EP1636432A1

EP1636432A1 - Device for extracting water from the air by means of condensation

Info

Publication number: EP1636432A1
Application number: EP04703198A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joseph Lucay Maillot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-20
Filing date: 2004-01-19
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Also published as: WO2004067857A1; FR2850122A1; FR2850122B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for extracting water from the air through the condensation of the water vapour when a flow of hot air passes over a plurality of cold plates (12, 12') which are kept cold using an external heat exchanger (22). According to the invention, the cold plates (12, 12') are disposed parallel to one another in a working chamber (4, 4') and form a determined angle with the horizontal in order to enable the collection of water by simple gravity. The hot air inflow is admitted under pressure into an inlet chamber (2) in which it is distributed such as to circulate between the cold plates (12, 12'). The air flow used is then extracted from the working chamber (4, 4'), preferably by means of a depression, so that it can be admitted into an outlet chamber (6, 6') which is connected to the free air.

Description

Device for extracting water from the air by condensation

The present invention relates to a device for extracting water present in the air by condensation of water vapor during the passage of a flow of hot air over a plurality of cold plates kept cold by means of a external heat exchanger.

Numerous documents describe such devices. Among these, mention may be made of WO-A-0188281, WO-A-0116028, WO-A-0163059 and WO-A-0111152. The document WO-A-0163059 describes an office water fountain without a water inlet, and the document EP-A-1142835 describes such a source of pure water for a domestic refrigerator. Document FR-A-2 528 321 describes such a device making it possible to detect possible radioactive pollution of the air in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant.

The present invention is situated in this context and aims to obtain large quantities of water for the enhancement and development of areas where there is no water source or well for human consumption. and livestock or for the irrigation of cultivable land, for example in semi-desert or mountain areas, or in all areas where water is difficult to access.

The invention also aims to propose a means capable of quickly replacing a drinking water distribution network in the event of the destruction of such a network or serious pollution of the water taken from groundwater or from rivers and / or stored in water towers, so as to effectively meet the most urgent needs of the populations concerned pending the return to a normal situation or to effectively complete such a network during low water periods.

The means according to the invention can also be fitted to ocean liners or ships accommodating a large number of passengers.

The means according to the invention can also find military applications in supplying drinking water to troops maneuvering or operating in arid zones or in regions where the water is contaminated.

The means according to the invention can also find domestic applications for obtaining drinking water without chlorine or for automatic irrigation of a private garden.

The principle of operation is always the same, since it is always a question of condensing the vapor of water contained in the air by contact of air on cold wings, while avoiding the formation of frost on cold wings which would have the effect of reducing the efficiency of the installation. The invention makes it possible to treat a large volume of air without the blowing effect in order to obtain a large volume of water.

The invention therefore relates to a device for extracting water present in the air by condensation of water vapor during the passage of a flow of hot air over a plurality of cold plates kept cold by means of an external heat exchanger.

According to the invention, the cold plates are arranged parallel to each other in a working chamber and form a determined angle with the horizontal to promote the harvesting of water by simple gravity. The flow of hot inlet air is admitted under pressure into an inlet chamber, from where it is distributed to circulate between the cold plates. The air flow used is then extracted from the working chamber to be admitted into an outlet chamber connected to the open air.

Advantageously, the flow of hot air is distributed to circulate between the cold plates by means of a double wall pierced forming a labyrinth for the air flow and separating the inlet chamber from the working chamber. Similarly, a pierced wall is disposed between the working chamber and the outlet chamber.

Preferably, the inlet chamber is located opposite the highest part of the cold plates, while the outlet chamber is located opposite the lowest part of the cold plates, or vice versa depending on the angle determined.

To increase the production of water, the device may favorably include two working chambers respectively arranged on either side of the inlet chamber, an outlet chamber being associated with each of the working chambers.

For the same purpose, the inlet air flow may be heated by a heating means before being admitted into the inlet chamber.

To increase the efficiency of the device, it is also possible to form a labyrinth in the outlet chamber so as to increase the time of presence of the hot air in the working chamber.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows of the preferred embodiments given without limitation and to which a plate of drawings is annexed. on which :

Figure 1 shows schematically in vertical section an extraction device according to one invention;

Figure 2 shows schematically the extraction device of Figure 1, but provided with two working chambers;

Figure 3 shows schematically seen from above the extraction device of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 shows, schematically in section, an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings which have just been succinctly described, the device for extracting water present in the air by condensation of water vapor essentially comprises a chamber for entering a flow of hot air. 2, at least one working chamber 4, 4 ', and an outlet chamber 6, 6' associated with a working chamber 4, 4 '.

The inlet hot air flow is admitted under pressure into an inlet chamber 2, for example by means of a set of fans 8.

The air flow used is then extracted from the working chamber 4, 4 'by vacuum (Figures 1 to 3) to be admitted into an outlet chamber 6 connected to the open air. The vacuum is obtained by means of an extractor 10, 10 '.

