WO2007013099A1

WO2007013099A1 - A novel system of desalination of industrial effluent or saline water to industrial grade reuse or for potable quality

Info

Publication number: WO2007013099A1
Application number: PCT/IN2006/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Subramaniam Udhayamarthandan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-25
Filing date: 2006-07-25
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-25

Abstract

Desalination is an important process to meet increasing demands of salt free water. Desalination in the current scenario is met by 1) Evaporation (solar or mechanical) 2) freezing 3) ion exchange 4) Electro Dialysis 5) Reverse osmosis 6) Nano filtration 7) Electrostatic separation etc. Most of the above systems suffer the limitation of higher equipment, energy and operational cost. With increasing pollution problems, a simple, appropriate and economical technology will solve this problem of desalination / TDS removal from water. The invention describes a simple desalination system comprising of the following components. 1) Blower unit (for withdrawal of atmospheric air) 2) Heat exchanger unit (to provide heat energy for evaporation) 3) Salt water atomizer unit (to generate air water dispersion) 4) Heat reaction chamber (to provide time for salt cracking) 5) Gas expansion unit (to enhance easy separation of salt) 6) Stationary salt arresting damper units in sequence (to separate solid salt) 7) Optional sand crystal/silica gel bed (final separation of solid salt). 8) Cooling tower / condenser unit for salt free water (to convert air-water vapour to liquid water). 9) Pure water collection unit (for storing pure water from cooling system). The principle is, air atomised evaporation of saline water using heat energy. Salt is best separated in solid form is hot air dispersion. The cracked salt crystals are separated by a novel, simple surface adsorption mechanism and the residual air-water vapour is condensed or cooled to deliver salt free pure water. The invention presented in the patent application relates to a simple and economical means by desalination of water and provides scope for alternate technology adaptable for industrial, domestic and agricultural needs and provide excellent alternate scope to counter TDS pollution.

Description

TITLE : A NOVEL SYSTEM OF DESALINATION OF INDUSTRIAL

EFFLUENT OR SALINE WATER TO INDUSTRIAL GRADE

REUSE OR FOR POTABLE QUALITY

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to water treatment as a novel system of desalination of industrial effluent or saline water to industrial grade reuse or for potable quality. The invention is related to separation of dissolved solids (salt) from industrial effluent/saline water (Tertiary Treatment) and helps in extraction of pure water (salt free) for industrial use or potable quality water.

PRIORART

Two third of the earth's crust is filled with sea, the remaining being land. Water is the essential fluid for sustainment of all life forms viz- plants, insects, micro organisms, animals and mankind. However Direct consumption of sea water is impossible, since it is saturated with salt. Nature by Hydrolytic cycle evaporates pure water by surface evaporation, the water vapours raises, clouds are formed and on condensation pure water is derived as rain. This cycle is very essential for pure water flow and balancement of pure resources on earth. The passage of pure water in contact with minerals as surface or underground water adds to dissolved solids, which, beyond certain limits, is not suitable for industry, domestic or drinking purposes. In modern world, water is a major process fluid in many of wet process industries (eg. Textiles, tanneries, food process industries etc) gets contaminated by suspended organics and dissolved solids (Salt, acid or alkali etc.). This dissolved solids need to be separated in order to ensure safe discharge standards of treated effluent as per norms, and render it useful for industrial or Agricultural use. Desalination (Salt/TDS removal) can be done by the following established available technologies.

1) Evaporation a) Natural / Solar evaporation b) Mechanical evaporation

2) Freezing

3) Ion Exchange

4) Electro Dialysis

5) Reverse Osmosis

6) Nano Filtration

7) Electrostatic Separation A brief note on principle of working of the above systems, critical comments on m63erits and demerits of the above systems are presented below.

1) EVAPORATION

Evaporation is the technique of separation of water by surface heat absorption, gets converted to water vapour (stream) which when condensed or cooled gives pure water. The salt mass is settled at the bottom as crystals.

a) Natural / Solar evaporation :

If salt water is subjected to exposure to solar radiations, the surface water evaporates to water vapour leaving solid salt crystals below. Domestic salt is obtained by near sea shores by this method.

Solar evaporation is a simple and economical process.

