ES2368325A1 - System and condenser device for water collection of the environment. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System and condenser device for the collection of water from the environment. The condenser device (26) comprises: - two peltier cells (1,2); - heat dissipating means (4) in contact with the hot face of the peltier cells (1,2); - a condensation surface (6) in contact with the cold face of the peltier cells (1,2); - a cabin (9) for housing the peltier cells (1,2), delimiting a cold chamber (10) and a hot chamber (11), with openings for the air outlet (13,15) in both chambers (10, 11) and adjustable opening (14) for the entry of air into the cold room (10); - relative humidity (17) and temperature (16) air sensing means inside the cold room (10); - temperature sensor means (7) of the condensation surface (6); - collecting means (18,19,20,21) of the condensed water on the condensing surface (6). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Condensing system and device for collecting environmental water

Technical sector

The invention falls within the scope of devices for obtaining water for irrigation. Within them, those who get water from the environment.

The present invention can be used for get water in areas with little rain, from water vapor present in the air, for application to irrigation in the first Tree planting stages. In these areas usually coincides high solar irradiation with times of water scarcity, which makes the recommended photovoltaic energy for the power supply of the system.

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Background of the invention

There is a need to obtain water for irrigation of young trees in areas with a shortage thereof of rain. In the initial phase of roots of young trees the amount of water necessary for them to survive and grow in the hardest times of the year can be obtained from water vapor present in the environment. In these times the solar irradiation is also greater so it can be used as an energy source primary. The use of a system that consumes the minimum energy to obtain this water it is essential to reduce the costs

There are some patented inventions related to the current request. Some use peltier cells for water condensation, although without great efficiency.

The invention described in US4146372 describes a system to condense water from the environment but without condensation surface, by means of absorbent materials.

The inventions described in the patents US4182132 and US4255937 describe systems for condensing water from the environment using a compressor instead of peltier cells, which Add more moving parts to the system. They do not control the temperature of the condensation zone

The invention described in US7559204 describes a system based on peltier cells to condense water, but it does not allow to adjust the temperature of the zone of condensation.

The inventions described in the patents US4433552 and US5149446 describe a system for condensing water from the environment using peltier cells. They allow to activate the system in function of ambient temperature or humidity, but not vary the condenser temperature according to dew point.

The invention described in US4315599 describes a water condensing system for irrigation based on peltier cell. He tension control that reaches the peltier cell does a system based on a manual selector, not automatic.

The invention described in US6581849 describes a water condensing system for irrigation based on peltier cell. This system focuses on the design of the condensation surface but does not control the relative humidity and ambient temperature to the condenser temperature setting with respect to the point of Dew.

Finally, the invention described in DE102008064185 proposes a water condensation system for irrigation with peltier cells, with control of the temperature of the cold part but without a water collection system that prevents evaporation partial of it.

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Description of the invention

It is a team capable of obtaining water from environment by condensing the moisture present in the air. To condense the water requires a surface to a temperature low enough for water to pass from gaseous state or water vapor to liquid state or water itself bliss The temperature at which said surface should be must not be not too low to prevent water freezing condensed which supposes an extra contribution of unnecessary energy. This temperature depends on the environmental conditions of the moment; basically temperature and relative humidity of the environment. It is also important that the water is collected before it returns to evaporate.

The described system includes a device electronic called peltier cell formed by two plates flat ceramics that enclose the elements that get that, before a voltage application, one of the plates increase its temperature while the other reduces it with respect to the ambient temperature. Controlling the temperature of the cold plate so that it is a just below the condensation temperature (calculated in each moment) and collecting the water that is deposited on it before it evaporates again (using a vibration mechanism or by pushing a brush) efficient employment is achieved of the energy to obtain water with peltier cells. The Condenser vibration is performed every so often and at a Adjustable frequency to optimize the energy used.

The system can be powered with energy Photovoltaic and used in areas with high solar irradiation and low water on the ground becoming an autonomous system to obtain water in areas of lack thereof.

In the present invention the condenser temperature control based on peltier cells automatically using digital control that allows control feedback and thus give the cell the exact energy calculated. He control of this system takes as a reference the dew point in the inside the chamber (place where it will be more accurate) so as not to use extra energy unnecessary. The main advantage of the system is the sum of temperature control and water collection based on cold surface vibration previously sprayed with an emulsion anti-fog The use is also proposed as an alternative to vibration of a brush that pushes the water to be collected. The mechanism chosen in previous inventions of the state of the art is the fall by gravity of the water.