The working chamber 4, 4 ′ encloses a plurality of cold plates 12, 12 ′ arranged parallel to each other. They form a determined angle with the horizontal to favor the collection of water by simple gravity. In an embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 in which the air flows from top to bottom, this determined angle was between 20 and 30 ° approximately. Obviously, a larger angle can be provided to accelerate the collection of the condensation water. In the embodiment shown in the

Figure 4, the cold plates 12 are arranged vertically and a plurality of baffles 22 is provided to ensure maximum contact between the air and the cold plates. Here, the air flows from the bottom to the top.

These cold plates are, for example, produced by means of two flat or corrugated sheets superimposed and separated by 2 to 4 mm to allow the circulation of a gaseous or liquid heat transfer fluid ensuring the maintenance of the cold plates at a temperature between 1 and 10 ° C approximately and preferably between 3 and 5 ° C, so as to avoid the formation of frost and / or ice on these plates.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sheets used were galvanized sheets of tinplate or steel treated against rust, these sheets having a thickness of between 0.40 and 1.40 mm capable of being electrically welded together to ensure the sealing of the heat transfer fluid circuit.

However, it is preferable to use sheets made of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, for example copper, bronze or aluminum.

To promote the manufacture of the plates, it may be desirable for each plate to consist of two or three identical sub-plates placed side by side and separated to ensure good distribution of the air of bottom up in the working chamber, small copper conduits connecting the sub-plates together to ensure the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

Preferably, the sub-plates are separated from each other by 5 to 8 mm, so that the drops of condensed water do not disturb the circulation of air.

The coolant for cooling the cold plates 12 circulates in a conventional manner in a closed circuit between an external heat exchanger 22 including a suitable compressor (Figure 3) and the interior of each cold plate 12, for example by means of a pump. recirculation. The heat transfer fluid may, for example, consist of glycoled or salted water cooled during a passage through a coil embedded in a tank of ice or of a liquid maintained at a temperature below zero.

According to an alternative embodiment, the cold plates are produced by means of two corrugated sheets arranged so that the grooves are face to face, which makes it possible to determine a plurality of spaces where a copper tube can be placed in which the refrigerant circulates. This makes it possible to reduce the quantity of fluid required for cooling and to avoid sealing problems between the adjacent sheets. The space left free between the sheets and the copper tube may favorably be partially filled with stainless steel straws, or with a stainless material substantially identical to that constituting the sheets, in particular for forming plugs on either side, and possibly ensuring thermal contact between the sheets and the copper tube.

We can also and favorably form watertight plugs at the ends to prevent hot air from circulating between the adjacent sheets and directly licking the copper tube.

The cold plates 12, 12 'are each provided with a gutter 14, 14' bringing the collected water to a reservoir 16 by means of a conventional conduit not shown in the Figures.

The flow of hot air admitted under pressure into the inlet chamber 2 is distributed to circulate between the cold plates 12 by means of a perforated double wall 18 forming a labyrinth for the air flow and separating the inlet chamber 2 of said working chamber 4, 4 '. The blowing effect generating a risk of air drying is thus greatly reduced and the air flow is substantially uniformly distributed between the cold plates 12, 12 '.

To improve this uniform distribution, it may be desirable to provide two opposite hot air inlets towards the inlet chamber 2, each being provided with a system of fans 8, 8 ′, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

Likewise, a pierced wall 20 can be arranged between the working chamber 4, 4 ′ and the outlet chamber. 6, 6 'Figures 1 and 2), so as to avoid the air flow used causes, under the effect of vacuum, water droplets outwards.

Identically, to improve the uniform distribution of the air flow, it may be desirable to provide two opposite used air outlets, each provided with a system of extractors 10, 10 '; 10 ", 10" ', as shown in Figure 3.

In Figure 1, there is shown schematically the device of the invention with a single working chamber 4, while in Figure 2, the device of the invention comprises two working chambers 4, 4 'arranged symmetrically with respect to to the vertical axis of the inlet chamber 2.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the working chamber 4, 4 'is insulated so that the heat exchanges are exclusively carried out between the flow of hot air and the cold plates 12, 12'.

In Figure 3, there is shown schematically seen from above the device of the invention more completely.

It will be understood that it is desirable for the hot inlet air to have a temperature of between 40 and 50 ° C. approximately. Obviously, a significantly lower inlet air temperature, for example between 20 and 40 ° C, will still allow water to be collected, but with a lower yield. Thus, the inlet air flow is favorably heated by a heating means before being admitted into the inlet chamber 2. The means for heating the inlet air flow is chosen from a plurality of electrical resistors ( 24 in Figure 1) arranged in the path of the inlet air flow and thermostatically controlled, the heat radiator of the heat exchanger 22 supplying the required refrigeration to the cold plates 12, 12 ', a coil immersed in the hot water tank of an additional water heater whose outlet air flow is mixed with ambient air, a solar lenticular means as described below, and the combination thereof.

In Figure 3, there is illustrated the path of the air flow through the heat radiator of the heat exchanger 22 to its exit through the chimney 24 into the atmosphere.