The disadvantages being long time duration, requirement of larger surface area, restricted to only sunshine day hours and affected by climatic conditions.

b) Mechanical Evaporation

Salt water when passed over hot plates (heated indirectly by steam /dry heat) under vaccum, water evaporates as vapour (stream), condensed / chilled to get pure water. The high density saline fluid is hydro extracted further to separate salt crystals.

Mechanical evaporation is an efficient, quicker process.

The restrictions being higher energy costs, equipment cost, scale formation and corrosion problems.

2) FREEZING

When saline water is cooled or frozen below O⁰C to minus levels, due to low solubility, the salt crystallizes to form original solid salt crystals and can be separated as solid bars.

This system is simple, reasonably efficient. The limitations are high working cost, energy, washing off operations, labour etc. 3) ION EXCHANGE

Salt or dissolved solids present in water are in ionised phase as positive (Na⁺, ca^ etc) and negative (Cl^", SO4^" etc) ions. This ionised particles, when passed over opposite charged resin beds, get adsorbed and are removed from water. For example positive cations (Na⁺, Ca⁺^) etc. are adsorbed by Anionic resin (negative charge) beds and negative, anions (Cl^", SO4^" etc) are adsorbed by cationic resin (positive charged) beds.

This system is reasonably efficient providing water below 0-70 ppm levels.

The disadvantages being high investment cost, restricted to low ppm levels only, back washing process and suitable for industrial use only.

4) ELECTRO DIALYSIS

When saline water is stored in tanks along with immersed selective semi permeable membranes and subjected to high voltage of electricity, the positive ions are adsorbed to negative poles through membranes and negative ions are adsorbed at positive poles through membranes. The left over pure water between inner side is drained out as pure water.

This system is efficient and can be done in batch or continuous manner to handle huge quantities.

The limitations being huge storage space requirement, huge electric power consumption, corrosion, safety problems etc.

5) REVERSE OSMOSIS

When saline water is passed through semi permeable membrane under pressure, due to reverse osmosis, the pure water passes to the other end through membrane. The unpassed saline fluid is received as reject.

The advantage being with the inception of new polymeric membranes this technology is most promising one for recovery of pure water to drinkable quality/industrial quality. Currently R.O. systems are best used in all areas for pure water extraction from saline water. The limitations are

1) Huge investment cost

2) Membrane fouling risks

3) Precise BOD/COD levels and need for antibacterial treatment.

4) Restricted to limited TDS range only.

5) Formation of R.O. reject slurry which needs further separation of salt and water by evaporation.

6) Huge Maintenance and operation cost.

6) NANO FILTERATION

Nano filtration is the technique of selective permeability of dissolved and suspended solids in water by specific molecular cut off size mesh membranes. Currently Nacl permeability, permits separation of salt water from industrial effluents. By use of salts of higher molecular weight (eg. sodium sulphate, salts of citric etc) pure water can be separated as permeate.

The system is suitable for very high TDS effluents.

The limitations being the passed Nacl saline water needs further evaporation to separate salt and water, flow rate problems, membrane fouling risks, controlled infeed COD, BOD values, anti bacterial treatment, need for high equipment and operating cost etc.

7) ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION

This system is feasible for salt as ionized particles present in gas phase only. The charged ions are adsorbed on respective opposite charged poles.

Suited not for saline water, huge power costs etc. are limitations.

Note : The invention presented in this patent application relates to a simple and economical means of desalination of water and provides scope for alternate technology adaptable for industrial, domestic and agricultural needs and provide an excellent alternate scope to counter TDS pollution. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Water is the elixir of life for sustenance of all living beings on earth. Saline sea water due to mass solar heat radiation and evaporation is delivered as rain, flows as surface water, refreshes ground water sources and being a perpetual resource for fresh water. The pure water get contaminated with contact minerals, resulting in dissolved solids. Today's industrial wet process activities contribute to pollution by way of suspended solids, toxicity and dissolved solids. Whereas suspended solids are removed by coagulation, the dissolved solids pose major water treatment problems. Salt free water is on increasing demand for domestic, drinking, agricultural and industrial needs. Desalination process in on increasing demand to meet the above needs.

Desalination in the current scenario is met by 1) Evaporation (solar or mechanical) 2) freezing 3) ion exchange 4) Electro Dialysis 5) Reverse osmosis 6) Nano filtration 7) Electrostatic separation etc. Most of the above systems suffer the limitation of higher equipment, energy and operational cost. With increasing pollution problems, a simple, appropriate and economical technology will solve this problem of desalination / TDS removal from water.