The water collection system of the environment environment object of the invention comprises:

- a condensing device that in turn understands:

?

at least one cell peltier;

?

heat dissipating means in contact with the hot face of the at least one cell peltier;

?

a condensing surface in contact with the cold face of the at least one cell peltier;

?

a cabin to accommodate in your inside the at least one peltier cell, delimiting both sides a cold chamber and a hot chamber, said cabin having of at least one opening for the air outlet in both chambers and of an adjustable opening for the entry of air into the chamber cold

?

humidity sensing means relative and air temperature inside the cold room of the cabin;

?

media temperature sensors of the condensation surface;

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water collection means condensed on the surface of the condenser; Y

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- control means configured for:

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get the measurements of different sensor means;

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obtain the dew temperature T r of the air contained in the cold chamber from the measurements of the relative humidity and air temperature sensing means inside the cold chamber;

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carry out a control of the at least one peltier cell based on the difference between the dew temperature T_ {r} and the temperature of the condensation surface.

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In a preferred embodiment the device condenser additionally comprises temperature sensing means of heat dissipating means, whose information is received by The means of control. The control means may be configured to deactivate at least one peltier cell when the heat sink media temperature exceeds a certain limit.

The condensing device comprises preferably additionally chamber cooling means hot, for example a fan, the control means being responsible for monitoring the activation of these means of refrigeration.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means are configured to determine the difference between the dew temperature T r and the temperature of the condensation surface and, when said difference is less than a certain threshold, activate the at least one cell peltier The control means may be configured to effect the activation of the at least one peltier cell for a time proportional to the difference between the dew temperature T r and the temperature of the condensation surface.

The condensing device comprises preferably a support of low thermal conductivity in which the at least one peltier cell is fitted.

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Water collection means can comprise a conduit located under the condensation surface and a collection deposit. Water collection means can also understand actuator means acting on the condensing surface

In a preferred embodiment the means actuators comprise a vibrating mechanism responsible for generating Condensation surface vibrations. The device capacitor can in this embodiment comprise a flexible frame which incorporates the condensation surface and is in contact With the vibrating mechanism.

In another embodiment the actuator means they comprise a scanning mechanism responsible for sweeping on the condensation surface to push the condensed water about it.

The system may additionally comprise a solar panel, a charge and consumption regulator and a battery for the system power

The condensation surface has preferably anti-fogging properties to improve the collection of Water.

Another aspect of the present invention is a condensing device for collecting water from the environment, which includes:

- at least one peltier cell;

- heat dissipating means in contact with the hot face of the at least one peltier cell;

- a condensation surface in contact with the cold face of the at least one peltier cell;

- a cabin to house inside the less a peltier cell, delimiting on both sides a cold chamber and a hot chamber, said cabin having at least one opening for the exit of the air in both chambers and of an opening adjustable for cold air inlet;

- relative humidity and sensing means air temperature inside the cold chamber of the cabin

- temperature sensing means of the condensing surface; Y

- means for collecting condensed water in the condenser surface

Brief description of the drawings

Then it goes on to describe very brief a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention presented as a non-limiting example of is.

Figure 1 shows the support with the cells peltier employed in the invention.

Figure 2 represents the hot side of the support with peltier cells.

Figure 3 represents the cold side of the support with the peltier cells.

Figure 4 represents the device condenser.

Figure 5 represents the scanning mechanism vertical of the condensation surface by means of a brush.

Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the system object of the invention.

Description of a preferred embodiment

As shown in Figure 1, they are arranged Peltier cells (1, 2) as the core of a "sandwich." The peltier cells (1, 2) are embedded in a support 3 of material No heat transmitter. As shown in Figure 2, on the side a heat sink 4, preferably of aluminum, and a sensor 5 is placed to control the temperature in the hot side. On the cold side, shown in Figure 3, it couples a condensation surface 6, a surface to cool with low thermal resistance, whose temperature is controlled by measuring probes 7.

The set described above is mounted on a flexible frame 8, shown in Figure 4, and is coupled inside a cabin 9. This flexible frame 8 marks the separation between cold chamber 10 and hot chamber 11. The frame flexible 8 allows the condenser to vibrate (the surface to cool 6) to improve water collection.

The hot part is cooled by a fan 12 introducing outside air that comes out of density difference by holes in the upper part 13. On the cold side, the air intake is regulated by a mobile cover 14 coming out through holes in the bottom 15. The calculation dew point uses a temperature probe 16 and a probe of relative humidity 17 located inside the chamber in its cold side The water that emerges from the condenser falls by a conduit 18 to a reservoir 19. To improve the collection, use a vibrator 20. Instead of a vibrator, you can also use a vertical water sweep mechanism using a brush 21 as depicted in Figure 5, which would act periodically

As shown in Figure 6, the system complete includes a solar panel for power 22, a charge and consumption regulator 23, a battery 24, a system of condenser 25 power control and device condenser 26 of figure 4. The objective is to water young trees 27.

The control procedure carried out by the control system 25 is described below. Data are taken from temperature and relative humidity inside the chamber of condensation, for the dew point calculation. For the dew point determination you can use the following simplified formula:

one

where H is the relative humidity in% measured by the relative humidity probe 17, T is the temperature ambient in Celsius measured by temperature probe 16 and Pr is the temperature in Celsius of the point of Dew.

