US20120073320A1 - Atmospheric water generator - Google Patents

Atmospheric water generator Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120073320A1
US20120073320A1 US13/261,067 US200913261067A US2012073320A1 US 20120073320 A1 US20120073320 A1 US 20120073320A1 US 200913261067 A US200913261067 A US 200913261067A US 2012073320 A1 US2012073320 A1 US 2012073320A1
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Prior art keywords
evaporators
water
water generator
air
flow
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English (en)
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Diego Castanon Seoane
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B39/00—Evaporators; Condensers
    • F25B39/02—Evaporators
    • F25B39/022—Evaporators with plate-like or laminated elements
    • F25B39/024—Evaporators with plate-like or laminated elements with elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0003—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation by using heat-exchange surfaces for indirect contact between gases or vapours and the cooling medium
    • B01D5/0006—Coils or serpentines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0003—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation by using heat-exchange surfaces for indirect contact between gases or vapours and the cooling medium
    • B01D5/0015—Plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/265—Drying gases or vapours by refrigeration (condensation)
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B3/00—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
    • E03B3/28—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from humid air
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of atmospheric water generators, and in particular to a water generator system employing a synergistic relationship between the radiator and condenser in the refrigeration thereof wherein cooling of parallel roll-bond evaporator plates increases the efficiency of the radiator, reducing power consumption while the roll-bond evaporator plates increase water recovery from airflow from a single set of fans stationed to sequentially urge the airflow through the gaps between the roll-bond evaporator plates and through the heat radiating core of the radiator.
  • natural freshwater resources are scarce or limited in many areas of the world, including areas such as, for example, deserts and arid lands, due to low precipitation and high salinity of surface and underground water.
  • Shortage in supply of potable water and fresh water is increasing at a vast rate, as deserts expand and overtake fertile land, and as many of the natural ground water resources are being depleted.
  • shifts in patterns of the global climate over time have resulted in a drop in the rate of rainfall in many areas. For example, hunger and starvation is spreading in areas such as, for example, Africa, because of shortage of fresh water to raise domestic animals and crops for food.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,442 which issued Jul. 11, 1972 to Swanson discloses a mechanical refrigeration means which intermittently cools a fresh water bath. Water from the bath is conducted to vertically aligned condenser filaments by conduit means. The condenser filaments provide condensing surfaces at a temperature below the dew point of the air. A distributing means directs condensed water, depending on its temperature, to either the bath or from the apparatus as output water.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,132 which issued to Nasser et al. on Jan. 8, 1980 describes a tower having a pair of vertically aligned spaced apart air guides wherein the lower air guide includes a cooler which can simultaneously condense moisture from the air and wherein the upper air guide includes a heat dissipater of a refrigeration cycle.
  • Air guides are associated with respective blowers and induce ambient air into the air guide at a location between the blowers. Air is displaced through the air guides into a heat exchanging relationship.
  • the tower may be used to collect drinking water by condensation from the atmosphere.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,937 which issued Mar. 17, 1981, to Ehrlich discloses a dehumidifier in an upper compartment of a cabinet, and a water collecting tank in a lower compartment of the cabinet. Oppositely perforated walls in the cabinet provide access of moisture carrying air to the dehumidifier.
  • a water feed conduit leads from the dehumidifier to the water collecting tank.