The invention presented in the patent application relates to a simple and economical means by desalination of water and provides scope for alternate technology adaptable for industrial, domestic and agricultural needs and provide excellent alternate scope to counter TDS pollution.

The principle is, air atomised evaporation of saline water using heat energy. Salt is best separated in solid form is hot air dispersion. The cracked salt crystals are separated by a novel, simple surface adsorption mechanism and the residual air- water vapour is condensed or cooled to deliver salt free pure water.

The presented new system will be practically adaptable for vast desalination applications, as in an efficient, economical and low operational cost simple technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 : is a schematic line diagram of total system, using stationary damper plate type (one of the types among many feasible designs). Various components, passage from inlet to outlet with all component duly marked.

FIGURE 2 : is an illustration of damper plate arrangements, examples of plate perforations mechanisms with offset arrangement of holes etc of heat reaction chamber.

FIGURE 3 : is an illustration of damper plates arrangement is salt separation chambers C-I, (Isometric and top view) and illustration of offset holes arrangement of plates in chamber C-I A & C-2.

FIGURE 4 : is an illustration of damper plates arrangement in salt separation chambers C-3 & C-5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE SYSTEM

The detailed configuration of desalination unit, based on stationary salt arresting damper units is shown schematically with various components.

The various functional units are listed as below :

1) Blower unit

2) Heat exchanger unit

3) Salt water atomizer unit

4) Heat reaction chamber

5) Gas expansion unit

6) Stationary salt arresting damper units in sequence

7) Optional sand crystal/silica gel bed.

8) Cooling tower / condenser unit for salt free water

9) Pure water collection unit.

Brief explanation on operation of the system.

1) The blower unit withdraws atmospheric air by suction, through the Heat exchanger unit.

2) The blown air is converted to hot air, during passage through Heat exchanger unit and is propelled into atomizer unit.

3) In the atomizer unit, controlled proportions of compressed air and water is fed through adjacent nozzles, and pushed down over, flowing hot air.

4) The atomized air- water mixture, along with hot air is carried into reaction chamber, where, the whole mixture is made to get hot by passage through series of flow restricting perforated plates. In this chamber, hot water- air vapour and dry crystal salt cracking takes place. 5) By passing the above mixture through gas expansion chamber, the density of salt is diluted due to increased volume and velocity of salt crystals gets reduced.

6) In the stationary salt arresting damper unit, the floating salt crystals are dashed against series of alternating damper plates.

The mechanism of salt separation is by adsorption of salt crystals on solid plate surface, and during progressive passage till sand crystal/silica gel unit maximum salt is adsorbed, drops down to bottom collection units. The optional sand crystal/silica gel bed arrests totally any remaining salt crystals from being carried further.

7) Optional sand crystal / silica gel bed arrests totally any left solid salt crystals.

8) On leaving the salt arresting damper unit, salt free hot air/water vapour is finally taken further to condenser/cooling tower unit, through conduct pipe (CP).

9) During passage through condenser/cooling tower unit hot air-water vapour mixture is chilled and converted to liquid water free of salt.

10) This pure water is delivered into the collection unit.

From blower to delivery end after cooling/condenser unit, this is a sealed and closed unit free from any leakage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EACH COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM

1) Blower Unit:

The Blower unit by rotary motion of suction fan, withdraws atmospheric air from outside and pushes it through the grills of Heat exchanger unit. The capacity of blower depends on quantity of salt water to be evaporated with respect to unit time (e.g. Volume of air / unit time ) (e.g.) m³/min

2) Heat Exchanger Unit:

The blown air is heated to the required temperature during passage through Heat exchange. The heating means can be.

1. Electrical Coils (direct)

2. Thermic fluid (indirect)

3. Steam (indirect)

4. Hot fluid from any coolant system (indirect)

5. Exhaust / flue gas (indirect)

6. Direct Hot air from Solar heat absorber. In this case the blower sucks hot air directly from solar heat absorber panel.

The design depends on type of heating medium, temperature and quantity of air drawn with respect to time etc.

