Abstract

An evaporation device (100) has an inner tube (10) and an outer tube (20). The inner tube (10) is made of a hydrophilic membrane, such as Dutyion慂. The outer tube (20) is preferably made of a material that readily absorbs solar radiation and is a good heat conductor. There is a gap (30) between the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (20) for the flow of air. The inner tube (10) contains a flow of impure water. The hydrophilic membrane allows water to pass to the outside of the inner tube (10) as vapour, but prevents impurities from passing through. Air flowing in the gap (30) takes up the water vapour and humidified air exits the evaporation device. This humidified air is subsequently cooled to collect the vapour and provide purified water, e.g. at a condenser.

IPC Classes  ?

• C02F 1/14 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation using solar energy
• B01D 3/34 - Distillation or related exchange processes in which liquids are contacted with gaseous media, e.g. stripping with one or more auxiliary substances
• B01D 5/00 - Condensation of vapoursRecovering volatile solvents by condensation
• B01D 65/04 - Membrane cleaning or sterilisation with movable bodies, e.g. foam balls
• B01D 61/36 - PervaporationMembrane distillationLiquid permeation

Abstract

A connection system (100) comprises a connector (101) and a pipe (102). The pipe (101) is made from a hydrophilic membrane capable of pervaporating brackish water or such like as substantially pure water, such as Dutyion慂. One feature of this material is that it expands significantly as it hydrates. The pipe (102) is generally cylindrical, but it is corrugated along its length, with roughly regular ridges (103) and grooves (104). The connector (101) has a side wall (106) defining a substantially cylindrical cavity (107). The inside surface (108) of the cavity (107) is corrugated in the similar way to the pipe (102). When the pipe (102) is in a dehydrated state, the cavity (107) of the connector (101) has a maximum diameter D greater than the maximum diameter B of the pipe (102) and a minimum diameter C less than the maximum diameter B of the pipe (102). The pipe (102) can be inserted in the cavity (107) of the connector in a dehydrated state. When the system (100) then carries water, the pipe (102) hydrates, which causes the pipe (102) to expand and its diameter to increase. This means that the ridges (103) of the pipe (102) expand into the grooves (110) of the cavity (107) and the pipe (102) fits more tightly into the cavity (107) and the seal between the pipe (102) and the cavity (107) is improved.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 25/00 - Construction or details of pipe joints not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups

Abstract

The present invention relates to irrigation systems for irrigating a growing medium. The irrigation systems of the invention comprise a helical tubular hydrophilic membrane or a corrugated tubular hydrophilic membrane. The invention also relates to methods of irrigating a growing medium, and helical tubular hydrophilic membranes for use in an irrigation system.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01G 25/00 - Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like