阅读说明：本技术 蒸发面板 (Evaporation panel ) 是由 M·J·帕特 于 2017-11-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及蒸发面板、蒸发面板系统、蒸发面板固定系统、蒸发面板子组件、蒸发面板组件、废水蒸发分离系统和相关方法。示例蒸发面板能够包括侧向伸长且水平定向并且能够包括上表面和下表面的蒸发搁架。还能够包括第二蒸发搁架,其侧向伸长并且平行地定位在所述蒸发搁架下方。所述第二蒸发搁架能够具有第二上表面。所述蒸发面板还能够包括在所述第一蒸发搁架和所述第二蒸发搁架之间的支撑柱。所述支撑柱能够包括多个堆叠且间隔开的蒸发翅片,所述蒸发翅片与所述蒸发搁架平行地定向。(The present disclosure relates to evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems, evaporation panel securing systems, evaporation panel subassemblies, evaporation panel assemblies, wastewater evaporative separation systems, and related methods. An example evaporation panel can include an evaporation shelf that is laterally elongated and horizontally oriented and can include an upper surface and a lower surface. A second evaporation rack can also be included, which is laterally elongated and positioned parallel below the evaporation rack. The second evaporative shelf can have a second upper surface. The evaporation panel can further include a support post between the first evaporation shelf and the second evaporation shelf. The support column can include a plurality of stacked and spaced apart evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation shelf.)

1. An evaporation panel, comprising:

an evaporation shelf that is laterally elongated and horizontally oriented, the evaporation shelf comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

a second evaporation shelf laterally elongated and positioned parallel below the evaporation shelf, the second evaporation shelf having a second upper surface; and

a support column between the first evaporation shelf and the second evaporation shelf, wherein the support column comprises a plurality of stacked and spaced apart evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation shelves.

2. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the first lower surface includes a downwardly extending ridge that is laterally elongated along the first lower surface, and wherein the second upper surface includes an upwardly extending ridge that is laterally elongated along the second upper surface.

3. The evaporation panel of claim 2, wherein the first lower surface and the second upper surface partially define a concave receiving opening.

4. The evaporation panel of claim 1, further comprising a first column of male connectors positioned on a first lateral end of the evaporation panel and a second column of male connectors positioned on a second lateral end of the evaporation panel, wherein all of the male connectors positioned along the first column are vertically offset relative to all of the male connectors positioned along the second column.

5. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the evaporation fins are spaced apart by 0.2 cm to 1 cm, such that when waste water is loaded at the support posts, the evaporation fins receive the waste water and form a vertical water column along the evaporation fin type.

6. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the support columns comprise support beams and the evaporation fins extend outwardly from the support beams an average distance of 0.3 cm to 1 cm.

7. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the evaporation fins have the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil taken from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof.

8. The evaporation panel of claim 1, further comprising a second support column between the first evaporation shelf and the second evaporation shelf, wherein the second support column comprises a second plurality of stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation fins.

9. The evaporation panel of claim 8, wherein the evaporation shelf and the second evaporation shelf vertically bound an open space and the support column and the second support column laterally bound the open space, and wherein the open space is in the form of a concave receiving opening.

10. The evaporation panel of claim 9, further comprising a male connector positioned at a lateral end of the evaporation panel.

11. The evaporation panel of claim 10, wherein both the female receiving opening and the male connector are releasably joined with an orthogonally oriented evaporation panel having the same construction as the evaporation panel, but not simultaneously with the orthogonally oriented evaporation panel, wherein the female receiving opening is shaped to releasably join with a male connector of the orthogonally oriented evaporation panel, and wherein the male connector is shaped to releasably join with a female receiving opening of the orthogonally oriented evaporation panel.

12. The evaporation panel of claim 9, wherein the evaporation panel comprises at least four evaporation shelves and at least four support posts between each pair of evaporation shelves, wherein the evaporation panel has at least nine open spaces bounded by the at least four evaporation shelves and the at least four support posts, and wherein from two to nine of the open spaces are configured as concave receiving openings.

13. The evaporation panel of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of support columns, each of the plurality of support columns further comprising a plurality of stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins, wherein two columns of evaporation fins positioned most laterally along the evaporation panel are smaller in size than the evaporation fins positioned therebetween, wherein the smaller evaporation fins fit within a female receiving opening when joined with an orthogonally oriented evaporation panel having a female receiving opening of the same configuration as the evaporation panel.

14. The evaporative panel of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of female receiving openings, wherein a first portion of the female receiving openings are positioned to respectively receive one or more male connectors from an orthogonally oriented evaporative panel of the same configuration when both are resting on a common planar surface, and a second portion of the female receiving openings are positioned to remain open to allow airflow therethrough.

15. The evaporation panel of claim 9, comprising a plurality of open spaces comprising a plurality of concave receiving openings, wherein the open spaces have an average area opening size, and wherein the evaporation panel further comprises an enlarged evaporation airflow channel having a channel area at least eight times greater than the average area opening size, wherein area is measured perpendicular to horizontal airflow through the open spaces and the enlarged evaporation airflow channel.

16. The evaporating panel of claim 15 further comprising a second enlarged evaporation airflow channel that is also at least eight times larger than the average area opening size of the open space.

17. The evaporation panel of claim 15, further comprising cross supports positioned at least partially within one or more of the plurality of open spaces and at an acute angle relative to the evaporation shelf.

18. The evaporation panel of claim 17, wherein the cross supports are positioned relative to the evaporation fins so as not to promote any substantial drainage from the evaporation fins when the evaporation fins are loaded with waste water.

19. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially flat, and wherein the lower surface has a slope of greater than 0 ° to about 5 °.

20. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the evaporation panel is configured such that when waste water is loaded on the first upper surface, waste water is transferred to the first lower surface and the evaporation fins, wherein the first lower surface also transfers waste water to the evaporation fins and directly to the second upper surface, and wherein the evaporation fins also transfer waste water to the second upper surface, wherein water evaporates from the waste water from at least the first upper surface, the evaporation fins, and the second upper surface as more concentrated waste water is poured generally downward along the evaporation panel.

21. The evaporation panel of claim 20, wherein the second evaporation shelf further comprises a second lower surface for receiving waste water from the second upper surface and releasing the waste water therebelow.

22. The evaporation panel of claim 21, further comprising a third evaporation shelf comprising a third upper surface positioned below the second evaporation shelf, wherein the second and third evaporation shelves are separated by a second support column comprising a second plurality of stacked and spaced apart evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation shelves, wherein the second lower surface transfers waste water to the second evaporation fin and directly to the third upper surface, and wherein the evaporation fin also transfers waste water to the third upper surface, wherein water is evaporated from at least the first upper surface, the evaporation fins, the second upper surface, the second evaporation fins, and the third upper surface from the waste water as more concentrated waste water is poured generally downward along the evaporation panel.

23. The evaporation panel of claim 22, wherein the second lower surface includes a second downwardly extending ridge that is laterally elongated along the second lower surface, and wherein the third upper surface includes a third upwardly extending ridge that is laterally elongated along the third upper surface.

24. The evaporation panel of claim 1, comprising 3 to 36 evaporation shelves, each evaporation shelf being separated from at least one other evaporation shelf by a plurality of stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation shelf.

25. The evaporating panel of claim 1, wherein the evaporating panel is a unitary, monolithic piece of plastic.

26. The evaporation panel of claim 1, wherein the evaporation panel comprises a plastic material and the plastic material is surface treated using a reactive fluorine gas process to produce a fluorooxygenated surface having a surface depth of 10nm to 20 μ ι η and a surface energy of 60 dynes/cm to 75 dynes/cm.

27. A support post for an evaporation shelf for separating and supporting evaporation panels, the support post comprising:

a first evaporation fin having a horizontally oriented first planar upper surface;

a second evaporation fin having a second planar upper surface and positioned parallel to and spaced 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm below the first evaporation fin;

a third evaporation fin having a third planar upper surface parallel to and spaced 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm below the second evaporation fin; and

a support beam supporting the first evaporation fin directly above the second evaporation fin and the second evaporation fin directly above the third evaporation fin.

28. The support column of claim 27, wherein the first evaporation fin, the second evaporation fin, and the third evaporation fin have substantially the same shape.

29. A post according to claim 28, wherein when the evaporation fins are loaded with waste water, a vertical water column is formed, supported by the surface energy and spacing of the evaporation fins and the surface tension of the water.

30. The support post of claim 28, wherein the upper surfaces of the first, second and third evaporation fins each laterally have the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil taken from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof.

31. A post according to claim 30, wherein when the evaporation fins are loaded with waste water, an airfoil shaped vertical water column is formed supported by the surface energy and spacing of the evaporation fins and the surface tension of the water.

32. The support column of claim 28, further comprising four to ten additional evaporation fins, each additional evaporation fin having substantially the same shape as the first, second, and third evaporation fins, wherein the four to ten additional evaporation fins are positioned parallel to and each spaced 0.3 centimeters to 0.7 centimeters below an immediately above evaporation fin.

33. The support post of claim 27, wherein the evaporation fins are spaced apart by 0.4 to 0.6 centimeters.

34. A support post according to claim 27, wherein the support beam is orthogonally positioned and centrally positioned relative to the first, second and third planar upper surfaces, wherein the evaporation fins extend laterally outward from the support beam on average from 0.3 centimeters to 1 centimeter.

35. The support column of claim 27, wherein the first evaporation fin, the second evaporation fin, and the third evaporation fin are substantially circular, oval, square, or rectangular.

36. The support column of claim 27, wherein at least two of the first evaporation fin, the second evaporation fin, or the third evaporation fin have different lateral dimensions.

37. An evaporation panel, comprising:

a series of evaporation shelves laterally elongated and stacked in vertical alignment;

a series of support posts oriented vertically and positioned along the evaporation shelves to provide support and separation between the evaporation shelves, wherein the series of evaporation shelves and the series of support posts form a generally grid-like structure defining a plurality of open spaces; and

a plurality of male connectors positioned at lateral ends of the grid-like structure.

38. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein at least a plurality of the series of support posts comprises a plurality of stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins.

39. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein at least a plurality of the series of evaporation shelves and the series of support posts define at least a plurality of the open spaces of the grid-like structure.

40. The vaporizing panel of claim 37, wherein at least a portion of said open space is also a female receiving opening, wherein when said vaporizing panel is coupled with a male connector of an orthogonally oriented vaporizing panel having the same configuration as said vaporizing panel, said female receiving opening is configured to receive and releasably couple with said male connector of said orthogonally oriented vaporizing panel.

41. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein the plurality of open spaces have an average area opening size, and wherein the evaporation panel further comprises one or two enlarged evaporation airflow channels, each enlarged evaporation airflow channel having a channel area at least eight times greater than the average area opening size, wherein area is measured perpendicular to horizontal airflow through the open spaces and the enlarged evaporation airflow channels.

42. The evaporation panel of claim 37, further comprising cross supports positioned at least partially within one or more of the plurality of open spaces and at an acute angle relative to the evaporation shelf, and wherein the cross supports are positioned relative to the evaporation fins so as not to promote any substantial drainage from the evaporation fins when the evaporation fins are loaded with waste water.

43. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein the evaporation panel is a single monolithic piece of plastic material.

44. The evaporation panel of claim 43, wherein the plastic material is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or composites thereof.

45. The evaporation panel of claim 43, wherein the evaporation panel includes a surface treatment that provides a more polar surface than the inner core of plastic material.

46. The evaporation panel of claim 45, wherein the surface treatment is provided by flame treatment, chemical treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, or by application of a primer.

47. The evaporation panel of claim 45, wherein the surface treatment comprises a reactive fluorine gas treatment that produces a fluorine oxidized surface.

48. The evaporation panel of claim 47, wherein the fluorooxygenated surface has a surface depth of 10nm to 20 μm and provides the evaporation panel with a surface energy of 60 dynes/cm to 75 dynes/cm.

49. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein the grid-like structure is a mesh structure.

50. The evaporation panel of claim 37, wherein the grid-like structure is an evaporation panel having a non-periodic horizontally varying grid-like structure, an evaporation panel having a horizontally offset grid-like structure, or an evaporation panel having 50% to 95% of the laterally and vertically defined area comprising the grid or grid-like structure.

51. A method of separating contaminants from wastewater, comprising:

loading wastewater on a horizontal upper surface of a laterally elongated evaporation rack to initiate a flow path of the wastewater containing contaminants;

flowing the wastewater along the flow path from the upper surface around an inclined side edge and then to one or both of a downwardly facing lower surface of the evaporation rack or a vertically aligned evaporation fin positioned below the evaporation rack;

flowing or releasing the wastewater along the flow path from the lower surface of the evaporation rack to one or both of the evaporation fins or a horizontal second upper surface of a laterally elongated second evaporation rack positioned directly below the evaporation rack; and is

Moving the contaminants along the flow path while water evaporates from the wastewater, thereby moving the contaminants generally downward while increasing the concentration within the wastewater as a result of water evaporation.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein both the upper surface and the second upper surface are flat.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the upper surface includes an upwardly extending ridge at a central location relative to a depth of the evaporation shelf, and the upwardly extending ridge is laterally aligned with the laterally elongated evaporation shelf, and wherein flowing the wastewater along the flow path includes reducing pooling of the wastewater at the central location along a centerline of the evaporation shelf side, laterally directing the wastewater to reduce premature wastewater emptying, or both.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the lower surface is flat but inclined from the horizontal by more than 0 ° to 5 °.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the lower surface includes a ridge extending downward at a central location relative to a depth of the evaporation shelf, and the downward extending ridge is laterally aligned with the laterally elongated evaporation shelf, and wherein flowing or releasing wastewater along the flow path includes releasing the wastewater to the second upper surface after contact with the downward extending ridge, flowing the wastewater laterally along the downward extending ridge toward the evaporation fins, or both.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein the evaporation fins are vertically spaced apart by 0.2 centimeters to 1 centimeter, wherein the flow path delivers wastewater to the evaporation fins to form a vertical water column.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein said evaporation fins each comprise a flat horizontal upper surface having the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil from a leading edge to a trailing edge, wherein said vertical water column loaded with wastewater along said flow path has the shape of a vertical airfoil.

58. The method of claim 51, further comprising flowing wastewater along the flow path from the second upper surface around a second sloped side edge and then to one or both of a downwardly facing second lower surface of the second evaporation rack or a vertically aligned second evaporation fin positioned below the second evaporation rack.

59. The method of claim 51, further comprising continuing the flow path to deliver wastewater to at least four vertically stacked laterally elongated evaporation shelves spaced apart by a plurality of support posts positioned along the at least four evaporation shelves, wherein the support posts also comprise vertically aligned evaporation fins that slow or pause the flow path by receiving, retaining, and delivering at least a portion of the wastewater from evaporation shelves to evaporation shelves.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the at least four vertically stacked evaporation shelves and the plurality of support posts define and bound a plurality of open spaces, wherein the method further comprises flowing air through one or more of the plurality of open spaces to facilitate evaporating the water from the wastewater.

61. An evaporation panel system comprising a plurality of evaporation panels, wherein a first evaporation panel and a second evaporation panel of the plurality of evaporation panels each comprise:

a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented;

a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves;

a plurality of concave receiving openings defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts, respectively; and

a plurality of male connectors positioned at lateral ends of both the first and second evaporation panels,

wherein the first vaporization panel and the second vaporization panel are orthogonally joinable via the male connector of the first vaporization panel and the female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel.

62. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein the plurality of evaporation panels comprises a third evaporation panel that also includes the plurality of evaporation shelves, the plurality of support posts, the plurality of female receiving openings, and the plurality of male connectors.

63. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein at least 10 of the plurality of evaporation panels of the evaporation panel system comprise the plurality of evaporation shelves, the plurality of support posts, the plurality of female receiving openings, and the plurality of male connectors.

64. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein the uppermost evaporation shelf of the first evaporation panel comprises a transverse feature oriented with respect to the lateral elongation of the evaporation shelf, and the transverse feature is positioned along a top surface thereof, and wherein the lowermost evaporation shelf of the second evaporation panel also comprises a transverse feature oriented with respect to the lateral elongation of the evaporation shelf, and the transverse feature is positioned along a bottom surface thereof, wherein the transverse feature of the top surface and the transverse feature of the bottom surface are configured to bond to each other when the second evaporation shelf is stacked on the first evaporation.

65. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein the plurality of horizontal evaporation shelves each comprise an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least a plurality of the upper surfaces comprise upwardly extending ridges and at least a plurality of the lower surfaces comprise downwardly extending ridges.

66. An evaporation panel system according to claim 61, wherein the male connector is compressible and includes male connector engagement grooves, wherein when a male connector on one lateral end of the first evaporation panel is inserted into a female receiving opening in the second evaporation panel, the male connector compresses such that the male connector engagement grooves engage and releasably join with the upwardly extending ridges and the downwardly extending ridges, respectively, that define the female receiving opening.

67. An evaporating panel system according to claim 61, wherein the support column comprises a plurality of vertically stacked evaporating fins that are spaced apart such that when waste water is loaded at the support column, the evaporating fins receive the waste water and form a vertical water column along the evaporating fin type.

68. The evaporating panel system of claim 67, wherein the evaporating fin has the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil taken from its leading edge to its trailing edge.

69. The evaporation panel system of claim 67, wherein the first evaporation panel includes two support posts extending laterally beyond the evaporation fins of the ends of the evaporation shelf, wherein the evaporation fins are sufficiently small in size to fit at least partially within the concave receiving openings of the second evaporation panel when orthogonally joined thereto.

70. An evaporating panel system according to claim 61, wherein a first portion of the female receiving opening of the second evaporating panel is positioned to receive one or more male connectors, respectively, from the first evaporating panel when both are resting on a common planar surface, and a second portion of the female receiving opening is positioned to remain open to allow airflow therethrough.

71. The evaporative panel system of claim 61, wherein the first and second evaporative panels each comprise a plurality of open spaces comprising a plurality of concave receiving openings, wherein the open spaces have an average area opening size, and wherein the evaporative panel further comprises an enlarged evaporative airflow channel having a channel area at least eight times greater than the average area opening size, wherein area is measured perpendicular to horizontal airflow through the open spaces and the enlarged evaporative airflow channel.

72. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein the first and second evaporation panels each include a cross support positioned at least partially within one or more of the plurality of concave receiving openings and at an acute angle relative to the evaporation shelf.

73. The evaporative panel system of claim 61, wherein the evaporative panel is a unitary, monolithic piece of plastic.

74. The evaporation panel system of claim 61, wherein the evaporation panel comprises a plastic material and the plastic material is surface treated using a reactive fluorine gas process to produce a fluorooxygenated surface having a surface depth of 10nm to 20 μm and a surface energy of 60 dynes/cm to 75 dynes/cm.

75. An evaporation panel subassembly comprising a plurality of evaporation panels laterally joined together to form a unit structure approximately one evaporation panel wide, one evaporation panel deep, and one evaporation panel high, wherein each evaporation panel comprises:

a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented;

a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves;

a plurality of concave receiving openings defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts, respectively; and

a plurality of male connectors positioned at both lateral ends of a respective evaporation panel,

wherein the subassembly comprises a first vaporization panel and a second vaporization panel, wherein one or more male connectors at one lateral end of the first vaporization panel are connected to one or more corresponding female receiving openings.

76. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the subassembly comprises an L-shaped subassembly, a T-shaped subassembly, or an asymmetric T-shaped subassembly.

77. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the first evaporation panel is connected orthogonally to the second evaporation panel and the third evaporation panel to form a three panel subassembly.

78. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the subassembly comprises a comb subassembly.

79. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 78, wherein the comb subassembly comprises a cube-shaped subassembly, a U-shaped subassembly, an E-shaped subassembly, or an asymmetric E-shaped subassembly.

80. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 78, wherein said comb subassembly comprises an evaporation panel spine and 4 to 12 orthogonally connected evaporation panel teeth.

81. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the subassembly is a pi subassembly.

82. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 81, wherein the pi-shaped subassembly comprises an evaporation panel spine and 2 to 10 orthogonally connected evaporation panel teeth.

83. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 81, wherein the pi-shaped subassembly comprises an evaporation panel spine having a plurality of vertically aligned open spaces, at least some of the plurality of vertically aligned open spaces comprising a concave receiving opening, wherein two lateral outermost vertically aligned open spaces remain open, wherein evaporation panel teeth are orthogonally joined into the concave receiving openings of the evaporation panel spine by a male connector, wherein two evaporation panel teeth are positioned in vertical alignment from one of the outermost vertically aligned open spaces, respectively.

84. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the plurality of horizontal evaporation shelves each comprise an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least a plurality of the upper surfaces comprise upwardly extending ridges and at least a plurality of the lower surfaces comprise downwardly extending ridges.

85. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 84, wherein the male connectors include male connector engagement grooves, and wherein the male connector engagement grooves engage with upwardly extending ridges and downwardly extending ridges, respectively, the upwardly extending ridges and the downwardly extending ridges defining respective corresponding female receiving openings.

86. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the support column comprises a plurality of vertically stacked evaporation fins that are spaced apart such that when waste water is loaded at the support column, the evaporation fins receive the waste water and form a vertical column of water along the evaporation fin type.

87. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 86, wherein the evaporation fins have the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil taken from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof.

88. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 86, wherein the first evaporation panel comprises two support posts comprising evaporation fins extending laterally beyond the ends of the evaporation shelf, wherein the evaporation fins are sufficiently small in size that they are at least partially located within the concave receiving opening of the second evaporation panel.

89. The vaporizing panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the first vaporizing panel and the second vaporizing panel each comprise a plurality of open spaces comprising a plurality of concave receiving openings, wherein the open spaces have an average area opening size, and wherein vaporizing panel further comprises an enlarged vaporizing airflow channel having a channel area at least eight times greater than the average area opening size, wherein area is measured perpendicular to horizontal airflow through the open spaces and the enlarged vaporizing airflow channel.

90. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the first and second evaporation panels each include a cross support positioned at least partially within one or more of the plurality of concave receiving openings or other open spaces and at an acute angle relative to the evaporation shelf.

91. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein each of the plurality of evaporation panels is a unitary, monolithic piece of plastic.

92. The evaporation panel subassembly of claim 75, wherein the plurality of evaporation panels comprise a plastic material, wherein the plastic material is surface treated using a reactive fluorine gas process to produce a fluorooxygenated surface having a surface depth of 10nm to 20 μm and a surface energy of 60 dynes/cm to 75 dynes/cm.

93. An evaporation panel assembly comprising a plurality of evaporation panel subassemblies or a plurality of individual evaporation panels laterally joined together to form a larger structure than the evaporation panel subassemblies, wherein each evaporation panel comprises:

a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented;

a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves;

a plurality of concave receiving openings defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts, respectively; and

a plurality of male connectors positioned at both lateral ends of a respective evaporation panel with a corresponding female receiving opening of an orthogonally oriented evaporation panel joined at one or both ends.

94. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 4 pi-shaped subassemblies joined together to form a vertical support beam assembly.

95. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 9 pi-shaped subassemblies joined together to form 4 vertical support beam assemblies.

96. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises a plurality of levels, wherein at least a plurality of the plurality of levels each comprise an array of vertical support beam assemblies vertically aligned from level to provide load bearing vertical support beams across the plurality of levels, wherein each vertical support beam assembly is formed by assembling four pi-shaped subassemblies.

97. The evaporative panel assembly of claim 93, wherein a plurality of pi subassemblies are joined together to form an evaporative panel assembly having vertical support beam assemblies and vertical ventilation shafts that are at least about as large as the pi subassemblies.

98. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the plurality of cube-shaped subassemblies are joined together with one or more comb subassemblies, one or more pi-shaped subassemblies, or both.

99. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the plurality of evaporation panel subassemblies are laterally joined to form a first tier of evaporation panel assemblies.

100. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 99, wherein additional evaporation panel subassemblies are laterally joined and stacked on the first tier to form a second tier of the evaporation panel assembly.

101. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 100, wherein the evaporation panels of the second level comprise coupling grooves or ridges on a bottom surface thereof, which align with coupling ridges or grooves, respectively, on a top surface of the evaporation panels of the first level, wherein the respective coupling grooves and coupling ridges join together providing mechanical resistance to lateral movement between levels.

102. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 100, wherein additional evaporation panel subassemblies are laterally joined and stacked on the second level to form 1 to 48 additional levels of the evaporation panel assembly.

103. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, further comprising a second evaporation panel assembly positioned immediately adjacent to, but not in contact with, the evaporation panel assembly.

104. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 103, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises a cantilevered bridge portion assembled from an evaporation panel or evaporation panel subassembly that extends from an upper level of the evaporation panel assembly to the second evaporation panel assembly without touching the second evaporation panel assembly.

105. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises one or more features selected from stairs, a safety wall, a hallway or open room, a work table, wherein the one or more features are formed using a plurality of evaporation panels or evaporation panel subassemblies.

106. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, comprising at least 50 discrete evaporation panels, first portions of which are laterally releasably joined together, and second portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the first portions as an evaporation panel assembly.

107. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 500 discrete evaporation panels, first portions of which are laterally releasably joined together, second portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the first portions, and third portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the second portions as an evaporation panel assembly.

108. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 5000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are laterally releasably joined together and vertically stacked to form an evaporation panel assembly tower that is at least 4 levels high.

109. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 10000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are laterally releasably joined together and stacked vertically to form a 4 to 25 tier high evaporation panel assembly tower.

110. The evaporation panel assembly of claim 93, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 20000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are releasably joined together laterally and stacked vertically to form an 8 to 40 level evaporation panel assembly tower.

111. A method of assembling the evaporative panel system of claim 61, comprising:

orthogonally orienting the first evaporation panel relative to the second evaporation panel; and

releasably joining the male connector of the first vaporization panel with a corresponding female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel to form a vaporization panel subassembly or assembly.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein at least a portion of the evaporation shelf comprises an upwardly extending ridge and a downwardly extending ridge residing within a concave receiving opening, and wherein the male connector of the first evaporation panel is releasably joined with one or both of the upwardly extending ridge or the downwardly extending ridge within a corresponding concave receiving opening of the second evaporation panel.

113. The method of claim 111, further comprising releasably joining the male connector of a third vaporization panel with a corresponding female receiving opening of the first vaporization panel, the second vaporization panel, or both, wherein the third vaporization panel is configured to be identical to the first vaporization panel and the second vaporization panel.

114. The method of claim 111 wherein releasably joining further comprises arranging the first vaporization panel and the third vaporization panel such that the vaporization panels are laterally aligned end-to-end with the second vaporization panel positioned orthogonally therebetween, wherein the male connector on the first vaporization panel is vertically offset relative to the male connector of the third vaporization panel such that the first and third vaporization panels do not compete for the same female receiving opening when the first and third vaporization panels are laterally aligned end-to-end and inserted into the female receiving opening in the second vaporization panel.

115. The method of claim 111, further comprising laterally assembling the first evaporation panel and the second evaporation panel to form a T-shaped subassembly, an asymmetric T-shaped subassembly, or an L-shaped subassembly.

116. The method of claim 111, wherein the evaporation panel subassembly comprises a comb subassembly.

117. The method of claim 111, wherein the evaporation panel subassembly comprises a pi-shaped subassembly.

118. The method of claim 111, further comprising laterally assembling the first evaporation panel, the second evaporation, and 1 to 12 additional evaporation panels, each additional evaporation panel comprising the evaporation shelf, the vertical support posts, the female receiving opening, and the male connector, to form the evaporation panel subassembly.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein the step of laterally assembling includes forming a second evaporation panel subassembly comprising 3 to 12 evaporation panels, wherein the evaporation panel subassembly is joined with the second evaporation panel subassembly.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the step of laterally assembling includes assembling the evaporation panel subassembly and the second evaporation panel subassembly simultaneously, wherein evaporation panels are joined to other evaporation panels in any order.

121. The method of claim 119, wherein the step of laterally assembling includes forming at least four pi subassemblies and joining the evaporation panel subassemblies together to form an evaporation panel assembly with vertical support beam assemblies.

122. The method of claim 119, wherein the step of laterally assembling includes forming at least nine pi subassemblies and joining the evaporation panel subassemblies together to form an evaporation panel assembly having four or more vertical support beam assemblies.

123. The method of claim 119, wherein the step of laterally assembling includes forming a pi subassembly and joining the pi subassembly together to form an evaporation panel assembly having at least 16 arrays of vertical support beam assemblies.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein said evaporation panel assembly with said array of vertical support beam assemblies further comprises a vertical ventilation shaft at least about as large as said pi-shaped subassembly.

125. The method of claim 111, comprising releasably joining the male connector with the female receiving opening using at least 50 evaporation panels to form an evaporation panel assembly comprising one vertical level.

126. The method of claim 111, comprising releasably joining a male connector with a female receiving opening using at least 50 evaporation panels and vertically stacking a second level of the evaporation panel assemblies thereon.

127. The method of claim 111, comprising releasably joining a male connector with a female receiving opening using at least 5000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are releasably joined together laterally and stacked vertically to form an at least 4 level tall evaporation panel assembly tower.

128. The method of claim 111, comprising releasably joining a male connector with a female receiving opening using at least 10000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are releasably joined together laterally and stacked vertically to form an evaporation panel assembly tower that is at least 6 levels high.

129. The method of claim 111, comprising releasably joining a male connector with a female receiving opening using at least 20000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are releasably joined together laterally and stacked vertically to form an at least 8-level high evaporation panel assembly tower.

130. The method of claim 111, wherein the support column comprises a plurality of vertically stacked evaporation fins spaced apart such that when wastewater is loaded at the support column, the evaporation fins receive the wastewater and form a vertical water column along the evaporation fin type.

131. An evaporative panel securement system, comprising:

a plurality of evaporation panels, wherein a first evaporation panel and a second evaporation panel of the plurality of evaporation panels each comprise:

a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented;

a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves;

a plurality of concave receiving openings defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts, respectively; and

a plurality of male connectors laterally positioned at ends of the plurality of vaporization panels, wherein the male connectors of the first vaporization panel are releasably joined with the female receiving openings of the second vaporization panel; and

a security fastener to secure the male connector of the first evaporation panel within the female receiving opening of the second evaporation panel in an orthogonal joining orientation or to secure the second evaporation panel on top of the first evaporation panel in a vertical stacking orientation.

132. An evaporation panel securement system according to claim 131, wherein when the safety fastener is operatively engaged with the male connector and the female receiving opening, such that when in the orthogonal coupling orientation, the first evaporation panel is locked in position relative to the second evaporation panel at the male connector within the female receiving opening.

133. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 131, wherein the security fastener is a security pin operably engaged with the male connector and at least two evaporation shelves that partially define the female receiving opening when in the orthogonal attachment orientation.