  • the water collecting tank is cooled by a refrigerator.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,552 which issued Feb. 28, 1984, to Smith discloses a refrigeration system including an evaporator positioned in an atmospheric duct whereon water vapour is then condensed and collected.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,570 which issued to Littrell on Jan. 9, 1990 discloses a water precipitator which provides a water supply over an extended surface area of land in a high temperature region by condensing water on piping chilled by a refrigerant circulating within the piping.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,046 which issued Jun. 12, 1990, to May discloses a water purifying system having a condenser made of two superposed sheets of hydrophobic plastic film bonded together to form a steam path through the condenser so that as steam entering the condenser is cooled by ambient air it condenses into water which is then removed from the condenser.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,915 which issued Nov. 28, 1995, to Cesaroni discloses a panel heat exchanger having a plurality of parallel tubes located between two plastic sheets that envelope and conform to the shape of the tubes, wherein the sheets are bonded together between the tubes.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,732 which Sep. 17, 1996 to Whiticar discloses a portable dehumidifier wherein a blower fan causes humid air to come into contact with a cold plate causing water vapour to condense from the air. The condensate drips from the cold plate into a trap.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,669,221 and 5,845,504 which issued to LeBleu on, respectively, Sep. 23, 1997 and Dec. 8, 1998, disclose a portable, potable-water generator for producing water by condensation of dew from ambient air wherein an enclosed heat absorber cools air to its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a closed system.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,289,689 and 6,779,358 which issued, respectively, Sep. 18, 2001, and Aug. 24, 2004, to Zakryk et al. disclose a water collection machine having an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough wherein the coil is disposed in line in an air inlet so that moisture condenses on the coil and may be collected in the form of water droplets.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,619 which issued to Cheng et al. on Jun. 4, 2002, discloses a dehydrating device which includes an electrode member mounted under the lower end of the assembly. Positive and negative voltage sources are connected to the electrode member and the lower end of the assembly so as to form an electric field therebetween. Water condensed on the assembly is pulled and removed from the surface of the assembly by means of periodical change of the electric field.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,425 which issued to Romero-Beltran on Nov. 28, 2006, discloses a plate-tube type heat exchanger having a plate with a plurality of channels running parallel there along and a plurality of tubes housed and secured to the channels thus forming a circuit for circulation of a heating fluid, a cooling fluid or a means of heating.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,967 which issued Sep. 18, 2007 to Cole discloses removing excess moisture from the evaporator coils of an air-conditioning system by vibrating the coils, wherein the coils may be vibrated by mechanical or acoustic devices such as solenoid plungers or acoustic transducers.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,947 which issued Sep. 25, 2007, to Anderson et al. discloses a water producing system for condensing water from air and for collecting the condensed water in a storage tank.
  • an operating fluid dumps heat to a second circuit such as refrigeration cycle and the cooled operating fluid lowers the temperature of a water condensation member.
  • the atmospheric water generator according to the present invention may be characterized as including a refrigeration system including a motor, compressor, radiator, evaporator, and at least one fan, wherein the evaporator includes a spaced apart array of roll-bond evaporators.
  • the radiator and the array of evaporators are adjacent one another and arranged in fluid communication therebetween.
  • the fan or fans cooperate with the radiator and the evaporators to induce an in-flow stream of air from ambient air into and through, firstly, the condenser, and secondly, the radiator. Consequently, the in-flow stream of air is cooled by the evaporator as the in-flow stream passes through the evaporator as a through-flow stream of air.
  • the cooled through-flow stream of air then passes through a heat dissipating section of the radiator so as to optimize functioning of the radiator in the refrigeration system.
  • the roll-bond evaporators are each made of unitary planar aluminium sheet having refrigeration conduits formed therein. They may have a thickness of substantially 1.5 mm. In one preferred embodiment all of the evaporators in the array of evaporators are roll-bond evaporators.
  • the array of evaporators are spaced apart by a through-flow spacing of substantially between one half inch and one inch.
  • the through-flow spacing is substantially constant.
  • the through-flow spacing form airways extending the length of a first dimension of the array of evaporators corresponding to the direction of the through-flow stream of air.
  • the first dimension may be horizontal.
  • the second dimension of the array of evaporators corresponds to the width of the spacing of the through-flow spacings, and is orthogonal to the first dimension.
  • the through-flow spacings also extend in a third dimension orthogonal to the first and second dimensions. That is, where the first dimension is horizontal and the second dimension is also horizontal the third dimension is vertical.
  • the airways are sufficiently long along the first dimension so that the through-flow stream of air becomes turbulent.
  • the airways are also sufficiently long so that airstream boundary layers of the through-flow stream of air form turbulent boundary layers along the airway on opposed facing surfaces of adjacent evaporators in the spaced apart array of evaporators.
