Process and apparatus for solar distillation

Claim 1

A distillation apparatus comprising a solar still having in combination at least one distilland-retaining component within at least one rigid side wall, a cover capable of transmitting solar radiation to convert distilland to vapor of a liquid condensed to distillate removed by a collector, and the improvement which comprises a cover-fastening means made movable in a trackway forming part of said side wall of said distilland-retaining component having: a. a first element with a first portion into which the cover is fastened by a spline of material softer than that from which said first element is formed and having a portion of the spline interposed between the cover and said first portion; b. a second portion of the first element in the form of an interlocking means which engages a corresponding interlocking means on a second element of said cover-fastening means which second element comprises a portion of a rigid trackway attached to said rigid side wall; c. a weighting means applied to the cover to create cover tension which maintains said first and second elements in interlocking engagement and improves the effect of a vapor sealing means interposed between said first and second elements in their interlocking engagement; and d. a cover-moving means attached to the first element and operating in a trackway forming a portion of a sidewall also integrated with a rain- and a condensate-collecting trough, said cover-moving means and trackway permitting the cover to be moved in its operating shape while maintaining said first and second elements in a substantially interlocked engagement, from a first location over the distilland-retaining component to a second position exposing said distilland-retaining component.

Claim 3

An apparatus for distillation of a liquid comprising a solar still having at least one distilland-retaining component confined in part by at least one rigid side wall, a flexible cover capable of transmitting solar radiation to convert distilland in said basin to vapor which is condensed on said cover, a condensate collector, and the improvement which comprises an elongated rigid cover-supporting means into which at least a major portion of at least one edge of said cover is fastened said means comprising: a. a first substantially rigid element having a first portion into which the cover is fastened and a second portion adapted for substantially continuous interlocking engagement with a second element of said cover-supporting means along the length of said first and second elements, and b. the second element, attached and substitute in lieu thereof the words "by interconnecting means to the rigid side wall forming a part of said distalland basin," having a portion adapted for substantially continuous interlocking engagement along the length of said second portion of said first element of the cover-supporting means.

Claim 4

An apparatus for distillation of a liquid comprising a solar still having at least one distilland-retaining component confined in part by at least one rigid side wall, a flexible cover capable of transmitting solar radiation to convert distilland in said basin to vapor which is condensed on said cover, a condensate collector, and the improvement which comprises an elongated rigid cover-supporting means into which at least a major portion of at least one edge of said cover is fastened said means comprising: a. a first substantially rigid element having a first portion into which the cover is fastened and a second portion adapted for substantially continuous interlocking engagement with a second element of said cover-supporting means along the length of said first and second elements, and b. the second element, attached and substitute in lieu thereof the words "by interconnecting means to the rigid side wall forming a part of said distalland basin," having a portion adapted for substantially continuous interlocking engagement along the length of said second portion of said first element of the cover-supporting means.