134. The evaporation shelf of claim 133, wherein said at least two evaporation shelves comprise a pin receiving opening therethrough and said male connector comprises a safety pin engagement channel therethrough, and wherein said male connector is positionable between said at least two evaporation shelves and said safety pin is insertable through both said pin receiving opening and said safety pin engagement channel.

135. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 131, wherein the security fastener is a security clip that is operably engaged with the male connector and at least two evaporation shelves that partially define the female receiving opening when in the orthogonal attachment orientation.

136. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 135, further comprising a safety pin operably engaged with a different uppermost male connector of the first evaporation panel and at least two different uppermost evaporation shelves of the second evaporation panel, the at least two different uppermost evaporation shelves defining different female receiving openings.

137. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 135, wherein the at least two evaporation shelves include an upper evaporation shelf having an upwardly extending ridge and a lower evaporation shelf having a downwardly extending ridge, wherein the male connector is positionable between the at least two evaporation shelves, and wherein a safety clip is engageable with the upwardly extending ridge above the female receiving opening and with the downwardly extending ridge below the female receiving opening.

138. An evaporation panel securement system according to claim 137, wherein the security clip also includes a male locking member engageable with a male connector engagement groove of the male connector, wherein the male connector is constrained from compressing when the male locking member and the male connector engagement groove are joined and the security clip is engaged with the upwardly extending ridge and the downwardly extending ridge.

139. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 138, wherein the male locking member includes a distal tip locking portion that is shaped differently than a more proximal body portion of the male locking member, and wherein at least the distal tip locking portion is shaped as a key having an inverse mating shape of the male connector engagement slot.

140. An evaporation panel securing system according to claim 131, wherein the safety fastener is a safety clip that is operably engaged to secure the second evaporation panel in place on top of the first evaporation panel when in the vertical stacking orientation.

141. The evaporation panel securing system of claim 140, wherein the first evaporation panel includes at least one downwardly extending ridge associated with a lower surface of an evaporation shelf and the second evaporation shelf includes at least one upwardly extending ridge associated with an upper surface of an evaporation shelf, and wherein the safety clip is engageable with the upwardly extending ridge and the downwardly extending ridge to secure the second evaporation panel to the first evaporation panel.

142. An evaporation panel securement system according to claim 131, wherein the evaporation panel securement system further includes a third evaporation panel, the third evaporation panel being identically configured to the first and second evaporation panels.

143. An evaporation panel securing system according to claim 142, wherein when the safety fastener is in place, the safety fastener secures the first evaporation panel to the second evaporation panel in the orthogonal link orientation, and also secures the third evaporation panel to the second evaporation panel in a vertical stacking orientation at the same time and location.

144. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 142, wherein the safety fastener is a safety clip that is operatively engaged with the male connector of the first evaporation panel within the female receiving opening of the second evaporation panel when in the orthogonal link orientation, and that is also operatively engaged with the third evaporation panel when vertically stacked on top of the second evaporation panel at the same time and location.

145. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 144, wherein the third evaporation panel includes an evaporation shelf having an upwardly extending ridge above the concave receiving opening and the second evaporation panel includes an evaporation shelf having a downwardly extending ridge below the concave receiving opening, and wherein the safety clip is engageable with the upwardly extending ridge and the downwardly extending ridge to secure the third evaporation panel vertically to the second evaporation panel.

146. An evaporation panel securement system according to claim 145, wherein the security clip includes a male locking member engageable with a male connector engagement slot of the male connector, wherein the male connector is constrained from compressing when the male locking member and the male connector engagement slot are joined and the security clip is engaged with the upwardly extending ridge and the downwardly extending ridge.

147. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 146, further comprising a safety pin operably engaged with the male connector and at least two evaporation shelves of the second evaporation panel that define the female receiving opening.

148. The evaporation panel securement system of claim 135, wherein the safety clip includes a pair of flexible arms, each flexible arm having an inwardly facing engagement slot for engaging with upwardly and downwardly extending ridges of different evaporation shelves, wherein distal tips of the pair of flexible arms are angled inwardly, wherein a back portion of the safety clip includes an opening for insertion of a leverage tool, wherein when the safety clip is removed from engagement with the upwardly and downwardly extending ridges, the safety clip is configured such that when the leverage tool is laterally rotated about a pivot point beyond the distal tips, the engagement slots disengage and the vertical support posts immediately adjacent the flexible arms do not interfere with lateral rotational movement produced by the leverage tool.

149. A method of securing evaporation panels together, comprising:

releasably joining a first vaporization panel orthogonally with respect to a second vaporization panel by inserting a male connector of the first vaporization panel into a female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel; and

locking the male connector in place within the female receiving opening by engaging a security fastener with the male connector within the female receiving opening.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the security fastener is a security pin, and locking includes inserting the security pin through a pair of evaporation shelves that at least partially define the female receiving opening, wherein the security pin also passes through the male connector positioned within the female receiving opening.

151. The method of claim 149, wherein the security fastener is a security clip, and locking comprises inserting a male locking member or the security clip into a male connector engagement slot of the male connector to cause the male connector to be constrained in compression.

152. The method of claim 151, wherein the locking further comprises engaging a pair of flexible arms having inwardly facing engagement grooves with upwardly and downwardly extending ridges present on different evaporation shelves, wherein the engagement holds the male locking member in place within the male connector engagement groove.

153. The method of claim 152, wherein both said upwardly extending ridges and said downwardly extending ridges are present on said second evaporation panel.

154. The method of claim 151, further comprising a third evaporation panel having the same construction as the first and second evaporation panels, wherein the method further comprises:

stacking the third evaporation panel on the second evaporation panel,

securing the third evaporation panel to the second evaporation panel using the safety clip, and

securing the male connector of the first evaporation panel within the female receiving opening of the second evaporation panel using a security clip, wherein both securing steps occur at the same location.

155. A wastewater evaporative separation system, comprising:

an evaporation panel assembly comprising at least 10 individual evaporation panels laterally joined together and fluidly coupled to a body of wastewater, the evaporation panel assembly configured to receive wastewater from the body of wastewater and evaporate water therefrom as the wastewater pours down the evaporation panel assembly and contaminants generally become more concentrated; and

a waste water delivery system fluidly associated with the waste water body, the waste water delivery system including a fluid directing assembly that delivers waste water from the waste water body to an upper portion of the evaporation panel assembly.

156. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes at least 50 discrete evaporative panels, first portions of which are laterally joined together and second portions of which are laterally joined together, stacked on top of the first portions.

157. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes at least 500 discrete evaporative panels, first portions of which are laterally joined together, second portions of which are laterally joined together, stacked on top of the first portions, and third portions of which are laterally joined together and stacked on top of the second portions.

158. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the body of wastewater is a lagoon.

159. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the body of wastewater is in a vessel.

160. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, further comprising a platform supporting the evaporative panel assembly.

161. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 160, wherein the platform is perforated or includes voids for returning wastewater therethrough when the wastewater reaches the bottom of the evaporative panel assembly.

162. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 160, wherein the platform is positioned above the body of wastewater.

163. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 160, wherein the platform floats on the body of wastewater.

164. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 160, wherein the platform is positioned on a land surface next to the body of wastewater, and the land surface includes fluid directing features for returning wastewater to the body of wastewater.

165. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the wastewater body is at a lower elevation relative to the evaporative panel assembly, and the wastewater delivery system further comprises one or more pumps to pump the wastewater from the wastewater body to the upper portion.

166. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the body of water is at a higher elevation relative to the evaporative panel assembly and the wastewater is gravity fed from the body of wastewater to the upper portion.

167. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the transporting to the upper portion includes transporting to a top of the evaporative panel assembly.

168. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the fluid directing assembly comprises a sprayer nozzle, a distribution tray, a series of distribution troughs, or a combination thereof, for delivering the wastewater to the top section.

169. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the wastewater body is filled with a remote wastewater source body.

170. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporation panels are releasably joined together.

171. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein a safety clip is used to vertically secure a portion of the evaporation panels together.

172. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein a safety clip is used to laterally lock together a portion of the evaporation panels.

173. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, further comprising an upper platform at the top of the evaporative panel assembly, the upper platform including perforations or voids for allowing wastewater to be loaded at the top of the evaporative panel assembly.

174. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes a vertical ventilation shaft.

175. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 175, wherein the vertical ventilation shaft is at least about the same size as the evaporation panel subassembly.

176. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly is located on-site adjacent to an industrial process that produces the wastewater.

177. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 177, wherein the industrial process involves oil or gas drilling, and wherein wastewater separated from oil or gas is deliverable to the body of wastewater on-site without requiring transport of the wastewater by truck or use of mobile transport vehicles to deliver the wastewater to the body of water.

178. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 177, wherein the industrial process involves a mining operation, and wherein wastewater separated during the mining operation is deliverable to the body of wastewater on-site without requiring truck transport or the use of mobile transport vehicles to deliver the wastewater to the body of water.

179. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the wastewater is produced by a plant or operation associated with mining, sewage, utilities, oil production, gas production, lithium ponds, reclaimed water, lithium production, cooling towers, dairy pond waste, olive oil pond waste, leach pond waste, thermoelectric/cooling wastewater, brine evaporation, artificial lake treatment, agricultural product production, pesticides, or combinations thereof.

180. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes at least nine pi subassemblies laterally joined together to form four or more vertical support beam assemblies.

181. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, further comprising a second evaporation panel assembly positioned proximate to, but not in contact with, the evaporation panel assembly.

182. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 182, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes a cantilevered bridge portion assembled from an evaporative panel or evaporative panel subassembly that extends from the stage of the evaporative panel assembly to the second evaporative panel assembly without touching the second evaporative panel assembly.

183. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes one or more features selected from stairs, safety walls, aisles, or open rooms, and wherein the one or more features are formed using a plurality of evaporative panels or evaporative panel subassemblies.

184. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, comprising at least 50 discrete evaporation panels, first portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and second portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the first portions as an evaporation panel assembly.

185. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly includes at least 500 discrete evaporative panels, first portions of which are laterally releasably joined together, second portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the first portions, and third portions of which are laterally releasably joined together and stacked on top of the second portions as an evaporative panel assembly.

186. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly comprises at least 5000 discrete evaporative panels, wherein portions of the evaporative panels are laterally releasably joined together and vertically stacked to form an evaporative panel assembly tower that is at least 4 levels high.

187. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly comprises at least 10000 discrete evaporative panels, wherein portions of the evaporative panels are laterally releasably joined together and vertically stacked to form a 4 to 25 tier high evaporative panel assembly tower.

188. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 20000 discrete evaporation panels, wherein portions of the evaporation panels are laterally releasably joined together and vertically stacked to form an 8 to 40 tiered evaporation panel assembly tower.

189. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the evaporative panel assembly comprises a plurality of vertically stacked levels, wherein a plurality of the vertically stacked levels comprises an array of vertical support beam assemblies formed from four pi-shaped subassemblies rotated, wherein the vertical support beam assemblies are vertically aligned from level to provide both vertical loading strength and rotational lateral shear strength.

190. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the individual evaporation panels comprise:

a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented;

a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves;

a plurality of concave receiving openings defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts, respectively; and

a plurality of male connectors positioned at lateral ends of the individual evaporation panels,

wherein the individual vaporizing panels are releasably coupleable to the female receiving openings of other orthogonally oriented vaporizing panels via the male connector.

191. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 191, wherein the individual evaporative panels include a first column of male connectors positioned on a first lateral end of the evaporative panel and a second column of male connectors positioned on a second lateral end of the evaporative panel, wherein all of the male connectors positioned along the first column are vertically offset relative to all of the male connectors positioned along the second column such that individual evaporative panels can be joined in alignment with a common orthogonally oriented evaporative panel including a female receiving opening therebetween.

192. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 191, wherein the plurality of vertical support columns include evaporation fins spaced apart by 0.2 centimeters to 1 centimeter, such that when wastewater is loaded at the support columns, the evaporation fins receive the wastewater and form vertical water columns along the evaporation fin types.

193. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 193, wherein the evaporation fins have the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil taken from a leading edge to a trailing edge thereof.

194. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 193, wherein the separate evaporation panel is configured such that when wastewater is loaded at an upper surface or evaporation rack, wastewater is transferred to a lower surface therebelow and to the evaporation fins, wherein the lower surface also transfers wastewater to the evaporation fins and directly to a second upper surface of a second evaporation rack, and wherein the evaporation fins also transfer wastewater to the second upper surface, wherein water evaporates from the wastewater from at least the first upper surface, the evaporation fins and the second upper surface as more concentrated wastewater pours generally downward along the evaporation panel.

195. The wastewater evaporative separation system of claim 155, wherein the individual evaporation panels comprise a plastic material and the plastic material is surface treated to provide a surface energy of 60 to 75 dynes/cm.

196. A method of evaporative separation of wastewater, comprising:

loading wastewater including contaminants at an upper portion of an evaporation panel assembly, wherein the evaporation panel assembly comprises at least 10 individual evaporation panels laterally joined together, wherein an individual evaporation panel comprises: a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented; and a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation of the plurality of evaporation shelves; and is

Flowing the wastewater from the evaporation rack to the evaporation rack along a generally downward pouring flow path; and is

Evaporating water from the wastewater to concentrate the contaminants in the wastewater as the wastewater travels along the generally downward pouring flow path.

197. The method of claim 197, wherein the plurality of vertical support columns comprises evaporation fins spaced apart by 0.2-1 cm, wherein the method further comprises loading wastewater along the evaporation fins to form a vertical water column, wherein the substantially downward pouring flow path comprises passing wastewater through the vertical water column.

198. The method of claim 197, further comprising:

after loading, flowing and evaporating, collecting the waste water from the waste water body, and

directing the wastewater from the wastewater body back to the upper portion for another cycle of loading, flowing, and evaporating.

199. The method of claim 199, wherein the wastewater body is located proximate to an industrial plant or operation that produces wastewater and the evaporation assembly is located on or proximate to the wastewater body, and wherein the method comprises remediating wastewater on-site proximate to the industrial plant or operation that produces wastewater without using a truck or other mobile conveyance to provide wastewater to the wastewater body.

Background

There are several techniques for separating water from various contaminants (e.g., hydrocarbons, salts, debris, dirt/clay, coal or hazardous substances, etc.). Industrial wastewater sources are generally from various industries, for example from facilities including chemical plants, fossil fuel power plants, food production facilities, steel plants, mines and quarries, nuclear power plants, and others. Therefore, evaporation from evaporation ponds has been used to separate various types of contaminants from water. For example, salt evaporation can be used to produce salt from seawater, or can be used to process brine from a seawater desalination plant. Mining operations can use evaporation to separate ore or other materials from water. The oil and gas industry is able to use evaporation to separate various hydrocarbons from water. Evaporation can also be used to separate water from various types of hazardous or harmless waste, thereby reducing its weight and volume to make it easier to transport and store.

As many industries produce some waste water, there is a trend to minimize waste water production and/or recycle waste water where possible. However, typical evaporation ponds can be large, take up a large amount of real estate (which may not be available in some cases), and can take months to adequately evaporate/separate the waste from the water by evaporation.

Drawings

For an easy understanding of the advantages of the present invention, a description of the subject matter will be presented in part by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, with the understanding that these drawings depict only typical examples of the subject matter and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. However, the disclosed subject matter can be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front plan view of an example evaporation panel according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A is an upper left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 1.

Fig. 2B is a bottom left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 1.

FIG. 2C provides two close-up alternative perspective views of portions of the example evaporation panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side or end plan view of the example evaporator panel of FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 1.

Fig. 6A provides front, left and right side or end plan, top and bottom plan views of an alternative example evaporation panel according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6B is a partial front plan view with an alternative arrangement of staggered support posts and concave receiving openings therein according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6C is a partial front plan view of another alternative arrangement according to the present disclosure having support posts and female receiving openings vertically aligned in pairs and staggered thereunder.

Fig. 7 is a close-up front plan partial view showing how two example evaporation panels of an evaporation panel system can be vertically stacked to form an example evaporation panel assembly according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a front plan view, including close-up detail portions thereof, of two example stacked evaporator panels of an evaporator panel system, illustrating an example evaporator pan assembly according to this disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, including close-up detailed portions thereof, of two example evaporator panels of an evaporator panel system according to the present disclosure orthogonally joined together to form an example evaporator pan assembly (and more particularly an L-shaped subassembly).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of three example evaporator panels joined together to form an example evaporator panel assembly according to an evaporation panel system of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of ten example evaporator panels joined together to form an example evaporator panel assembly (more specifically, a cube-shaped subassembly) of an evaporator panel system according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 12A is a top plan view of several different example assemblies that can be formed to assemble larger and more complex evaporation panel assemblies according to examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12B is a top plan view of an arrangement of twenty example evaporation panels joined together to form four pi-shaped subassemblies (4 teeth) of an evaporation panel system according to the present disclosure, the subassemblies further joined together to form an example evaporation panel assembly.

Fig. 12C is a top plan view of an arrangement of sixty-nine example evaporation panels joined together to form nine pi-shaped subassemblies (some symmetrical and some asymmetrical) according to an evaporation panel system of the present disclosure, the subassemblies further joined together to form an example evaporation panel assembly.

Fig. 12D is a top plan view depicting various types of comb subassemblies (comb and cube) that can be joined together to form a more complex evaporation panel assembly according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 12E is a top plan view depicting various pi-shaped subassemblies (some symmetrical and some asymmetrical) that can be joined together to form a more complex evaporative panel assembly including vertical ventilation shafts (airshift), in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a front plan partial view of an example evaporation panel according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a top cross-sectional partial plan view of an example evaporation panel taken along section A-A of FIG. 13 according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view of a portion of the example evaporation panel of FIG. 13, taken within its dashed line, with wastewater loaded thereon, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a top cross-sectional partial plan view, taken along section B-B of FIG. 15, of an example evaporation panel according to the present disclosure, further illustrating an example airflow pattern generated by a leading edge of a symmetric airfoil-shaped vertical water column.

FIG. 17 depicts an alternative example evaporator panel system that includes a front plan view (shown in side plan view) of an evaporator panel orthogonally joined with three additional evaporator panels that together form an example evaporator panel subassembly (comb; E-shape) according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 depicts another alternative example evaporative panel system including a front plan view (shown in side plan view) of an evaporative panel orthogonally joined with two additional evaporative panels that together form an example evaporator panel subassembly (L-shape with minor spine) according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 19 is a side plan view further illustrating a single example evaporation panel similar to that shown in fig. 17 and 18, according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing another alternative example evaporative panel system according to the present disclosure, wherein two evaporative panels are joined together orthogonally to form an evaporative panel subassembly (L-shape).

Fig. 21A is a front plan view of an example evaporation panel including an enlarged evaporation airflow channel according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 21B is an upper left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 21A.

Fig. 21C is a front plan view of an example evaporation panel including an enlarged evaporation airflow channel and a cross-support (borss-supports) according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 21D is an upper left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 21C.

FIG. 22 is a front plan view of an example evaporation panel including an enlarged evaporation airflow channel and cross supports according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a front plan view of another example evaporator panel including an enlarged evaporation airflow channel and cross supports according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 24A provides front, left and right side or end plan, top and bottom plan views of another example evaporation panel with enlarged evaporation airflow channels and cross supports according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 24B is an upper left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 24A.

Fig. 24C is a front plan view of another example evaporation panel with enlarged evaporation airflow channels and cross supports according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 24D is an upper left perspective view of the example evaporation panel of fig. 24C.

Fig. 25A-25D provide various plan or cross-sectional views of an example security clip according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 26 depicts a cross-sectional view of four example evaporation panels joined together through an example evaporation panel assembly, with two example operational assembly configurations shown for one or more safety clips, according to an evaporation panel securing system of the present disclosure.

27A-27F provide various plan, perspective, or cross-sectional views of an alternative example safety clip according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 28 depicts an example operational assembly configuration of an example safety clip and an example safety pin associated with an evaporative panel securing system or assembly according to this disclosure.

Fig. 29 depicts a cross-sectional detailed view of portions of two example vertically stacked evaporation panels of an example evaporation panel securing system or assembly according to the present disclosure, including an example configuration of upwardly extending ridges engaged with downwardly extending ridges, and an example pin receiving opening.

Fig. 30A and 30B provide close-up views, including front plan and top left perspective views, respectively, of portions of an example evaporation panel according to examples of the present disclosure, the close-up views illustrating example male connector features in further detail.

Fig. 31 depicts a cross-sectional view of four example evaporation panels joined together through an example evaporation panel assembly, and it also depicts an example operational assembly configuration for an example safety clip and an example safety pin, according to an example evaporation panel securing system of the present disclosure.

Fig. 32A-F provide various plan, perspective, or cross-sectional views of yet another alternative example safety clip according to the present disclosure, and further details regarding the engagement of the safety clip with the example male connector engagement slot and alternative locations for placement of the example safety pin.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view illustrating an example wastewater delivery system including an example evaporator panel subassembly (cube-shaped) positioned above a body of wastewater on a platform having various example wastewater delivery systems according to this disclosure.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view illustrating an example wastewater evaporative separation system including example evaporator panel assemblies (vertically stacked five levels and configured sideways as shown in fig. 12C) located above and below an example perforated platform according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing two example evaporation panel assemblies according to the present disclosure spaced a small distance or gap from each other that can be used as part of an example wastewater evaporative separation system and that provide example structures including structural stairs, walkways, upper landings and safety barriers or walls and cantilever bridge portions, all of which are formed or defined, in this example, at least in part by assembled evaporation panels or evaporation panel subassemblies.

Fig. 36 is a top plan view showing four example evaporation panel assemblies used as part of an example wastewater evaporative separation system according to the present disclosure, wherein the four individual evaporation panel assemblies are ganged together, but spaced a small distance or gap from each other.

Detailed Description

According to examples of the present disclosure, evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems, evaporation panel securing systems, evaporation panel subassemblies, evaporation panel assemblies, evaporation panel assembly sets, wastewater evaporative separation systems, and various methods can be used to separate various solids or other impurities from water, such as oil, sludge, minerals, gas fractions from fracturing, chemicals, precipitants, food by-products, metal particles or colloids, nuclear by-products, clays and other deposits, and the like. Evaporating water from waste water can be burdensome, takes up a lot of real estate in the form of an evaporation pond, and moreover can be a slow and/or expensive process. Thus, the present disclosure generally provides faster or more efficient solutions, generally uses a much smaller footprint for wastewater evaporation and separation, and generally reduces treatment times compared to conventional evaporation ponds.

According to the present disclosure, the evaporation panel may be configured to receive waste water at or near the top thereof (e.g., spray, dispense with a dispensing tray, pour, fill, etc.). Thus, the respective upper surfaces of the evaporation panels can be "filled" with waste water, and because the water is effectively evaporated due to the high ratio of surface area to volume (of waste water), the contaminants or other substances to be separated therefrom can effectively strive downwards as more waste water is added at or near the top. For example, the process can be staged (periodic addition of wastewater), or the process can be continuous (continuous addition of wastewater), or a combination of both (continuous addition of wastewater and periodic interruption).

Thus, according to the present disclosure, an evaporation panel can include a laterally elongated and horizontally oriented (when in use) evaporation shelf, and can include an upper surface and a lower surface. The evaporation panel can further include a second evaporation rack laterally elongated and positioned parallel below the evaporation rack, and can further include a second upper surface. The support column can be positioned between the first evaporative shelf and the second evaporative shelf. The support column can include a plurality of stacked and spaced apart evaporation fins oriented parallel to the evaporation shelf.

In one example, the evaporation fins can be spaced apart leaving a gap adapted to take advantage of the surface tension of water relative to the material used to form the evaporation fins. If the spacing is appropriate, the waste water can fill the gap, forming a vertical column of water supported by the evaporation fins against the surface tension of the waste water. In another example, the first lower surface can include downwardly extending ridges to facilitate release of wastewater from the first lower surface. In another example, the second upper surface can include upwardly extending ridges to facilitate movement of wastewater from the second upper surface along a generally downward pouring path of wastewater therebelow. The upper and lower surfaces can be substantially flat and thus the loading of wastewater thereon can form a thin layer filling the upper surface, the thickness of the layer being comparable to that provided by the surface tension of the wastewater. If the upper surface is not flat, but slightly angled or convex, or conversely slightly concave, the thickness of the waste water layer can be neatly adjusted within, for example, 60% to 140% of the thickness of one waste water layer when applied to a flat surface of the same material. Typically, because the upper surface of the evaporation rack is generally horizontally flat, the thickness provided by the surface tension of the wastewater on the material of the evaporation rack contributes to the overall wastewater loading. In further detail, the lower surface can also be used to load wastewater using the surface tension of the wastewater, and can also be substantially horizontally flat. However, in one example, the lower surface of the evaporation shelf can have a slope of greater than 0 ° to about 5 °. In another example, the evaporation panel can include a third evaporation rack positioned (in one example, directly) below the second evaporation rack, the third evaporation rack including a third upper surface for receiving waste water from the second lower surface. It is worth noting that the waste water can also be dumped down from the evaporation rack to the evaporation rack via the evaporation support columns, which include evaporation fins that also retain and transfer the waste water in a generally downward direction. In further detail, the evaporation panel can include 3 to 36 evaporation shelves, each evaporation shelf including its own evaporation shelf, and each evaporation shelf being separated from at least one other evaporation shelf by stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins. It is noted that the uppermost evaporation shelf and the lowermost evaporation shelf can generally be used for vertically stacking two evaporation panels, and therefore, when stacked, the uppermost evaporation shelf on top of an evaporation panel can effectively serve as a support structure to support the lowermost evaporation shelf at the bottom of another evaporation panel. Thus, the respective uppermost and lowermost evaporation shelves are effectively joined to form a single evaporation shelf common to both evaporation panels.

In another example, a support column for an evaporation rack for separating and supporting evaporation panels is disclosed and described. The support column can include: a first evaporation fin having a first flat upper surface (when in use) oriented horizontally; a second evaporation fin having a second planar upper surface and positioned parallel to and spaced 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm below the first evaporation fin; and a third evaporation fin having a third flat upper surface, positioned parallel to and spaced 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm below the second evaporation fin. The support column can also include a support beam that supports the first evaporation fin directly over the second evaporation fin and the second evaporation fin directly over the third evaporation fin. For example, there can be any practical number of evaporation fins, such as 3 to 20, 4 to 16, 4 to 12, 5 to 10, and so forth.

In one example, the first, second, and third evaporation fins can be substantially the same shape, or can have different lateral dimensions (e.g., side-to-side and/or front-to-back) and/or different horizontal surface areas at the upper surface. In one example, the evaporation fins can be spaced apart such that when wastewater is loaded thereon, a vertical water column is formed due to surface tension of the wastewater between and around the evaporation fins. Example shapes that can be used include lateral (x-y axis of evaporation fin viewed from above) airfoil, circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, etc. shapes in vertical cross-section. When the evaporation fins are of substantially the same size, such as having the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil, the outer (horizontal) shape of the evaporation fins can facilitate the water column itself to form a vertically oriented airfoil when the water column is formed thereon, see, for example, fig. 15 and 16.

In another example, the evaporation panel can include: a series of evaporation shelves laterally elongated and stacked in vertical alignment; and a series of support posts oriented vertically and positioned along the evaporation shelf to provide support for and separation between the evaporation shelves. The series of evaporation shelves and the series of support posts can form a generally grid-like structure defining a plurality of open spaces. The evaporative panel can further include a plurality of male connectors positioned at the lateral ends of the grid-like structure.

In one particular example, the support column can include a plurality of stacked and spaced apart horizontal evaporation fins and/or evaporation shelves, and the support column can further define or provide a demarcation of the open space (or concave receiving opening) of the grid-like structure. In further detail, the evaporator panel can include one or more male (male) connectors and one or more female (female) receiving openings for orthogonally coupling the plurality of evaporator panels together. The female receiving opening can be one of a plurality of female receiving openings that can also serve as an open space when not orthogonally coupled with a male connector of another evaporation panel. In one particular example, each open space (which includes a used or unused concave receiving opening and other open spaces that may be present for airflow that is up to or about four times smaller than the concave receiving opening in relative size) can have an average area opening size, and the evaporation panel can further include an enlarged evaporation airflow channel (or even two enlarged evaporation airflow channels) (each having a channel area that is at least eight (8) times larger than the average area opening size, e.g., 8 to 80 times larger, 10 to 60 times larger, 10 to 40 times larger, 20 to 40 times larger, etc.

The evaporative panel of the present disclosure can be made using a variety of materials, but in one example it can be made as a single integral component of any suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene (e.g., HDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or a mixture of multiple plastics or other materials as a composite material. In some examples, the evaporative panel can be surface treated to create a more polar surface compared to the inner core or portion of the plastic material. Surface treatments can include flame treatment, chemical treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, primer application, reactive fluorine gas treatment, and the like. For example, reactive fluorine gas treatment can produce a fluorooxygenated surface, which can be present at surface depths of 10 nanometers to 20 micrometers. In one example, the surface treatment can provide a surface energy of 60 dynes/cm (dyne/cm) to 75 dynes/cm to the surface thereof.

In another example, a method of separating contaminants from wastewater can include: loading wastewater on a horizontal upper surface of a laterally elongated evaporation rack to initiate a flow path of the wastewater containing contaminants; and flowing the wastewater along a flow path from the upper surface around the sloped side edges and then to one or both of a downwardly facing lower surface of the evaporation rack or vertically aligned evaporation fins positioned below the evaporation rack. Other steps can include flowing or releasing wastewater along a flow path from a lower surface of an evaporation rack to one or both of an evaporation fin or a horizontal second upper surface of a laterally elongated second evaporation rack positioned directly below the evaporation rack; and moving the contaminants along the flow path as the water evaporates from the wastewater, thereby causing the contaminants to move generally downward while increasing the concentration within the wastewater as the water evaporates.

In yet another example, a method of separating contaminants from wastewater (which can be combined or used to modify existing method examples) can include: loading the waste water on the upwardly facing upper surface of the evaporation rack; and flowing the wastewater along a flow path from the upper surface around the sloped side edge and onto a downwardly facing lower surface of the evaporation rack. The path can extend along the lower surface and onto the evaporation fins of the vertical support posts, and from the evaporation fins onto the second upper surface of a second evaporation shelf positioned below the evaporation shelf. The method can further include evaporating water from the wastewater as the wastewater flows down the flow path.

