Device and method for distilling water

Abstract

A water distiller comprises a sub-atmospheric boiler having a non-recirculating brine section, an input, a brine output and a vapor output, the input for water to be distilled, the brine output for brine, and the vapor output for water vapor, a compressor connected to the vapor output for heating the water vapor, and an heated vapor line connected to an output of the compressor, the heated vapor line heating the brine section. Also provided is a method for distilling water comprising the steps of entering water to be distilled into a sub-atmospheric boiler, a part of the water to be distilled boiling immediately and a part entering a brine section of the boiler; raising a temperature of water vapor exiting the boiler so as to form a heated water vapor; passing the heated water vapor by the brine section so as to heat the brine section; and removing brine from the brine section when the brine reaches a predetermined salinity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A water distiller comprising: 
 a sub-atmospheric boiler having a non-recirculating brine section, an input, a brine output and a vapor output, the input for water to be distilled, the brine output for brine, and the vapor output for water vapor;    a compressor connected to the vapor output for heating the water vapor; and    an heated vapor line connected to an output of the compressor, the heated vapor line heating the brine section.    
     
     
         2 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  wherein the heated vapor line passes through the brine section.  
     
     
         3 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  wherein the heated vapor line forms a heated distillate line which heats an input line connected to the input.  
     
     
         4 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  wherein the heated vapor includes a pressure valve, after which the heated distillate line begins.  
     
     
         5 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  wherein the brine section has a salinity of greater than 200 grams per liter.  
     
     
         6 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 5  wherein the brine section has a salinity of between 250 and 350 grams per liter.  
     
     
         7 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a controller havin an input for monitoring the salinity of the brine section.  
     
     
         8 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a conventional desalinator, the conventional desalinator having a waste brine output connected to the input for water to be distilled.  
     
     
         9 . A water distiller comprising: 
 a sub-atmospheric boiler having a brine section having a salinity greater than 150 grams/liter, an input, a brine output and a vapor output, the input for water to be distilled, the brine output for brine, and the vapor output for water vapor;    a compressor connected to the vapor output for heating the water vapor; and    an heated vapor line connected to an output of the compressor, the heated vapor line heating the brine section of the boiler.    
     
     
         10 . The water distiller as recited in  claim 9  wherein the salinity of the brine section is between 250-350 grams per liter.  
     
     
         11 . A method for distilling water comprising the steps of: 
 entering water to be distilled into a sub-atnospheric boiler, a part of the water to be distilled boiling immediately and a part entering a brine section of the boiler;    raising a temperature of water vapor exiting the boiler so as to form a heated water vapor;    passing the heated water vapor by the brine section so as to heat the brine section; and    removing brine from the brine section when the brine reaches a predetermined salinity.    
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein the brine is removed upon reaching a salinity of greater than 150 grams per liter.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the brine is removed upon reaching a salinity of 250 grams per liter.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein the brine section is non-recirculating.