raw-water collecting container are also important to the invention without the characterising features of the main claim. In particular, it is advantageous if the device has at least one flow regulator. For example, two flow regulators are arranged in the bypass between the heat exchanger and the dropping device. As a result, it is possible to distribute the amount of raw water between the dropping device and the bypass. For example, the distribution of the raw water is adjusted by means of a shut-off and a backflow prevented in such a manner that preferably 20% of the raw water can flow into the dropping device and 80% can flow into a collecting region of the device for raw water. This ratio can vary according to the mounting location or according to the solar radiation. The particular advantage of the flow regulator is that by this means it is almost always ensured that the device is not cooled by a too-high throughput of raw water or overheated by a too-low throughput of raw water. It is understood that the feature relating to the flow regulator is important to the invention regardless of the characterising features of the main claim since the operating safety of a device for - 11 obtaining fresh water is substantially increased by a flow regulator. A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the device has a changeover device with which the device is connected either to a heating circuit or to a cooling circuit. A cooling circuit is understood in this case as the raw water supply. Since the raw water is heated by means of the heat exchanger in the device, heat is continuously removed from the device. Thus this water circuit is also called a cooling circuit. A heating circuit is understood in that, for example, warm or hot raw water is supplied by an external heating device to the device for obtaining fresh water. This hot water is not passed firstly through the heat exchanger of the device but is preferably passed directly by means of a bypass into the dropping device. Such a procedure is particularly advantageous when insufficient solar energy is available to heat the device for obtaining fresh water so that no fresh water can be obtained by means of solar energy. For example, this is the case during the night when no solar energy is available or when the sky is severely overcast when the warming solar rays are prevented from reaching the device. The previously described feature relating to the changeover device is also advantageous regardless of the characterising features of the main claim. It is advantageous if the device has a condensate collecting device on the inner side of the housing upper side. In particular, during external heating of the device, the condensation of water in the device is so high that condensate also forms in particular on the light-permeable cool housing upper side. For example, this pane condensation can be collected with a rubber lip and transferred to a pure water collector. For this purpose, the rubber lip is preferably arranged in a lower region of the housing upper side, whereby the condensate to be removed can be guided laterally into a channel of the device. When the device is operated with external energy, the device according to the invention becomes a conventional water still, and if there is sufficient solar radiation, it is a solar still.