In these method examples, in one example, the upper surface can be substantially flat, or even generally slightly concave or convex. The upper surface of at least some of the evaporation shelves can include an upwardly extending ridge that traverses the longitudinal length of the upper surface, which can prevent waste water from pooling in its center line or prematurely evacuating the surface. The lower surface can also be generally flat (or slightly concave or convex), but can also be inclined from the horizontal by more than 0 ° to 5 °. The lower surface can include a downwardly extending ridge that passes through the length of the lower surface, and the downwardly extending ridge can be used to release waste water therebelow and can direct the waste water along the lower surface toward the vertical support column. The evaporation fins can be vertically spaced apart from 0.2 cm to 1 cm, but more typically from 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm. In certain examples, the evaporation fins can be spaced apart such that when water is loaded thereon, a vertical water column is formed. The evaporation fins can have a configuration as described elsewhere herein, including square, rectangular, circular, oval, and the like. In one example, the horizontal upper surface can have the shape of a vertical cross-section of an airfoil (airfoil). Thus, when a vertical water column is formed, the vertical water column can have the shape of a vertical airfoil.

In further detail, the flow path can extend from the second upper surface, around the second sloped side edge, and onto a downwardly facing second lower surface of the second evaporation shelf, along the second lower surface, and onto the second evaporation fins of the second vertical support column, and from the second evaporation fins onto a third upper surface of a third evaporation shelf positioned below the second evaporation shelf, and so on. For example, the flow path can convey the wastewater to at least four (4) vertically stacked evaporation shelves spaced apart by support columns, and the support columns can also be configured with evaporation fins that convey at least a portion of the wastewater from the evaporation shelves to the evaporation shelves. Thus, the method can generally include moving the contaminants along the flow path as the water evaporates therefrom, thereby moving the contaminants generally downward while increasing the concentration. Further, to facilitate evaporation, the first and second evaporation shelves can vertically define (e.g., bound) an open space, and the support and second support columns can horizontally define (e.g., bound) an open space. For example, there can generally be a plurality of open spaces that are similarly configured. Thus, the method can include flowing air through the open space or open spaces to promote water evaporation. In another more specific example, to provide more additional airflow, the vertical support posts and/or the evaporation shelves (and/or the evaporation fins in some examples) can generally define (e.g., delimit) an enlarged evaporation airflow channel having a channel area that is at least eight (8) times greater than the average area of the open space. Thus, the method can further include flowing air through the enlarged evaporation flow channel (the relative area can be measured as the vertical plane of horizontal airflow through the open space and the enlarged evaporation flow channel). The evaporation fins, vertical support posts and/or evaporation shelves can also generally define or bound a second enlarged evaporation airflow channel having a channel area that is also at least eight times greater than the average area of the open space, and thus the method can further comprise flowing air through the second enlarged evaporation airflow channel.

In other examples, the evaporation panel system can include a plurality of evaporation panels, wherein a first evaporation panel and a second evaporation panel of the plurality of evaporation panels can each include a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from each other, and horizontally oriented; a plurality of vertical support posts can be positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation for the plurality of evaporation shelves. Further, a plurality of female receiving openings can be present and can each be defined or bounded by two evaporation shelves and two support posts and a plurality of male connectors positioned at lateral ends of both the first and second evaporation panels. The first vaporization panel and the second vaporization panel can be orthogonally joined via the male connector of the first vaporization panel and the female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel.

In another example, an evaporation panel system can include a plurality of evaporation panels, each of the plurality of evaporation panels including: a series of vertically stacked, laterally elongated evaporation shelves; and a series of vertically oriented support posts positioned along the elongated evaporation shelves to provide support and separation between the series of evaporation shelves. The evaporation shelves and support posts can form a grid-like structure that defines or provides a demarcation of a plurality of substantially square or rectangular concave receiving openings. The evaporation panel system can further include a plurality of male connectors positioned at lateral ends of the laterally elongated evaporation rack, wherein the male connectors can be adapted to releasably join or lock in place with selected female receiving openings of another orthogonally oriented evaporation panel.

In another similar example (which can be used in conjunction with or in place of structural components of existing evaporative panel systems), an evaporative panel system can include: a plurality of evaporation panels, wherein a first evaporation panel and a second evaporation panel of the plurality of evaporation panels each comprise a plurality of horizontal evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, and vertically spaced relative to each other; and a plurality of vertical support columns supporting the plurality of horizontal evaporation shelves. The evaporator panel can further comprise a plurality of female receiving openings each defined or bounded by two evaporation shelves and two support posts and a plurality of male connectors laterally positioned at ends of the plurality of evaporation panels. The male connector of the first vaporization panel can be adapted to releasably join or releasably lock in place when the first vaporization panel is orthogonally joined with the female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel. The evaporative panel system can further include a security fastener to secure the at least one male connector within the at least one female receiving opening. Thus, when the safety fastener is in place, the first evaporation panel, which is otherwise adapted to be releasably joined or releasably locked in place, is locked in place. Examples of safety fasteners that can be used include specially designed safety clips and/or safety pins.

With respect to various evaporative panel systems, generally, when the evaporative panels are joined or otherwise releasably joined (or locked together with the safety fasteners), the evaporative panel system may be more specifically referred to as an evaporative panel subassembly or evaporative panel assembly. Thus, the evaporation panel systems described herein can include a first evaporation panel orthogonally joined to a second evaporation panel to form an evaporation panel subassembly, such as an L-shaped subassembly or a T-shaped subassembly.

The present invention therefore also relates to an evaporation panel subassembly, which can include a plurality of evaporation panels laterally joined together to form a unit structure approximately one evaporation panel wide, one evaporation panel deep and one evaporation panel high, as will be described in more detail below. Each evaporation panel of the subassembly can comprise: a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented; and a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation for the plurality of evaporation shelves. Each evaporation panel can further include: a plurality of concave receiving openings each defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts; and a plurality of male connectors positioned at both lateral ends of the respective evaporation panel. The subassembly can include a first vaporization panel and a second vaporization panel, wherein one or more male connectors at one lateral end of the first vaporization panel can be connected to one or more corresponding female receiving openings.

In further detail, the plurality of evaporation panels can further comprise a third evaporation panel (which can comprise an evaporation shelf, a support column, a female receiving opening, a male connector, etc.), wherein the first evaporation panel is capable of being orthogonally joined with the second evaporation panel and the third evaporation panel to form an evaporation panel subassembly, such as a comb subassembly (U-shaped, E-shaped, single panel backbone having a plurality of orthogonally coupled evaporation panel teeth (e.g., 2 to 15 teeth, 2 to 8 teeth, 3 to 8 teeth, etc.), two panel backbones that are parallel at each end of the plurality of orthogonally coupled evaporation panel teeth (e.g., 2 to 15 teeth, 2 to 7 teeth, 3 to 7 teeth, etc.), hi one particular type of comb subassembly, the subassembly can be cube-shaped, it can be seen as a comb subassembly (one parallel subassembly at each end of the "toothed" evaporation panel) with a second panel backbone.

The evaporation subassembly can also be a pi-shaped subassembly. For example, a pi-shaped subassembly can include an evaporation panel spine and a plurality of orthogonally joined evaporation panel teeth, e.g., 2 to 13 teeth, 2 to 7 teeth, 3 to 7 teeth, 4 to 7 teeth, and the like. In this subassembly configuration, the evaporation panel "spine" (where a plurality of "teeth" are joined to the spine) can include a plurality of vertically aligned female receiving openings, where the two laterally outermost vertically aligned female receiving openings remain disconnected from the male connectors of any evaporation panel teeth. In further detail, the two outermost evaporation panel "tines" can be positioned, respectively, for example, from one location in the outermost vertically aligned female receiving openings (symmetrical), or from two locations in the outermost vertically aligned female receiving openings (symmetrical), or one location on one side of the pi-shaped subassembly spine and three locations on the other side of the pi-shaped subassembly spine (asymmetrical). In these types of configurations, pi subassemblies can be joined together to form a vertical support beam assembly, e.g., at least 4 pi subassemblies can be joined together to form 1 (or more) vertical support beam assembly, or at least 9 pi subassemblies (some symmetrical and some asymmetrical) can be joined together to form 4 (or more) vertical support beam assemblies. In further detail, even more pi-shaped subassemblies can be joined together to form an evaporation panel assembly having both vertical support beam assemblies and a vertical ventilation shaft, which can be, for example, about as large as one subassembly unit.

Regardless of the type of subassembly formed, they can be joined together to form a more complex evaporation panel assembly. For example, for cube-shaped subassemblies, comb subassemblies, pi-shaped subassemblies, L-shaped subassemblies, etc. can be joined to form two (or more) adjacently joined subassemblies or an evaporation panel assembly. The evaporation panel assembly can also be formed by stacking evaporation panels, evaporation panel subassemblies, evaporation panel assembly levels, and the like.

In another example, the evaporation panel assembly can include multiple evaporation panel subassemblies or multiple individual evaporation panels that are laterally joined together to form a larger structure than the evaporation panel subassembly. Each evaporation panel can include: a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented; a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation for the plurality of evaporation shelves; a plurality of concave receiving openings that can each be defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts; and a plurality of male connectors positioned at both lateral ends of respective evaporation panels joined at one or both ends with corresponding female receiving openings of orthogonally oriented evaporation panels.

Thus, a plurality of evaporation panel subassemblies can be joined laterally to form a first level of evaporation panel assemblies, or multiple levels thereon. Additional evaporation panel subassemblies can also be laterally joined and stacked on the first level to form a second level evaporation panel subassembly, and so on. For example, more additional evaporation panel subassemblies can be laterally joined and stacked on the second level to form an evaporation panel assembly of 1 to 48 additional levels, or 1 to 38 additional levels, or 1 to 22 additional levels, or 2 to 22 additional levels, or 4 to 30 additional levels, or the like. For example, when building up to 32 levels of evaporation panel assemblies, a significant amount of weight can create a downward force on, among other things, the lowermost evaporation panel assembly level. Thus, particularly for very high assemblies, e.g., at least 24 feet, at least 32 feet, at least 40 feet, at least 48 feet, at least 56 feet, at least 64 feet, etc., the larger subcomponent size of the individual evaporation panels can provide support for, e.g., deeper evaporation shelves, larger support columns, etc., such that more material can generally be used to form each individual evaporation panel. Moreover, the design configuration (e.g., how the evaporation panels are assembled) can also provide increased strength for very high evaporation panel assemblies. It has been found that, for example, a pi sub-assembly offers the greatest potential for building very high evaporation panel sub-assemblies. This is possible in part because the pi-shaped subassembly allows for the formation of a vertical support beam assembly, as will be described in greater detail below.

In still further detail, the evaporation panel system of the present disclosure can include a second evaporation panel assembly positioned proximate to, but not in contact with, the first evaporation panel assembly. For example, a gap of 1/2 to 12 inches or 1 to 6 inches may remain between two adjacent evaporation panel assemblies. Various structural features may be formed in the evaporation panel assembly, such as stairs, walkways, rooms/spaces, obstacles or walls, cantilever bridges, platforms, and the like.

Various methods of assembling an evaporation panel system to form an evaporation panel subassembly or assembly can include assembling an evaporation panel in connection with one or more of the evaporation panel systems described herein. For example, the method can include orthogonally orienting the first vaporization panel relative to the second vaporization panel and releasably joining the male connector of the first vaporization panel with the corresponding female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel to form a vaporization panel subassembly or assembly.

In one example, at least two (2) discrete evaporation panels (e.g., 2 to 10 evaporation panels, at least 50 evaporation panels, at least 500 evaporation panels, at least 5000 evaporation panels, at least 10000 evaporation panels, etc.) can be releasably joined together as one or more evaporation panel subassemblies and/or evaporation panel assemblies. In one example, first portions of evaporation panels (e.g., 50, 500, 5000, 10000, etc.) can be releasably laterally joined together, and second portions thereof can be releasably laterally joined together and stacked on top of the first portions to form a multi-level evaporation panel assembly. The third portion of the evaporation panels can be releasably joined laterally together and stacked on top of the second portion to form a third tier of a multi-tier evaporation panel assembly, and so on, such as an evaporation panel assembly (tower) that is at least 4 tiers high, such as 4 to 32 tiers high or even higher, limited only by safety considerations and the relative strength of the evaporation panel assembly.

In another example, the evaporative panel securing system can include a plurality of evaporative panels. The first and second evaporation panels of the plurality of evaporation panels can each include: a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from each other, and horizontally oriented; a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation for the plurality of evaporation shelves; a plurality of concave receiving openings that can each be defined by two evaporation shelves and two support posts; and a plurality of male connectors laterally positioned at ends of the plurality of vaporization panels, wherein the male connectors of a first vaporization panel are releasably joined with the female receiving openings of a second vaporization panel. The evaporation panel securing system can also include a security fastener (e.g., a security clip or a security pin) to secure the male connector of the first evaporation panel within the female receiving opening of the second evaporation panel in an orthogonal joining orientation, or to secure the second evaporation panel on top of the first evaporation panel in a vertical stacking orientation.

Related methods of securing evaporation panels together can include: orthogonally joining the first vaporization panel relative to the second vaporization panel by inserting the male connector of the first vaporization panel into the female receiving opening of the second vaporization panel; and locking the male connector in place within the female receiving opening by engaging the security fastener with the male connector located within the female receiving opening.

With respect to the evaporation panel securing systems and related methods, the security fasteners are operably engageable with the male connector and the female receiving opening such that, when in an orthogonal coupling orientation, a first evaporation panel is locked in position relative to a second evaporation panel at the male connector located within the female receiving opening. For example, the shear pin can be operably engaged with the male connector and at least two evaporation shelves that partially define the female receiving opening when in the orthogonal coupling orientation. Alternatively or additionally, the safety clip can be operably engaged with the male connector and at least two evaporation shelves partially defining the female receiving opening when in the orthogonal coupling orientation. When in the vertical stacking orientation, the safety clip can instead be operably engaged to secure the second evaporation panel in place on top of the first evaporation panel. If there are three evaporation panels, for example, first, second and third evaporation panels (of the same construction as the first and second evaporation panels), when the safety fasteners are in place, the safety fasteners (e.g., safety clips) can secure the first evaporation panel to the second evaporation panel in an orthogonal joining orientation, and also secure the third evaporation panel to the second evaporation panel in a vertical stacking orientation at the same time and location.

In another example, a wastewater remediation or evaporative separation system can include an evaporative panel assembly (e.g., comprising a single subassembly) that includes at least ten (10) discrete evaporative panels laterally joined together and positioned in fluid communication with a wastewater body. The evaporation panel assembly can be configured to receive wastewater from a body of wastewater and evaporate the water therefrom because the wastewater is poured down the evaporation panel assembly and the contaminants generally become more concentrated. The wastewater remediation or evaporative separation system can also include a wastewater delivery system in fluid communication with the wastewater body. The wastewater delivery system can include a fluid directing assembly for delivering wastewater from the wastewater body to an upper portion of the evaporation panel assembly. Any of the features described herein with respect to the various evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems, evaporation panel subassemblies, evaporation panel assemblies, evaporation panel securing systems, etc., can be used with the wastewater evaporative separation systems described herein.

In one example, the evaporation panel assembly can include at least fifty (50) discrete evaporation panels or at least five hundred (500) evaporation panels (or at least 1000, at least 5000, at least 10000, 20000, etc.), a first portion of which are laterally joined together and a second portion of which are laterally joined together and stacked on top of the first portion. In one example, the third portion and the third portion can be laterally joined together and stacked on top of the second portion, and so on. For example, the waste water body may be a pond, river or lake. The wastewater evaporative separation system can also include a platform that supports the evaporative panel assembly, and/or a platform on top thereof. The platform(s) may be perforated or include voids to allow wastewater to pass through, for example to return wastewater therethrough when it reaches the bottom of the evaporation panel assembly, or to allow wastewater to be loaded at or near the top of the evaporation panel assembly. For example, the (bottom) platform can be positioned above the wastewater body, float on the wastewater body, be on a dry or land surface next to the wastewater body, or the like. "dry" can include a solid surface, even if filled with water or other liquid (such as mud or clay). In another example, the waste water body may be in a container or other vessel. The body of water may be at a lower elevation relative to the evaporation panel assembly and the waste water delivery system can further include a pump to deliver waste water from the body of waste water to the upper portion. Alternatively, the body of water may be at a higher elevation relative to the evaporation panel assembly and the waste water may be gravity fed from the waste water body to the upper portion. In one example, the waste water body may even be filled by a remote waste water source body. For example, a pipe or fluid directing assembly can be used for the delivery and can include a fluid directing tube, sprayer nozzle, distribution tray, vent, valve, etc. for delivering the waste water to the top portion or top thereof. Thus, the evaporation panel assembly may be configured as generally described throughout the specification, e.g., the evaporation panels can be releasably joined or even locked together using safety clips or other safety fasteners to secure the evaporation panels together. The subassemblies can be formed from a variety of configurations and used to form larger evaporation panel assemblies of varying complexity, as will be described in greater detail below.

In some specific examples, an evaporation panel assembly of a wastewater evaporative separation system can be located on-site adjacent to an industrial process that produces wastewater. For example, if the industrial process is associated with drilling of oil and gas (oil or gas), the wastewater may be conventionally or otherwise separated from the oil or gas on site and may be transported to a body of wastewater on site without the need for trucking or the use of mobile transport vehicles (cars, trains, etc.) to transport the wastewater into the body of water. When the industrial process is associated with a mining operation, the wastewater used in mining may be delivered to a body of wastewater without the need for on-site truck transport or on-site evaporative separation using any type of mobile conveyance. Wastewater produced by plants or other operations that can benefit from it can include, but is not limited to, mining, sewage, utilities, oil production, gas production, lithium ponds, reclaimed water, lithium production, cooling towers, dairy pond waste, olive oil pond waste, leach pond waste, thermoelectric/cooling wastewater, brine evaporation, artificial lake treatment, agricultural production, pesticides, or combinations thereof.

In yet another example, a method of evaporative separation of wastewater can include loading wastewater including contaminants into an upper portion of an evaporation panel assembly, flowing the wastewater from an evaporation rack to an evaporation rack along a generally downward-dumping flow path, and evaporating water from the wastewater, thereby concentrating the contaminants in the wastewater as the wastewater moves along the generally downward-dumping flow path. The evaporation panel assembly can include at least 10 individual evaporation panels laterally joined together. Each evaporation panel can include: a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented; and a plurality of vertical support posts positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation for the plurality of evaporation shelves.

The method can further include: collecting the wastewater from the wastewater body after loading, flowing and evaporating; and directing the wastewater from the wastewater body back to the upper portion for another loading, flow and evaporation cycle. In further detail, the waste water body can be located near an industrial plant or operation that produces the waste water, and the evaporation assembly can be located on or near the waste water body. Thus, the method can include separating the wastewater by evaporation on-site adjacent to an industrial plant or operation that produces the wastewater to provide the wastewater to the wastewater body without the use of trucks or other mobile vehicles.

As a point of clarification, the terms wastewater "remediation" or "evaporative separation" system can be used herein because contaminants are effectively separated from the wastewater. As described above, the contaminants are removed from the water by an evaporation process. Thus, the water is "purified", but when separated, it does not remain in a liquid state, but evaporates into water vapor. Thus, the term "remediating" can alternatively be described as "evaporative separation" of wastewater from contaminants or other similar terms.

In view of these general examples, it should be noted that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an example," "multiple examples," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection therewith is included in at least one example of the present disclosure, but may also apply to other examples. Thus, appearances of the phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in an example," or similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. For example, when discussing any of the embodiments herein (e.g., evaporation panel system, evaporation panel subassembly, evaporation panel assembly, wastewater evaporative separation system, methods, etc.), each of these discussions can be considered applicable to other examples, such as other evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems (which include 2 or more evaporation panels that can be orthogonally joined together or stacked vertically), evaporation panel subassemblies (which include multiple evaporation panels joined together as a single unit assembly, as more fully defined below), evaporation panel assemblies (which refer to multiple evaporation panels that are orthogonally joined (releasably joined or locked) together, and in many cases include multiple stacked "levels" of orthogonally joined evaporation panels), wastewater evaporative separation systems, or the various methods described herein, whether explicitly discussed or not in the context of this particular example. As such, the features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosed vaporization panels, systems, subassemblies, assemblies, methods, etc., may be combined in any suitable manner. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

References to terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "upward", "downward", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", and the like, are generally used with respect to the normal operating orientation of the evaporation panel, evaporation panel system, evaporation panel subassembly, evaporation panel assembly (single or multiple grouped evaporation panel assemblies), wastewater evaporative separation system or method, and the like; or to provide information regarding the spatial relationship between the opposing features unless the context dictates otherwise, such as, for example, using the term "on" to describe the drawing itself rather than the structure shown in the drawing on the drawing. As mentioned above, a certain degree of flexibility is used with respect to absolute orientation or relative relationship. For example, a "horizontal" evaporation rack may generally be substantially horizontal within a few degrees of being perfectly horizontal, or "face up" may be substantially upward, but not necessarily directly upward, etc. In some cases, as an exception to what the case may otherwise indicate, minor deviations from an absolute orientation or spatial relationship can be specifically described and can therefore be excluded, for example, mentioning the lower surface of the evaporation shelf with a slope from greater than 0 ° to about 5 ° would exclude an absolute horizontal lower surface.

The terms "laterally" or "lateral" herein generally refer to an edge-to-edge relationship and, in some cases, to a front-to-back relationship when defined. For example, when referring to a single evaporation panel, the male connector can be described as being positioned laterally at the end of the evaporation panel (as opposed to the top or bottom, or front or back, of the panel). Thus, the front-to-back of a single evaporation panel (or evaporation panel "depth") is not considered lateral as used herein. On the other hand, when describing the orthogonal (or vertical) joining of two evaporation panels, since one evaporation panel has a first orientation and the second evaporation panel has a second vertical orientation, this relationship can be described as joining the two evaporation panels together laterally, as it results in laterally building a larger evaporation panel subassembly or assembly. More specifically, the two evaporation panels can even more accurately be described as being joined together laterally and orthogonally. In other words, when the terms "laterally" or "sideways" are used with respect to a single evaporation panel or evaporation panel subassembly or assembly, there is typically at least one evaporation panel described with respect to an end thereof, for example at the right and/or left end (based on normal operation and upright positioning or orientation, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise) where one or more male connectors are located. As another point, when referring to individual features of the evaporation panel, such as a particular male connector or a particular evaporation fin or a column of evaporation fins, for example, the term "laterally" can be used more generally to describe features in any substantially horizontal direction. For example, the evaporation fins can be described as having a lateral dimension along the x-y axis when viewed from above (with the evaporation panel in its upright normal orientation).

When referring generally to one or more "support posts," these can be described in two general cases. In one example, the support column can be described as spanning the vertical length of the evaporation panel, from the lowermost evaporation rack to the uppermost evaporation rack. Thus, the support column can also be described as including various support column "sections" between immediately adjacent evaporation shelves. In other cases, however, a support column may alternatively refer to a support column section between two immediately adjacent evaporation shelves, as the case may be. In this latter case, the support posts generally refer more specifically to the spatial relationship of the support posts. For example, the support column may be described as being "between" the first evaporative shelf and the second evaporative shelf. Depending on the circumstances, the support column in this example can be understood as being between two immediately adjacent evaporation shelves, or between two other evaporation shelves with one, two, three, four, etc. evaporation shelves in between.

The terms "releasably coupled" or even "releasably locked" refer to a mechanical engagement in which two (or more) structures (e.g., a structure and an opening defined or bounded by the structure) are coupled or snapped together with a locking mechanism, but the locking mechanism is capable of allowing unlocking by a positive mechanical action (e.g., squeezing, pushing, pulling, sliding, lifting, twisting, etc.) placed on one or both structures. For example, the mechanical action can include human finger interaction or can include the use of some type of unlocking tool. Once the two structures are "releasably joined" in place, the two structures should remain together unless mechanical action is typically intentionally taken. On the other hand, the terms "lock" or "unreleasably lock" refer to two (or more) separate structures being joined together by a locking mechanism, but which cannot be separated without damaging one or more of the structures, or alternatively, by removing a third mechanism (e.g., a security fastener such as a security clip, a security pin, etc.) that may be used to convert the joint from "releasably joined" to "locked". By way of example, the safety clip can "releasably couple" itself relative to the fitting (e.g., male connector/female receiving opening), but it can make the fitting itself a "locking" fitting even though it may itself be releasably coupled thereto. To unlock the joint, the safety clip can be removed and the joint now reverts to a "releasably joined" joint.

The term "wastewater" is used broadly to include any type of water that is adversely affected in quality by human (human activity) action, or water in which (even naturally) other materials are present for which it is desirable to separate the material from the water. Thus, wastewater includes produced water, contaminated water, or any other type of contaminated water that may benefit from the use of the evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems, evaporation panel subassemblies and assemblies, wastewater evaporative separation systems and methods, and the like, described herein. In addition, wastewater also includes bodies of water having any material that may be desired to be evaporatively separated, whether the evaporative separation is caused by human activity or whether the material is technically "waste". For example, the term "wastewater" can also include bodies of water that include large natural mineral contents for which evaporable separations may be beneficial. Thus, any type of water that can be separated from "contaminants" or even "desired materials" (e.g., evaporated to concentrate salt for salt recovery) that can be concentrated by water evaporation is generally referred to herein as "wastewater," regardless of how it is produced.

The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used for convenience, do not infer any relative positioning, and do not require that these terms be used consistently throughout the specification and claims because they are intended to be relative terms to each other and not absolute terms to structure. Thus, because these terms are relative to each other, they may be used interchangeably from one example to the next, but are generally used consistently within a single example or within a particular set of claims. For purposes of illustration, the use of "first" and "second" in this disclosure may be used in one manner to describe two opposing evaporation panels, and in different examples or claims, the terms "first" and "second" may be redistributed. However, the use of the terms "first" and "second" within a single example or a single claim set should be used in an inherently consistent manner with respect to that particular example or that particular claim set.

Reference will now be made to certain drawings that represent specific examples of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and various modifications can be made to the illustrated examples in accordance with examples of the disclosure. Additionally, reference numerals will be used consistently because they relate to a specific type of structure, even though similar structures from embodiment to embodiment are not the same shape, configuration, or location. Each figure may include reference numerals that are not specifically described when discussing that particular figure, but may be described elsewhere herein. Likewise, discussions regarding the specifically illustrated structures may not be numerically identified, but will be numerically identified elsewhere herein.

Fig. 1-5 will be discussed together as they depict an example evaporation panel 10 taken from different perspectives. The evaporation panel in this example can be oriented in an upright position, with the top 12 and bottom 14 shown. The evaporation panel typically receives waste water (not shown) at or towards its top, but can also be side-filled in some examples. Thus, by receiving the waste water (typically toward or at the top) and pouring the waste water in a generally downward direction, the waste water thinly fills the series of evaporation shelves 16, and thus the other evaporation shelves located therebelow. Basically, for example, the plurality of evaporation shelves can include an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 for receiving, holding and distributing the waste water in a generally downward direction while exposing a large surface area (air/liquid interface) of the waste water to the natural characteristics of evaporation. In one particular example, the evaporation shelf can have a flat or substantially flat upper surface with a slight taper on its edges 22 (e.g., beveled edges) and a small bevel at the lower surface below, e.g., >0 ° to 5 °, 1 ° to 4 °, 2 ° to 4 °, or about 3 ° from the level. Very small bevels are difficult to see in fig. 1-5, but in the alternative embodiment of fig. 19, an example is more clearly shown. This configuration provides an arrangement such that once the waste water has overflowed the upper surface, the excess waste water will roll gently on the edges using natural water tension to retain a thin layer of waste water on the lower surface until full enough to pass the waste water down to the next lower evaporation shelf. Thus, the lower surface can include such a slight or subtle slope as described, but in another example can be horizontal without a slope.

Additional features that can be present on the evaporation panel 10 of fig. 1-5 can include support posts 30. In the example shown, there are sixteen vertical support posts that support twenty-five evaporative shelves 16. The number of support columns and evaporation shelves shown in fig. 1-5 is somewhat arbitrary, as there can be any number of support columns and evaporation shelves, e.g., the support columns and/or evaporation shelves can be numbered independently from 2 to 200, from 2 to 100, from 4 to 50, from 8 to 36, from 10 to 24, from 12 to 18, etc. In this example, the support column can include a support beam 32, in which case the support beam 32 is a support beam that is centrally positioned with respect to the evaporation fins 34. The support beams can be positioned elsewhere, but when in the center, water can fill around the support beams on the evaporation fins, providing more surface area for evaporation.

Although a large amount of waste surface area is created by the plurality of evaporation racks 16, the support columns 30 used to support and separate the evaporation racks can provide a large amount of additional surface area. For example, when an evaporation panel comprising evaporation shelves is filled with waste water, the support posts can also be loaded with waste water, thereby providing more waste water surface area (air/liquid interface) suitable for evaporation.

The evaporation panel 10 can also include structure suitable for joining or connecting (and disconnecting) adjacent evaporation panels to form an evaporation panel assembly. In fig. 1-5, this particular evaporating panel includes a series of male connectors 40 at the side or lateral end surfaces of the evaporating panel. The male connector can be joined orthogonally to other adjacent evaporative panels in any one of a number of female receiving openings 42, which female receiving openings 42 may be available and configured to join with the male connector. In this particular example, each and all of the openings are configured to function as female receiving openings; however, for practical purposes, when two orthogonal evaporator panels are joined together and both rest on a common horizontal surface, the female receiving opening that can be used is aligned with the position of the male connector of the other (orthogonally oriented) evaporator panel. For example, other concave receiving openings that are not used can act as "open spaces" for providing airflow and/or evaporative exhaust. As described above, in one example, at open space locations where the evaporation panel may not be intended to be joined with a male connector, those particular open spaces may or may not be configured as female receiving openings, but are still capable of serving as open spaces for airflow and evaporation purposes. See, for example, fig. 17-20, which include open spaces that are not female receiving openings, or fig. 21C-24D, which include open spaces with cross-supports therein, which may not accommodate insertion of a male connector at certain locations (depending on the location and/or configuration of the male connector and/or cross-supports).

In more detail, the male connector 40 on the right side in fig. 1 is vertically offset compared to the male connector on the left side. This enables the two vaporization panels to be aligned and joined along a common vertical plane (with an orthogonally positioned third vaporization panel positioned therebetween to provide a respective joinable concave receiving opening, as shown, for example, in fig. 10). If these male connectors are not vertically offset along opposite ends or sides of the evaporator panels, they will not be aligned in this particular configuration, assuming all panels rest on a common horizontal plane, e.g., the male connectors of two different evaporator panels will occupy the same female receiving opening. On the other hand, if the male connectors are shorter, or if the male connectors are offset with respect to each other but not necessarily positionally offset with respect to the occupied female receiving openings, they may be configured to occupy a common female receiving opening.