3) Salt water atomizer unit:

The hot air from Heat exchanger, enters the bottom of the atomizer unit 3. In the atomizer unit, compressed air and water are mixed under suitable proportion, so as to get fine water dispersion of salt water particles in air. Adjacent nozzles for air and water are kept in contact to generate this (N-I, N-2). The level of atomization depends on relative proportions of air and water, feed pressure etc. The quantity of water atomized /unit time depends on in feed quantities of air, water, (IF-I, IF-2) pressure and number of nozzles. The atomized air, water dispersion is pushed down under pressure to get blended with hot air passing below. As an alternate way, the air- water spray jet can also be impinged from sides or in circular ring form. The nozzles can be arranged in. square, rectangular, linear or any suitable geometrical arrangement with respect to accommodation space. Multitude of nozzle designs are feasible to get atomized spray of air and water.

4) Heat reaction chamber [Z-I], Zone-1:

In order to provide sufficient heat reaction time to the above hot admixture this chamber is essential. The principle of this system is series of perforated metal plates arranged in sequence (PLS-I). The size of perforation (opening area) shrinks progressively towards the end of the chamber. The holes are successively arranged in an off set manner so that (Fig.2), the salt, air water gas dispersion released from the holes of I plate gets impinged on solid surface of II plate, solids get blocked and gas phase can further progress from off set holes of II plate and so on. This arrangement helps in giving resistance to the flow of hot air resulting in better heat transfer to the air, water, hot air mixture so that salt cracking takes place. The length, no of plates, type of perforations depends on quantity of salt water to be evaporated. The conical delivery end ensures good heat reactivity. The design is so delicate that apart from good evaporation, flow rate is also to be suitably sufficient to suit productivity.

5) Gas Expansion Chamber [Z-I] Zone-2:

The cracked salt mass, along with hot air- water vapour is having high level of salt density. At this stage, solid salt separation is difficult. The gas expansion chamber provides sufficient space, so that salt crystal dispersion is finely divided. The shape of the gas expansion unit can be many fold viz — cylindrical, rectangular, square, or telescopic cross sections with suitable length. Due to sudden drop in pressure and increased volume, the bond between water-air vapour phase and salt are weakened.

6) Salt separation unit [Z-3] Zone-3:

This forms the heart of the equipment system, where solid salt and air-water mixture are separated from each other. Various mechanisms are feasible viz-

1) Stationary Damper plates arrangement

2) Moving Damper plates 3) Revolving Damper plates

4) Various Shapes and methods of damper units and arrangement.

5) Cyclonic movement

6) Centrifugal extraction

7) Electrostatic deposition

For example, in the presented scheme stationary damper type for salt separation is demonstrated.

The salt, air - water admixture is passed through chamber -I . In this chamber [Shaped plates (PLS-2) are kept in parallel order with suitable spacing. Subsequently similar rows are arranged in an offset manner (ref. Figure-3). The salt, hot air- water vapour passes, through the slit gap of I row of plates and is forced to get impinged on solid surface of II row of plates. The off set solid surface and slit gap arrangement, results in adsorption of salt on solid plate surface. The moment of inertia of salt is also reduced, so that it can fall down by gravity. By passage through various rows and slits, most of the salt get adsorbed on solid plate surface leaving only air-water vapour to proceed further. The salt deposited on various rows of plates gets fallen through bottom grid bars and reaches the bottom of the chamber. Any residual salt along with air-water vapour reaches bottom, further passes through chamber C-IA, arranged with series of perforated plates (PLS-3) kept arranged in an offset manner (Fig.4). Partial salt separation takes here also. The salt fallen is dropped back to reach the collection bottom E-I.

The top portion of C-I and C-IA delivers residual salt, air-water mixture, further to get separated by chamber C-2.. In chamber C-2, series of perforated plates (PLS-4) are kept in an offset manner (Fig.4). As explained earlier, salt is adsorbed on solid surface and air- water vapour phase progressively moves further to chamber C-3. In chamber C-3, series of plates (PLS-5) with slit gap are arranged in rows in an offset manner. The salt, air- water mixture passes through slit gaps of each row and blocked by solid surface of II row. The adsorbed salt falls down to chamber C-3. The salt from C-2 & C-3 are deposited at collection bottom E-2.

The residual salt, air-water vapour enter chamber C-4, kept in an inclined manner and enters chamber C-5. In chamber C-5, rows of plates (PLS-6) (Fig.6) with slit gaps are arranged horizontally so that, salt adsorbed can fall down vertically into inclined chamber C-4, and reaches collection unit E-3.