  • the second dimension may be sufficiently small so that the turbulent boundary layers on the opposed facing surfaces extend substantially fully across the second dimension.
  • the opposed facing surfaces of adjacent evaporators further include turbulent flow trippers to trip laminar flow components and laminar boundary layer components of the through-flow stream of air into downstream turbulent flow and turbulent boundary layer components.
  • the turbulent flow trippers may include protrusions formed on the opposed facing surfaces.
  • the third dimension extends substantially the full height of the evaporators, and water droplets condensing on the surfaces of the evaporators descend downwardly along the third dimension by force of gravity.
  • a fluid source may be provided so as to project a film of fluid onto the surfaces of the evaporators to urge the droplets into and along their cascading descent.
  • the fluid source may include at least one apertured sprayer mounted at an upper end of the array of evaporators.
  • the fluid may be water, and the apparatus may further comprise a water collector positioned under the array of evaporators. The water collected in the collector may be re-cycled to the water source by a water re-cycler such as a pump.
  • the fluid may also be air, and the apparatus may further comprise a motivator for urging a downward flow of air along the first dimension.
  • a fill of elongate strands may be positioned in-between adjacent evaporators in the array of evaporators.
  • the fill may be a mesh of sufficient volume to be partially in contact with, or suspended between, so as to be interleavered between, opposed facing surfaces of the adjacent evaporators.
  • the fill may be a metallic such as aluminium mesh.
  • FIG. 1 is, in right side perspective view, the atmospheric water generator unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is, in left side partially exploded perspective view, the water generator of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 2 a is in side elevation view, one of the roll-bond evaporators of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 2 b is a section view along line A-A in FIG. 2 a.
  • FIG. 2 c is a section view along line B-B in FIG. 2 a.
  • FIG. 2 d is a section view along line C-C in FIG. 2 a.
  • FIG. 3 is, in right side perspective view, a horizontal cross-section on line 3 - 3 in FIG. 2 illustrating the water generator with the cowlings removed.
  • FIG. 4 is, in plan view, the evaporator, radiator, and fan sections of a second embodiment of the water generator according to present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is the partially cutaway view of FIG. 4 with the evaporator plate vibrator and part of the chassis removed.
  • FIG. 6 is, in right side perspective view, the chassis of the water generator according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is, in right side perspective view, the second embodiment of the water generator according to the present invention, with the cowlings removed.
  • FIG. 8 is, in left side perspective view, the water generator of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 9 is, in right side perspective view, the water generator of FIG. 7 showing the evaporator unit, the radiator, the fans, a chassis, a vibrator, and a water collection tray.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the water generator of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 11 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 10 with the cross-bar over the vibrator removed.
  • FIG. 12 is the water generator of FIG. 11 with the chassis, cross-members, and vibrator of FIG. 11 removed.
  • FIG. 13 is, in perspective view, a pair of roll-bond evaporators sandwiching an aluminium mesh therebetween.
  • FIG. 13 a is, and enlarged view with the roll-bond evaporators cutaway, of the aluminium mesh of FIG. 13 .
  • FIG. 14 is, in elevation view, an alternative embodiment of a roll-bond evaporator according to one aspect of the present invention, wherein the surfaces of the evaporator have sharp-sided scales punched therein.
  • FIG. 14 a is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 14 b is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 14 a.
  • FIG. 15 is, in perspective view, the water condenser section of the water extractor according to the present invention, with a fluid sprayer mounted between the upper ends of the roll-bond evaporators.
  • FIG. 15 a is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 16 is, in perspective view, the water extractor according to the present invention with a water ionizer mounted to the chassis.
  • FIG. 16 a is, in elevation view, one of the water ionizing bars of FIG. 16 .
  • atmospheric water generator 10 includes an evaporator unit 12 cooperating with refrigeration components 14 mounted adjacently within rigid chassis 16 and housed within cowlings 18 .
  • One aspect of the present invention is the synergy and increased efficiency gained by the use of only a single set of fans 20 which function both as cooling fans for the refrigeration cycle and also to draw moisture laden air in in-flow direction A through a parallel, spaced-apart array of roll-bond evaporators 22 .