In further detail, and as can be seen in particular in fig. 2A, 2B and 3, the size of the evaporation fins 34 found at the lateral ends or sides of the evaporation panel (on the support column(s) immediately adjacent to the male connector) can be smaller than the other evaporation fins. This enables the evaporation fins to fit within the concave receiving openings of orthogonally adjacent evaporation panels when the two evaporation panels are joined together.

As can be seen particularly in fig. 1, 2A and 2B, the evaporation panel 10 generally includes a series of vertically stacked, laterally elongated evaporation shelves 16, and a series of vertically oriented support posts 30 periodically positioned along the elongated evaporation shelves, which provide support and separation between the series of evaporation shelves. In this configuration, the evaporation shelves and support posts have the appearance of a "grid structure" and provide a substantially uniformly shaped and aligned rectangular open space for the "grid structure" throughout, as well as the evaporation shelves and support posts defining the grid structure. For purposes of definition, a grid structure such as this (e.g., more than 95% of the area (width by height) is a grid structure in which the shelves and posts define a grid having open spaces defined therebetween as rectangles (or squares)) can be more generally described as part of a larger class of structures referred to herein as "grid-like structures".

On the other hand, the support posts 30 and the concave receiving openings 42 (or other open spaces) can alternatively be non-periodically positioned or non-uniformly spaced along the length of the evaporation shelf, as shown by way of example in fig. 17-20. This configuration includes openings of various sizes, some of which are female receiving openings 42 and others of which are not adapted to couple with male connectors 40, more generally referred to as open spaces 48. Although the male connector can be inserted into these open spaces, because of the large size of the openings, the male connector may not receive a lateral support that would otherwise be provided at the female receiving opening due to the close proximity of the support posts to the male connector releasably coupled therebetween. As mentioned, however, it is noted that an "open space" can be any configuration in which the male connector is not ultimately joined therein, whether an unused female receiving opening or a more dedicated open space that is not intended to receive a male connector. For the purpose of definition, even though the evaporation panel structure shown in fig. 17-20 comprises open spaces with different lateral dimensions or widths, the structure comprises vertical columns and horizontal evaporation shelves, forming substantially rectangular open spaces of different dimensions, and therefore this type of structure can be referred to herein as a "grid-like structure", or more specifically, as a "non-periodic horizontally varying grid-like structure".

In this regard, these evaporation panel structures that include "grid" or "grid-like" portions (e.g., at least 50% area (width by height dimension, excluding depth)) along the effective area of the evaporation panel can also be considered to be grid-like structures. For example, as shown in fig. 21A-24D below, two enlarged evaporation flow channels are shown at 58A, 58B. These channels are not actually part of the grid structure, but the evaporation panel in these examples comprises more than 50% of the area of the grid or grid-like structure up to about 95% of the area of the grid or grid-like structure, and therefore the evaporation panel can be considered as a "grid-like structure" according to examples of the present disclosure. Further, fig. 21C-24D show examples with cross supports. These cross supports are provided in some embodiments for structural integrity as they provide a positive structure that does not involve retaining and evaporating wastewater in any appreciable amount, and therefore they are not considered with respect to whether the panel is a grid-like structure.

Fig. 6A depicts an alternative example similar to that shown in fig. 1-5, but including fewer support posts 30, fewer evaporation shelves 16, fewer male connectors 40, and fewer female receiving openings 42. However, given the same relative width and height dimensions of the vaporization panel as shown in fig. 1-5, the open space or female receiving opening would be larger, and the male connector would be correspondingly larger. Further, because the spatial relationship or spacing between the evaporation fins 34 can be based on the surface tension of water that may be suitable for forming a vertical water column (e.g., see fig. 15), and thus the spacing can be maintained in the range of 0.2 cm to 1 cm, or 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm, or 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm. Thus, for example, more evaporation fins can be present between two adjacent evaporation shelves. In this example, in most cases, there are typically seven evaporation fins at each support column section (at the bottom, this section of the support column comprises six evaporation fins). Further, in one example, the evaporation shelf depth can be about the same as or greater than that shown in fig. 1-5, but any suitable depth that can hold a thin layer of wastewater and pass the wastewater thereunder in a pouring manner as described elsewhere herein can also be used. This particular evaporation panel also includes a pin receiving opening 75, which is shown and described in more detail in the context of fig. 28, 31, and 32D. Other structural features can be as previously described and need not be re-described in the context of this example.

In yet another example, as generally shown in fig. 6B and 6C, two other alternative example evaporation panel configurations can be used. Accordingly, the support posts 30 can be vertically staggered from evaporation shelf 16 to evaporation shelf (see fig. 6B), or staggered in vertical pairs or larger vertical groups (see fig. 6C), or staggered or arranged in any other manner that allows for functional attachment between two orthogonally positioned evaporation panels. In general, the concave receiving openings 42 can be rectangular in shape, and thus, even if the support posts and concave receiving openings (or other remaining open spaces) are offset, these configurations can be considered and defined herein as "grid-like structures, or more specifically, these two example evaporation panel structures can be referred to as" horizontally offset grid-like structures ".

With further reference to fig. 6B and 6C, the evaporation panels can additionally include other similar features described with respect to fig. 1-5, and therefore, such similar features are neither labeled with a reference numeral nor re-described again to avoid repetition. The salient features described with respect to these particular examples relate to the staggered or offset support posts 30 and the open space or concave receiving openings 42. In theseWith the arrangement, there is a similar spaced relationship between the parallel panels as compared to the evaporating panels shown in fig. 1-5. However, depending on the particular configuration, in one example, the male connectors on opposite lateral ends of the vaporization panel can be vertically positioned differently than shown in fig. 1-5 to accommodate the position of the vertically aligned female receiving openings, and the male connectors on each side of the vaporization panel can be repositioned to allow the vaporization panels to be aligned, similar to that shown in fig. 10 (with orthogonal vaporization panels positioned therebetween). For example, with respect to fig. 6B, specifically, the male connector at the opposite end (not shown) may be positioned two levels lower than the male connector shown on the left side in fig. 6B. In this arrangement, the two panels can be aligned in a common plane using a concave receiving opening labeled "O". If the two male connectors on each side are only further positioned vertically down to another position, the male connectors may be positioned in female receiving openings labeled "H" and may likewise be vertically aligned similar to that shown in FIG. 10. Of course, these arrangements assume that the joined-together evaporative panels all rest on a common horizontal surface. The male connector may likewise be vertically adapted or repositioned (on both sides) to align with the female receiving opening shown in fig. 6C. The positioning may also determine whether the male connector will be more properly aligned at the female receiving opening labeled as opening "O" or "H". In either case, typically in a staggered arrangement, the male connectors can be positioned vertically (and in some examples vertically offset relative to each other on each opposing side) in a manner suitable for coupling with vertical alignment of the female receiving openings. Alternatively, if vertical alignment is not a priority, for example when forming an evaporation panel assembly such as that shown in fig. 12B, 12C and 12E, then there may be no vertically offset male connectors. In further detail, by staggering the concave receiving openings, an alternative spatial relationship between orthogonally joined evaporation panels can be created, for example one and one half (1) from the left end of the evaporation panel¹/₂) Or a male connection following thatAny position to which the connector can be coupled. These "half" positions can be marked with an "H" as shown in the figures. Thus, when using a concave receiving opening in the H position, other available positions for similarly configured evaporation panels can be in any other "half" position (e.g., 1)¹/₂、2¹/₂、3¹/₂Etc.) are connected. These positions, as well as the "O" position (based on integer increments) are labeled in the figures, left to right for further clarity as positions 1, 1¹/₂、2、2¹/₂3, etc. Again, depending on which female receiving opening is to be used, a male connector appropriately positioned on an orthogonally oriented evaporation panel can be integrated therewith.

Note that with respect to the support columns described and defined herein, the support columns are generally described as spanning the height of the evaporation panel, and thus, the portion of the support columns between adjacent evaporation shelves is generally referred to herein as a support column section. In the case of the staggered support columns of fig. 6B and 6C, the support columns may not span the height of the evaporation panel vertically, but can span a variety of evaporation shelves that are less than the vertical height of the evaporation panel as a whole. Thus, to maintain consistency, staggered support column sections defining a complete open space (excluding horizontal rows having open positions at relative "half" positions) can be used to determine the "number" of complete support columns (which functionally, rather than literally, span the height of the evaporation panel). For example, in fig. 6B, if there are nine (9) support columns defining eight (8) open spaces labeled "O" shaped openings (rather than "H" shaped openings), the evaporation panel can generally be described as having nine (9) support columns, even though there are many other support column sections staggered throughout the body of the evaporation panel. In other words, the staggered support column sections defining an "H" position below and adjacent to the support column section defining an "O" position can be considered to be part of the support columns adjacent and above and/or below it in configuration, as these semi-position support columns do functionally provide support to the support column sections defining an "O" position.

According to a more specific example, certain wastewater flow paths can be created using the evaporation panels described herein. In one example, when waste water is loaded at the upper surface of the evaporation rack, the waste water can be transferred to its lower surface (in one example around a tapered or inclined edge) and onto an additional "upper surface" on the evaporation rack located below it. For example, some of the waste water can also be diverted into the evaporation fins and then passed down to the next evaporation rack. Thus, as water evaporates from the waste water at the various upper surfaces and evaporation fins, the more concentrated waste water can move down the evaporation panels. This can result in the wastewater pouring in a generally downward direction, wherein the water content is removed or reduced by evaporation and the contaminants or other substances in the wastewater become more concentrated. The evaporation shelves can be stacked in any number within a single evaporation panel, for example, 2 to 200 evaporation shelves, 4 to 50 evaporation shelves, 8 to 24 shelves, etc. The evaporation shelves can thus be stacked vertically and spaced apart from the horizontal evaporation fins located therebetween. In one example, the evaporation panel can include at least four evaporation shelves and at least four support posts between each pair of evaporation shelves, such as shown in any of fig. 1-6C, 17-20, 21A-24D, and so forth. This particular vaporizing panel can also include at least nine open spaces, some of which can serve as female receiving openings for receiving one or more male connectors from adjacent orthogonally positioned vaporizing panels.

Fig. 7 and 8 depict an example of an evaporative panel system 100 (also referred to as an evaporative panel assembly once assembled) that includes a first (upper) evaporative panel 10A and a second (lower) evaporative panel 10B. In this example, the two evaporation panels of the system can include many similar features as described in fig. 1-6C. For example, the evaporation panel can include a top 12 (shown on evaporation panel 10B of fig. 7) and a bottom 14 (shown on evaporation panel 10A of fig. 7). The opposing "top" and "bottom" that are replaced after stacking and the other opposing "top" and "bottom" that do not utilize other evaporation panel stacks are also shown in fig. 8. The evaporation panel of fig. 7 also includes evaporation shelves 16, each evaporation shelf 16 having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 in this example. The evaporating panel can also include upwardly extending ridges 24 and downwardly extending ridges 26, as well as male connectors 40 and open spaces that can be configured as female receiving openings 42. With respect to the male connector, which is particularly shown in further detail in fig. 7, the male connector can include male connector engagement grooves 40A at its top and bottom (with respect to the upright and upright operative positions of the evaporation panels) for engaging the downwardly extending ridges and upwardly extending ridges, respectively, when orthogonally joined with the female receiving openings of adjacent evaporation panels. Also shown is a male connector locking channel 40B which in one example can be used to form a locking engagement with a security clip (not shown here but shown in fig. 25A-32E below) to convert the male connector and female receiving opening connection from a releasably coupled coupling to a locking coupling.

The evaporation panels (10A and 10B) can also include support columns 30, the support columns 30 including support beams 32 and evaporation fins 34, as previously described. Notably, the bottom of the evaporator panel 10A can be placed or stacked on top of the evaporator panel 10B when the evaporator panels are joined together. To prevent shifting or sliding when in place, the top of the second (lower) evaporation panel can comprise a coupling ridge 44 and can mate with the bottom of the first (upper) evaporation panel, which can comprise a corresponding coupling slot 46. When the first and second evaporation panels are joined at the bottom and top surfaces, respectively, the lowermost shelf of evaporation panel 10A and the uppermost shelf of evaporation panel 10B become integral to form a "single" evaporation shelf, shown generally at panel interface 13 in fig. 8. In this configuration, the first evaporation panel can rest on the second evaporation panel (as shown in fig. 8), or the evaporation panels can be clipped together to prevent displacement movement using a safety clip (not shown here but shown in detail in fig. 25A-32F). According to further details, in this example, the evaporation fins shown at one or more lateral ends of the evaporation panel can be slightly smaller than the evaporation fins present at other locations on the evaporation panel. In this example, this dimensional difference is provided such that the evaporation fins are small enough to fit within the concave receiving openings of adjacent evaporation panels that may be joined laterally and orthogonally thereto. As noted above, in other examples, the evaporation fins can be of the same, smaller size along the entire evaporation panel, or the evaporation panel can be configured so that there are no evaporation fins at the lateral ends of the evaporation panel to avoid interference when joining two evaporation panels orthogonally.

Fig. 9 depicts another example of an evaporative panel system 100 (more particularly, an evaporative panel subassembly joined in an L-shaped configuration as presently shown) that includes a first (front view) evaporative panel 10A and a second (side or end view) evaporative panel 10B connected together laterally in an orthogonal orientation. In this example, the two evaporation panels of the system can include similar features as described in fig. 1-8. For example, the evaporation panel can include a top 12 and a bottom 14, and evaporation shelves 16, each evaporation shelf 16 including an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 in this example. The evaporating panel can also include upwardly extending ridges 24 and downwardly extending ridges 26, and support columns 30 including support beams 32 and evaporating fins 34, as previously described. In this example, the male connectors 40 (or 6 vertically aligned male connectors) are shown clipped into the female receiving openings 42 (or 6 corresponding vertically aligned female receiving openings) so that the vaporization panels are releasably joined or joined together in an orthogonal orientation.

The evaporating panel system or assembly shown in fig. 7-8 shows the evaporating panels stacked vertically, and the evaporating panel system or assembly shown in fig. 9 (which is an L-shaped subassembly) shows the evaporating panels in an orthogonal orientation laterally joined. Thus, the evaporating panel systems or assemblies of fig. 7-8 and the evaporating panel system or assembly shown in fig. 9 can be combined to form more complex evaporating panel assembly structures, such as side-to-side bonding and vertical stacking. For example, a more complex laterally-joined evaporating panel system can be formed using many evaporating panels, and can be stacked vertically. It will be appreciated after considering the present disclosure that a very complex structure having the dimensions of a large building with rooms, corridors, stairs, walls, open channels, etc. can be formed by joining the evaporation panels laterally in an orthogonal orientation (viewed from above in the X-Y direction or axis) to form a level of joined evaporation panels, and that the evaporation panels (levels) can likewise be joined together and stacked as high as possible (viewed from above in the Z direction or axis). Thus, by having the evaporation panels laterally abutting, and in many cases by being vertically stacked, it is possible to assemble structures that are larger in three dimensions, including very complex and/or large structures. In one example, the assembly can be put together without the need or use of special tools, because the male connector can snap into the female receiving opening, and because the evaporation panels can also be stacked vertically by incrementally building additional tiers laterally on top of the previously laterally joined tiers, as shown and described herein. However, in some examples, tools can be used when it would be advantageous to use such tools, for example using a mallet to join panels, or using a lever tool to break an evaporative panel (or a safety clip described below).

Accordingly, three examples of more complex (3 or more panels) laterally joined evaporation panels are generally shown in fig. 10-12, each of which may be further laterally built and/or vertically stacked. For example, fig. 10 provides a perspective view of three evaporation panels laterally joined together to form a T-assembly. More specifically, this can be described as a two-panel T-shaped asymmetric T-shaped subassembly (10A, 10B) in which the third evaporation panel (10C) is positioned in vertical and lateral alignment with the evaporation panel 10B. In further detail, the first evaporation panel 10A has a first orientation, and the second evaporation panel 10B and the third evaporation panel 10C are orthogonally oriented with respect to the first evaporation panel. As described above, the second and third evaporator panels are positioned in-line with respect to each other, sharing a common vertically aligned row of concave receiving openings found on evaporator panel 10A. This is possible in this example because the male connectors 40 are vertically offset with respect to each side of each individual evaporation panel. Thus, the male connectors from the evaporator panel 10B (on the right) are not designed to be received by the same female receiving openings 42 as the male connectors of the evaporator panel 10C (on the left). In other words, the male connectors are vertically offset by one position on each side of the evaporating panel. In other designs, it may be advantageous to offset the male connectors on opposite lateral ends of the vaporization panel by two vertical positions, such as when joining panels having horizontally offset female receiving openings. See, for example, fig. 6B.

On the other hand, fig. 11 provides a perspective view of ten evaporation panels laterally joined to one another to form a cube-shaped configuration. Specifically, the first evaporation panel 10A has a first orientation, and the tenth evaporation panel 10J has a parallel orientation with respect to the evaporation panel 10A. The evaporating panels 10B-10I are positioned between the evaporating panels 10A and 10J and are orthogonally oriented with respect to the evaporating panels 10A and 10J. A single panel space (or one location) is left between adjacent evaporation panels 10B-10I or left unused between adjacent evaporation panels 10B-10I to allow for air flow 38 and for space for evaporative moisture to vent therefrom, such as through any number of inter-panel spaces 39. The airflow and evaporative venting can also be provided by the female receiving opening (or open space/void) which would otherwise not be occupied by the male connector. The assembly spacing between the panels, together with the panel openings, uses natural ventilation caused by temperature differences (e.g., evaporative cooling inside the evaporative panel assembly as compared to ambient temperature outside the evaporative panel assembly) to drive airflow across the surface to increase the evaporation rate.

It is noted that the "cube" configuration shown in fig. 11 is one example of a basic cell structure or subassembly that can be reused to form a much larger and more complex evaporation panel assembly structure. For example, a number of cubes can be formed that are laterally locked together and vertically stacked to form a larger evaporation panel assembly in the form of a large structure, tower, etc., which can include stairs, walls, platforms, bridges, etc., formed using evaporation panels (such as the panels shown in fig. 34-36). By way of further illustration, the cubic shape shown in fig. 11 can "share" a common evaporation panel with an adjacently positioned "cube" when used as a building block that laterally forms a larger structure. For example, a cubic first or tenth evaporation panel 10A or 10J in fig. 11 or a cubic second or ninth evaporation panel 10B or 10I in fig. 11 may be used as a first evaporation panel for an adjacent "cubic" assembly (see, e.g., fig. 12D). Thus, the term "cube" can be defined to include generally cube-like structures (e.g., comb-like subassemblies), even if the structures share one or more evaporation panels with an adjacently positioned "cube".

In view of this example, the term "cell structure" or "subassembly" can be used to refer to any basic evaporating panel configuration that can be used repeatedly or semi-repeatedly to join together (sometimes with other types of subassembly shapes or other configurations of the same type of subassembly shapes) to build up more complex evaporating panel assemblies sideways. The subassembly refers to laterally joined evaporation panels, rather than vertically stacked evaporation panels. Further, a "subassembly" is a basic unit of any number of orthogonally joined evaporative panels, which can typically be about one panel wide by about one panel deep by one panel high, e.g., 1 x 1 panel size. Thus, any configuration of panels having a size of about 1 × 1 × 1 can be considered a "subassembly," in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. It is noted that the dimensional relationship of 1 × 1 × 1 does not infer absolute relational dimensions, but merely a relative dimensional ratio consistent with the way the evaporation panels are joined together orthogonally. For example, a two foot wide, two foot high, two inch deep evaporation panel can be used to form a substantially 2 cubic foot subassembly. As noted above, the exact relational dimensions of each subassembly may not be the exact 1 x 1 dimensions (or 1: 1: 1 size ratio) because the depth of one or both evaporation panels can be increased to the width of the orthogonally oriented evaporation panels when the panels are orthogonally joined. For example, if the panels are two feet wide by two feet high by two inches deep, a 1 x 1 subassembly may be two feet four inches wide, two feet high, and two feet deep (assuming that the two evaporation panels are oriented parallel to one or more evaporation panels orthogonally positioned therebetween); or the subassembly may be 2 feet by 2 inches wide, 2 feet tall, and 2 feet deep (if there is only one of the "end" or "spine" evaporation panels relative to the parallel "teeth" evaporation panels in one of two orthogonal orientations). These configurations will still be considered "subassemblies" in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. Thus, for definition purposes, a 1 × 1 × 1 evaporative panel subassembly or 1: 1: 1 evaporative panel subassembly size ratio includes increasing the relative depth of the "end" or "spine" evaporative panels, as will be described in further detail below.

In some examples, two or more types of sub-assemblies or unit structures may be formed, which may be used to build more complex vaporization assemblies in a repeating or semi-repeating manner. Thus, a "cube" is only one example of such a unit structure or subassembly. For example, a cube may be joined with a (further) comb subassembly to form two adjacent cubes that share a common joined evaporation panel (such as the panel shown in the example in fig. 12D). Further, other cell structures or subassemblies that can be joined with other subassemblies to build more complex evaporation panel assemblies and such subassemblies can include the following: l-shape, T-shape, comb (e.g., U-shape, E-shape, cube-shape, etc.), pi-shape, asymmetric shapes thereof, and the like. Some of these exemplary configurations are shown in fig. 12A, each of which depicts a top 12 view of nine exemplary subassemblies. Of course, there are other possible subassemblies that can be formed, but these nine embodiments illustrate various example configurations or shapes (including variations thereof) that are intended to aid in understanding each type of subassembly. For clarity, the subassembly shown in fig. 12A (and the larger assemblies shown in fig. 12B-12E) is shown by an upper or top plan view, as the shape of the subassembly can best be viewed from this view. From this view, the upper surface or top 18 of the uppermost evaporation shelf is shown, which can include a coupling ridge 44. The upper surface can be used for vertically stacking additional evaporation panels thereon, and the coupling ridges can be used for engaging with coupling grooves (not shown) on the bottom (not shown) of the evaporation panel subassembly or assembly of the next level. In these examples, although the coupling ridges are not required, they are conveniently located so that the approximate location of the vertical support column (see fig. 1) can be understood from this upper plan view, e.g., directly below the coupling ridges. Likewise, vertically aligned concave receiving openings can be understood and visualized as being vertically aligned generally below the area between adjacent coupling ridges. As noted above, the support posts need not be aligned with the coupling ridges, and any of several relative evaporation panel sizes, configurations, etc. can be used to form the subassemblies as described herein. However, for purposes of simplicity and clarity of discussion, the evaporation panels shown in fig. 12A-12E generally have example configurations similar to those shown in fig. 1-5 or 21A-23, without any particular limitation. The male connector 40 is also shown, and the male connector 40 can be seen from the nine top plan subassembly views of fig. 12A. Again, these structures are viewed from above, similar to that shown in fig. 4. The female receiving openings, the evaporation shelves (except for the uppermost shelf), the support posts, the evaporation fins, etc. are not shown as they are obscured by the top of each evaporation panel.

The shapes described herein with respect to the various subassemblies are based on a top plan view of the assembled evaporation panel. For the sake of brevity and to avoid overly complicated descriptions of the various subassemblies that can be used to form more complex evaporation panel assemblies (e.g., towers), the term "panel" may generally be used rather than the longer term "evaporation panel" when describing various subassembly shapes in further detail below. Further, for each of these subassemblies described herein, uniform spacing between parallel panels, variable spacing between panels, symmetric spacing and/or positioning of panels, or asymmetric spacing and/or positioning of panels can be used. In examples where the concave receiving openings may be horizontally offset in the form of a horizontally offset grid-like structure (such as shown in fig. 6B and 6C); or in examples using non-periodic level varying mesh-like structures (such as shown in fig. 17-20), there can be alternative spatial relationships between orthogonally joined "tooth" panels along a "spine" panel of the subassembly. These arrangements are not specifically discussed in the context of fig. 12A-12E, but in contrast these other types of grid-like evaporation panels can be similarly assembled to form similarly constructed panel subassemblies with only a few minor panel construction modifications in some cases.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the various subassemblies shown in FIG. 12A, the terms "L-shaped" and "T-shaped" are basically self-explanatory. L-shaped refers to two panels that are orthogonally positioned, with the male connector(s) at one end of a first panel joining with one (or more) of the laterally outermost female receiving openings (e.g., vertically aligned female receiving openings). The general shape is as shown in fig. 12A and is labeled "L-shaped". T-shape refers to two panels that are orthogonally positioned, with the male connector at one end of the first panel joining any vertically aligned female receiving openings rather than those at the outermost position. Two examples are provided in fig. 12A, labeled "T-shaped" and "T-shaped (asymmetric)". In these and the following examples, the vaporization panel using its male connector(s) to join with the female receiving opening of another panel may be referred to as a "tooth" or "teeth" for convenience. The evaporative panel that receives the male connector with the female receiving opening may be referred to as a "spine," or if there are two (one at each end of the "tooth" or teeth), this second evaporative panel may be referred to as a "secondary spine" for convenience. These terms are used primarily for clarity in describing the subassembly structure.

Another basic subassembly structure, referred to herein as a "comb," includes three or more panels, wherein the second and third panels are orthogonally positioned relative to the first panel, and the male connectors of the two panels are each individually joined with the laterally outermost female receiving opening of the first panel. In other words, the two panels or "teeth" are attached to the first panel at opposite ends within the concave receiving opening of the first panel or "spine". It is noted that additional comb teeth may also be positioned between the two outermost comb teeth. Specific examples of comb subassemblies are shown in fig. 12A and labeled "comb (U-shape)", "comb (E-shape)", and "comb (5 teeth)". More generally, the term "E-shaped" means that there is one panel between the two outermost panels, the term "5 teeth" means that there are three panels between the two outermost panels, and so on. The U-shaped subassembly has no additional panels between the two outermost panels. In one example, the comb-shaped subassembly can alternatively be referred to as a "partial cube shape" in that teeth at a distal end relative to the spine can be joined with the cube-shaped subassembly or another comb-shaped or different type of subassembly to form a cube, or even a series of repeating cubes having one or more common face plates. Alternatively, the "cube-shaped" subassembly can also be referred to as a "comb-shaped" subassembly, since it includes a spine and two teeth positioned at two outermost positions. However, the cube-shaped subassembly also includes another panel joined to the distal end of the tooth as a secondary spine having a parallel orientation relative to the spine. An alternative example comb panel that can be used to form a cube-shaped subassembly is shown in fig. 12A and is referred to as a "comb (5 teeth)". Unlike the cube-shaped subassembly shown in fig. 11, which has evenly spaced teeth, the subassembly structure has unevenly spaced evaporation panels or teeth, leaving two vertically aligned open spaces with two open positions and two vertically aligned open spaces with three open positions. An inter-panel space having three open spaces may be referred to as an "enlarged inter-panel space" relative to other inter-panel spaces.

Another subassembly shape that is particularly useful for building strong and potentially very tall evaporation panel assemblies is a pi subassembly. The term "pi-shaped" may refer to a shape (when viewed from above) that includes a first evaporative panel (spine) and second and third panels (teeth) orthogonally positioned relative to the first panel such that at least the outermost concave receiving opening locations on the first panel or spine are open. Thus, the general configuration of a greek symbol shaped approximately pi, for example, at least one panel (first panel) having a laterally outermost concave receiving opening left unused or open and comprising two (or more) orthogonal panels joined thereto. The pi-shaped subassembly may be symmetrical, with the same number of outermost female receiving opening locations of the first panel or spine open (e.g., one vertically aligned female receiving opening location on each side, two on each side, etc.), or asymmetrical, with a different number of open locations on each side of the first panel or spine (e.g., one vertically aligned female receiving opening location on one side, three open locations on the other side, etc.). There are situations where asymmetric pi subassemblies can be used with symmetric pi subassemblies to achieve a more ordered evaporation panel assembly overall. See, for example, fig. 12C and 12E. For further clarity, several pi-shaped subassemblies are shown from a top plan perspective view, as shown in FIG. 12A, and are more particularly labeled therein by way of example. In addition, thinner or closer cross-hatching is used on some pi-shaped subassemblies to clearly show which evaporation panels can be considered part of the "pi". For example, one pi subassembly is labeled "pi" and, in this example, includes two open laterally outermost vertically aligned concave receiving opening posts on each side that is not in use. The pi-shaped subassembly may likewise leave only one laterally outermost post of female receiving openings on each side not in use (or three on each side not in use, etc.). In further detail, similar terms used to describe "comb" subassemblies can be used for the various panels of the pi subassembly, such as the terms "teeth" and "spine". It should be noted, however, that the "comb" subassembly places the outermost "teeth" at laterally outermost positions along the "spine," while the "pi" subassembly opens up at least the laterally outermost positions along the "spine. As a second example, another pi-shaped subassembly is labeled "pi (5 teeth; asymmetric; enlarged inter-panel space)", which includes 5 teeth with the outermost teeth positioned asymmetrically with respect to the position of vertical alignment of the unused outermost concave receiving opening (one post on one side remains open while the three posts on the other side remain open). The enlarged inter-panel spaces can be used to generate additional gas flow and/or evaporation, particularly when evaporation panels such as those shown in fig. 21A-24D are used, each of which includes one or more enlarged evaporation gas flow passages shown at 58A and 58B. The enlarged channels can be positioned and sized to align with the enlarged panel spaces, in this example, the enlarged channels are centrally located. The term "enlarged" is a relative term meaning that the space between the panels defining the space is larger than the other spaces of the subassembly. Yet another example is labeled "pi-shaped (6 teeth; minor spine; enlarged interplanar space)", which includes three evenly spaced teeth toward one end of the spine, and three evenly spaced teeth toward the other end of the spine, again leaving the laterally outermost (e.g., one on each side in this case) vertically aligned concave receiving opening positions open. This arrangement again leaves an enlarged interpane space. Also included is a secondary spinal panel that is present at an opposite end of the tooth panel relative to the spinal panel.

Note that when joining multiple subassemblies laterally or vertically together to form more complex evaporation panel assemblies, the fact that these structures are described as discrete "subassemblies" in no way infers that each subassembly must be formed first before any two subassemblies can be joined laterally together. In contrast, when an evaporation panel assembly is being built, multiple panel subassemblies may be put together at the same time with each other, the panel subassemblies may be partially assembled when joined with a laterally adjacent panel subassembly or adjacent partially assembled panel subassemblies or individual evaporation panels of adjacent panel subassemblies, a larger evaporation panel assembly may be formed one evaporation panel at time, regardless of the configuration of the panel subassembly that is accidentally formed during construction, or the panel subassemblies may be fully joined or formed prior to assembling two or more subassemblies together to form a larger evaporation panel assembly. In other words, "subassembly" is defined herein to describe the portions of the evaporative panel assembly once assembled, and does not infer that the subassemblies must first be put together before joining the respective panel subassemblies, unless the context dictates otherwise.