At the end of C-5, any faint residues of salt can be totally restrained by optional bed of sand crystals/silica gels (7), which allow only air - water gas vapour and not any solid salt to proceed further. Right from entry of chamber-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the cross section of damper is progressively reduced so as to reach a pipe line (CP). Thus, so far, atomized air- water mixture is heated, cracked, salt crystals are separated and air- water vapour is delivered at the end of C-5.

The salt collection units E-I, E-2, E-3 etc can be periodically opened and salt mass is drained out periodically. Instead of stationary dampers revolving rows of damper plates with slit gaps arranged in an offset order can be done to improve the efficiency of salt separation. The demonstrated model is of a stationary damper type system.

■ On line self cleaning system can be introduced by way of air or brush rolls or reciprocating cleaners, so that the system works continuously.

■ The cross sections of various units can be circular, Telescopic, square, rectangular of any suitable geometrical shape.

■ Vibration of damper plates can release down solid salt without deposition and blocking of passage slit path.

■ The unit can be properly grounded, with suitable support beds and frames.

■ The size of dampers, slit gaps, shape of holes, spacing etc can be flexibly modified.

^■ The surface of damper plates require a rough face which can be applied by sand blasting, mechanical grinding or by sand paper coating or polymeric or glass or porcelain.

7) An optional layer of sand crystals / silica gel prevents totally any solid salt crystals to flow further:

Conduct pipe (CP) carries air-water vapour to cooling / condenser unit.8. 8) Cooling / Condensation Unit:

The hot air-water vapour is further condensed / cooled by suitable technique, viz- water spray tower, air cool tower, coolant circulated chamber etc.

9) Collection Unit:

The condensed liquid water is taken to collection unit for suitable use.

GENERAL

^■ The material of construction of the unit can be selected based on cost, non corrosion effect etc . (stainless steel, polymer coat inner, sand paper coated, glass or alloy sheet porcelain coat etc.)

^■ Since heat is involved the over all unit needs to be insulated out at various portions.

^■ In order to save space requirement, the Machine system, the cross sections etc can be suitably altered viz - linear or folded side ways or vertically or 3 D criss crossed.

^■ In any other improvisation based on running performance.

CONTROL UNITS

Regulatory valves for air, water, inlet, out let features by way of volume/volume, pressure/unit volume, flow rate units time, temperature control and indicators, pressure control and indicators, flow meters, safety values etc. can be suitably designed and installed.

OPTIONS FOR CONTINUOUS RUNNING

Bypass arrangements by way of two or more units in parallel, continuous self cleaning system, easy assembling, & dismantling, components insertion and removal, lids opening and closing, damper unit insertion and removal etc can be done. TROUBLE SHOOTINGS FORSEEN

Nozzle chocking problems, scale formation, slit gap blocking with salts, corrosion etc. suitable alternates can be done. In case of any heat loss suffered intermediate heat booster arrangements can be done. Suitable material choice, settings, self cleaning or intermediate cleaning, by pass arrangement etc. can be done..

APPLICATION SCOPE OF THIS NOVEL SYSTEM

1) Desalination of sea water.

2) TDS removal/salt separation from industrial effluents (Textiles, Tannery, Chemical etc).

3) TDS removal from solvent mixtures (salt, acid, alkali etc).

4) Hard water salt removal for drinking or industrial purpose.

5) Evaporation of R.O. reject, nano permeate etc.

6) Industrial spray drying work

7) TDS removal from sewage water etc.

Merits

1) Since no membranes are involved it works trouble free.

2) Performs the combined task of Reverse osmosis and mechanical evaporator.

3) Operation is economical and equipment cost is economical.

4) Ease of handing and maintenance.

5) Very simple system.

6) Can solve effluent treatment problems, counter pollution and provide increased scope of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural needs.

7) Coolant hot water can be used for industrial process.