To control the operation of the condenser, the temperature of three points of the cold part is taken of the capacitor and the average of them is made, which represents the average temperature of the condensation surface. I also know take the hot side temperature using a probe at the point heatsink center as close as possible to the point of contact with Peltier cells on their hot side.

Depending on the difference between the temperature of the cold part of the condenser and the dew point a proportional control to said difference. To do this, multiply the temperature difference by an adjustable proportional constant according to the particularities of the location of the device. He result of such multiplication marks the time that cells peltier are fed and therefore generating cold in the face cold At the end of this time, the difference is checked again between the temperature of the cold side and the dew point starting A new cycle If at the end of a cycle the temperature has dropped from dew point (plus a differential, for example two degrees, for compensate for thermal inertia), the cells stop feeding peltier

It also stops feeding peltier cells if it is detected that the hot side temperature exceeds a limit configurable to avoid possible damage to them. This checking is done permanently without waiting for end a cycle Additionally there is a thermal relay on the heatsink that cools the hot side for the same purpose of protection.

Claims (15)

1. Environmental water collection system, characterized in that it comprises: - a condensing device (26) which in turn understands:

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at least one peltier cell (1, 2);

?

heat dissipation media (4) in contact with the hot face of the at least one peltier cell (1, 2);

?

a condensing surface (6) in contact with the cold face of the at least one peltier cell (1, 2);

?

a passenger compartment (9) to accommodate in its interior is at least one peltier cell (1, 2), delimiting both sides a cold chamber (10) and a hot chamber (11), said cabin having at least one opening for the exit of the air (13, 15) in both chambers (10, 11) and of an opening adjustable (14) for cold air inlet (10);

?

humidity sensing means relative (17) and temperature (16) of the air inside the cold chamber (10) of the passenger compartment (9);

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media temperature sensors (7) of the condensation surface (6);

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collection means (18, 19, 20, 21) of the condensed water on the condensation surface (6); Y

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- control means (25) configured for:

?

get the measurements of different sensor means (7, 16, 17);

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obtain the dew temperature T_ of the air contained in the cold chamber (10) from the measurements of the relative humidity (17) and temperature (16) means of the air inside the cold chamber (10) ;

?

carry out a control of the at least one peltier cell (1, 2) depending on the difference between the dew temperature T_ {r} and the temperature of the condensation surface (6).

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2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the condensing device (26) additionally comprises temperature sensing means (5) of the heat dissipating means (4), whose information is received by the control means (25). 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means (25) are configured to deactivate at least one peltier cell (1,2) when the temperature of the heat dissipating means (4) exceeds a certain limit. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensing device (26) additionally comprises cooling means (12) of the hot chamber (11), the control means (25) being in charge of carrying out a control of the activation of said cooling means (12). System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (25) are configured to determine the difference between the dew temperature T_ {r} and the temperature of the condensation surface (6) and, when said difference is less than a certain threshold, activate at least one peltier cell (1, 2). System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control means (25) are configured to activate at least one peltier cell (1, 2) for a time proportional to the difference between the dew temperature T_ {r } and the temperature of the condensation surface (6). 7. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensing device (26) comprises a support (3) of low thermal conductivity in which at least one peltier cell is fitted
(1, 2). System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water collection means comprise a duct (18) located under the condensation surface and a collection tank (19). System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water collection means comprise actuator means (20, 21) that act on the condensation surface (6). 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuator means comprise a vibrating mechanism (20) responsible for generating vibrations of the condensation surface (6). System according to claim 10, characterized in that the condensing device (26) comprises a flexible frame (8) that incorporates the condensation surface (6) and is in contact with the vibrating mechanism (20). A system according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuator means comprise a sweeping mechanism (21) responsible for sweeping the condensation surface (6) to push the condensed water on it. 13. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises a solar panel (22), a charge and consumption regulator (23) and a battery (24) for powering the system. 14. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensation surface (6) has anti-fogging properties to improve water collection. 15. Condensing device for collecting water from the environment, characterized in that said condensing device (26) comprises: - at least one peltier cell (1, 2); - heat dissipating means (4) in contact with the hot face of the at least one peltier cell (1, 2); - a condensing surface (6) in contact with the cold face of the at least one peltier cell (1, 2); - a passenger compartment (9) to accommodate inside the at least one peltier cell (1, 2), delimiting on both sides a cold chamber (10) and a hot chamber (11), said arrangement cabin of at least one opening for the air outlet (13, 15) in both chambers (10, 11) and of an adjustable opening (14) for the air inlet in the cold chamber (10); - relative humidity sensor means (17) and temperature (16) of the air inside the cold chamber (10) of the passenger compartment (9); - temperature sensing means (7) of the condensation surface (6); Y - collection means (18, 19, 20, 21) of water condensed on the condensation surface (6).