  • a single roll-bond evaporator is shown in FIG. 2 a showing the arrangement in one preferred embodiment of liquid coolant conduits 22 a .
  • Conduits 22 a may thus in one embodiment be arranged so as to extend vertically along substantially the entire height dimension of the roll-bond evaporator 20 . In one embodiment, not intending to limiting, as illustrated by the downward arrows in FIG.
  • the liquid refrigerant enters conduits 22 a from the top of roll-bond evaporator 20 and as illustrated by the upward arrows, also exit from the top of roll-bond evaporator 20 .
  • the in-flow pipes (not shown) and out-flow pipes (not shown) transfer liquid coolant to each conduit 22 a in each roll-bond evaporator 20 .
  • the in-flow and out-flow pipes may for example be mounted in the relatively easy to access space directly above chassis 16 so as to be contained between the top of the array of roll-bond evaporators 22 and the interior of the top of cowlings 18 .
  • the array of pipes are in fluid communication with corresponding in-flow and out-flow manifolds (not shown) which are themselves connected by further conduits to compressor 14 a.
  • the vertical array of fans 20 may in one embodiment not intending to be limiting include three five-bladed fans.
  • Inducted airflow in direction A is drawn horizontally along a first dimension in direction B through the array of roll-bond evaporators 22 substantially along the entire vertical height of the array.
  • the compressor and other corresponding conventional refrigeration components cool the liquid refrigerant, which is then pumped through conduits 22 a simultaneously in all of the roll-bond evaporators 22 so that air drawn in the spacing have a second dimensional or width between the evaporators is cooled so as to condense water droplets onto the exterior surfaces 22 b of the evaporators without freezing.
  • the resulting cooled through-flow air is then drawn through fans 20 so as to exit in direction C.
  • the cooled through-flow air is also forced through the core of radiator 14 b of refrigeration assembly 14 so that the through-flow of already cooled air from the roll-bond evaporators provides for increased cooling of radiator 14 b and thus more efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle.
  • Increased efficiency has also been gained by using more than one radiator 14 b , for example two radiators 14 b , stacked vertically so as to lie in the same plane facing and parallel to the vertically stacked set of fans.
  • the set of three fans would have for example two separate radiators 14 b , one on top of the other. In applicant's experience the use of stacked radiators reduced the power consumption by the compressor.
  • the present invention thus differs in one respect from the prior art in that whereas in the prior art separate fans are provided to draw air through radiator-style water-condenser units and separate fans are provided for the condenser/radiator of the refrigeration system, in the present invention applicant realized space and energy savings by housing the refrigeration assembly and the water condensing assembly adjacent to one another so as to share the operation of a single fan or set of fans, thereby resulting in increased synergistic efficiency of the system.
  • Moisture laden air entering in direction A into the planar spaces 22 c interleaved between roll-bond evaporators 22 passes through the spaces in direction B, and exits from spaces 22 c as cooled air the cooled air the enters the heated air spaces within the core of radiator 14 c wherein the air is warmed as the core is cooled.
  • the air passes from radiator 14 c as hot air exiting fans 20 in direction C.
  • fans 20 draw air in the through-flow in horizontal direction B across substantially the entire height of evaporators 22 , i.e. along a third dimension of the apparatus which is for example approximately 5 feet high in one commercial embodiment.
  • chassis 16 may have approximate dimensions of two meters (91 inches) in height, 1.7 meters (77 inches) in width, 0.9 (41 inches) in depth thus making for a relatively compact water generator.
  • chassis 16 thus provides a rigid frame supporting the refrigeration components including the parallel array of roll-bond evaporators 22 held suspended substantially vertically, and the substantially vertical array of fans mounted adjacent the evaporators.
  • Sheet-like roll bond evaporators 22 are mounted suspended within chassis 16 parallel to one another.
  • horizontal rotatable shafts 24 are rotatably mounted to corresponding vertical uprights 16 a of chassis 16 .
  • One rotatable shaft 24 is provided for each corner of the array of roll-bond evaporators 22 .