8) Eco-friendly technology. NAMES OF COMPONENTS (FIGURE - 1)

1. BLOWER UNIT

2. HEAT EXCHANGER

3. ATOMIZER UNIT

IF-I — Air infeed

IF-2 - Water infeed

N-I - Nozzle Series for Air

N-2 - Nozzle - Series for Water

4. HEAT REACTION CHAMBER (Z-I) ZONE -1

PLS-I (Damper Plate series - 2)

5. GAS EXPANSION CHAMBER (Z-2) ZONE -2

6. SALT SEPARATION UNIT (Z-3) ZONE - 3

C-I Chamber -1 PLS-2 (Damper plate series - 2)

C-IA Bottom Chamber PLS-3 (Damper Plate series - 3)

C-2 Chamber -2 PLS-4 (Damper Plate series - 4)

C-3 - Chamber-3 PLS-5 (Damper Plate series - 5)

C-4 - Inclined Chamber-4 PLS-

C-5 - Chamber - 5 PLS-6 (Damper Plate series - 6)

7. OPTIONAL SAND CRYSTALS / SILICA GEL BED

CP - Conduct Pipe for Salt free Air- Water vapour.

8. COOLING / CONDENSER UNIT FOR SALT FREE WATER.

9. PURE WATER COLLECTION UNIT.

Claims

Cl-I: I claim a novel system of desalination of industrial effluent or saline water to industrial grade reuse or for potable quality, comprising of

1) Blower unit

2) Heat exchanger unit

3) Atomizer unit

4) Heat reaction chamber

5) Gas expansion unit

6) Salt separation unit

7) Optional sand crystal / silica gel bed

8) Cooling /condenser unit

9) Collection unit

We function of various unit are discussed below.

1) Blower unit: This unit withdraws atmospheric air from outside by suction and pushes the same into Heat exchanger unit.

2) Heat exchanger unit: This unit provides indirect heat energy ;to convert blown air passed through into hot air.

3) Atomizer unit: This unit converts the infed saline water and compressed air to finely dispersed vapour form and pushes the same down over hot air passing underneath.

4) Heat reaction chamber : This unit gives flow resistance to Hot air, atomized air- water mixture so as to provide time and scope for cracking of salt and air- water vapours.

5) Gas Expansion unit : This unit provides expansion space scope for salt, air- water vapour mixture, reduces dispersion density of salt crystals, reduction of bond energy and reduction of temperature to enhance easy separation of salt crystals by further process.

6) Salt separation unit: This unit forms the critical part of the equipment by series of damper units in which salt is separated by adsorption and reduced moment of inertia. The solid salt settles at various bottom collection units. At the end of the unit, solid salt is retained below and only air-water vapour is allowed to pass further.

7) Optional sand crystal / silica gel bed: In case of any residual solid salt being carried along with air-water hot vapour, the same can be totally arrested by this arrangement. The solid faces of crystals block solid salt and the fine pores permit only air-water vapour to proceed further. The blocked salt falls down below.

8) Cooling /Condenser unit : This unit converts hot air -water mixture into liquid water by cooling. The circulation coolant water becomes hot and can be used for industrial use.

9) Collection unit: Condensed liquid water free of salt is collected, stored in this unit for further use.

Cl-2 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, From blower to delivery end after cooling/condenser unit, this is a sealed and closed unit free from any leakage.

Blower Unit

Cl-3 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, the capacity of blower depends on quantity of salt water to be evaporated with respect to unit time (e.g. Volume of air / unit time ) (e.g.) m³/min

Heat Exchanger Unit:

Cl-4 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, the heating means can be 1) Electrical Coils (direct) 2) Thermic fluid (indirect) 3) Steam (indirect) 4) Hot fluid from any coolant system (indirect) 5) Exhaust / flue gas (indirect) 6) Direct Hot air from Solar heat absorber. In this case the blower sucks hot air directly from solar heat absorber panel.

Salt water atomizer unit:

Cl-5 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, in atomizer unit, the level of atomization depends on relative proportions of air and water, feed pressure etc. The quantity of water atomized /unit time depends on in feed quantities of air, water, (IF-I, IF-2) pressure and number of nozzles. The atomized air, water dispersion is pushed down under pressure to get blended with hot air passing below. As an alternate way, the air- water spray jet can also be impinged from sides or in circular ring form. The nozzles can be arranged in. square, rectangular, linear or any suitable geometrical arrangement with respect to accommodation space. Multitude of nozzle designs are feasible to get atomized spray of air and water. Heat reaction chamber [Z-I], Zone-1:

Cl-6 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, the size of perforation (opening area) shrinks progressively towards the end of the chamber. The holes are successively arranged in an off set manner so that (Fig.2), the salt, air water gas dispersion released from the holes of I plate gets impinged on solid surface of II plate, solids get blocked and gas phase can further progress from off set holes of II plate and so on. This arrangement helps in giving resistance to the flow of hot air resulting in better heat transfer to the air, water, hot air mixture so that salt cracking takes place. The length, no of plates, type of perforations depends on quantity of salt water to be evaporated. The conical delivery end ensures good heat reactivity. The design is so delicate that apart from good evaporation, flow rate is also to be suitably sufficient to suit productivity.