Fig. 12B shows a top 12 plan view of twenty (20) evaporation panels of the evaporation panel assembly 100, wherein the evaporation panels are laterally joined to one another to form a windmill-configured evaporation panel assembly. Although obscured and therefore not labeled or shown in detail, each evaporation panel can include a plurality of stacked shelves, support posts, concave receiving openings, and the like, as previously described. From this view, some of the uppermost and unconnected male connectors 40 remain visible, but they can be used if the evaporation panel assembly is built further sideways. Without specific naming of each evaporation panel, it is sufficient to say that there are ten evaporation panels oriented parallel to each other and ten evaporation panels connected thereto in an orthogonal orientation therefrom. For further details regarding the windmill structure, in fact, this configuration can be viewed as a collection of four identical pi-shaped subassemblies, similar to those shown in fig. 12A. The exact pi-shaped structure in fig. 12B is not specifically shown in fig. 12A, but may be similarly labeled as "pi (4 teeth)". This particular arrangement is symmetrical, with only one vertically aligned concave receiving opening remaining open on each end of its spine.

There are several advantages to using one or more pi subassemblies in forming an evaporation panel assembly. For example, as shown in fig. 12B, in its present form, this particular evaporation panel assembly is shown as having twenty evaporation panels, with five evaporation panels being used to assemble each pi-shaped subassembly. However, this same type of subassembly can be used to build the evaporation panel assembly sideways (as indicated by the solid arrows). Furthermore, this assembly mode can also be built up vertically, as with other evaporation panel assemblies. However, this particular mode of assembly provides increased strength and greater resistance to possible gravitational crushing forces when the evaporation panel assembly (which has been able to unload relatively heavy loads, particularly when stacked at heights of 16 feet, 24 feet, 36 feet, or more) is fully loaded with wastewater. Basically, in such a configuration where the four evaporation panels are grouped together in a tight pattern, structural columns or vertical support beam assemblies 68 can be formed that can provide higher resistance to significant weight loading on the evaporation panel assembly, as well as rotational shear strength (at 90 degree intervals) in at least four lateral directions. Thus, essentially at one concentration location, the four evaporation panels, one at each end thereof due to the pi subassembly construction, are grouped together and contribute to forming a hollow vertical beam integrated into the evaporation panel assembly, and furthermore, such integration of the support beam assembly occurs incrementally as the evaporation panel assembly is constructed. This can provide additional safety to assembly technicians as the vertical support beam assembly is incrementally formed during construction, providing substantially real-time formation of the vertical support beam assembly to increase vertical strength relative to hold weight as well as rotational shear strength. In short, in this example, no separate beam structure is included or added to provide this additional level of supporting vertical support and shear strength. Furthermore, by using a pi-type subassembly configuration, the vertical support (and shear strength) beam assembly can exist substantially every interval equal to the length of the individual evaporation panels in the grid-like formation. Thus, if the evaporation panel is two (2) feet in length, approximately every two feet (e.g., slightly less than two feet), a vertical support beam assembly may be formed, which in some examples may be characterized as forming an array of structural beams positioned in a grid-like formation along the x-y axis (viewed from above). An example of a grid-like array of structural beams can be seen in FIG. 36, with one vertical support beam identified at 68. This particular example also includes a large vertical ventilation shaft 108 (approximately the size of a single subassembly). However, the grid-like array of vertical support beam assemblies may be formed as part of an evaporation panel assembly that does not include these vertical ventilation shafts. Returning to fig. 12B, also shown around the perimeter of the evaporation panel assembly, there may be partial vertical support beam assemblies 68A that can provide some additional vertical support, but can also be used to create more vertical support beam assemblies, as the evaporation panel or evaporation panel sub-assembly is used to further build the evaporation panel assembly laterally.

As shown in fig. 12B, the inter-panel spaces 39 can be relatively wide, e.g., three vertically aligned concave receiving opening spaces between each panel, or the inter-panel spaces can be narrower, as shown in fig. 12C. For example, the inter-panel space can be provided by omitting two panel spaces, three panel spaces, four panel spaces, etc. between the parallel evaporation panel teeth. Fig. 12B particularly shows three panel spaces omitted between parallel oriented and adjacent evaporation panels, thereby providing even more evaporation and/or airflow 38A, 38B, 38C as compared to the cube-shaped configuration of fig. 11 (which may also include greater spacing in other examples) with only one inter-panel space. In areas where ambient conditions are very dry and hot, less space may be present and used for an efficient and compact design. However, an evaporation panel assembly design that allows for a more open evaporation space may be beneficial when ambient conditions are typically less hot and/or more humid, for example, as shown in fig. 12B. For example, the inter-panel spaces can provide vertical airflow and/or moisture removal induced by the airflow patterns shown in this figure. On the other hand, in some cases, a small space for guiding the airflow may provide improved evaporation results, as a narrower opening can result in a higher airflow velocity. Therefore, each evaporation panel assembly can be designed in consideration of these factors and conditions. Thus, the evaporation panel and system of the present disclosure can be customized not only in view of design utility, but also in view of environmental conditions. In further detail, the density and spacing of the evaporation panels of the evaporation panel system can be assembled in a manner that varies greatly both laterally and in height. By varying the density of the evaporation panels within the evaporation panel assembly, the heat to cold air exchange within the evaporation panel assembly can be adjusted to promote enhanced air movement. Furthermore, one design may be effective in areas with lower dryer/humidity, and in areas with higher humidity, alternative designs and/or spacing profiles may be used for more individualized and effective evaporation profiles.

In further detail with respect to fig. 12B, various possible airflow patterns are shown. Airflow pattern 38A shows airflow in the x-axis direction (from a top perspective view), and airflow pattern 38B shows airflow in the y-axis direction. However, due to the shape and configuration of the support posts (not shown in this figure, but shown in more detail by way of example in fig. 1-7 and 13-16), the airflow can be effectively directed into, through and out of the evaporation panel assembly. In one example, an airflow pattern 38C is shown in which the external airflow is provided at an oblique angle relative to any evaporation panel, but can be effectively brought into the evaporation panel assembly through an open space or (unused) concave receiving opening to assist evaporation.

Fig. 12C shows a top 12 plan view of sixty-nine (69) evaporation panels of the evaporation panel assembly 100, wherein the evaporation panels are joined laterally to one another to form a substantially dice-or rectangular cube-like shape (with some recesses and protrusions at the perimeter-not to be confused with the cube-like sub-assembly described previously). More specifically, the evaporation panel assembly can be viewed as a plurality of pi-shaped cell structures or subassemblies, each cell structure or subassembly having one evaporation panel spine orthogonally oriented with respect to six (6) or seven (7) evenly spaced evaporation panels (e.g., teeth). Thus, this arrangement includes three asymmetric pi-shaped subassemblies (shown with large cross-hatching for clarity) and six symmetric pi-shaped subassemblies (shown with small cross-hatching for clarity). Thus, these subassemblies are identified in this figure by way of example only, as the same large assembled structure (including all 69 panels) can be formed using a different definition of subassembly than that identified by the varying cross-hatching in this example. To illustrate, consider for example three of the nine subassemblies shown in fig. 12C, the upper right and upper left (as shown in this figure, but again, viewed from above) subassemblies can both be viewed as seven (7) teeth symmetrical pi-shaped subassemblies, each subassembly having a minor spine (see orthogonal evaporation panels marked by small cross-hatching at the ends of the corresponding teeth of the upper right and upper left subassemblies, respectively). Under this alternative definition, the center subassembly at the top of the drawing sheet may then be viewed as a symmetrical pi-shaped subassembly of five (5) teeth, with the three outermost concave receiving openings remaining open at each end of the spine. In any event, by defining the various pi-shaped subassemblies in this manner, the resulting large assembly (with 69 evaporation panels) will remain the same. However, in both examples, the respective sub-components can still each be considered to be substantially "pi-shaped". Virtually any type of pi subassembly configuration (e.g., symmetrical, asymmetrical, 2 to 7 or more teeth, with or without minor spines, with or without central panel interspaces, with or without vertical ventilation shafts, etc.) can thus provide the ability to produce large evaporative panel assemblies or towers with enhanced vertical compression strength, rotational shear strength, and highly stable orthogonal joint connection points. It is worth noting that some of these ranges in this and other examples, such as "2 to 7" teeth and the like, are provided by way of example only, as these ranges may be more appropriately based on the number of total vertically aligned open space positions that may be present on an evaporation panel of an evaporation panel system or assembly.

With respect to the enhanced vertical compressive strength (e.g., higher ability to build a structure without damaging the bottom or lower levels) and enhanced rotational shear strength (e.g., ability to resist shear strength) mentioned in fig. 12B, also in this particular example, the pi subassemblies can be similarly joined to form a vertical support beam assembly 68 positioned in a grid-like formation. In this example, the grid-like formation includes four vertical support beam assemblies and eight partial vertical support beam assemblies 68A. In particular, the vertical support beam assembly can structurally provide a vertical column or beam that would provide similar type of support to support an upper floor or multi-level building in an engineering building, which has the benefit of providing an increase in rotational shear strength due to the assembled construction. Furthermore, as with the design shown in fig. 12B, the evaporation panel assembly configuration shown in fig. 12C can be further built laterally in a repeating or semi-repeating manner (as indicated by the solid arrows pointing outward or laterally from the basic subassembly shape shown).

Although not labeled or shown in great detail, each evaporation panel can include a plurality of stacked shelves, support posts, concave receiving openings, etc., as previously described. From this view, some of the uppermost and unused male connectors 40 are visible. Without specific naming of each evaporation panel, it is sufficient to say that there are thirty-two (32) evaporation panels oriented parallel to each other and thirty-seven (37) evaporation panels connected thereto in an orthogonal orientation therefrom. In this configuration, similar to the exemplary cubic configuration shown in FIG. 11, a panel space or inter-panel space 39 remains between parallel and adjacent evaporation panels. This configuration allows for a denser packing arrangement of the panels (compared to fig. 12B), while still allowing for a generally sufficient evaporation space between the evaporation panels, especially in drier conditions or when the evaporation panel assembly is not built sideways with a large footprint. For larger footprint assemblies in which the interior region of the evaporation panel assembly is a greater distance from the exterior surface of the assembly, additional vertical or horizontal ventilation shafts can be assembled therein to compensate (not shown, but shown by way of example in fig. 12E and 36), based in part on ambient conditions. Such an arrangement may be more useful, for example, when conditions may be drier than other arrangements that leave more space between panels, for example. As described above, other panel pitches can also be designed, such as 2 spaces, 3 spaces, 4 spaces, and the like. Also, although the airflow patterns are not shown in this example, they can be similar to the airflow patterns shown in fig. 12B.

On the other hand, fig. 12D shows a top 12 plan view of sixty (60) evaporation panels for an assembled evaporation panel system 100, where the evaporation panels are shown as various types of comb subassemblies, namely a cube-shaped subassembly and five comb subassemblies. Depending on the desired evaporation panel assembly design, in some examples, a pi subassembly or another type of subassembly can be integrated therewith. These various subassemblies can be joined laterally to one another to form a more complex large dice-or rectangular cube-shaped evaporation panel assembly shape (or even a cube-shaped assembly — not to be confused with the cube-shaped subassembly shown and assembled in fig. 12D). This general shape or pattern can continue laterally in a repeating or semi-repeating manner. Furthermore, the structure can be built vertically.

Again, although not labeled or shown in great detail, each evaporation panel can include a plurality of stacked shelves, support posts, concave receiving openings, etc., as previously described. From this view, some of the uppermost male connectors 40 are visible. In this configuration, similar to the exemplary cubic configuration shown in fig. 11, a panel space or inter-panel space 39 remains between parallel and adjacent evaporation panels or teeth. This configuration provides a denser packing arrangement of the panels (as compared to fig. 12B), while still often allowing sufficient evaporation space between the evaporation panels, depending on the evaporation panel assembly size (lateral footprint and height) and environmental conditions. Such an arrangement may be more useful, for example, when conditions may be drier than other arrangements that leave more space between panels, for example. As described above, other panel pitches can also be designed, such as 2 spaces, 3 spaces, 4 spaces, and the like. Although the airflow patterns are not shown in this example, they can be similar to the airflow patterns shown in fig. 12B.

Fig. 12E provides an evaporation panel system 100 for preparing an evaporation panel assembly that leaves large vertical vents 108 to allow for additional airflow and/or moisture purging. As can be seen in the plan view of the top portion 12, there is a male connector 40 that can be inserted into a female receiving opening as shown by several exemplary double-headed arrows (not shown in this figure, but shown in detail in at least fig. 1-3, 7, 9, 13, 18 and 20-24). In addition to the vertical ventilation shafts formed and defined by the subassemblies, there is also a panel-to-panel space 39 within each subassembly, including the centrally located enlarged panel-to-panel space 29, both of which are capable of providing gas flow and moisture removal functions.

More specifically, this embodiment provides another unique example that utilizes multiple versions of a pi-shaped subassembly, including a subassembly having six (6) evaporation panels (one pi-shaped asymmetric evaporation panel), a subassembly having seven (7) evaporation panels (three pi-shaped asymmetric evaporation panels having minor spines; and three pi-shaped symmetric evaporation panels), and a subassembly having eight (8) evaporation panels (one pi-shaped symmetric evaporation panel having minor spines). Some of the pi subassemblies include five (5) teeth, while others include six (6) teeth. Some subassemblies include a single spine, and others include two (2) spines, such as a spine and a minor spine. Furthermore, some subassemblies are symmetrical while others are asymmetrical. However, once joined together, each subassembly can share evaporation panel(s) with adjacent subassemblies, providing a more consistent evaporation panel assembly structure that can be formed in a repeatable pattern. Furthermore, in this particular configuration, although evaporation panels including those shown in fig. 1-6C or others can be used, in one particular example, the evaporation panels shown in fig. 21A-24D can be used instead or in addition, as the enlarged inter-panel space 28 (centrally located in this example) of each subassembly is wide enough to accommodate the (horizontal) size of the enlarged evaporation flow channel(s) present in those particular evaporation panels (see, e.g., 58A and 58B of fig. 21A-24D). Thus, example airflow patterns 28A, 28B are shown as they may pass through an enlarged evaporation airflow channel (not shown in this figure) and further between enlarged interior spaces 28, which enlarged interior spaces 28 can correspond in width to the enlarged evaporation airflow channel. In further detail, it should be noted that this particular evaporation panel assembly configuration is shown fully assembled in a larger scale in fig. 36, which is a top plan view, for example.

Turning now to some of the functional features of the evaporating panels described herein, fig. 13-16 provide some details of a portion of an evaporating panel 10 formed and configured according to examples of the present disclosure for the purpose of further illustrating and describing the shape and configuration of the water column that can be formed and the airflow patterns that the water column can influence. Fig. 13 shows a structure similar to that shown in the evaporation panel 10B in fig. 7. For example, the evaporation panel can include a top 12 and a bottom 14 (not shown), evaporation shelves 16, each having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 in this example. The evaporating panel can also include upwardly extending ridges 24 and downwardly extending ridges 26, as well as male connectors 40 and female receiving openings 42 (and open spaces that may not be used for joining but can provide airflow therethrough). The panel can also include a support column 30, the support column 30 including a support beam 32 and an evaporation fin 34, as previously described. These support posts and evaporation shelves are arranged in a grid structure, but may be any other grid-like structure described herein.

In further detail, fig. 14 depicts a top cross-section and partial plan view of section a-a of fig. 13. Thus, fig. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the support beam 32, and a top plan view of the evaporation fins 34, the upper surface 18 of the evaporation rack and the upwardly extending ridges 24 of the evaporation rack. In this example, the general lateral shape of the perimeter of the evaporation fin (when viewed from above) can be similar to the lateral shape of the vertical cross-sectional shape of the airfoil, which in this example can be a symmetric laminar airfoil. By definition, the "vertical cross-sectional" shape of an airfoil is typically taken vertically fore and aft with respect to a horizontally positioned airfoil, such as a horizontal wing orientation. In other words, a vertical cross-sectional view refers to the generally fore-aft (e.g., on an aircraft) vertical cross-sectional shape of an airfoil that will include a leading edge and a trailing edge taken perpendicularly with respect to the orientation of a horizontal airfoil wing. In further detail, this particular shape can provide certain advantages with respect to water evaporation and airflow, according to examples of the present disclosure. For example, such an airfoil shape can enhance water retention and, like a vertically oriented wing, can allow air to pass through the openings (past the evaporation fins and water retained thereon) thereby improving evaporation due to enhanced airflow dynamics, as will be discussed in further detail below. There are various dimensions that can be used to form the airfoil shape (or any other generally elongated shape). For example, the depth of the evaporation fins can be about the same or the same as the depth of the evaporation shelves, e.g., 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, etc. The width can be less than the length of the depth, providing an elongated shape in its depth direction (front-to-back; or elongated in an orthogonal orientation relative to the laterally elongated orientation of the evaporation rack). An example ratio of depth (front-to-back dimension) to width (side-to-side dimension) can be, for example, 6: 1 to 8: 5 or 4: 1 to 2: 1.

turning now to fig. 15, a close-up view of a smaller portion of the evaporating panel 10 is shown, and proximate to the small section enclosed by the dashed line in fig. 13. This view includes and shows the waste water 50 loaded on the evaporation panel. Also shown is an air/liquid interface 52, which in this case is the interface of air with wastewater (e.g., wastewater that includes water and secondary material to be separated from the water). Even with the large amount of waste surface area created by the multiple evaporative shelves 16, more waste surface area (at the air/liquid interface) can still be provided by the support posts 30 used to provide support and separation for the evaporative shelves. As previously described, the support column can include a support beam 32 and an evaporation fin 34. Thus, for example, when the evaporation panel (including the evaporation rack) is filled with waste water, the support posts can also be loaded with waste water, thereby providing more waste water surface area for evaporation. In one example, due to the spacing between the evaporation shelves and the evaporation fins, and/or due to the spacing of the evaporation fins from each other, the surface tension of the water can be used to form the vertical water columns 54 along the length of the various support column sections found between pairs of evaporation shelves. An exemplary spacing can be 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm, although this range is not intended to be limiting. The nature of the waste water and materials (and surface treatments) used to form the evaporation fins can result in modifying this range to, for example, 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm, or 0.4 cm to 0.8 cm. More generally, in some examples, 0.2 cm to 1 cm provides a reasonable working range for evaporation fin spacing. Furthermore, the water column is generally shown in this figure as providing a right cylindrical air/liquid interface. However, for convenience it is shown in this way and clearly shows how the water column is formed. Depending on the water content loaded thereon, and the corresponding surface tension and surface energy properties of the wastewater and panel surfaces, there may be more (swelling) or less (recession) water relative to the evaporation fins at the air/liquid interface than shown in fig. 15. In addition, there may be some vertical to horizontal bending that can occur along the air/liquid interface where the water column meets the evaporation shelf (especially the bottom), which is not shown in a noticeable manner in this figure. Suffice it to say that the water column shown herein provides an example of waste water loading on or at the evaporation fins of the support column.

In one example, when waste water is poured from the evaporation shelf upper surface 18 around the edge 22 (e.g., the sloped edge) and onto its lower (downward facing) surface 20, a portion of the waste water can pass directly from the lower surface to the next evaporation shelf (below it), while another portion can pass to the vertical water column supported by the presence and configuration of the evaporation fins of the support column, and so forth. Upwardly extending ridges 24 can be present on the upper surface to prevent pooling at the center of the evaporation rack and to direct waste water towards the edges rather than towards the ends. The ridge can also provide wind resistance, for example, preventing waste water from blowing out of the upper surface, and keeping the waste water in place in the event that the panel may be slightly tilted by wind. Downwardly extending ridges 26 can be present to facilitate pouring of waste water from one evaporation rack down to the next, either directly or as a guide towards the support column.

In further detail, to form the vertical water column 54, the spacing between the evaporation fins 34 and the material selection can be considered to take advantage of the surface tension of the wastewater. For example, the evaporation fins can be spaced apart by 0.2 cm to 1 cm, but more typically 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm, or 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm. Likewise, the uppermost evaporation fin can be similarly spaced from the lower surface 20 of the evaporation shelf above it. The lowermost evaporating fin can likewise be spaced from the upper surface 18 of the evaporating shelf below it. In further detail, the support column 30 can include a support beam 32 (e.g., a centrally located support beam), and the evaporation fins can extend outwardly from the support beam (on average) from 0.2 cm to 1 cm, but more typically from 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm, or from 0.4 cm to 0.8 cm. These dimensions are provided by way of example only, and other dimensions can be selected based on material selection, wastewater type, desired wastewater flow rate, and the like.

As shown in fig. 16, a top cross-section and partial plan view along section B-B of fig. 15 is shown. The structure shown in this figure is similar to that shown in fig. 14, but in addition, details are provided regarding retention of wastewater 50 at various surfaces, including along vertical water column 54. Additional details regarding possible airflow 38 around the vertical water column of the airfoil shape that can be formed are also shown. Thus, fig. 16 again includes a cross-sectional view of the support beam 32, and a top plan view of the evaporation fins 34, the upper surface 18 of the evaporation rack, and the upwardly extending ridges 24 of the evaporation rack. From this view it can be seen that the waste water is loaded on both the evaporation fins and the upper surface of the evaporation rack. In this example, the upwardly extending ridges 24 are not loaded with waste water and can be used to direct water away from the center of the evaporation rack, prevent pooling, provide waste water wind resistance, and the like. Again, along the edges of the evaporation fins, vertical water columns (cross-sections) are shown that comprise a portion of the waste water.

In further detail, fig. 16 also illustrates the overall shape of the evaporation fins 34, in this example, the evaporation fins 34 have a cross-sectional shape based on a symmetrical laminar flow airfoil with the horizontally oriented airfoil taken vertically from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Thus, the evaporation fins are shaped and spaced apart as guides such that when wastewater is loaded thereon, the evaporation fins provide a frame to form a vertical water column 54 having an airfoil shape (and in this particular case, a symmetrical laminar flow airfoil). Other shapes can be used, and in some examples, other airfoil shapes can be used, but the symmetrical laminar flow airfoil shape provides acceptable bi-directional airflow characteristics. The airfoil shape in this example includes a leading edge 36 that once formed directs an airflow 38 around the vertical water column. Furthermore, since the vertical water column is shaped like a symmetrical laminar flow airfoil, the leading edge will be on the opposite side of the vertical water column if the airflow direction is opposite. This allows for efficient airflow through the vertical water column in multiple directions, depending on the orientation of the evaporating panel and the air flow that may be present. In other words, the evaporation fins, which are appropriately spaced and stacked, can vertically hold water, and the vertical water column can be used as an airfoil due to the guide shape and spacing of the evaporation fins. For clarity, the evaporation fins are not airfoils per se, but rather the evaporation fins are stacked and shaped to form a vertical water column shaped like a vertically oriented symmetrical laminar flow airfoil in this particular example when loaded with wastewater. In further detail, the airfoil shape can also help promote evaporation of water by effectively promoting airflow (like an airfoil) around the vertical water column during evaporation.

In further detail, during evaporation (particularly when forming more complex evaporation panel assemblies such as shown in fig. 11 or 12, or when the structure is much more complex), evaporation within the structure can promote cooling compared to the higher temperatures possible that exist outside the structure. These temperature differences (cooling during evaporation compared to the thermal and/or drying conditions outside the evaporation panel assembly) can promote the creation of natural ventilation patterns within the evaporation panel assembly. Thus, as shown in fig. 13, female receiving openings 42 (some of which can be used to connect with the male connectors 40 as previously described in fig. 1-12, and some of which remain open space for airflow) can be defined laterally between adjacent support column sections and vertically between adjacent evaporation shelves to provide openings for airflow and moisture discharge to occur around the airfoil shaped vertical water column. This configuration, and the cooling associated with evaporation, can use natural ventilation caused by temperature differences to create natural ventilation across any corresponding water surface to increase the evaporation rate. In other words, the increased evaporation rate can be produced by the open space of each panel, the inter-panel space between parallel evaporation panels and/or the vertical water column (shaped like an airfoil in this example) and the natural draft caused by evaporation and temperature differences even without an external forced airflow source (e.g., fan, natural wind, etc.). Fans, heat or other artificial evaporation conditions can be used, but in many cases they are not required due to the design features described herein. Thus, the evaporative panel systems and assemblies of the present disclosure can be used with or without an external forced air flow source, and/or with or without artificially elevated temperatures. For example, natural air flow caused by temperature differences and/or natural wind can provide air flow so that the evaporation process occurs efficiently. Thus, the shape of the shelf and/or evaporation fins can be aerodynamically designed, including as designed in the embodiments described herein, to allow for enhanced airflow through the shelf. Thus, in some cases, the shape of these structures enables the airflow to accelerate as it moves through one evaporation panel to the next, rather than getting caught and becoming stagnant due to the effects of wall interference (wall effect). In other words, the aerodynamic shape of the evaporation fins and the evaporation shelves (when loaded with waste water) provides the benefit of faster air passage through the evaporation panel assembly and/or in some cases moving air generally from top to bottom.

Turning now to an alternative embodiment, fig. 17 is a front plan view of an evaporative panel system 100 (and more particularly an evaporative panel subassembly) wherein each evaporative panel 10A-10D has a different general configuration than that depicted in fig. 1-16. In this example, a front plan view of a first evaporation panel 10A is shown, orthogonally connected to second, third and fourth evaporation panels 10B, 10C, 10D of a comb (or more specifically, E-shaped) subassembly configuration. The respective evaporation panel includes a top 12 and a bottom 14, and an evaporation shelf 16 having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20. Again, the support columns 30 are used to provide support and separation for the evaporation shelves and can include support beams 32 and evaporation fins 34. Furthermore, the evaporator panel also comprises a male connector 40, which male connector 40 can be adapted to attach an adjacently positioned and orthogonally oriented evaporator panel using its female receiving opening 42, in this example the female receiving opening 42 is located between two closely spaced posts. Thus, there is a larger area of open space 48 that is different from the female receiving opening, whereas for the previous example (fig. 1-16), the open space is provided by the unused female receiving opening relative to the male connector joined therein. Furthermore, vertical stacking can also occur in this example. In one embodiment, the top portion can include coupling ridges 44 and the bottom portion can include corresponding coupling grooves 46 for more secure stacking, as previously described. In this example, the concave receiving opening and the larger open space are still substantially rectangular in shape, and therefore the design can also be said to have a grid-like structure, and more specifically a grid-like structure with non-periodic level variations.

In further detail, as described above, the evaporation fins 34 can extend horizontally from the support beams 32. These evaporation fins provide additional support surfaces to retain or support the waste water. In addition, the evaporation fins in this embodiment can act to slow the flow of wastewater as it flows down the top 12 of the evaporation panels (10A-10D). These evaporation fins are of different sizes and therefore may not form a completely vertical water column, but they are still able to retain the waste water, as it is usually poured down the evaporation panel. In further detail, although various configurations of evaporation fins have been described in various examples, it should be understood that other shapes may be used in addition to the shapes shown and described (e.g., airfoils, squares, rectangles, etc.), such as ridges, bumps, circles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, shapes having parabolic curves, etc., or other similar features for at least slowing down and in some cases forming a vertical column of waste water of the waste water.

Fig. 18 is a front plan view of an alternative evaporative panel system 100, and more particularly an evaporative panel assembly once assembled, wherein the evaporative panels 10A-10C also have a different general configuration than that depicted in fig. 1-16. In this example, a front plan view of a first evaporation panel 10A is shown, the first evaporation panel 10A being orthogonally connected to a second evaporation panel 10B (to form an L-shaped subassembly) and a third evaporation panel 10C (as a minor spine of the L-shaped subassembly). Each of the three evaporation panels includes a top 12 and a bottom 14, and an evaporation shelf 16 having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20. Again, support posts 30 are included, including support posts 32 and evaporation fins 34. The evaporative panel also includes a male connector 40 adapted to attach the panel into which it is integrated into an adjacently positioned and orthogonally oriented female receiving opening 42. Thus, again, there is a larger area of open space 48, which is different from the female receiving opening, while for the previous example (fig. 1-16) the open space can also be used as a female receiving opening for the male connector. Furthermore, vertical stacking can also occur in this example. In one embodiment, the top portion can include coupling ridges 44 and the bottom portion can include corresponding coupling grooves 46 for more secure stacking, as previously described.

In further detail, FIG. 19 is a side plan view of a single evaporation panel 10 similar to that shown in one of the evaporation panels 10A-10D of FIG. 17 or one of the evaporation panels 10A-10C of FIG. 18. As previously mentioned, the evaporation panel can include a top 12 and a bottom 14, a male connector 40, a female receiving opening (not shown in this figure, but shown in more detail in fig. 20 below), a support column 30 with support beams 32 and evaporation fins 34, and an evaporation shelf 16 (a flat or substantially flat horizontal upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 inclined from the horizontal by more than 0 ° to 5 °, 1 ° to 5 °, 2 ° to 4 °, or about 3 °). As with other examples herein, the upper and/or lower surfaces of the evaporative shelf can be slightly inclined within these ranges or can be substantially horizontal. Typically, both surfaces can be substantially flat, but small curvatures (convex or concave) can also be used, for example, provided that the surfaces allow retention and release of the wastewater while allowing sufficient time for effective surface evaporation and also allowing the wastewater to pour in a substantially downward direction.

Fig. 20 depicts yet another alternative evaporative panel system 100 (more particularly an evaporative panel assembly once assembled), but in this case, the alternative evaporative panel system 100 is shown in perspective with two evaporative panels 10A, 10B orthogonally joined in an L-shaped subassembly configuration. Notably, the L-shaped subassembly can be the starting point of a comb subassembly, a cube-shaped subassembly, or any other subassembly described herein (e.g., shaped differently than pi-shaped and T-shaped subassemblies) that joins with a corresponding male connector of another evaporation panel using the outermost female receiving openings (along the vertically aligned posts). Again, in this example, the evaporating panel itself has a slightly different configuration than the general configuration of fig. 1-16. Each of the two evaporation panels includes a top 12 and a bottom 14, and an evaporation shelf 16 having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface (not shown). Again, a support post 30 is included having similar features as previously described. Furthermore, the evaporative panel also includes a male connector 40 adapted to attach the panel into which it is integrated into an adjacently positioned and orthogonally oriented female receiving opening 42. Thus, again, there is a larger area of open space 48, which is different from the female receiving opening, while for the previous example (fig. 1-16) the open space also serves as a female receiving opening for the male connector. Vertical stacking can also occur in this example. In one embodiment, the top portion can include coupling ridges 44 and the bottom portion can include corresponding coupling grooves 46 for more secure stacking, as previously described.

