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

Date Published
01/2020
Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
DOI
10.1038/s41893-019-0445-5
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.

Journal
Nature Sustainability
Volume
3
Year of Publication
2020
Issue
2
Pagination
144 - 151
Short Title
Nat Sustain
Refereed Designation
Refereed
Organizations
Research Areas
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