Magnetic induction steam generation with thermal regeneration for potable water production

Overview

This solution offers an innovative approach to potable water production by combining magnetic induction (MI) steam generation with thermal regeneration (TR). The system is designed to produce purified water at a target cost of less than $50 per 1000 gallons, with projections as low as $12 per 1000 gallons in optimized configurations. By leveraging high-efficiency induction heating and heat recapture through a plate-and-frame heat exchanger, the technology addresses the energy-intensive challenge of water purification while offering a compact footprint suitable for diverse deployment scenarios.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Magnetic induction heating converts electrical energy to thermal energy at greater than 95% efficiency directly within the flow stream
• Thermal regeneration heat exchanger recaptures 75-90% of steam-side heat to preheat incoming cold water
• Plate-and-frame heat exchanger design enables collapsing steam to preheat marginal water in-feed while producing distilled, sterile water
• Compact system footprint delivers high energy throughput for efficient steam production
• Potential integration with in-plant waste heat and waste water streams for additional cost savings
• Continuous flow design supports scalable water production rates

Technology readiness level

The underlying magnetic induction heating technology has been validated in commercial food and chemical processing applications, demonstrating 90% energy efficiency in batch concentration operations. Continuous heating systems similar to the proposed design have demonstrated 95-99% MI heating efficiency in existing deployments. The next phase involves a proof-of-concept demonstration using a 25-kW power unit operating at 24.1 kW to produce approximately 10 gallons per hour of purified water. Expected minimum system efficiency with thermal regeneration is projected at 180%, with further improvements possible through integration of plant waste heat sources.