Turning now to fig. 21A and 21B, a front plan view and an upper left perspective view, respectively, of an alternative example evaporation panel 10 is shown. The evaporation panel (or panels) can include enlarged evaporation airflow channels, and more particularly, the particular evaporation panel includes a first enlarged evaporation airflow channel 58A and a second enlarged evaporation airflow channel 58B. An example gas flow pattern 28A is shown, referring to the gas flow pattern shown by way of example in fig. 12E, with an enlarged inter-panel space left to accommodate the width of the enlarged evaporation gas flow channel of this and other similar example evaporation panels. By using two enlarged evaporation gas flow channels instead of one (or even larger) evaporation gas flow channel, significant gas flow and/or moisture removal from the assembly can occur without sacrificing significant load-bearing or weight-resisting properties (e.g., the strength of the evaporation panel assembly to prevent fragmentation of the evaporation panel assembly (or tower) loaded with wastewater due to the weight exerted thereon). The enlarged evaporation flow channel provides an enlarged large horizontal flow path that can help move air in and out, as well as moisture out of the evaporation panel assembly, especially when the evaporation panel assembly is large (e.g., in terms of both footprint and height), and the center of the evaporation panel assembly has difficulty removing moisture therefrom.

With these enlarged evaporation flow passages 58A, 58B, when they are positioned in alignment with respect to the horizontal airflow 28A, they can allow airflow/evaporation into and out of the evaporation panel to the evaporation panel, from the exterior of the evaporation panel assembly to the interior of the evaporation panel assembly. These expanded gas flow patterns can also be extended by aligning the (already aligned) expanded vapor gas flow passages coupled with the expanded panel interspace (see 28 in fig. 12E) that remains open between the parallel plates. In one example, when orthogonally positioning the panels relative to the evaporation panels comprising the enlarged evaporation airflow channel, the orthogonally oriented evaporation panels can be positioned laterally (one on each side) relative to the enlarged evaporation airflow channel so as not to obscure the open enlarged evaporation airflow channel. For example, fig. 36 shows a plurality of evaporation panel subassemblies joined together, wherein the central portion of each subassembly is devoid of evaporation panels that would otherwise align with the enlarged evaporation airflow passages of the adjacent orthogonally oriented evaporation panel subassemblies.

Where less bulk material is used to form the evaporation panel shown in fig. 21A and 21B (as well as other evaporation panels having one or more enlarged evaporation airflow channels) due to the presence of the enlarged evaporation airflow channels, increased strength can be provided by generally adding bulk to some or all of the features (e.g., the support beams of the support columns, the thickness or depth of the evaporation shelves, etc.). In some cases, if it is desired to maintain the evaporation panels within a relatively small size range, e.g., less than 3 feet by 4 inches, 2 feet by 2 inches, etc., it may be a reasonable design choice to provide more relatively loose material for each feature with fewer openings, such as shown in fig. 24A-24D. By balancing the bulk material content with the strength of the evaporating panel and taking the evaporating efficiency into account, a good compromise between evaporating panel strength, versatility, construction flexibility and evaporating efficiency can be achieved.

Fig. 21C and 21D depict a front plan view and an upper left perspective view, respectively, of yet another alternative example evaporation panel 10. However, in further detail, the evaporation panel can include an enlarged evaporation airflow channel, and more particularly, this particular evaporation panel can include a first enlarged evaporation airflow channel 58A and a second enlarged evaporation airflow channel 58B. This particular evaporation panel includes cross supports 56, which can be, for example, angle-structured cross supports, and can add strength (e.g., compressive strength due to the weight of the upper levels, particularly when loaded with wastewater) to the evaporation panel. Given that the dimensions remain unchanged, in some cases the presence of the enlarged evaporation airflow channel(s) can impair the compressive strength provided by the evaporation panel due to the presence of fewer support columns and less bulk material used to form the evaporation panel. However, each relative feature can add more bulk material to compensate, for example. In further detail, by adding these or other types of cross supports that can serve as trusses or bridge supports for the evaporation panels, the strength of these evaporation panels can be made substantially the same as the evaporation panels shown and described in fig. 1-5, and in some cases, may be even stronger due to the presence of the added cross supports. Cross supports can be added to any of the evaporation panels described herein, including evaporation panels that do not include enlarged evaporation flow channel(s), but are shown and described in this particular example, as increased compensation strength is desired due to the presence of enlarged evaporation flow channels. In still further detail, for this embodiment or any other example, bulk material can be added to the evaporation panel as a whole, or certain features can be added to improve strength, as described with respect to fig. 21A and 21B, etc.

In further detail with respect to fig. 21A-24D, many of the same structures shown and described using reference numerals with respect to fig. 1-16 are associated with the alternative embodiments shown in these figures. For example, the evaporation panels 10 are shown oriented in an upright position, having a top 12 and a bottom 14. The evaporation panel typically receives waste water (not shown) at or towards its top, but can also be side-filled in some examples. Thus, by receiving the waste water towards the top and pouring it in a downward direction, the waste water can thinly fill a series of evaporation shelves 16, and thus other evaporation shelves located therebelow. Basically, the plurality of evaporation shelves can include an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 for receiving, holding and dispensing wastewater in a generally downward direction while exposing a large surface area (air/liquid interface) of the wastewater to, for example, natural evaporation forces. In one particular example, the evaporation shelf can have a flat or substantially flat upper surface that has a slight taper on its edges 22 (e.g., beveled edges) and a small slope from horizontal at its lower surface below, e.g., >0 ° to 5 °, 1 ° to 4 °, 2 ° to 4 °, or about 3 °, or can alternatively be substantially horizontal. Additional features that can be present include support posts 30 that support the evaporation shelf. The number of support columns and evaporative shelves is somewhat arbitrary, as any number of support columns and evaporative shelves can be present, as previously described. In this example, the support column can include a support beam 32 (which in this case is a centrally located support beam) and an evaporation fin 34. The support beams can be positioned elsewhere, but when in the center, water can fill around the support beams over the evaporation fins. In this example, evaporation fins are positioned around the enlarged evaporation flow channels 58A, 58B to provide increased surface area for wastewater loaded on those particular evaporation fins. However, in other examples, evaporation fins may not be present around the enlarged evaporation flow channel.

The evaporating panel 10 can also include structure adapted to join (releasably join) adjacent evaporating panels from a common evaporating panel system to form an evaporating panel assembly. This particular evaporation panel includes a series of male connectors 40 at the sides or ends of the evaporation panel (positioned laterally at the ends when the evaporation panel is viewed from the front). The male connector can be joined orthogonally to any other adjacent evaporation panel in any of the many female receiving openings 42 that may be used. In this example, the female receiving opening can also serve as an open space (most of which may be available for airflow as many may not be specifically associated with a corresponding male connector) to facilitate airflow through the evaporation panel. As with the previously shown vaporization panels, the right side male connector can be vertically offset relative to the left side male connector. This enables the two evaporation panels to be joined in a common line (with an orthogonally positioned third evaporation panel positioned between them, as shown for example in fig. 10). If these male connectors are not vertically offset along the lateral sides or ends of the evaporator panel, they will not align in this particular configuration, e.g., the male connectors will occupy the same female receiving openings. As described above, as with any other example, if the male connectors are short so that they do not interfere with each other, or the male connectors are otherwise offset with respect to each other, but not necessarily positioned offset in separate female receiving openings, they may be configured to occupy a common female receiving opening (e.g., two male connectors that will "face" or be alongside each other so as to be positioned within a common female receiving opening may be offset within the female receiving opening or otherwise shaped so as not to interfere with each other). In further detail, the size of the evaporation fins 34 found at the lateral ends or sides of the evaporation panel (at the support posts immediately adjacent to the vertically aligned male connectors) can be smaller than other evaporation fins. This allows the evaporation fins to still provide some waste water retention and evaporation functionality while still fitting within the concave receiving openings of orthogonally adjacent evaporation panels when the two evaporation panels are releasably joined or locked together.

In further detail, to facilitate evaporation, adjacent evaporation shelves can vertically define and bound a plurality of open spaces within the evaporation panel, and adjacent support columns can also horizontally define and bound the plurality of open spaces. Thus, in order to facilitate evaporation of the waste water from the waste material contained therein, an air flow can take place through these open spaces, as previously described, for example, including a common open space 48 (see fig. 17-20) or a female receiving opening 42 that is not possible for receiving the male connector 40. However, in further detail in connection with the example shown in fig. 21A-24D, a larger horizontal airflow axis can be allowed to flow through the one or more enlarged evaporation airflow channels 58A, 58B, as previously described. Thus, in one example, the evaporation fins 34 of the vertical support columns 30 (e.g., when loaded with a waste water column) can generally define and bound an enlarged evaporation flow channel 58A having a channel area that can be at least eight (8) greater (e.g., 8 to 80 times greater, 10 to 60 times greater, 10 to 40 times greater, 20 to 40 times greater, etc.) than the average area of each open space. In one example, there can also be a second enlarged boil-off gas flow passage 58B having a passage area that is at least eight (8) times greater (e.g., 8 to 80 times greater, 10 to 60 times greater, 10 to 40 times greater, 20 to 40 times greater, etc.) than the average area of the open space. In one example, one of the enlarged evaporation flow channels can be larger than the other, or in yet another example, the two flow channels can have about the same size.

For further clarity, with respect to the example shown in fig. 21A-24D, when comparing the channel area size of a single enlarged evaporation flow channel 58A or 58B to the area size of a smaller "open space", the open space area size is based on the average area size, while the area size of the enlarged evaporation flow channel 58A is based on the individual channel area size, rather than the collective area size of all enlarged evaporation flow channels. Further, the respective relative area sizes (for size comparison) can be measured substantially relative to a vertical plane of the generally horizontal airflow pattern, as shown at 28A, which can directly enter and exit the various types of airflow openings of the evaporation panel. In other words, when viewed from a front plan perspective, the respective areas can be measured using the horizontal and vertical axes of the evaporation panel, as shown in fig. 21A and 21C, fig. 22, fig. 23, and fig. 24A. In addition, the calculated corresponding area sizes do not include any small inter-fin spaces or gaps found vertically between the evaporation fins, as these gaps can typically be filled with water when loading waste water, as shown in fig. 15. Thus, for simplicity, the area is based on the area when the wastewater is loaded. These calculations can also ignore any micro-positive structures that would complicate the average area size calculation, such as the cross-struts 56 shown in fig. 21C-24D. Furthermore, for further clarity, when calculating the relative area size of the open space, the evaporation panel "depth" (front to back dimension viewed from a front plan perspective) is not used, as the volume measurement is not relevant to this particular ratio calculation. In further detail, the term "enlarged" in the context of enlarged evaporation gas flow channels (and enlarged inter-panel spaces) is a relative term meaning that each evaporation gas flow channel is enlarged relative to the average size of the open space (or relative to other inter-panel spaces), which can also be the average area provided by the used and unused concave receiving openings 42, and any other open spaces that may be present. Further consider some of these other types of open spaces that are also not concave receiving openings, such as open space 48 shown in fig. 17-20, which are also considered "open spaces" that are typically used to calculate the average area of the open spaces. As mentioned above, the area size of these and other types of open spaces should be in the range of four times as large to four times as small as the concave receiving openings to be included in the open space average size calculation. If much larger than this, these other types of open spaces will begin to approach the size of the individual enlarged evaporation flow channels.

As a specific example of the area size ratio with respect to the average area size of the open space compared with the absolute area size of the single enlarged evaporation flow passage, the evaporation panel shown in fig. 21A to 23 can be considered (for the evaporation panel shown in fig. 24A to 24D, the ratio will be different, and the ratio is not estimated in this example). In these examples, the ratio of the average area size of the open spaces (in this example all of these are concave receiving openings, ignoring interstitial spaces between evaporation fins, and ignoring positive structures of the cross supports that fall within the open spaces) to the average area size of the enlarged evaporation flow channels 58A is about 1:30 (e.g., slightly less than 30 times as large). In further detail, the ratio of the average area size of the open space to the absolute area size of the enlarged evaporation flow channel 58B is about 1:35 (slightly less than about 35 times larger). Thus, these enlarged evaporation flow passages are all in the range of "at least eight (8) times larger" compared to the average area size of the open spaces. More specific suitable area size ratio ranges can be, for example, 1:8 to 1:80, 1: 10 to 1:60, 1: 10 to 1:40, 1: 20 to 1:40, etc.

On the other hand, fig. 22-24D depict four alternative examples of cross supports 56 having an alternating configuration that is different from that depicted in fig. 21C and 21D. These particular cross supports can also include angle-structured cross supports, such as the X-shaped cross support shown in fig. 22, and the X-shaped and diagonal cross supports shown in fig. 23-24D. In each of these examples, other cross-support configurations may alternatively or additionally be used, including V-shaped cross-supports, I-shaped cross-supports (e.g., beams without evaporation fins, which are not considered to be angle-structure cross-supports, but can still be used in some examples), and so forth. Comparing the evaporation panel specifically shown at 24A-24B with the evaporation panel shown in fig. 24C and 24D, for the latter, similar to the example shown in fig. 21A-23, there are evaporation fins 34 that are positioned substantially completely around the respective enlarged evaporation channel openings 58A, 58B. However, in the former example, as shown in fig. 24A and 24B, the evaporation fins are primarily laterally positioned (also several above and several below) with respect to the enlarged evaporation channel openings. Instead, a portion of the enlarged evaporation channel opening can be defined by the cross supports 56, rather than being defined entirely by the evaporation fins carried by the support beams (which can themselves be supported by the support beams, cross supports and evaporation shelves). In other words, in this and other examples, an enlarged evaporation channel opening can be structurally provided by the vertical support beams 32, cross supports 56, and evaporation shelves 16, but in some examples some or all of these structures can also carry evaporation fins to provide additional evaporation surface area.

Also note that the evaporation panel shown in fig. 24A-24D includes fewer evaporation 16 shelves and fewer support posts 30 relative to the example shown in fig. 21A-23, but in size, the evaporation panel can be made about the same size (width by height), or alternatively can be a different size (as is the case with any of the evaporation panels described elsewhere herein). If, for example, this particular evaporation panel is manufactured to be about the same size as the evaporation panel shown in fig. 21A to 23, a smaller number of evaporation shelves and support posts may result in a larger female receiving opening size and, therefore, the male connector may also be larger so as to be engageable with a corresponding female receiving opening to be joined therewith from another orthogonally adjacent evaporation panel that may also be similarly configured.

To elaborate further in these specific examples, the cross supports 56 can be configured differently in those shown in fig. 21C and 21D, as the cross supports can be positioned such that they do not come into contact with water columns that may form at or near the evaporation fins (e.g., the water columns shown in fig. 15). Examples of which are shown in fig. 22 and 23. Alternatively, if there is some contact between the cross supports and the water column (once formed), there may be less contact at the top and/or bottom of the support column. An example thereof is shown in fig. 24A and 24D. Either of these types of configurations is able to minimize any drainage effect that may occur when the (downwardly) angled cross support may come into contact with a vertically hanging water column at its central portion. For the cross supports shown in fig. 22-24D, the evaporation fins are able to retain more waste water along most of the water column without interference or significant inference from any drainage effects that may occur due to surface tension interruptions between the evaporation fins and the waste water. As mentioned above, all other features can be the same as previously described, including generally in fig. 1-21D, and therefore need not be re-described.

As a further explanation regarding the placement of the cross supports 56, if there is a pre-known predetermined evaporative panel subassembly or assembly pattern (e.g., one or more of the evaporative panel subassembly patterns shown in fig. 11-12E and/or the evaporative panel assemblies shown in fig. 33-36), the cross supports can be strategically positioned so as not to interfere with the concave receiving openings that may be used (or intended for use). By way of example, if a pi subassembly is to be used to form a larger evaporation panel assembly (such as that shown in fig. 12E) to build an evaporation panel assembly similar to that shown in fig. 34 or 36 (with or without vertical ventilation shafts), then certain concave receiving opening 42 locations can be preserved to facilitate assembly of the pi subassembly. For example, the female receiving opening can hold six "teeth" that can be used to accommodate one or two "spines," possibly also taking into account the enlarged interplanar space left between the parallel teeth panels, for example in the center. An example of a female receiving opening location that can be reserved for accommodating these subassembly and assembly configurations is shown by way of example in fig. 23, where the available female receiving openings are labeled "O" locations.

Returning to the more general discussion regarding evaporation panel size, materials, surface treatments, etc., the evaporation panels described herein can generally have any size and configuration suitable for the evaporation and separation of water from waste or contaminant materials. However, in one example, the evaporation panel can be made of a material that is not susceptible to rust or other similar damage that may occur upon prolonged exposure to water and waste/contaminant materials. Thus, there are many plastics or other materials that can be used. Additionally, in one example, the evaporation panel can be made of a single material that is molded or otherwise formed as a unitary structure. In still further detail, because the evaporation panels can be used to connect and form complex and large structures, in one example, the evaporation panels can have a size and weight suitable for any application purpose, but in one example, the size and weight can be suitable for a single person or two persons to safely handle and attach to other evaporation panels. In one example, the overall size (width by height) of the evaporation panel can be, for example, 1 foot by 1 foot to 10 feet by 10 feet, or any size in between. The shape can be generally rectangular, and in one example, generally square, having a relatively shallow depth compared to the width and height. For example, the panel can be (width by height, or height by width) 1 foot by 10 feet, 1 foot by 8 feet, 1 foot by 5 feet, 1 foot by 4 feet, 1 foot by 3 feet, 1 foot by 2 feet, 1 foot by 1 foot, 2 foot by 10 feet, 2 foot by 8 feet, 2 foot by 5 feet, 2 foot by 4 feet, 2 foot by 3 feet, 2 foot by 2 feet, 3 foot by 10 feet, 3 foot by 8 feet, 3 foot by 6 feet, 3 foot by 5 feet, 3 foot by 4 feet, 3 foot by 3 feet, 4 foot by 10 feet, 4 foot by 8 feet, 4 foot by 5 feet, 4 foot by 4 feet, 5 foot by 10 feet, 5 foot by 8 feet, 5 foot by 5 feet, and the like. Other dimensions are also possible and useful, but are not limited to, for example, 18 inches by 18 inches, 30 inches by 30 inches, 42 inches by 42 inches, 18 inches by 3 feet, 2 feet by 42 inches, and the like. The dimensions can also be based on metric systems, e.g., 0.5 meters by 0.5 meters, 0.75 meters by 0.75 meters, 1 meter by 1 meter, 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, and so forth. The depth of the evaporation shelves (or the overall depth of the evaporation panels) can be relatively thin in comparison, such as 1 inch to 6 inches, 1 inch to 4 inches, 1 inch to 3 inches, 1 inch to 2 inches, 2 inch to 4 inches, 2 inch to 3 inches, 3 inch to 4 inches, 1.5 inch to 3 inches, 1.5 inch to 2.5 inches, about 2 inches, and so forth. Larger (or wider) shelves (using more material) may be used when a higher evaporation panel assembly is contemplated. For example, changing the evaporation panel depth from 11/2 inches to 2 inches may provide enough bulk material to build up several additional levels of evaporation panel assemblies, e.g., 28 feet to 40 feet, depending on construction, material selection, etc.

Regardless of size, these panels can be snapped together in almost any orthogonal orientation and vertically stacked relative to one another to form any of a number of complex structures. As a result, a very large amount of surface area (for waste water loading) can be created with a relatively small footprint, since very large and complex structures can be formed. The flexibility of design choice is great. For example, a small 1 foot by 1 foot cube or 2 foot by 2 foot cube, etc. similar to that shown in fig. 11 can be built with lateral dimensions of, for example, 400 feet by 400 feet, and a height of 40 feet to create a complex structure that can be assembled with, for example, internal doorways, stairways (because the evaporation panel assembly can bear high weight), and open rooms. Because of the large amount of wastewater surface area that can be generated using this relatively small footprint, faster wastewater remediation is possible compared to evaporation ponds that have a single air/liquid interface at the pond surface. In other words, the evaporation panel assembly of the present disclosure can allow for the separation of very large amounts of water from waste (e.g., debris, other liquids, salt, etc.) in a relatively small land area.

According to an example of the present disclosure, when the wastewater is fully loaded on the evaporation panel, the wastewater can be mixed at a rate of at least 1: 2 or at least 2: 3 or at least 1: 1 or in some cases a greater weight ratio of waste water to bulk material of the evaporation panel remains on the structure. Thus, when, for example, the evaporation panel is formed of a plastic (such as HDPE), the weight of the wastewater held by the evaporation panel can, for example, be at least as great as the evaporation panelIs as much and is generally greater than the weight of the evaporating panel. In another example, the weight ratio can be at least 1.2 to 1, or at least 1.5 to 1, depending on the design and bulk of the evaporating panel. In yet another example, the surface area of the exposed wastewater on a fully loaded evaporation panel can be 1in per cubic inch (cubic inch)³) The evaporating panel has a volume of about 2 to about 8 square inches (in)²) Or about 2.3 to about 6in of evaporation panel². This can be calculated by measuring the surface area of the wastewater formed on the loaded evaporation panel (e.g., the surface area at the upper surface, lower surface and the surface area of the water column) and by measuring the panel volume defined by the width times the height times the depth of the evaporation panel (including all openings). Thus, the volume is based on the simple size of width times height times depth, rather than the volume of the material itself. In one example, the surface area of the exposed wastewater on a fully loaded evaporation panel can be 3 to about 6 square inches per 1 cubic inch of evaporation panel volume. In another example, the surface area of the exposed wastewater on a fully loaded evaporation panel can be 3.3 to about 4.6 square inches per 1 cubic inch of evaporation panel volume. In another example, the surface area of the exposed wastewater on a fully loaded evaporation panel can be 3 to about 5 square inches per 1 cubic inch of evaporation panel volume. When the evaporation panel includes one or more enlarged evaporation flow channels, such as shown in fig. 21A-24D, the ratio may be at the lower end of some of these ranges. Of course, the surface area to volume ratio can therefore be outside these ranges. In a more specific example, a 24 inch by 1.5 inch evaporative panel can be said to have a volume of 864 cubic inches. Thus, the evaporation panel waste water surface area of this particular evaporation panel may measure from about 2000 square inches to about 5000 square inches, such as about 2000 square inches, about 3000 square inches, about 4000 square inches, about 5000 square inches. In one example, the evaporation panel waste water surface area (24 by 1.5 inches) of this particular evaporation panel may be measured from about 2500 square inches to about 4000 square inches, depending on the number of shelves, etc.

With regard to water retention on the evaporation panel, evaporation shelves, which are generally flat (or even slightly or slightly convex or concave), tend to work well with materials having some polar surface properties suitable to hold water in place long enough for evaporation to occur, while weak enough to allow water to pass from the evaporation shelf to the evaporation shelf, or from the evaporation shelf to evaporation fins, etc., when loaded with waste water. For example, certain plastic materials may be too hydrophobic to retain water particularly effectively (although they can still be used successfully), but these same materials can be surface treated to produce more hydrophilic surface characteristics that are effective when certain materials are used. For example, high density polyethylene, which has been surface treated with flame or chemicals, etc., works well with substantially flat surfaces. This is not to say that other materials cannot be used. For example, some plastics work well without surface treatment, while other plastics work well with surface treatment. Alternatively, other rigid or semi-rigid materials can also be used, such as metals, alloys, wood (e.g., painted wood), glass, fiberglass, composites, or combinations of any of these, alone or in combination with plastics.

In one example of the present disclosure and as briefly mentioned, each of the evaporation panels and evaporation panel systems/assemblies shown herein can be a common material and prepared as a unitary structure. For example, a common material that can be used to mold the evaporative panels described herein can be any suitable form of plastic. Examples include polyethylene (e.g., HDPE (density 0.93 g/cm)³To 0.97g/cm³High density polyethylene) or LDPE (density 0.91 g/cm)³To 0.93g/cm³Low density polyethylene) or XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene)), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like. As previously mentioned, other materials can also be used. However, in one example, because certain plastics can be hydrophobic in nature, having a relatively or highly non-polar surface, to improve their adhesion to water, the surface of the evaporation panel can be treated to provide a more polar surface for the wastewater to adhere to. The treatment can include flame treatmentPhysical, plasma treatment (atmospheric or vacuum), corona treatment, chemical treatment (e.g., contact with acid or other surface modifying chemicals (dipping, brushing, misting, etc.)), or primer (priming to enhance water adhesion).

With particular reference to flame treatment, a hot flame can be briefly applied to various surfaces of the evaporation panel, which changes the surface chemistry of the plastic. The surface can be changed from a highly non-polar to a more polar surface that attracts (rather than repels) water. Indeed, while plastic bodies (such as HDPE) may remain non-polar and hydrophobic, the surfaces become more reliably polar enough to enable water to fill the various evaporation surfaces and still pour downward as evaporation occurs and more waste water is added to the top of the evaporation panel. For example, two single-piece HDPE evaporation panels having the configuration of fig. 1-5 are molded and snapped together in an L-shaped configuration, similar to that shown in fig. 9 and 20. Each surface of one of the two evaporation panels is treated (contacted) with a torch at a side-to-side movement rate of about half a foot/second, e.g., the torch moves relatively quickly along each evaporation shelf. Water is then loaded onto the L-shaped evaporation panel assembly. The non-flame treated evaporation panel causes the water to form a plurality of water droplets on the surface, and the water does not adhere very effectively to the lower surface of the evaporation rack. Water also does not wick completely into the spaces between the evaporating fins. Thus, the evaporating panel is functional, but not as fully loaded with water as it could, thereby not fully utilizing all available surfaces. In contrast, the water loaded on the burner-treated evaporation panel is uniformly and homogeneously distributed along the entire upper surface and also adheres to the lower surface due to the surface tension of the water and the polar nature generated by the flame now present on the surface of the HDPE material. .

In another example, with specific reference to chemical treatment or coating, in one example, an evaporation panel including a polymeric evaporation surface (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc.) can be treated with fluorine gas to modify the surface thereof. Fluorine can be highly oxidized, and fluoride ion (F)^-) Can promote the electronegativity of certain polymersVarious chemical reactions of the surface. Fluorine can also be combined with other gases to modify the surface chemistry, including modification by the addition of various concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide. Gas mixtures, relative concentrations mixed with fluorine, processing temperatures, time, etc. can be used to modify the surface properties. According to the present invention, surface modifications that can be useful relate to the hydrophilicity and/or wettability of the surface. Fluorine can interact with the surface through fluorine substitution of hydrogen, for example, to form multiple C-F bonds. In certain embodiments, fluorine treatment with high energy processing can produce some surface cross-linking, which can enhance the durability of the modified surface properties. In other examples, the surface energy of the evaporation panel surface can also be increased, which can be related to an increase in the polarity of the surface, e.g., the surface becomes less polar or more polar, and thus more hydrophilic. These surface modifications can be primarily at the surface, but in some examples can extend down to the surface up to several microns, e.g., 10nm to 20 μm, 50nm to 10 μm, 100nm to 8 μm, or 1 μm to 6 μm. The depth of the surface treatment into the surface of the evaporation section is not necessarily limited by these ranges, but they are provided by way of example to show that deeper surface treatments may have a more permanent effect. Furthermore, regardless of the depth of the surface treatment, acceptable surface energy for holding and pouring the wastewater on the various surfaces of the evaporation panels described herein can be obtained. For example, the surface energy of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate can be modified from a relatively low range of about 28 dynes/cm to about 40 dynes/cm to a higher surface energy (more polar and more hydrophilic) of about 60 dynes/cm to about 75 dynes/cm or about 62 dynes/cm to 72 dynes. In one example, the HDPE can be modified at its surface at any depth up to about 10 μm with a surface tension of about 68 dynes/cm to about 72 dynes/cm.

Specific examples of processes that can be used to "fluorinate" the surface of an evaporation panel according to the present disclosure as described herein include fluorine sealing (Fluoro-) Process and active gas technologySurgery (Reactive Gas Technology)^TM) Process (RGT) or DuraBlock^TMProcesses, each of which is available from Inhance Technologies, Houston, Tex. As a specific example, HDPE evaporation panels having the configuration as shown in fig. 1-5 were treated using the RGT process and the surface energy of the polyethylene was raised to about 70 dynes/cm, which is highly functional for holding and pouring water from one evaporation shelf to the next (via the edge 22, lower surface 20, evaporation fins 34 and other structures described elsewhere herein). For example, wastewater loaded on a fluorine-treated evaporation panel distributes water uniformly and evenly along the entire upper surface and readily wicks into the spaces between the evaporation fins, and the water also attaches reasonably to the lower surface due to the surface energy of the evaporation panel and the surface tension of the water. In contrast, untreated evaporation panels cause water to form a plurality of water droplets on their surface, and the water does not adhere to the lower surface of the evaporation shelf, nor does it wick completely into the spaces between the evaporation fins. Thus, the untreated evaporation panel is functional, but not fully conditioned to receive wastewater at all available surfaces.

In further detail, with more specific reference to the RGT process, in some examples, the process performed can be a fluorine oxidation process, wherein a heterogeneous reaction of fluorine gas and oxygen gas can occur at the polymer surface. Thus, the surface can be modified, for example, at 10nm to 10 μm, but most of the material remains unmodified. Activation of the surface can occur very quickly (e.g., as low as a fraction of a second) in some systems, or can occur in a somewhat longer process, depending on the bulk material, desired coating, depth of surface modification, and the like. The process can be a batch process or a continuous process conducted under controlled pressure that provides the ability to adjust or tune the functionalization and distribution degree of the treated fluorine and/or oxygen modified process profile. According to examples of the present disclosure, a fluorine oxidation process or any other fluorine process described herein or similar fluorine processes can be used to treat substantially all surfaces of the evaporation panel uniformly, including sides, deep embossments, curves, edges, and the like, including structures such as even gaps existing between evaporation fins on support posts, various surfaces of evaporation shelves that may be difficult to reach through flame treatment, and the like. In some examples, there may be applications where some surfaces would benefit from treatment while other surfaces may remain untreated. Examples may include treating the upper surface of the evaporation rack without treating the lower surface thereof, or treating the evaporation fins without treating the lower surface of the evaporation rack, or treating the upper surface of the evaporation panel without treating the upwardly extending ridges (or downwardly extending ridges) to promote the desired waste water pouring flow. In such cases, selective surface functionalization can be achieved by orienting, masking, or partitioning the evaporation panels.