- 12 In particular, when not operated in solar mode, the housing upper side forms a not insignificant condensation surface, with the result that the yield of fresh water production or pure water production is increased noticeably. In order to be capable of specifically collecting rainwater in rainy weather, it is proposed according to the invention that the device has a rainwater collecting device on the outer side of the housing upper side. For example, a rubber lip is attached on the outer side of the light-permeable housing upper side which preferably removes the rainwater running down from top to bottom in the area of the housing surface to the side. For example, the rainwater collecting device is configured in such a manner that in the event of only low precipitation, the rainwater is guided in such a manner that it runs down the housing of the device itself. When the amount of precipitation increases, a large amount of precipitation collects on the external surface of the housing upper side in such a manner that in this case, the kinetic energy of the rainwater is increased substantially as it runs off. When the rainwater has reached a certain kinetic energy or the rainwater has exceeded a certain kinetic energy value, it runs off so rapidly that it no longer runs off laterally at the housing but is guided by the rainwater collecting device in such a manner that it s guided into a rainwater channel of the device. In this case, at least the upper channel opening is arranged at a distance from the housing of the device so that so that rainwater which is running off slowly, which usually entrains surface contamination of the device with it, does not enter into the rainwater channel. Only when the precipitation is sufficiently great, does the rainwater have such a high kinetic energy that it "shoots" as far as into the rainwater channel. In particular, larger installations having a considerable surface area for collecting rainwater can thus advantageously also recover rainwater as fresh water. At this point, it should be noted that the features relating to the condensate collecting device and relating to the rainwater collecting device are in each case important to the invention themselves, regardless of the features of the main claim. Finally, it is proposed according to the invention that the device is closed in a gastight manner. In order, for example, to keep the interior of the device almost always moist, it is advantageous to seal off the device in a - 13 gastight manner. By this means, inter alia, any formation of salt crystals which only dissolve again with difficulty is prevented. When the moisture content inside the device falls below a certain level, the salt can crystallise and thus clog the device in the interior. A further advantage obtained from a gastight-sealed device is that there is a reduced risk of insects or dust or sand entering into the interior of the device. In the case of a gastight-sealed device, it is almost impossible for beetles, for example, to penetrate into the device and perish there and possibly subsequently impair the functional efficiency of the device. In addition, with such a closed device it is also possible to produce a certain negative pressure in the device to increase the evaporation and thereby the yield of the device. The negative pressure can in this case be produced, for example, by a water column in an outlet of the device. To sum up, it can be said in regard to the device for obtaining fresh water according to the invention that a multifunctional fresh water production device has been provided here. On the one hand, fresh water can be obtained from raw water with the aid of solar energy and on the other hand, fresh water can be obtained according to the principle of a distilling system by external heating of the device in an exceptional manner. Furthermore, rainwater can also be collected with the device according to the invention which can likewise be used to obtain fresh water. In particular, the device is suitable for use near the equator since in these latitudes periods of dryness alternate with periods of extreme rain showers. Hitherto, a separate device was used for each of the three functions described previously. According to the invention, the device described above combines the three most important clean water functions in one device and at correspondingly low costs. The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for producing a device for obtaining fresh water, wherein a plurality of preferably identical deep-drawn profiles are inserted in the device. In order to produce a device for obtaining fresh water, a plurality of different components have hitherto been incorporated in a device for obtaining fresh water. In particular, components such as an evaporator, a condenser, a heat exchanger or a dropping device are produced from different members or from - 14 different materials in conventional devices for obtaining fresh water. In order to simplify the production assembly, operation and repairs and therefore also reduce the costs of a device for obtaining fresh water, it is advantageous if identical deep-drawn profiles are incorporated in the device. In each case, different components of the device can be achieved with identical deep-drawn profiles. According to the invention, a deep-drawn profile is used to produce an evaporator of the device, wherein two deep-drawn profiles are used to produce a condenser of the device which at the same time contains a heat exchanger. By using a plurality of identical deep-drawn profiles, the production and assembly of a device for obtaining fresh water is simplified substantially. Further advantages, aims and properties of the present invention are described with reference to the following explanation of the appended drawings, in which a device for producing fresh water is described as an example. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a still in a partially cutaway side view, Figure 2 shows the still in plan view, Figure 3 shows the still in a partially cutaway side view, Figure 4 shows the still in a schematic front view, Figure 5 shows an evaporator according to the invention, Figure 6 shows a condenser according to the invention with integrated heat exchanger, Figure 7 shows an enlarged schematic view of the heat exchanger comprising two heat exchangers from Figure 6, Figure 8 shows an isolated staircase segment in a perspective plan view, Figure 9 shows a further isolated staircase segment in a perspective plan view, Figure 10 shows a partial plan view of a deep-drawn profile according to the invention, - 15 Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of an evaporator, Figure 12 shows a partially cutaway longitudinal view through the evaporator from Figure 11, Figure 13 shows a schematic side view of a still, Figure 14 shows a schematic plan view of another still, Figure 15 shows a schematic front view of the still from Figure 14 and Figure 16 shows an adjusting mechanism according to the invention for a still. The still 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8 has an evaporator 30 and a condenser 110 disposed in its housing la. The still 1 stands at a 300 angle 21 with a base 19 on the ground 20. The still 1 has a light-permeable housing upper side 23 through which solar rays 111 penetrate into the interior of the still 1. In the lower area at a front wall 4, the still 1 has a raw water outlet 27 and a fresh water outlet hole 9 and a raw water supply hole 26 (see Figure 4). In an upper region 112, the still 1 has a dropping device 22 which is disposed directly below the light-permeable housing upper side 23. Raw water enters into a heat exchanger 50 via the raw water supply hole 26 (see Figure 4) and via a first bypass 113, the heat exchanger 50 also forming the condenser 110. The raw water now rises from the lower first bypass 113 through the heat exchanger 50 or through the condenser 110 upwards to a second bypass 114. By means of the bypass 114, the raw water reaches the dropping device 22 which passes the raw water further onto the surface of the evaporator 30 facing the solar rays 111. Due to the thermal energy of the solar rays 111, inter alia the evaporator 30 and the raw water running down over its surface is heated with the result that some of the raw water evaporates and flows with an air flow 115 into the upper region 112 of the still 1. The non-evaporated part of the raw water flows via the raw water outlet hole 27 out from the still 1 and is collected at another location and optionally fed to the still again. On the one hand, the moisture-laden air flow 115 passes from the region 112 of the still 1 partly through a first gap 116 into the lower region of the still 1. Since the gap 116 undergoes a cross-sectional enlargement from the upper - 16 region 112 to the front wall 4 of the still 1, the air flow 117 is retarded in the gap 116. As a result, the air flow 117 in particular sweeps an upper side 118 of the condenser 110 substantially more slowly whereby more moisture- of the air flow 117 condenses on the upper side 118 of the condenser 110 than is the case in conventional stills. On the other hand, a part of the moisture-laden air flow 115 flows from the region 112 into an gap 119. The gap 119 tapers over its course from the upper region 112 to the front side 4 of the still in such a manner that an air flow 121 is accelerated in this gap 119. In this case, moisture of the air flow 121 condenses on an underside 120 of the condenser 110. The retarded air flow 117 and the accelerated air flow 121 now meet in the area of the front side 4, with the result that turbulence 122 of the two air flows 117 and 121 occurs particularly in this region. This turbulence 122 acts on the moving air masses 115, 117 and 121 in such a manner that a turbulent air flow is present in most regions inside the still. This in turn has a positive effect on the evaporation processes and the condensation processes in the still. In addition to the front wall 4, the housing la of the still 1 comprises a bottom 2, a rear wall 3 and two side walls 5 and 6. In a front bottom area 7, the still 1 has a fresh water collecting channel 8 which is configured in such a manner that the collected fresh water is guided to the fresh water outlet hole. The two side walls 5 and 6 each have a condenser contact surface 10 and 11, an evaporator contact surface 12 and 13, a dropping device contact surface 14 and 15 and in each case, a contact surface 16 and 17 for the light-permeable housing upper side 23 arranged as steps (see Figures 1 and 3) . A base receptacle 18 is disposed in the rear wall region 3 of the still 1. In normal operation the still 1 has an angle 21 to the ground 20 which has a value of approximately 304. The condenser contact surface 10 and the evaporator contact surface 12 can be seen depicted as a thin line in each case. In particular, the light-permeable housing upper side 23 seals the housing la of the still 1 in a gastight manner. In this exemplary embodiment, the evaporator contact surfaces 12 and 13 are arranged parallel to the light-permeable housing upper side 23. The condenser - 17 contact surfaces 10 and 11 are at an angle 25 to the evaporator contact surfaces 12 and 13. Consequently, a condenser inserted in the still 1 (see Figure 1) has a corresponding angle to an evaporator 30 inserted in the still 1 (see Figure 1). In addition to the fresh water outlet hole 9 and the base 19, the raw water supply hole 26, the raw water outlet hole 27 and another base 28 are disposed on the front side 4 of the still 1. In its central region, the front wall 4 additionally has a lug 29 on which the light-permeable housing upper side 23 is at least partially supported. In this case, in particular in normal operation when the still 1 is positioned obliquely, the lug 29 has a supporting function. The evaporator 30 consists of a deep-drawn profile 31. The deep-drawn profile 31 has a frame 32 and comprises a plurality of staircase segments 33 to 41, wherein each staircase segment 33 to 41 has two sides 42, 43 (numbered only as an example here) . The respectively upper side 43 of a staircase segment 33 to 41 has a water drainage boundary 44 which is preferably arranged on the common edge of the two sides 42 and 43. The water drainage boundary 44 has an overflow 45 in the form of a material recess at least at one position of the stair case segment 33. With respect to its planar surface, the side 43 has a shorter length than the side 42 so that the staircase segments 33 to 41 have sufficient space to arrange a passage 46 there, at least on one side of the side. In the deep-drawn profile 31 the staircase segments 33 to 41 are arranged in such a manner that two mutually adjacent staircase segments 33 to 41 have a passage 46 (numbered only as an example here) disposed on a respectively opposing front face. Thus, the staircase segments 43, 35, 37, 39 and 41 of the deep-drawn profile 31 have their passages 46 arranged in each case on the right side of the deep-drawn profile 31 and the staircase segments 34, 36, 38 and 40 have their passages arranged on the left side of the deep-drawn profile 31. The deep-drawn profile 31, in particular the border 32 of the deep-drawn profile 31, in each case has an inlet 47 in the upper region and an outlet 48 in the lower region. If the deep-drawn profile 31 is inserted as an evaporator 30 into a ready-to-operate still 1, the deep-drawn profile - 18 31 has an angle 49 of about 30* to the contact surface 20 of the still 1 (see from Figure 1). If raw water is fed through the inlet 47 onto the surface of the deep-drawn profile 31, the raw water first wets the side 43. In this case, the water drainage boundary 44 prevents the raw water from flowing directly over the side .42 of the staircase