  • a ratcheting winch mechanism 26 may be provided for releasable uni-directional rotation of shafts 24 so that they may be simultaneously or individually rotated.
  • Rotating shafts 24 in one direction winds a length of flexible line 28 onto shaft 24 .
  • Flexible line 28 is secured to each corner of each roll-bond evaporator 22 through corresponding eyelets 22 a.
  • Each ratchet and pawl mechanism 26 includes a toothed ratchet.
  • the tensioning of lines 28 is controlled by rotation of the ratchet and the operation of a ratchet-engaging pawl.
  • Mechanism 26 together comprise an intermittent rotation controller wherein motion from a handle or for example motorized device is converted into intermittent circular motion having a constant rotational direction.
  • Mechanism 26 may be released so as to unwind shafts 24 thereby releasing tension on lines 28 by the release of the pawl from the teeth of the ratchet.
  • springs 36 are mounted through eyelets 38 in the corners of evaporators 22 so as to tension the evaporators between cross-members 16 c of chassis 16 .
  • Chassis 16 may be mounted on casters 30 or other wheeled or tracked or skid assemblies to allow for ease of positioning.
  • Roll-bond evaporators are known in the prior art for use in for example domestic refrigerators. In such refrigerators the sheet of the roll-bond evaporator is typically bent into a U-shape to form a cooling box. Thus the conduits formed in conventional roll-bond evaporators are directed in such a way to allow for bending of the sheet along where the corners of the box are to be formed.
  • Roll-bond evaporators are formed by bonding together two thin sheets of aluminium so that the two sheets become a single unitary sheet of aluminium.
  • the conduits are formed by masking the desired conduit paths before the two thin sheets are formed together so that, once the two sheets are formed into a single unitary sheet the masked path remains thereby separating the two sheets along the length of the masking.
  • the roll-bond evaporators are, at least in the illustrated embodiment which is not intended to be limiting, used in a planar form.
  • the conduits may be advantageously run the entire length of the sheets without having to worry about where the sheet will be bent.
  • each of the roll-bond evaporators has a dimension of approximately 21 ⁇ 2 feet wide by approximately 5-6 feet high.
  • the array of roll-bond evaporators may contain as illustrated at least nineteen roll-bond evaporators, although fewer will work but with reduced efficiency, each having a spacing therebetween of in the order of 1 ⁇ 2 inch to 1 inch spacing.
  • the array of roll-bond evaporators when viewed in plan view, that is, from above when seen in horizontal section, forms an array which is approximately square in dimension for example approximately 21 ⁇ 2 feet square.
  • Another factor in the operation of the atmospheric water generator according to the present invention is controlling the frosting of the roll-bond evaporators so as to minimize and advantageously avoid, the build-up of frost or ice on the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators.
  • One method by which this is accomplished is running the refrigeration assembly at a lower capacity, for example, by reducing the available power from the motor.
  • a motor which only delivers approximately 1/16 th of a horsepower per roll-bond evaporator minimizes the formation of frost or ice so as to maximize the formation of moisture droplets on the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators.
  • the surfaces 22 b of roll-bond evaporators 22 may be formed with protrusions, or “scales” 42 or other flow-tripping devices such as would be known to those skilled in the art of fluid mechanics, which would rapidly trip a laminar flow into a turbulent one.
  • the flow-tripping devices might beneficially be in the shape of sharp edged scales or breaks in the otherwise smooth surfaces 22 b of the roll-bond evaporators 22 .
  • the edges of the aluminium mesh would also provide relatively sharp edges along the aluminium threads or strips forming the mesh.
  • the second factor in optimizing the volumetric recovery of water from the atmospheric water generator according to the present invention namely, optimizing the method of removal of water drops from the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators, in addition to merely relying on gravity to disrupt the surface tension holding a water droplet adhered to the side of a roll-bond evaporator
  • applicant has devised several means for accomplishing improved detachment of the water droplets from the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators.
  • the roll-bond evaporators themselves are not coated with any paint or like finish but rather are coated with TeflonTM or like low surface friction coatings or polymers.