An exemplary surface reaction scheme for polyethylene treatment is shown in formula I, as follows:

in formula I, these structures are shown in parentheses, but this does not mean that they must be repeating units, but the structures shown (after oxyfluorination) provide an exemplary portion of the possible surface chemistry that can be generated on the surface of the polyethylene evaporation panel, down to as much as about 10 μm. In some other examples, there may be more fluorine groups, more oxygen groups, fewer modifications (e.g., more hydrogen atoms remaining), more modifications (less hydrogen atoms remaining), substitution gases used in addition to oxygen (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.), more carbonyl groups, fewer carbonyl groups, more alcohol groups, fewer alcohol groups, different ratios of carbonyl groups to alcohol groups, no carbonyl groups, no alcohol groups, etc. This particular structure shown in formula I has a structure of about 1: 2, but the substitution molar ratio can range from, for example, 1: 5 to 5: 1 or 1: 2 to 2: 1, or 1:3 to 1: 1. thus, each of these modifications can produce different results at the surface of the evaporation panel, resulting in different surface energies, polarities, hydrophilicities, etc. In this regard, this particular structure shown in formula I is meant only to provide a specific example, on average, of a modified evaporation panel surface that may be produced in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

In further detail, in one example, the surface of the evaporation panel can be substantially non-porous or non-porous. Thus, the natural attraction of the material surface to water can provide adhesion and cohesiveness for substantially completely filling the evaporative panel. Generally, the more waste water that can be packed on the evaporation panel (while remaining thin enough for effective evaporation), the greater the amount of waste water that can be treated. For example, the evaporation panel can be designed such that the wastewater is no more than about 7 millimeters thick, such as 1 to 7 millimeters, 2 to 5 centimeters, 2 to 4 millimeters, and the like. These thicknesses can remain relatively constant, bearing in mind that the wastewater is moving systematically, filling the shelves and pouring down as evaporation occurs, remaining temporarily stagnant until additional wastewater is loaded above them, e.g., wastewater moves vertically and horizontally based on hydrodynamic principles, hydroponic principles, evaporative physics, etc. Such movement can be assisted when the spacing, size and configuration of the evaporation shelves, evaporation fins (particularly shown in fig. 1-16) and other structures are enhanced and in some cases maximize the water tension at the shelves and other water-retaining structures.

Turning now to an evaporation panel securing system that includes examples that can further secure evaporation panel assemblies together, fig. 25A-25D depict various views of a safety clip 70 that can also be used in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The safety clip can include, for example, a pair of flexible arms 71, each having an inwardly facing safety clip engagement slot 72 near a distal end thereof. The safety clip can also include a male locking member 73. In some examples, a horizontal channel 73A can also be present. Fig. 25A depicts a planar back view, fig. 25B is a planar side view, and fig. 25C is a top plan (or bottom) view of the safety clip. Fig. 25D is a cross-sectional view of the safety clip taken along section C-C of fig. 25A. The security clip can be used as a seismic clip or locking mechanism for the evaporative panel securing system or assembly of the present disclosure. For example, safety clips can be used to prevent stacked evaporation panel assemblies from shifting laterally or otherwise, or from rolling during a seismic event. Thus, the safety clip can be used to secure vertically stacked panels together. Furthermore, the same safety clip can be used to lock the evaporator panels with the interface between the male connector and the female receiving opening laterally joined together. In one example, the safety clip can be designed to both secure vertically stacked panels and simultaneously lock the laterally joined evaporation panels together.

Fig. 26 depicts further details regarding the safety clip and how it can mechanically interact with the evaporative panel system or assembly 100 to further stabilize or secure the vertically stacked evaporative panels 10A, 10B (e.g., the safety clip shown at 70A) and/or to more greatly lock the evaporative panels 10C, 10D (e.g., the safety clip shown at 70B) laterally joined together. In other words, the safety clip can function in two ways. First, the safety clip shown at 70A can engage two vertically stacked evaporative panels, thereby substantially preventing or improving lateral or other movement at the vertically stacked panel interface 13. One flexible arm 71 can be positioned above the upper surface of the evaporation shelf present on the evaporation panel 10A, while the other flexible arm can be positioned below the lower surface of the evaporation shelf present on the evaporation panel 10B. There, the safety clip engagement groove 72 can engage with the upwardly extending ridge 24A and the downwardly extending ridge 26B, thereby vertically securing the evaporation panel 10A to the evaporation panel 10B. This can prevent movement during a seismic event, for example, where a stacked evaporative panel assembly may otherwise bounce or move sideways, or if an operator is to grasp or push the panel to prevent dropping or otherwise inadvertently shifting or moving the panel, or if the device is to strike the evaporative panel assembly, it can provide additional safety.

Alternatively, the same security clip shown in cross-section at 70B can similarly engage two vertically stacked evaporation panels, but in this case the security clip engagement slot 72 engages with the upwardly extending ridge 24C and the downwardly extending ridge 26D, thereby locking the evaporation panel 10C vertically to the evaporation panel 10D (which is orthogonally oriented with respect to the evaporation panels 10A and 10B). However, also in this particular example, the male locking member 73 is also used to engage with the male connector 40 found on the evaporation panel 10B. By inserting the male locking member into the male connector locking channel 40B (in this example, the male connector locking channel 40B is shaped as a recessed V-shaped channel 40F), the male connector can be prevented from compressing, thereby transforming the male connector from a compressible and releasable locking configuration into an incompressible and locked configuration that cannot be removed from its respective female receiving opening (without first removing the security clip or otherwise potentially damaging the evaporation panel). It is noted that the female receiving opening specifically shown at 42 in this figure is not the female receiving opening that the male connector described above is currently using, but is shown by way of example to illustrate an unobstructed female receiving opening configuration. In further detail, a horizontal channel 73A can be included to reduce material, or to provide an opening to insert a safety screw or other fastener (not shown), which can further couple the safety clip to an adjacently coupled male connector (via an additional mechanism), if desired. Such additional fasteners are not required as the shape of the location of the male locking member relative to the security clip engagement slot can provide sufficient security to vertically stabilize the stacked vaporization panels (10C and 10D) and laterally lock the engagement between the male connector of the vaporization panel 10B and the associated female receiving opening found in the vaporization panel 10D. Furthermore, the horizontal channel of the safety clip can also provide a location for inserting a leverage tool for removing the safety clip from the evaporating panel, as will be shown in more detail below. Although the security clip is shown in this example at the panel interface in both cases, in this example it should be noted that the security clip can also be used to lock any male connector within an associated orthogonally oriented female receiving opening, whether or not positioned at or near a vertically stacked panel interface (see e.g., fig. 28).

Fig. 27A-27F depict various views of an alternative safety clip (also referred to as safety clip 70) that can also be used in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. Again, the security clip can be used as a seismic clip or locking mechanism for the evaporative panel securing system or assembly of the present disclosure. For example, a safety clip can be used to prevent stacked evaporation panel assemblies from shifting laterally (or otherwise) or rolling during a seismic event. Thus, the safety clip can be used to further secure vertically stacked panels together, or to lock evaporative panels with the interface between the male connector and the female receiving opening laterally joined together, or both.

More specifically, fig. 27A depicts a rear plan view of the safety clip 70, fig. 27B is a side plan view of the safety clip, and fig. 25C is a top plan (or bottom) view of the safety clip. Fig. 25D is a cross-sectional view of the safety clip taken along section D-D of fig. 27A. Fig. 27E and 27F provide different perspective views of the safety clip. Thus, the safety clip 70 in this example can include a pair of flexible arms 71, each having an inwardly facing safety clip engagement slot 72 near its distal end. The safety clip can also include a male locking member 73. In some examples, a clip channel 73A can also be present. By way of example, this particular security clip includes additional features as compared to the security clip shown in fig. 25A-26. For example, the safety clip shown in fig. 27A-27F further includes a pair of inwardly angled projections 71A at the distal end of each flexible arm that extends beyond the safety clip engagement slot. In further detail, the male locking member can have a more complex shape than the generally triangular shape shown in fig. 25A-26. For example, as shown in fig. 27B and 27D-27F, a distal tip locking portion 73C is shown having a more horizontally linear (less angled) shape that can have the advantage of locking with the male connector locking channel in a manner that does not produce as much separation or spring-like force as the more angled male locking member shape previously described in fig. 25A-26. In further detail in this example, the pair of flexible arms also each include a vertical channel 71B, in this example the vertical channel 71B is an open channel. The male locking member can also include a vertical channel 73B therein. Three corresponding vertical channels (one in each flexible arm and one in the male locking member) can be aligned to receive a shear pin (not shown, but shown in fig. 28 and 31).

Turning now to fig. 28-31, these figures can be viewed together as there are several common features shown and described in various views. Thus, the reference numbers for each of these figures may or may not be present in each figure, but will be available somewhere in the set. With this in mind, fig. 28 shows a perspective view of an example evaporation panel assembly 100 configuration that includes two relatively smaller evaporation panels 10A, 10C (each having seven evaporation shelves 16, four support posts 30, four male connectors 40, and eighteen female receiving openings 42), a safety clip 70, and a safety pin 74. The safety clip and safety pin can be collectively referred to as a "safety fastener". Also shown in the upper right region of fig. 28 is a top plan view of the male connectors from the top 12 surface of the evaporator panel 10A and evaporator panel 10C. For clarity, this top plan view can be viewed simultaneously with the perspective view structure also shown in fig. 28.

For these particular evaporation panels 10A, 10C shown in fig. 28, a pin receiving opening 75 is shown which in this example not only provides a channel for receiving the shaft of the pin, but also includes a shallow enlarged recess or opening at the top of the evaporation panel to provide a countersunk configuration for the head of the shear pin to be received. The small detail shown at E shows the shear pin 74 in place. Thus, when the male connector of the evaporator panel 10A is inserted into the female receiving opening of the evaporator panel 10C, the male connector can be releasably joined in place when the upwardly facing male connector engagement groove 40A engages the downwardly extending ridge (not shown) and the downwardly facing male connector engagement groove (not shown) engages the upwardly extending ridge 24. Then, when the pin is inserted through the pin receiving opening of the evaporation panel 10A and finds the safety pin engagement channel 40C in the male connector 40 of the evaporation panel 10C, the engagement can be locked until the safety pin is subsequently removed.

In further detail regarding male connector engagement slots 40A, in some examples, there can be a single male connector engagement slot at the top (facing up) of the male connector 40 and another single male connector engagement slot at the bottom (facing down) of the male connector 40 (e.g., as shown in detail in fig. 7). However, in this specific example, there are a plurality of (e.g., two) male connector engagement grooves at the top of the male connector, and a plurality of (e.g., 2) male connector engagement grooves at the bottom of the male connector. Even though in this particular example there is only one downwardly extending ridge (not shown) and one upwardly extending ridge 24 (found on separate evaporation shelves) for engagement with the male connector engagement grooves, having two parallel male connector engagement grooves at both the top and bottom of the male connector can provide benefits during assembly. For example, in some cases, when orthogonally joining the male connector of a first evaporation panel (e.g., shown at 10A) with a second evaporation panel (e.g., shown at 10C), a weight or heavy tool (not shown), such as a mallet, can be used to place the male connector engagement slots into the respective upwardly and downwardly extending ridges. In the case where there is only one male connector engagement groove on the top and bottom of the male connector, the male connector of the first evaporation panel can be placed in the female receiving opening of the second evaporation panel, and then one and/or the other of the two evaporation panels can be knocked with a heavy tool to place the groove with the corresponding ridge. Locking two evaporating panels together may present some minor difficulties if the two panels are not properly aligned when struck. Again, this difficulty may be small and can be avoided by some skill. However, to speed up assembly, it can include the presence of two (or more) male connector engagement slots on one or both of the top and/or bottom of the male connector. In these examples, the outermost groove on the male connector (on the furthest side of the majority of the evaporation panels on which it is integrated) can be used to temporarily engage with the upwardly and/or downwardly extending ridge when two evaporation panels are assembled together. This will help provide that the two evaporating panels are correctly orthogonally aligned (even if not completely joined together). Then, when one or both of the evaporation panels is struck with a heavy tool or mallet, the innermost grooves (both top and bottom) on the male connector can then fully engage in position with the respective upwardly and downwardly extending ridges.

Once the two evaporator panels 10A, 10C are releasably joined or secured together, the safety clip 70 and/or safety pin 74 can be used to further lock the two evaporator panels together, at least until the safety clip and/or safety pin is first removed. Thus, fig. 28 illustrates, for example, two evaporative panels that can be fully joined and releasably locked together, and then locked together by attachment with one or both of the safety fasteners (e.g., safety clip 70 and/or safety pin 74). Specifically, the safety clip is shown inserted (and surrounded using flexible arms 71 and engagement slots 72) into its female receiving opening that is common with the male connector (the male connector is shown generally at 40, but the particular male connector to which the safety clip is attached is obscured by the safety clip). This particular safety clip can interact with the evaporative panel in the same manner as described with respect to the view shown in fig. 26. However, this particular clip has some additional significant features. First, when the clip is in place, there is a set of vertical channels (two shown generally at 71B and one shown generally at 73B) that align with the shear pins when both the clip and the shear pins are engaged with the evaporator. Thus, the safety pin can be placed in the pin receiving opening 75 at the evaporation panel top 12. The shear pin can then pass through the shear pin engagement channel 40C of the male connector and then through other openings in various evaporation panels corresponding to the length of the shear pin, e.g., at least two evaporation shelves-one immediately above and one immediately below the male connector. If the safety clip is positioned close enough to the top of the evaporating panel, the safety pin will also pass through the vertical channel of the safety clip (as shown in FIG. 31 below). Thus, the safety clip and safety pin can provide redundant multiple levels for preventing adjacent and orthogonally joined evaporative panels from collapsing. Furthermore, a single safety clip can also be positioned to secure additional vertically stacked panels, even while it locks together two orthogonally positioned and joined evaporation panels (not shown in this figure, but shown in fig. 26, 31 and 32D) to prevent displacement of multiple levels of evaporation panel assemblies. Likewise, the safety clip can also join two vertically stacked panels without interfacing with orthogonally oriented panels. Thus, the single safety clip can have three use configurations, namely: i) for locking together two orthogonally oriented and joined evaporation panels; ii) for releasably securing (and in some cases locking) together two vertically stacked evaporator panels; and iii) for simultaneously locking together two orthogonally oriented and joined vaporization panels, while releasably securing (and/or in some cases locking) together two vertically stacked vaporization panels. Thus, with the third configuration, a single security clip can be used to lock and/or secure three panels together. See, for example, fig. 26, 31, and 32D.

In further detail, although the safety clip 70 can provide a locking mechanism to prevent the first evaporation panel 10A from being removed from the second, orthogonally oriented, second evaporation panel 10C, it is worth noting that the safety clip only provides a lock between two evaporation panels, rather than between itself and the respective evaporation panel (unless a screw is inserted through the horizontal channel 73A and into the corresponding male connector 40). The safety clip can thus be removed positively, for example, using a leverage tool 76 such as a screwdriver to unlock the respective panel. More specifically, the distal end of the flexible arm 71 includes a pair of inwardly angled projections 71A. Thus, when the handle end of the leverage tool is moved horizontally (as shown by the curved arrow) about the pivot point (which in this example would be beyond the distal end of the flexible arm), the safety clip can also rotate horizontally, allowing the safety clip engagement slot 72 to be released from the upwardly extending ridge 24 and the downwardly extending ridge (not shown in this figure), respectively, that are positioned around the concave receiving opening (shown for example at 42, but obscured by the safety clip in place). The inwardly angled projections can be configured such that they allow horizontal rotation of the safety clip without binding on the support post 30 positioned immediately adjacent thereto. Notably, inwardly angled protrusions are not present on the flexible arms shown in fig. 25C, but those particular flexible arms do taper slightly inwardly, which can provide some room for the clip to rotate and also remove the clip using a leverage tool.

Fig. 28 also depicts coupling ridges 44 on the top surface and coupling grooves 46 on the bottom surface of two respective evaporation panels 10A and 10C. The structure of these coupling ridges and grooves is configured slightly differently from the coupling grooves and ridges shown in the previous figures. This modification is shown in more detail in the evaporation panel assembly 100 shown in fig. 29, which fig. 29 depicts two evaporation panels 10A, 10B stacked vertically. Basically, the bottom 14 surface of the evaporation panel 10A is positioned on the top surface 12 of the evaporation panel 10B to allow the evaporation panels to be vertically stacked in proper alignment. For reference, support posts 30 are shown on both evaporation panels. Thus, when stacked, the coupling ridges 44 of the evaporating panels 10B are placed into the coupling grooves 46 of the evaporating panels 10A to improve or even prevent any substantial lateral movement. In this example, the respective shapes of the coupling ridge and the coupling groove are not perfectly circular, as previously shown in the other example figures; but instead both the coupling ridge and the coupling groove comprise a respective circular convex and concave surface and a flat vertical portion on each side thereof. This can provide further protection against lateral displacement (e.g., during a seismic event or other intentional forces that may be encountered by the evaporation panel assembly (e.g., an operator grasping the evaporation panel of the assembly to prevent a fall, a plant accident, etc.)). For example, if an edge-to-edge lateral force (from right to left or left to right in this figure) is applied to the evaporation panel 10A relative to the evaporation panel 10B, the concave downward-facing surface of the coupling grooves stacked relative to the convex upward-facing surface of the coupling ridges will force the evaporation panel 10B to lift slightly, which will be resisted by the weight of the evaporation panel assembly panel (and the wastewater loaded thereon) located above it. Furthermore, if the weight is not sufficient to prevent lateral displacement, the flat vertical portion of the coupling slot (on one side or the other) will abut against a corresponding adjacent flat vertical portion of the coupling ridge, thereby providing a second mechanism to potentially prevent further lateral displacement. Once such lateral forces (or even rolling events that may occur during seismic activity) that may cause the onset of lateral displacement are no longer present, the opposing convex and concave surfaces may then cause the respective evaporation panel to move back to a more central, if not central, position. In combination with appropriately-spaced safety clips (not shown) that can be engaged to secure adjacent vertically stacked evaporation panels, this can provide a variety of mechanisms to prevent unwanted movement of the evaporation panels of the evaporation panel assembly. Note that this particular detail also shows a female pin receiving opening 75 that is capable of receiving a shear pin (not shown) for connection to a male connector (not shown) that may be included in the female receiving opening 42 therebelow.

Fig. 30A and 30B are two different views of an example evaporation panel 10. Fig. 30A depicts a plan view of the upper right quadrant of the evaporating panel, while fig. 30B depicts an upper left perspective view of the upper left quadrant of the evaporating panel. Note that the male connectors 40 shown in the upper right quadrant are vertically offset from the relative positions of the male connectors shown in the upper left quadrant. As previously described, this enables two evaporation panels to be joined in alignment (end-to-end) with an orthogonally oriented evaporation panel positioned therebetween, such as the evaporation panel previously shown in fig. 10. Further, the figure details are provided to show more detail about this particular male connector example configuration. Specifically, the male connector as shown includes a male connector locking channel 40B that includes an inverted partially rectangular portion (substantially three sides in a rectangle or square) that inversely corresponds to the shape of the distal tip locking portion of the safety clip (not shown in this figure, but shown at 73C in fig. 27B, 27D, 27F). This partially rectangular shape can provide some advantages because it does not create a separation force between the male connector locking channel (of the male connector) and the male locking member (of the security clip) that would push the security clip away from the male connector. Also, in such a configuration, compression of the male connector is mechanically resisted when the distal tip locking portion is engaged therein, which would otherwise normally be used to remove the male connector from an associated female receiving opening.

In addition, this particular male connector 40 includes upward and downward facing male connector engagement slots 40A. As previously described, the two outermost (with respect to the evaporation panel body) male connector engagement slots (upwardly and downwardly facing) can be used to temporarily seat together the downwardly extending ridge and the upwardly extending ridge, respectively, of a forward oriented evaporation panel. Note that the downwardly extending ridges and upwardly extending ridges are not specifically shown, as the orthogonally oriented evaporating panels are not shown in this figure. However, similar structures are indeed shown on the illustrated evaporation panel, for example, a downwardly extending ridge is shown at 26 and an upwardly extending ridge is shown at 24. Once the evaporating panels are properly aligned and the orthogonally oriented panel ridges are temporarily seated with the outermost engagement grooves (which can be confirmed by a click or by a slight pull on the evaporating panel to ensure temporary engagement and orthogonal alignment), the panels can be further forced together to more positively engage the innermost male connector engagement grooves (upwardly and downwardly facing) with the downwardly extending ridges and upwardly extending ridges, respectively. As shown, the innermost engagement slot is configured slightly differently than the outermost engagement slot for temporary placement and alignment to provide additional grasping engagement. Subsequent forces can be applied by pushing the two parts together more forcefully, or more typically (sometimes for safety reasons) one or both evaporation panels can be struck with a heavy weight or heavy tool (not shown) into the innermost male connector engagement groove to seat with the upwardly and downwardly extending ridges.

Fig. 31 depicts further details regarding the safety clip 70 previously shown in fig. 27A-28 and the safety pin 74 previously shown in fig. 28. This figure provides details as to how the safety clip can mechanically interact with the evaporative panel system or assembly 100 to lock and/or secure three separate evaporative panels 10B-D at the location where the three (and typically the fourth shown at 10A) separate evaporative panels are joined together. In addition, further details are provided which show how the shear pin can also be used to laterally join together two adjacent and orthogonally positioned evaporation panels 10B, 10D. It is noted that the safety clip can also be configured to be usable at other locations where only two evaporation panels are orthogonally joined or vertically stacked. For example, male connectors 40 that are not located near the top 12 of the evaporator panels can be locked in place at the corresponding female receiving openings 42 with a safety clip, and thus do not interact at all with vertically stacked evaporator panels, see, for example, the safety clip 70 of fig. 28. Alternatively, two vertically stacked evaporation panels can be stabilized or secured together using a safety clip, see, for example, safety clip 70A of fig. 26, at a location other than possibly a male connector associated therewith.

With continued reference to FIG. 31, four evaporative panels are shown, including evaporative panels 10A-10D, and safety clip 70 in this example is engaged directly with three of the four panels (i.e., evaporative panels 10B-10D). The safety clip comprises a pair of flexible arms 71 with engagement slots 72, the engagement slots 72 being capable of engaging two vertically stacked evaporation panels 10C, 10D at their respective upwardly extending ridges 24C and downwardly extending ridges (obscured by safety pins 74, but shown by way of example at 26C on different evaporation panels) to thereby vertically secure the evaporation panel 10C to the evaporation panel 10D (which are both orthogonally oriented with respect to the evaporation panels 10A and 10B). However, in this particular example, the male locking member 73, including the generally partially rectangular shaped (cross-section) distal tip locking portion 73C, is also used to engage with the male connector 40 of the evaporation panel 10B, which male connector 40 couples with its respective innermost male connector engagement slot (shown at a different male connector at 40A for clarity) itself the upwardly and downwardly extending ridge (obscured in this figure by the security pin 74) of the evaporation panel 10D. By inserting the distal tip locking portion of the safety clip into the male connector locking channel 40B of the evaporation panel 10B (labeled at a different locking channel for clarity), the male connector can be prevented from compressing, thereby transforming the male connector from a compressible and releasably lockable configuration to an incompressible and unlockable or lockable configuration that cannot be removed from its respective female receiving opening, which in this case is located in the evaporation panel 10D. The female receiving opening at 42, specifically shown in this figure, is not the female receiving opening that the male connector described above is currently using, but is shown by way of example to illustrate an unobstructed female receiving opening configuration. In further detail, a safety clip channel 73A can be included to reduce material, or to provide an opening to insert a safety screw or other fastener (not shown) to further couple the safety clip to an adjacent male connector (by a second mechanism), or to provide an opening to affect removal of the safety clip using a leverage tool as shown at 76 in fig. 28. Such additional fasteners or screws are generally not required as the shape of the male locking member relative to the location of the security clip engagement slot can provide sufficient security to vertically stabilize the stacked evaporator panels (10C and 10D) and further laterally secure the engagement between the male connector of the evaporator panel 10B and the associated female receiving opening found in the evaporator panel 10D. For example, rather than using screws, as described above, the evaporative panel securement system or assembly can alternatively or additionally include a safety pin 74, the safety pin 74 being positionable within a recessed or counter-sunk pin receiving opening 75 and positionable through a male connector at the safety pin engagement channel 40C, and through a vertical channel 71B within the flexible arm 71 and a vertical channel 73B within the male locking member 73 of the safety clip. The vertical channel is in particular an open channel, so that removal of the shear pin for engaging or removing the shear clamp is not required. Typically, in this example, the shear pin is inserted first, and then the clip is inserted.

Turning now to fig. 32A-32F, various plan, perspective, and cross-sectional views of another example safety clip 70 are shown, including additional details regarding the engagement of the safety clip with the male connector engagement slot 40 and alternative locations for the safety pin 74 in accordance with the present disclosure. In more specific detail, this particular set of examples provides certain engagement feature differences compared to those shown in the previously described embodiment of fig. 25A-31. Thus, rather than re-describing each and every similar feature, some differences are highlighted herein. For example, in addition to these differences that will be described, some relevant discussion of similar structural features can be found in the following description: FIG. 30A includes several similar features of FIG. 32A; FIGS. 25B and 27B include several similar features in FIG. 32B; FIGS. 25C and 27C include several similar features in FIG. 32C; FIGS. 25D, 27D and 31 include several similar features in FIG. 32D; FIG. 27E includes several similar features of FIG. 32E; and fig. 27F includes several similar features in fig. 32F. Thus, as with any other figure herein, any reference numeral shown may or may not be specifically described, but a sufficient description of any reference numeral shown can be found in the description of the other figure with similar structure identified by the reference numeral.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 32A, the male connectors 40 of the evaporation panel 10 can include male connector engagement grooves 40A facing upward and downward. The function and advantages of this arrangement are described in detail earlier. The male connector can also include a male connector locking channel 40B that is configured similar to the female V-shaped channel shown in fig. 26; but in this particular example also includes a pair of opposed flat portions 40D. Thus, the generally V-shape of the channel is substantially modified to include two opposing flat portions interposed between a pair of diverging angled portions 40E (in the direction of articulation) near the outermost tip of the male connector and a smaller V-shaped channel 40F (relative to the size of the V-channel shown in fig. 26). Fig. 32B-32F each depict a safety clip 70, which safety clip 70 can include a pair of flexible arms 71, each arm having an inwardly facing safety clip engagement slot 72 near a distal end thereof. The safety clip can also include a male locking member 73. In this example, the pair of flexible arms does not include a vertical channel (for receiving the shear pin 74), and thus in this example, at each distal end of the pair of flexible arms is not a pair of inwardly angled projections, but rather a single inwardly angled projection 71A that extends beyond the shear clip engagement slot. In still further detail, the male locking member can have a more complex shape than the generally triangular shape shown in fig. 25A-26, or a generally triangular and rectangular distal tip shape shown in fig. 27B, 27D-28, and 31. For example, as shown in fig. 32B and 32D-32F, the distal tip locking portion 73C can be configured to substantially inversely match the shape or configuration of the male connector locking channel shown in fig. 32A. The inclusion of a short flat section on the security clip that mates with the opposing flat portion of the male connector can provide the advantage of locking with the male connector locking channel in a manner that does not produce as much separation or spring-like force as the fully angled V-shaped male locking member shape.

In any of the examples herein where the male locking member 73 of the security clip 70 is joined with the male connector locking channel 73 of the male connector 70 (to engage with the male connector to provide the locking mechanism), the male locking member can thus be shaped as a "key" having the shape of a male connector engagement slot. At one end of the male locking member, some examples include a differently shaped distal tip locking portion, such as shown in fig. 27B (square or rectangular in cross-section) or fig. 32B (modified V-shape with a parallel flat portion between two pairs of converging angled portions). These more complex shapes can provide additional joint security and, in some cases, can reduce the separation force between the male connector and the security clip.

Referring more particularly to fig. 32D, this cross-sectional view of the four evaporative panels 10A-D shows two different safety fasteners, namely safety pin 75 and safety clip 70, in place. Unlike fig. 31, in this example the shear pin and the shear clamp are in two different positions. The safety pin is inserted, for example, through the pin receiving opening 75 of the top 12 of the evaporation panel 10C, through the safety pin engaging channel 40C of the male connector 40, and then through two additional pin receiving openings of the lower evaporation rack stacked below the top evaporation rack. In one example, a shear pin can be used to secure the uppermost tier of assembled evaporation panels, such as the top tier of evaporation panel assemblies or towers. This can be advantageous because at the uppermost level the security clip may not have an upwardly extending ridge 24 to engage with, as the upwardly extending ridge can typically be provided by the lowermost shelf of the next level of evaporative panels. At the top of the assembly, when completed, there may therefore be no further evaporation panel assembly level connected to it, and there may therefore be no upwardly extending ridge at this location. The safety pin can provide an alternative fastening at the top of the evaporation panel assembly. As mentioned above, the top evaporative shelf may be adapted to also include an upwardly extending ridge so that the safety clip can be used on top. By this arrangement, additional laterally oriented coupling slots may be included on the bottom of the panel to accommodate additional upwardly extending ridges.

On the other hand, the safety clip 70 in fig. 32D operates in much the same manner as described with respect to fig. 31, and reference numerals and their associated reference numerals and descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. However, in further detail, especially the shear clips do not include vertical channels for receiving the shear pins, although they may be included. Moreover, as previously described, the shape of the male locking member 73 and male connection locking channel are also modified as previously described.

In another example, an example wastewater evaporative separation system 200 is shown in fig. 33, and can include, by way of example, an evaporative panel subassembly or assembly 100 and a wastewater delivery system, in this example, including any of a plurality of pumps, pipes, and the like. In this example, a variety of alternative delivery systems are shown, which can be used in any combination, but are shown together for purposes of explanation. For example, the wastewater evaporative separation system can generally include a wastewater delivery system that generally receives (e.g., pumps and/or gravity), directs (e.g., pipes, tubes, fluid channels, etc.) and delivers (e.g., sprayers, spray heads, distribution pans, etc.) wastewater to the top of the evaporative panel assembly, e.g., a fluid pump 62 can deliver wastewater from a body of wastewater 60 via delivery pipes or tubes 66 to an ejector nozzle(s) 64 above or next to the evaporative panel assembly. For larger evaporation panel assemblies, a series or spray nozzles or large fluid delivery devices suitable for delivering wastewater, which in some cases can include solids or other contaminants that can also be delivered within the wastewater to the top of the evaporation assembly, can be used. In another example, the delivery system can include a fluid pump 92A and one or more delivery pipes or tubes 77 that can also be used to receive, direct, and ultimately deliver the wastewater from the wastewater body to the distribution tray 78 disposed above the evaporation panel. The distribution tray can include a series of perforations or voids 79 through which the wastewater and any contaminants or other substances contained therein can be transported without clogging the perforations and/or to enable the wastewater to be evenly distributed over the top of the evaporation panel.