Gas Expansion Chamber [Z-I] Zone-2:

Cl-7 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, the shape of the gas expansion unit can be many fold viz — cylindrical, rectangular, square, or telescopic cross sections with suitable length. Due to sudden drop in pressure and increased volume, the bond between water-air vapour phase and salt are weakened.

Salt separation unit [Z-3] Zone-3:

Cl-8 : The system as claimed in Claim-I, various mechanisms are feasible viz-

1) Stationary Damper plates arrangement

2) Moving Damper plates

3) Revolving Damper plates

4) Various Shapes and methods of damper units and arrangement.

5) Cyclonic movement

6) Centrifugal extraction 7) ^' Electrostatic deposition

Cl-9: The system as claimed in Claim-I, on line self cleaning system can be introduced by way of air or brush rolls or reciprocating cleaners, so that the system works continuously.

Cl-IO: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the cross sections of various units can be circular, Telescopic, square, rectangular of any suitable geometrical shape.

Cl-Il: The system as claimed in Claim-I, vibration of damper plates can release down solid salt without deposition and blocking of passage slit path. Cl-12: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the unit can be properly grounded, with suitable support beds and frames.

CI-13: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the size of dampers, slit gaps, shape of holes, spacing etc can be flexibly modified.

Cl-14: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the surface of damper plates require a rough face which can be applied by sand blasting, mechanical grinding or by sand paper coating or polymeric or glass or porcelain.

Optional sand crystals / silica gel bed

Cl-15: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the choice of bed materials, crystal size, height of bed, cross section and area of the above bed depends on flow rate.

Conductible pipe CP

Cl-16: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the diameter, wall thickness, cross sectional safe and length, material of conductive pipe can be designed as per flow rate.

Cooling / Condensation Unit

Cl-17: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the hot air-water vapour is further condensed / cooled by suitable technique, viz- water spray tower, air cool tower, coolant circulated chamber etc.

Collection Unit:

Cl-18: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the volume, shape and depth of collection unit depends on production rate.

GENERAL

Cl-19: The system as claimed in Claim-I, the material of construction of the unit can be selected based on cost, non corrosion effect etc . (stainless steel, polymer coat inner, sand paper coated, glass or alloy sheet porcelain coat etc.)

CI-20: The system as claimed in Claim-I, since heat is involved the over all unit needs to be insulated out at various portions.

Cl-21: The system as claimed in Claim-I, in order to save space requirement, the Machine system, the cross sections etc can be suitably altered viz - linear or folded side ways or vertically or 3 D criss crossed.

Cl-22: The system as claimed in Claim-I, in any other improvisation based on running performance. CONTROL UNITS

Cl-23: The system as claimed in Claim-I, regulatory valves for air, water, inlet, out let features by way of volume/volume, pressure/unit volume, flow rate units time, temperature control and indicators, pressure control and indicators, flow meters, safety values etc. can be suitably designed and installed.

OPTIONS FOR CONTINUOUS RUNNING

Cl-24:The system as claimed in Claim-I, bypass arrangements by way of two or more units in parallel, continuous self cleaning system, easy assembling, & dismantling, components insertion and removal, lids opening and closing, damper unit insertion and removal etc can be done.

TROUBLE SHOOTINGS FORSEEEN

CI-25: The system as claimed in Claim-I, nozzle chocking problems, scale formation, slit gap blocking with salts, corrosion etc. suitable alternates can be done. In case of any heat loss suffered intermediate heat booster arrangements can be done. Suitable material choice, settings, self cleaning or intermediate cleaning, by pass arrangement etc. can be done.

APPLICATION SCOPE OF THE SYSTEM

Cl-26: The system as claimed in Claim-I, can be used for the following applications