The outlet chamber 6, 6 ′ of the air flow used is preferably connected to the open air with the chimney 24 at a good distance from the intake zone of the hot air, so as to avoid recycling in the device with an already de-identified air.

It may also be desirable to form a labyrinth in the outlet chamber 6, 6 ′, so as to increase the time of presence of the hot air in the device and, thus, improve its efficiency.

In the embodiment shown in the Figure 4, the air leaving the outlet chamber 6 is sent into a chimney 24 where it is likely to be heated, for example, by solar lenticular means, comprising a set of magnifying glasses focusing the light rays on a hearth by example in copper, so as to favor the extraction of the air used by simple convection. The chimney 24 can have a conical shape so as to accelerate the air flow. If the speed of the air in the chimney 24 is sufficient, an alternator or equivalent 28 can then be provided at the output, driven by the outlet air and capable of delivering a make-up current for the fans 8.

Likewise, the incoming air may be heated by such a lenticular means before entering the inlet chamber 2.

The device for extracting water from the air in accordance with the invention can easily be placed in a container, so as to make it compact and easily movable. To make it, moreover, autonomous, it is desirable that the electrical energy required for its operation is obtained by means of photovoltaic solar panels or wind turbines. On the other hand, for use in an urban area where an electrical energy distribution network exists in a reliable manner, the use of photovoltaic solar panels or wind turbines is, although desirable, not necessary. On the other hand, energy recovery means, such as the alternator 28 described in relation to Figure 4, can be validly added to the device. The volume of the different chambers depends essentially on the amount of air to be treated or ^"well water to obtain. One can thus provide a family system, for example of cylindrical shape with a height less than 2.70 m and a diameter of about 1.00 m. A more industrial system can be placed in a container of conventional dimensions.

A person skilled in the art will have understood the advantage of the water extraction device according to the present invention. In addition to its low cost price and its excellent yield of obtaining fresh and potable water, this device can also be adapted to recover the necessarily cooler outlet air to conduct it in an air conditioning circuit of a building. or a house. It can also be used for the preservation or cooling of drinks or foodstuffs.

Although we have represented and described what are currently considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined below.

In particular, in regions where the humidity of the air is very low, it may be favorable to place the device of the invention at altitude where the air is always more loaded with water vapor. The device will then be connected to an atmospheric balloon stabilized at the appropriate altitude and the collected water will be brought to the ground. by a flexible pipe.

Then, the water obtained can be purified and filtered by any appropriate additional means. It may be the same for the hot air introduced to avoid the deposition of suspended particles in the air.

Claims

R E VE N D I C A T I O N S

1 - Device for extracting water present in the air by condensation of water vapor during the passage of a flow of hot air over a plurality of cold plates (12, 12 ') kept cold by means an external heat exchanger (22), characterized in that said cold plates (12, 12 ') are arranged parallel to each other in a working chamber (4,

4 ') and form a determined angle with the horizontal to promote the harvesting of water by simple gravity, that the flow of hot inlet air is admitted under pressure into an inlet chamber (2), where it is distributed to circulate between the said cold plates (12, 12 '), and the air flow used is then extracted from the said working chamber (4, 4') to be admitted into an outlet chamber ( 6, 6 ') connected to the open air.

2 - Extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow of hot air is distributed to circulate between said cold plates (12, 12 ') by means of a perforated double wall (18) forming a labyrinth for the said air flow and separating the said inlet chamber (2) from the said working chamber (4, 4M. 3 - Extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a perforated wall (20, 20 ') is disposed between said working chamber (4, 4') and said outlet chamber (6 , 6 ').

4 - Extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said inlet chamber (2) is located opposite the highest part of said cold plates (12, 12 ') , while the outlet chamber is located opposite the lowest part of said cold plates (12, 12 ').

5 - Extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said inlet chamber (2) is located opposite the lowest part of said cold plates (12, 12 ') , while the outlet chamber is located opposite the highest part of said cold plates (12, 12 ').

6 - Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said cold plates (12, 12 ') are each provided with a gutter (14, 14') collecting the condensation water and the directing towards a reservoir (16).

7 - Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said working chamber (4, 4 ') is insulated.

8 - Extraction device according to one any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two working chambers (4, 4 ') respectively arranged on either side of said inlet chamber (2), an outlet chamber (6, 6' ) being associated with each of the working chambers (4, 4 ').

9 - Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet air flow is heated by a heating means before its admission into said inlet chamber (2).

10 - Extraction device according to claim 9, characterized in that said means for heating the inlet air flow is chosen from a plurality of electrical resistors arranged in the path of the inlet air flow, the heat radiator of the heat exchanger (22) supplying the frigories required for the said cold plates, a coil immersed in the hot water tank of an additional water heater, a solar lenticular means, and the combination thereof .

11 - Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outlet chamber (6, 6 ') of the air flow used is connected to the open air at a distance (24) from the hot inlet air sampling area.

12 - Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical energy required for the operation of said device is obtained by means of panels photovoltaic or wind turbines, so as to make the said device autonomous, energy recovery means (28) which can be validly added to the device.