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Enhanced solar evaporation using a photo-thermal umbrella for wastewater management

Author

Listed:
  • Akanksha K. Menon

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Iwan Haechler

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Sumanjeet Kaur

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Sean Lubner

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Ravi S. Prasher

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

Zero-liquid discharge is an emerging wastewater management strategy that maximizes water recovery for reuse and produces a solid waste, thereby lowering the environmental impact of wastewater disposal. Evaporation ponds harvest solar energy as heat for zero-liquid discharge, but require large land areas due to low evaporation rates. Here, we demonstrate a passive and non-contact approach to enhance evaporation by more than 100% using a photo-thermal device that converts sunlight into mid-infrared radiation where water is strongly absorbing. As a result, heat is localized at the water’s surface through radiative coupling, resulting in better utilization of solar energy with a conversion efficiency of 43%. The non-contact nature of the device makes it uniquely suited to treat a wide range of wastewater without contamination, and the use of commercial materials enables a potentially low-cost and highly scalable technology for sustainable wastewater management, with the added benefit of salt recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Akanksha K. Menon & Iwan Haechler & Sumanjeet Kaur & Sean Lubner & Ravi S. Prasher, 2020. "Enhanced solar evaporation using a photo-thermal umbrella for wastewater management," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 144-151, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0445-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0445-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhen Yu & Yang Li & Yaoxin Zhang & Ping Xu & Chade Lv & Wulong Li & Bushra Maryam & Xianhua Liu & Swee Ching Tan, 2024. "Microplastic detection and remediation through efficient interfacial solar evaporation for immaculate water production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Lenan Zhang & Xiangyu Li & Yang Zhong & Arny Leroy & Zhenyuan Xu & Lin Zhao & Evelyn N. Wang, 2022. "Highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Yu, Zhen & Cheng, Shaoan & Gu, Ruonan & Li, Yihang & Dai, Shaoling & Mao, Zhengzhong, 2021. "Interfacial solar evaporator for clean water production and beyond: From design to application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    4. Kaijie Yang & Tingting Pan & Saichao Dang & Qiaoqiang Gan & Yu Han, 2022. "Three-dimensional open architecture enabling salt-rejection solar evaporators with boosted water production efficiency," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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