In a more specific example, the distribution tray 78 can be reconfigured to facilitate additional airflow by more closely matching the shape of the distribution tray (above it) to the shape of the individual evaporation panels, individual evaporation panel subassemblies, or other smaller units of the top loading surface on the evaporation panel assembly. Thus, a smaller series of distribution discs can be configured to also leave openings between the separate distribution discs, or even between fluidly interconnected distribution discs or larger groups of distribution discs thereof (further interconnectors or separate). Thus, these trays or groups of trays can be configured like elongated sinks (e.g., having a rain gutter-like configuration) having openings along the bottom that can be aligned with the top surface of each evaporation panel, which can be repeated on the top surface (or a portion thereof) of the evaporation panel assembly to more accurately load the assembly with waste water. Such a configuration would allow more vertical airflow and moisture venting to occur, as opposed to a large airflow-blocking distribution tray, which may leave little to no effective vertical airflow venting space, and thus be more dependent on venting elsewhere. In one example, the dispensing tray in this configuration can be more specifically referred to as a series of dispensing flumes, or even a series of dispensing flumes in an interconnected dispensing flume. These water troughs can be configured to attach directly to the top surface of the evaporation panel, in one example, possibly using some of the structural features previously described herein, which may already be present at or near the top surface of the evaporation panel described herein.

Although the distribution tray 78 (or even a distribution flume system) can be used to more accurately apply the wastewater to the top portion of the evaporation panel assembly, a sprayer nozzle or series of sprayer nozzles (without a distribution tray) can also provide an effective method of loading the evaporation panel assembly even if some wastewater is not effectively loaded thereon. This is particularly the case when the evaporation panel assembly is located near or above the body of wastewater being treated. For example, when waste water is applied at or near the top of an evaporative panel assembly and a portion of the waste water is not loaded during application (e.g., because of the use of one or more sprayer nozzles that deliver a fluid delivery system that may not be particularly accurate), waste water that is not loaded on the evaporative panel assembly during fluid application (e.g., falls between inter-panel spaces, falls through a vertical ventilation shaft, overflows from the evaporative panel due to overfill, etc.) can only be returned to the body of waste water by gravity. Then, for example, at a later point in time, the wastewater can be re-pumped back to the top in a later delivery or loading event, or can be pumped back to the top at a later point in time during a continuous loading process. For example, the return of waste water not loaded on the evaporation panel assembly to the waste water body can be due to the evaporation panel assembly being positioned on the waste water body, or the evaporation panel assembly being located near the waste water body so that waste water to be returned to the main body or waste water can be returned via the waste water return channel. Other wastewater return methods can also be implemented, including through the use of pumps and the like.

In one example, the evaporation panel assembly 100 of the wastewater remediation or evaporative separation system 200 can be associated with a platform 80A, the platform 80A being configured to support the evaporation panel assembly (which has any shape or configuration or size of appropriate size relative to the size of the platform). The platform can be, for example, a floating platform that floats on the surface of or is otherwise suspended or partially suspended above the wastewater body. For example, if used, the floating platform can, for example, float freely on a lagoon, or can be anchored to the ground using a quay cable system (which is attached to the pond floor or dry ground). The platform can alternatively be in a fixed position (not floating) and waste water can fill or otherwise reside around the platform, or partially surround the platform. The platform can also be perforated or can include open spaces for allowing wastewater to fall from or pass through the evaporation panel assembly and, in some examples, ultimately return to the body of wastewater. Suitable configurations can include a grid defining open rectangular or square channels, or other structures defining open channels of any other shape in any suitable pattern that allows wastewater to effectively pass therethrough. In other examples, the wastewater can be loaded from a container (not shown), such as a tank, in which the wastewater is pumped up to load the wastewater at or near the top of the evaporation panel assembly, or from which the wastewater is gravity fed from a relatively high location to a lower elevation (at the top of the evaporation panel assembly). Whether gravity fed, pumped, or both, the container can be in close proximity or at a greater distance relative to the evaporation panel assembly. In other words, the wastewater can be loaded onto the evaporation panel assembly by any practical means, e.g., with or without valves, pumped up from a lower level wastewater body, gravity fed to the sprayer(s), sprinkler head(s), dispensing pan(s), etc., from a higher wastewater body, from a lagoon or other body of water, from an open or closed container.

The wastewater evaporative separation system 200, which can include an evaporative panel assembly and a wastewater delivery system, can be controlled by various automated and/or manual systems. In one example, the computerized control system can be used to control any device used in conjunction with a wastewater evaporative separation system. For example, the computerized control can control valves, rotating nozzles, fixed nozzles, rotating platforms, timers, sensors, and the like. For example, sensing or receiving weather conditions, sensing relative humidity within an interior opening of an evaporation panel, using a timer or providing automated waste water loading based on timed or sensor driven analysis, etc., can be used to automatically determine when the system should be operated, should be loaded with waste water, and can actually control the actual operating profile and/or waste water loading jets, etc. In one example, environmental sensors or weather forecasts can be used to provide shutdown information to avoid freezing, for example, or to rotate the platform based on wind conditions, or to shut down when the wind is too great to effectively maintain the wastewater on the evaporation panel surface, and the like.

The computerized console can also be used to measure and store data relating to the amount of water pumped per unit time (e.g., per minute, hour, day, month, etc.), and/or can also measure the water depth of one or more ponds serviced by the evaporation panel assembly. The computerized console can be configured to lock so that it cannot be accessed without an access code, a key, or both. Even for computer control and/or automation systems, the system can be configured to include a manual valve management override system to prevent a computer console power outage or malfunction. There can also be in-situ camera systems (e.g., digital photos or videos) in place for managing and monitoring pumps, valves, nozzles, platforms, timers, sensors, etc. The system is capable of remote control and/or remote communication with a user at a computer interface or automatically with a computer using the internet and suitable wireless communication protocols and/or ethernet line communication. The collected data can be stored and/or analyzed continuously or at different intervals, including, for example, environmental condition data points (weather profile, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, water ingress, water egress, humidity within the evaporation panel assembly as compared to ambient temperature, etc.). For example, settings can be changed remotely using a computer system.

Even if the evaporation panel assembly 100 itself does not require any power to operate (passive evaporation), the system for loading the waste water (pumps, computerized control and monitoring, etc.) may use power. The power supply that can be used includes: available municipal power; generator power generated from natural gas, diesel, propane, etc.; solar energy (which may be placed on or near the evaporation panel assembly); and so on. An auxiliary backup power supply with an automatic transfer or backup power battery pack can also be implemented to achieve normal shutdown purposes or to maintain power before resuming regular power.

The wastewater evaporative separation system 200 can also be provided according to other examples of the present disclosure. For example, the fluid pump 92B (and console or control module) can be adapted to pump from a waste source 90 (not equipped with an evaporation panel assembly) via a delivery conduit or pipe 96 to the waste body 60 proximate the evaporation panel assembly 100, such as, for example, a large open container, a lined lagoon, or an already existing lagoon. The evaporation panel assembly can be positioned above (or adjacent) the body of wastewater remote from the source of wastewater to be treated. The criteria for wastewater delivery from the water source to the evaporation panel assembly (or the second body associated therewith) can be based on various predetermined criteria. Examples of such criteria can include: i) maintaining the second body of water full (or at least at some predetermined minimum depth) for efficient use with the evaporation panel assembly described herein; and/or ii) maintain and/or monitor the depth or other condition of the source body so that the system can be shut down if conditions are inappropriate. If conditions are not appropriate in the source body and/or the second body of water, an alarm with a manual shut-down procedure or an automatic shut-down procedure can be implemented. In further detail, similar systems can be in place such that multiple water source bodies can supply wastewater to a single evaporation panel assembly and/or second body of water, or a single water source body can supply wastewater to multiple evaporation panel assemblies and/or second body of water.

In connection with the example wastewater evaporative separation system 200 components shown in fig. 33, various alternative configurations of the evaporative panel assemblies 100 (such as the evaporative panel assemblies shown in fig. 8-12E, 17, 18, 20, and 34-36 or other evaporative panel assemblies) can be part of adjacently (laterally) locked and vertically stacked evaporations for these or other similar wastewater evaporative separation systems. It is worth noting, however, that the evaporation panels can be assembled together in some of these types of configurations, but also in other configurations limited only by the creativity of the user, the size of the evaporation panels, and the available floor space. Thus, for example, using these evaporation panels as basic building blocks, very complex structures can be formed, including large structures of room or building size, with load bearing structures such as stairs, platforms, etc., and with open spaces such as doorways, rooms, etc., and/or with safety features such as upper platform walls and bridges, or any other conceivable structural feature that can be built using substantially rectangular building blocks. To illustrate, in one example, at least 10 discrete evaporation panels can be locked together. In another example, at least 50 (or at least 100) discrete evaporation panels can be assembled, with the first portions locked together and the second portions locked separately together and stacked on top of the first portions. In another example, at least 500 (or at least 1000, at least 5000, at least 10000, at least 50000, etc.) discrete evaporation panels can be assembled with the first portion locked together, the second portion separately locked together stacked on top of the first portion, and the third portion locked together and stacked on top of the second portion, etc. Stacking can be done incrementally by building tiers above existing tiers. Stacking can also allow for the construction of very tall (e.g., 40 feet, 100 feet, etc.) evaporation panel assembly towers or other structures, limited only by the safety and weight bearing capacity of the evaporation panels locked together. On the other hand, laterally locking the evaporating panels together is not at all particularly limited, only by the available floor space. Some example towers or evaporation panel assemblies, as well as two example closely positioned sets of evaporation panel assemblies, each made up of a number of evaporation panels joined and in some cases locked together and stacked vertically, can be seen in fig. 34-36.

Turning now to fig. 34, another wastewater evaporative separation system 200 is shown. Although not specifically shown in this example, each feature shown and discussed in fig. 33 (e.g., a wastewater delivery system) can be associated with fig. 34, and vice versa. In further detail, this example shows an evaporation panel assembly 100 having a footprint similar to that shown in fig. 12C, but which has been built or stacked at five (5) levels height. Thus, for example, if individual panels 10 (only one of which is shown in considerable detail) are prepared in sizes of 2 feet by 2 feet (width by height), the structure shown would be about 10 feet tall. Due to some overlap, the evaporation panel assembly in this example will be less than 6 feet in both depth and width, as shown in a top plan view looking in more detail at fig. 12C. In addition, the evaporation panel assembly is also shown on a platform 80A, the platform 80A being a lower platform similar to that shown in fig. 33. However, in this particular example, there is an upper platform that can be used for human operators (e.g., construction workers, repair or cleaning technicians, inspectors, etc.) who walk on the top surface. The upper platform may not be used because the evaporation panel assembly is strong enough to support the weight of many operators, construction workers, inspectors, etc. In some cases, however, the upper platform may be used for safety purposes, etc., such as when a relatively vertical ventilation shaft may be present. Both platforms in this example are grid-like platforms comprising perforations 82 or voids defined by a grid structure (for simplicity only a portion of the perforations on the platform are shown, but perforations may be present throughout the top or bottom platform or locations through which wastewater can pass to load or drop or descend from the evaporation panel assembly to return to the body of wastewater). Thus, for example, the platform can be positioned above a body of wastewater (e.g., a lagoon or other similar source of wastewater), and as the wastewater falls through the platform perforations, it can be pumped back and re-delivered to the top of the evaporation panel assembly for further processing. Alternatively, the wastewater can be re-conveyed into the wastewater body using a fluid return channel (e.g., a pipe or open channel), or the wastewater can be pumped back into the wastewater body, for example.

Turning now to fig. 35, a perspective view illustrating two adjacently positioned assembly towers including a first evaporation panel assembly 100A and a second evaporation panel assembly 100B is shown. Notably, the two evaporation panel assemblies can be spaced apart at the bottom, leaving a aisle 102 wide enough for human operators to enter for passage, inspection, repair, cleaning, construction, and the like. In this example, the aisle can be about the width of one evaporation panel subassembly, or other distances therebetween that are equally feasible. At the upper portion of the respective component tower, the evaporation panel assembly can include a cantilevered bridge portion 104 that spans, or largely spans, the width of the aisle. The cantilever bridge portion can provide a safe path for a human operator to move from one tower to the next. In this particular example, a small distance (d) or gap 106 can be left or maintained between two evaporation panels or towers to prevent seismic displacement or other unpredictable movement that may occur at one evaporation panel assembly but not necessarily at an adjacent evaporation panel assembly. By isolating adjacent evaporation panel assemblies with a small distance (d) or gap (e.g., d 1/2 to 12 inches, d 1 to 6 inches, d 2 to 5 inches, d 3 to 4 inches, or d 6 to 12 inches, etc.), damage to one evaporation panel assembly can be isolated without compromising damage to larger and therefore more complex evaporation panel assemblies. In some examples, the boom bridge and/or the catwalk may be removed and the towers can simply be placed at a distance (d) from each other. However, this arrangement does not allow a human operator to move freely therebetween.

In further detail, the first evaporation panel assembly 100A and/or the second evaporation panel assembly 100B can include a wall portion 110, the wall portion 110 also being constructed from evaporation panel subassemblies assembled from individual evaporation panels. In this case, the walls are shown as being built at the height of two "cube subassemblies," which in one example can be about 4 feet high if each evaporation panel is about 2 feet in length. However, basic constructions can be similarly prepared using pi subassemblies or other comb subassemblies. The wall can provide safety for a human operator when walking over one or both evaporation panel assemblies or towers. In this particular example, there can also be a vertical ventilation shaft 108, also designed into the evaporative panel assembly, to facilitate purging airflow and/or evaporating moisture from within the evaporative panel assembly. Thus, the purging of air flow and/or moisture from the evaporation panel assembly can occur horizontally or vertically. For purposes of illustration, with respect to horizontal gas flow and moisture purging, open spaces (dedicated open spaces 48 shown particularly in fig. 17, 18, and 20; and unused concave receiving openings 42 providing open spaces shown in fig. 1-9, 18, 21A-24, etc.), the enlarged evaporation flow channels 58A, 58B (shown in fig. 21A-24D), the inter-panel spaces 39 (shown at least in fig. 11, 12B, 12C, and 12D), the enlarged inter-panel spaces 28 (shown in fig. 12A, 12E, and 36) generally aligned with the enlarged evaporation flow channels, and/or horizontal ventilation shafts (not shown, but can be formed by leaving a horizontal axis that does not include (not) a subassembly located along the horizontal axis) can allow for a horizontal flow of air and/or moisture into or out of the horizontal. With respect to vertical gas flow and moisture purging, vertical ventilation shafts (shown by way of example at 108 in this figure and in fig. 12E and 36), inter-panel spaces 39 and enlarged inter-panel spaces 28 are used for gas flow and evaporation. For example, the chimney effect can occur at a vertical ventilation shaft, and vertical airflow can occur between individual evaporation panels at the inter-panel space and/or the enlarged inter-panel space.

In further detail, in one example, access to the top portion of the evaporation panel assembly can be provided by stairs 112, the stairs 112 can be assembled using evaporation panels or evaporation panel substructures integrated into the overall structure of the evaporation panel assembly or tower. In this example, the staircase is provided by an evaporation panel having a height of about half the height of the other evaporation panels. This is an example where it may be advantageous to use different configurations or sizes of evaporation panels. However, in other examples, if the evaporation panel subassembly is also two feet tall, a larger staircase, for example, a 2 foot tall staircase, may be formed using the full evaporation panel subassembly. In either case, in this embodiment and other examples, multiple evaporation panel subassemblies or evaporation panels can be used and configured individually to provide any of a number of structural features (e.g., stairs, aisles, safety barriers or walls, vertical ventilation shafts, cantilever bridges, open rooms or work benches, etc., formed primarily or even entirely of assembled evaporation panels). Furthermore, as mentioned, multiple component towers can be built very close to each other and spaced apart by a small distance (d), as desired based on space or other constraints, to prevent damage from tower to tower in the event of certain types of tower failure. These and other similar evaporative panel assemblies or towers (including any other components shown and described in fig. 33 and 34) used as part of larger wastewater remediation or evaporative separation systems can be assembled together with or associated with, for example, fluid pumps, sprayer nozzles or distribution trays, delivery pipes or tubes, grates or perforated platforms (upper and/or lower), and the like. For reference, a human operator about 6 feet tall is shown to scale in fig. 35.

In further detail, FIG. 36 depicts a top view illustrating four (4) evaporation panel assemblies 100A-D. Adjacent modules or towers include a gangway 102, a cantilevered bridge portion 104 with a gap 106 therebetween. Only a portion of the evaporation panel assembly towers 100B-D are shown, but these evaporation assemblies can be the same size as the evaporation assembly 100A, or can be different sizes. With specific reference to the tower 100A, the general subassembly configuration used to form this particular evaporative panel assembly is pi-shaped, as generally described in fig. 12A-12C, and more particularly with respect to the assembly of a pi-shaped subassembly having a vertical ventilation shaft 108 and vertical support beam assemblies 68. In other words, the vertical ventilation shaft can be formed in an intuitive manner by slightly modifying the pi-shaped assembly pattern shown and described with respect to fig. 12B and 12C to omit the addition of certain evaporation panels, which will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 12E. Thus, the pi-shaped subassemblies in this example do not include the same number of evaporation panels in each subassembly, but rather different numbers and configurations of the various subassemblies can be used. In this particular example, some subassemblies can include six (6), seven (7), or eight (8) evaporation panels, depending on how the pi-shaped subassembly is characterized.

With specific reference to the evaporation panel assembly 100A, each level can include 896 individual evaporation panels, 138 evaporation panel subassemblies, and 2 to 30 levels, e.g., 4 to 60 feet when each level is 2 feet tall, or in some cases even more levels. For example, if the evaporation panel assembly 100A includes, for example, twelve (12) levels, 10752 individual evaporation panels may be used. If there are four columns of the same size and dimension, the structural grouping shown in FIG. 36 would include 43008 individual vaporization panels. At such sizes and dimensions, the surface area for wastewater remediation or treatment can be substantial for four closely positioned columns, occupying less than about 3000 square feet of land. Considering an example where each panel can have multiple (e.g., 8 to 36, 12 to 32, 16 to 24, etc.) shelves, when stacked vertically, there may be a 96 to 432 level shelf (with different densities or widths depending on the particular assembly configuration) of approximately 3000 square feet. Furthermore, in the case of a very large number (e.g., 4 to 24, 8 to 20, etc.) of evaporation columns (horizontally offset or aligned) per evaporation panel, the available surface area for evaporation of the wastewater to occur can be significantly increased in the case where each column includes many individual evaporation fins (e.g., 25 to 150 evaporation fins per column). Notably, when evaporation panels having enlarged evaporation airflow channels are used (such as those shown in fig. 21A-24D), fewer surfaces are provided per square foot of shelves and/or evaporation fins, but this deficiency can be compensated for by increasing the tower height by one or two levels without a significant increase in weight (since each panel is lighter in weight due to the use of less material to form the individual evaporation panels).

In yet another example, a method of separating contaminants from wastewater can include loading the wastewater on an upwardly facing upper surface of an evaporation rack. Additional steps can include flowing the wastewater along a flow path from the upper surface around the sloped side edges onto a downwardly facing lower surface of the evaporation rack, along the lower surface onto the evaporation fins of the vertical support posts, and from the evaporation fins onto a second upper surface of a second evaporation rack located below the evaporation rack. The method can further include evaporating water from the wastewater while the wastewater flows down the flow path. In one particular example, the upper surface can be flat or substantially flat. The upper surface can also include an upwardly extending ridge that traverses the length of the upper surface, which can prevent the wastewater from pooling toward the centerline of the upper surface. The lower surface can also be flat, but in one example can be gradually inclined from the horizontal by more than 0 ° to 5 °. Thus, the waste flow path need not turn completely 180 ° from the upper surface to the lower surface, e.g., roll 175 ° to less than 180 ° from the upper surface to the lower surface, as water rolls around the tapered edge on the bottom surface. In one example, the lower surface includes a downwardly extending ridge that traverses the length of the lower surface, which can direct the waste water along the lower surface toward the vertical support, or can encourage the waste water to descend to the next evaporation shelf. As previously mentioned, the evaporation fins can be spaced apart such that when water is loaded thereon, a vertical water column is formed due to the surface tension of the water between the evaporation fins. An example spacing between the evaporation fins can be 0.2 cm to 1 cm, but more typically is 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm. Likewise, the evaporation fin can include a flat horizontal upper surface having the cross-sectional shape of an airfoil such that the vertical water column has the shape of an airfoil when formed.

According to a further example, the flow path can continue from the second upper surface, around the second sloped side edge, onto a second lower downwardly facing surface of the second evaporation shelf, along the second lower surface, onto the second evaporation fins of the second vertical support column, and from the second evaporation fins onto a third upper surface of a third evaporation shelf located below the second evaporation shelf. In one example, this can continue with at least four (4) vertically stacked evaporation shelves spaced apart by support posts. The support column can also be configured with evaporation fins that transport at least a portion of the waste water from the evaporation rack to the evaporation rack. In further detail, the method can further include moving the contaminants along the flow path while the water evaporates therefrom, thereby moving the contaminants generally downward while increasing the concentration.

Turning now to various industries that can benefit from the technology described herein, any industry that produces wastewater and for which it is desirable or motivated to separate "waste" from water can benefit from the evaporation panels, systems, subassemblies, assemblies, and methods described herein. In some cases, there may be environmental reasons to separate waste or contaminants from produced wastewater or other wastewater, and in other cases, there may be governmental regulations that may require or encourage "clean-up" after wastewater is produced.

More specifically, examples of lagoons/bodies of water produced by industries (or otherwise) that can benefit from the use of the evaporative panel systems and assemblies of the present disclosure include cleaning of the following bodies of water and/or associated waste: slag ponds (e.g., slag ponds produced in mining), lagoons including those associated with utilities, petroleum wastewater, lithium ponds, reclaimed water including municipal water treatment, mining wastewater, wastewater associated with cooling towers, dairy pond waste, olive pond waste, mining tailings, leach pond waste, uranium mine wastewater, thermoelectric/cooling wastewater, brine evaporation, artificial lake remediation, wastewater disposal for military facilities, water remediation from crop production with chemical addition for growth and pest control, and the like.

In one particular example, produced water can be particularly troublesome in the oil and gas industry, where oil and/or gas reservoirs typically include water and hydrocarbons, sometimes at locations where oil and/or gas hydrocarbons are to be recoveredIn the lower or upper region and sometimes in the same region as the petroleum and/or gaseous hydrocarbons. In addition, oil wells typically produce large quantities of water with oil and/or gas. In other examples, sometimes to achieve a desired level of hydrocarbon recovery, water flooding, steam flooding, CO can often be used where water is injected into the reservoir to create pressure to help force oil into the production well₂Flooding, etc. The injected water, steam, etc. eventually reaches the production well and, particularly in the later stages of waterflooding, the produced water fraction of the total hydrocarbon production can be increased. In any event, produced water can be present in the recovered oil and/or gas.

Produced water is considered industrial wastewater, and Coal Seam Gas (CSG) producers may wish to dispose of the produced water in an environmentally benign manner. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, wastewater "disposal" can thus be implemented by evaporation using an evaporation panel assembly and/or a wastewater evaporative separation system (such as the wastewater evaporative separation system shown and described in detail herein and particularly in fig. 33-36), for example.

In further detail, using oil recovery at a single wellhead as an example, oil and water (and typically some natural gas) can be brought together as a mixture to the surface during wellhead operations. In some wells, a large amount of water may be present, such as 90 wt% or more, and in other examples, very little water may be present, such as 10 wt% or less. Thus, different mixtures of oil and water can exist. Furthermore, there can be various volumetric flow rates of oil and water mixtures from a particular well, which can produce more water due to the large volume of liquid mixture. Once collected in this form, the hydrocarbon fractions (natural gas, petroleum, etc.) can be separated conventionally, for example, on-site in a separation vessel. For example, a mixture of hydrocarbons and water (which can include various impurities such as salts, paraffins, solid particulates, undesirable longer chain hydrocarbons, etc.) can phase separate to form an upper hydrocarbon phase layer and a lower wastewater phase layer below it within the vessel. Natural gas may also be collected above the hydrocarbon phase layer. Heating or other methods may be used to increase the separation rate to help break down the mixture of hydrocarbons and water (which also includes other contaminants). Natural gas can also be collected from the top portion of the vessel if desired.

The evaporation panel assembly and wastewater evaporative separation system described herein can be related to how the wastewater (its contaminants) is treated once it is separated from oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons that may not remain in the wastewater. Rather than injecting the wastewater back into the soil, or truck the wastewater to a remote lagoon, which can be expensive and time consuming, the wastewater collected from the bottom of the separation vessel can be treated as described herein. For example, the wastewater can be delivered to a lagoon or other body of wastewater, and in some cases, can be delivered onsite right at or near an oil well without the need to truck the wastewater away. There can be or be provided (e.g. excavation and lining) a lagoon sufficiently close to the well so that waste water from the bottom of the separation vessel can be gravity fed or pumped to the lagoon for treatment.

Thus, a wastewater evaporative separation system including at least some wastewater delivery system components and one or more of the evaporative panel assemblies described herein can be used to remediate or treat wastewater and separate contaminants therefrom. In some cases this can be done on site without the need to truck the wastewater to a remote location, but can also be transported using trucks if the lagoon or wastewater body is at a remote location. Again, the wastewater delivery system can include structures and components (other than the evaporation panel assembly itself) for delivering and recirculating wastewater to the evaporation panel assembly, including various components described with respect to fig. 33 and/or elsewhere herein, such as computers, wireless or wired communications, backup generators, power supplies, valves, sensors, timers, fluid directing conduits or open water pipes, pumps, sprayer nozzles, sprinklers, distribution tray(s) or sink(s), perforated platforms, suspended platforms, floating platforms, pond liners, hoses and/or wastewater containers, and the like. The one or more evaporation panel assemblies can include the assembly structures generally described herein, but can be illustrated by more specific examples in fig. 34-36.

For clarity, specific field remediation or vaporization separation examples can be considered in an oil or gas well as provided below. A mixture of oil, water, gas and salt (and other) contaminants is recovered from the well and collected in a separation chamber. Water is separated from oil and natural gas by phase separating the water and many contaminants from the oil, leaving waste or produced water at the bottom portion of the vessel. Oil and gas can be collected routinely. However, the wastewater at the bottom can be gravity fed or pumped to a nearby lagoon, which can be shallow or relatively deep, such as 2 feet to 30 feet. The waste water can then be pumped to the upper surface of the evaporation panel assembly using one or more pumps, fluid directing conduits, and transport means, such as one or more distribution pans, one or more series of distribution troughs, one or more sprayer nozzles, one or more spray heads, and the like. The waste water can be poured down the evaporation panel assembly as described in great detail herein (including variants thereof). The water at the bottom of the evaporation panel assembly is now more concentrated in contaminants than it was at the top because some of the water has evaporated from the waste water. At the bottom, the waste water can be returned to a lagoon that may be directly below it, or if adjacent to a lagoon, collection terrain made of concrete, lining material, plastic, wood or other material below the evaporation panel assembly can be used to return more concentrated waste water to the lagoon, for example by using fluid guide pipes or open water pipes. There, the waste water is then recirculated back to the top of the evaporation panel to be repeated until the waste water has evaporated sufficiently to leave the thickened sludge-like material for disposal accordingly. Thus, rather than using a daily two-wheeled semi-trailer to haul (and remotely treat) the wastewater, smaller trucks can be used less frequently to occasionally collect more concentrated contaminant sludge. In addition, sludge removal can be further minimized because each day (or other time increment) as water is collected from the separation vessel it can be gravity fed into the same lagoon, thereby diluting the recently concentrated wastewater and essentially providing a continuous flow of wastewater to be treated on a daily (or other incremental or continuous) basis. Thus, if the lagoon is, for example, 24 feet deep and wastewater is being treated by the evaporation panel assembly and new wastewater is being continuously or periodically loaded, depending on the water content produced, the size of the evaporation panel assembly, ambient weather conditions, etc., it may not be necessary to collect concentrated sludge monthly, annually, or perhaps ten years or more.

Thus, in one example, a single oil or gas wellhead can be associated with one or more evaporation panel assemblies and one or more sources of wastewater to circulate the wastewater through the evaporation panel assemblies. If the evaporative panel assembly is sufficiently efficient to treat all of the produced wastewater for that particular well, truck-carrying of the wastewater can be eliminated or significantly reduced. It can also be that a single evaporative panel assembly is sufficiently efficient to handle multiple oil or gas wellheads and, therefore, the evaporative panel assembly can be positioned between them. Also, the set of evaporation panel assemblies can be used for high production wellheads that produce large quantities of water, such as shown in fig. 35 and 36 (two and four evaporation panel assemblies, respectively). For example, if an oil or gas wellhead produces a large volume of wastewater, an evaporation panel assembly approximately 200 feet wide by 200 feet deep by 40 feet high can be constructed to treat the wastewater. On the other hand, if the oil or gas wellhead produces very little wastewater, an evaporation panel assembly approximately 50 feet wide by 50 feet deep by 20 feet high can be constructed to treat the wastewater. These are merely examples of relative sizes, but it should be noted that one of the advantages of the system and method of the present disclosure is the ability to build an evaporation panel assembly that meets the needs of that particular site, while taking into account the amount of waste water, the floor space available on site to build the infrastructure, proximity to adjacent wellheads, the space available to accommodate tank trucks for transporting crude oil, and the like. For example, a tanker truck or other system would still be provided with space to collect and transport the crude oil away, but the evaporation panel assembly could be located anywhere that is convenient and/or efficient as long as there is space to accommodate a tanker truck or the like. For example, if the footprint is small and the water production is high, a 75 foot by 75 foot evaporation panel assembly can be safely constructed and used, depending on the strength of the relative strength of the evaporation panels and/or the selected assembly design.

With respect to the separation of wastewater from undesirable content, in some cases, the wastewater (or water that is impure and has material to be separated therefrom) can also include material that may be desired to be collected. Thus, the term "wastewater" does not exclude the recovery of desired substances, such as desired salts, metal particles, etc., from the water. Furthermore, even though the "sludge" described in the above example is considered a contaminant, it can be further processed into some good use, for example by allowing it to degrade over a period of several months and mix with manure or other components to produce a fertilizer or other useful composition.

Methods similar to those described above with respect to the oil and gas industry may be practiced in any other industry described herein and any other industry that may not be mentioned, but which would benefit from the separation of salt, solids and/or other matter waste water. One particular example is mining, where lagoons or other containers and evaporation panel assemblies (and suitable pumping and distribution equipment) can be transported and built on site at a mine site, and contaminated wastewater that may arise therefrom can be treated on site, in some cases without the need for large volumes of truck haulage of the wastewater, as described above.

While the foregoing examples, descriptions and drawings illustrate the principles of the present technology in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications in form, usage and implementation details can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention.