Patent Application
20210108396
An atmospheric water generator (AWG) is a device that extracts water from humid ambient air. Water vapor in the air can be extracted by condensation—cooling the air below its dew point, exposing the air to desiccants, or pressurizing the air. Unlike a dehumidifier, an AWG is designed to render the water potable. AWGs are useful where pure drinking water is difficult or impossible to obtain, because there is almost always a small amount of water in the air that can be extracted. The two primary techniques in use are cooling and desiccants.
The extraction of atmospheric water can require a significant input of energy. Some AWG methods are completely passive, relying on natural temperature differences, and requiring no external energy source. Biomimicry studies have shown the beetle Stenocara gracilipes has the natural ability to perform this task.
A disclosed atmospheric water generator (AWG) system includes a compressor-condensor-evaporator subsystem and a refrigerant circulated in a closed-loop there through, a reconfigurable moist air input plenum and a dry air output plenum, a first stage large particulate air filter and a subsequent stage honeycomb ceramic micro particulate air filter, an air precooler configured to mix cooled air with warm intake air, and a folding solar power array configured to fold up in a cuboid around the MAWG system for transportation and storage and lay flat in a chosen direction facing the sun.
A method is disclosed for atmospheric water generation includes circulating a refrigerant through a compressor-condensor-evaporator subsystem in a closed-loop, moving an airflow through a reconfigurable moist air input plenum and a dry air output plenum, filtering the airflow via a first stage large particulate air filter and a subsequent stage honeycomb ceramic micro particulate air filter, mixing a precooled air precooler with a warmer intake air, and configuring a foldable solar power array flat in a chosen direction facing the sun for energy generation and in a cuboid around the AWG system for transportation and storage.
Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements depicted in multiple embodiments. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Throughout the present disclosure the term ‘regulate’ is used in the common sense to control or to maintain an electrical characteristic or property. The term ‘plenum,’ is used in the common sense for an enclosed space used to collect air completely filled with air flow.
A mobile atmospheric water generation system filters carbon emissions from the air, while creating clean drinkable water. This unit IS powered by a 20 hp electric motor that runs a refrigeration unit necessary to create water generation from the humidity in the air. Power for the system is primarily provided by solar panels on top of the unit for power generation. All electricity will be stored in a battery pack, and can be converted to a/c through an onboard inverter.
The water collected will pass through an activated charcoal filter into a collection tank. While in the tank, the water will be circulated through ultra violet light to prevent bacteria growth. Air filtration is performed by a 4 multistage ceramic and activated charcoal filters. The ceramic filters are designed so once the filters are full, they can be removed and baked in a standard diesel particulate filter oven.
Possible uses for this unit include disaster relief, agriculture, smog reduction, drought relief, fresh water and electric power supply in developing countries. This unit will be vehicle mounted for mobility, and does not create harmful emissions.
Powered by solar, wind, and an onboard battery bank, this unit condenses moisture in the air into clean safe drinking water, while being a reliable power source, and filtering carbon emissions and other pollutants from the air via multi stage air filtration system. Storing clean water and energy onboard with the ability to interconnect units to create a large clean water/power plant. Units can be used for drought relief with farming, wildlife, in cities on sky scrapers allowing less extensive transmission/transport of water and power. units can also be truck mounted to be utilized for mobile water/power generation in developing countries or stationary to create a long term sustainable grid in places like Puerto Rico. This unit is great for hotter environments that stay above freezing, and get more sunlight.
Once out of the insulated compartment, the pipes enter the condensation compartment. At this stage, the 6 inch pipes open into 10 inch pipes, allowing for expansion of the cold air before entering 5 vertically stacked high air flow condensors. Warm air is then pulled over the condensors. From two 10 inch warm air intake pipes, warm air intake pipes use the same multistage air filtration system as the cold air intake. The heat exchange from the cold air inside the condensors, with the external warm air allows for maximum condensation collection. Dried/filtered air is then exhausted via two exhaust ports on either side of the unit, just behind the condensation compartment.
Condensation is collected in the bottom or the rubber coated condensation compartment. As water collects, it drains through a one way valve through an activated carbon filter, into the primary holding tank. Inside the tank, the water is circulated past ultra violet lights. This circulation prevents stagnation of the water. The UV light prevents bacteria growth once the primary holding tank has reached capacity of 430 gallons, water is automatically pumped to the onboard 120 gallon secondary holding tank. This tank has the same water circulation UV light system. Once water is ready to be used, it is pumped out of the holding tanks through a final activated carbon filter to ensure cleanest drinking water possible.
This unit solves 3 major issues in the world. Clean and safe drinking water, growing air pollution, and lack of reliable electricity in developing countries. Applications for this unit include agriculture, military, disaster relief, smog reduction, drought relief, and sustainable water/energy source in developing countries. This unit can help with crop retention, with the ability.
Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention.
The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