segment 33 onto the next staircase segment 43. Rather, the raw water accumulates at the water drainage boundary 44 on the side 43 and flows predominantly via the overflow 45 and the passage 46 onto the next staircase segment 34. The raw water is forcibly guided by the deep-drawn profile 31 according to the invention in a zigzag form over the individual staircase segments 33 to 41 so that particularly advantageous evaporation of the raw water is obtained as a result. For completeness, it should be noted once again that the deep-drawn profile 31 is preferably produced in a deep drawing process, for example, by means of a deep drawing tool. According to the invention, several components of the still 1 can be implemented with the deep-drawing profile 31 such as, for example, the evaporator 30, the condenser 110, the heat exchanger 50 as well as the dropping device 22. The heat exchanger 50 is composed of two deep-drawn profiles 31 and 31a which are placed as a mirror image of one another. Figure 6 shows an enlarged section of the heat exchanger 50. The two deep-drawn profiles 31 and 31a lie along a line 53 as a mirror image of one another. As a result, a passage for the raw water is obtained in the one region 54. A laterally disposed water drainage boundary 55 (numbered here merely as an example) of the individual staircase segments including an overflow 56 (numbered here merely as an example) can be clearly seen. As a result of the previously described arrangement, an inner space is formed through which the raw water is guided. The shape of the deep-drawn profiles 31 and 31a allows the raw water to be forcibly guided through the heat exchanger 50. Due to the forced guidance obtained, the raw water is heated particularly favourably in the heat exchanger 50 and at the same time cools the condenser 110 since the condenser 110 implies the heat exchanger 50. As a result, - 19 the condensation at the condenser 110 is advantageously influenced. Figure 8 shows the heat exchanger 50 in a simplified plan view. The staircase element 60 shown in Figure 9 has two sides 61 and 62 having an angle 60a with respect to one another. In a region 63 the side 61 is shorter than the side 62. Along a common edge 64 the two sides 61 and 62 have a water drainage boundary 65 which in particular at least partially delimits the surface of the side 61. In the region 63 the shorter side 61 has two angular beds 66 and 67 which are angled in such a manner that they form a type of step. In the preceding description, the step was also designated as passage 46 (see Figure 5) . In the area of an end 65a of the water drainage boundary 65, the water passes from the surface of the staircase element 60 to another staircase segment 86 (see Figure 10). The staircase segment 68 in Figure 10 has approximately the same structure as the staircase segment 60 in Figure 8 but the staircase segment 68 does not have a passage 69 in the region 63 but in a region 70 located opposite to the region 63. An alternatively configured evaporator 80 shown in Figures 11 and 12 has a plurality of staircase segments 81, 82 (numbered only as an example here), wherein the staircase segment 81 has a passage 83 and the staircase segment 82 has a passage 85. In this case, for example, raw water supplied through an inlet 84 flows over the surface of the staircase segment 81 into the passage 83 and from there further over the surface of the staircase segment 82 into the passage 85. The raw water flows through this forcibly guided zigzag course along the entire evaporator 80 until the non-evaporated part of the raw water flows off via the outlet 86. The evaporator 80 has a frame 87 all around so that the raw water cannot escape at the front sides of the staircase segments 81, 82. On the staircase segment 82 the evaporator 80 has an upper surface region 88. The passage 83 is located thereunder on the right side of the surface segment 82. A still 89 shown in Figures 13 to 15 has a water collecting container 90 disposed in its upper area. The water collecting container 90 comprises inter alia a float valve 91. By means of the float valve 91, the intake of raw water - 20 from an inlet 92 is regulated in such a manner that raw water having a preset pressure is available to the still 89. In the lower region of the still 89, a rainwater collecting device 93 is located on a housing upper side 94 of the still 89. During rain the rainwater running along the housing upper side 94 in the direction of the arrow 95 is collected by means of the rainwater collecting device 93 and fed by means of a fresh water drain line 96 into a remote collecting container. A condensate collecting device 98 is likewise arranged in the lower region of the housing upper side 94. However, this is located on the inner side 97 of the housing upper side 94, i.e. inside the still 89. The rainwater collecting device 93 located externally on the housing upper side 94 is arranged obliquely so that in this exemplary embodiment, the rainwater runs to the right. In the case of low precipitation, the rainwater has only a low kinetic energy so that it runs off directly laterally at the still 89 in a gap 99 between the still 89 and a rainwater collecting channel 100. If the rainwater in the area of the rainwater collecting device 93 has a correspondingly high kinetic energy, for example, due to increasing precipitation, the rainwater no longer runs off directly on the body of the still as a result of the high kinetic energy but sprays into the rainwater collecting channel 100 and is hereby guided in a remote fresh water collecting container. The still 89 has a housing upper side 94 inclined to one side which promotes flow in the direction of the rainwater collecting channel 100. The changeover device 101 shown in Figure 16 has a check valve 102 and a check valve 103. The two check valves 102, 103 are driven by an adjusting mechanism 104. If the adjusting mechanism 104 is set to solar operation, the water flows in the direction of the arrow 105 from the direction of the heat exchanger through the check valve 103, further in the direction of the arrow 106 to a dropping device 22 (see Figure 1). If the adjusting mechanism 104 is set to external heating, the water no longer flows in the direction of the arrow 105 through the check valve 103 since this is now closed. Rather the water flows from the direction of the arrow 105 in the direction of the arrow 107. Due to the operating position, external heating of the adjusting mechanism 104, - 21 the check valve 102 is opened for hot water coming from the direction of the arrow 108. The hot water from the direction of the arrow 108 flows through the check valve 102 and further in the direction of the arrow 106 into a still. External heating is useful, for example, when there is insufficient solar radiation or during the night since fresh water can also be obtained from raw water without solar energy.

Claims (25)

1. A device (1; 89) for obtaining fresh water comprising a housing (la), an evaporator (30) and a condenser (110), characterised in that the condenser (110) is disposed at an angle (25a) with respect to the evaporator (30) and/or at an angle (25b) with respect to a housing underside (2).

2. The device (1; 89) according to claim 1, characterised in that the evaporator (30) comprises at least one deep-drawn profile (31, 31a).

3. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the condenser (110) of the device (1; 89) is formed from at least one deep-drawn profile (31, 31a), preferably from two deep-drawn profiles (31, 31a).

4. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the device (1; 89) comprises a heat exchanger (50) which is formed from at least two deep-drawn profiles (31, 31a).

5. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the device (1; 89) comprises a dropping device (22) which is formed from a deep drawn profile (31, 31a).

6. The device (1; 89) according to claim 5, characterised in that the dropping device (22) has an outlet having a diameter of more than 1 mm, preferably an outlet having a diameter of more than 2 mm.

7. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the dropping device (22) has a single outlet.

8. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the deep-drawn profile (31, 31a) has at least one staircase segment (33 to 41; 60, 68; 81, 82).

9. The device (1; 89) according to claim 8, characterised in that the staircase segment (33 to 41; 60, 68; 81, 82) has differently configured sides (42, 43; 61, 62). - 2

10. The device (1; 89) according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one side (42, 43; 61, 62) has a water drainage boundary (44; 65).

11. The device (1; 89) according to claim 10, characterised in that the water drainage boundary (44; 65) comprises at least one material recess (45; 56).

12. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that at least one side (42, 43; 61; 62) has a passage (46; 67; 83) by which means raw water is forcibly guided.

13. The device according to any one of claims 2 or 12, characterised in that the deep-drawn profile (31, 31a) comprises a frame (32; 87).

14. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterised in that the deep-drawn profile (31, 31a) has an inlet (47) and an outlet (48) which are substantially identical.

15. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterised in that the surface condition of the deep-drawn profile (31, 31a) is smooth.

16. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 2 to 15, characterised in that the deep-drawn profile (31, 31a) is made from polypropylene (PP), preferably a polypropylene derivative.

17. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the device (1; 89) has a raw-water collecting container (90).

18. The device (1; 89) according to claim 17, characterised in that the raw-water collecting container (90) is a channel.

19. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterised in that the raw-water collecting container (90) has at least one pressure control valve (91).

20. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterised by at least one flow regulator.

21. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the device (1; 89) has a - 3 changeover device (101) with which the device (1; 89) is connected either to a heating circuit or to a cooling circuit.

22. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that the device (1; 89) has a condensate collecting device (98) on the inner side (97) of the housing upper side (23; 94).

23. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that the device (1; 89) has a rainwater collecting device (93) on the outer side of the housing upper side (23; 94).

24. The device (1; 89) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that the device (1; 89) is closed in a gastight manner.

25. A method for producing a device (1; 89) for obtaining fresh water, characterised in that a plurality of preferably identical deep-drawn profiles (31, 31a) are inserted in the device (1; 89).