  • the water droplets may be ionized as better described below.
  • mechanical means may be provided to assist for example by the use of a mechanical resilient wiper (not shown) being translated relative to, while in contact with, the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators, or for example the use of a mechanical shaker as better described below to vibrate each of the roll-bond evaporators in the array of roll-bond evaporators, or the use of a water spray recycling water from tray 32 and sprayed by spray-bars 46 via apertures 46 a onto the surfaces 22 b of the roll-bond evaporators 22 so as to provide wetted surfaces to which the water droplets will only adhere with reduced viscosity, or alternately the use of jets of air from aperture 46 a for example directed downwardly onto the surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators from a linearly perforated s such as may be used to spray water onto the roll-bond evaporators so as to wet the surfaces.
  • the air spray provides a downwardly moving boundary layer airflow comingling with the through-flow of air travelling in direction B in the spacing between the roll-bond evaporators.
  • the spray-bars 46 are provided in parallel spaced apart array interleaved between the upper ends of evaporators 22 so that opposed facing arrays of apertures 46 a formed an opposite sides of spray-bars 46 spray both sides of each evaporator 22 .
  • Spray-bars 46 may be supplied by a manifold 46 b which itself is pressurized by pump 48 via feed-line 50 .
  • the roll-bond evaporators may be replaced with cooling pipes embedded in a large volume of aluminium mesh, for example sufficient volume so as to fill the inside of chassis 16 encasing water condenser 12 , where the cooling pipes may be of a serpentine shape through the volume of aluminium mesh so as to attempt to equally chill the aluminium mesh.
  • Fans 20 thus draw air in direction A into the pores of the mesh and the through-flow then diffuses its way through the porous mesh from the in-flow side to the out-flow side from which the airflow, as before, flows through the core of radiator 14 b and then through fans 20 so as to be expelled in direction C.
  • a bristled member instead of the use of aluminium mesh, a bristled member, or a plurality of bristled members having bristles of for example aluminium filaments or spikes or needles, are mounted in the spacing between the roll-bond evaporators.
  • the bristled members are advantageously chilled for example by reason of being in thermal contact with roll-bond evaporators 22 or for example by reason of chilled pipes being run in the spacing between the roll-bond evaporators, the bristles being mounted to the chilled pipes.
  • additional fans 20 may be added to extract a larger volume of air through the evaporators of the water condenser section 12 at the coldest end of the roll-bond evaporator plates, typically, at the end of the plates adjacent the in-flow of the refrigerant.
  • a perforated plate 44 is mounted across the inlet side of the array of roll-bond evaporators 22 , for example mounted in the inlet opening to the housing formed by cowlings 18 , so that incoming air in direction A has to pass through the perforations in the plate.
  • the use of such a perforated plate 44 may drop the air temperature of the incoming flow in direction A while the humidity in the air remains constant.
  • the use of such a perforated plate mechanically lowers the air temperature thereby better matching the temperature of the incoming airflow to that of the chilled surfaces 22 b of roll-bond evaporators 22 .
  • the closer matching of temperatures in this manner increases production volume of recovered water per the amount of power used to generate the water.
  • one of the mechanical methods for breaking the adherence of the water droplets to the surfaces 22 b of roll-bond evaporators 22 is to mechanically shake the array of roll-bond evaporators.
  • a vibrator 34 is mounted on plates 34 a , themselves mounted to cross-members 16 d , so as to be centered above the array of roll-bond evaporators on a cross bar 16 b .
  • vibration of cross bar 16 b by the operation of vibrator 34 shakes chassis 16 thereby transmitting the vibration via shafts 24 or springs 36 (or other suspension means) to the corners of the roll-bond evaporators 22 .
  • Vibrator 34 may in one embodiment be an electrically driven device, for example a conductive wire winding through which when a current is pulsed the induced electric fields operate on an offset metallic object (not shown) so as to vibrate the metallic object within the housing of the vibrator.
  • an electrically driven device for example a conductive wire winding through which when a current is pulsed the induced electric fields operate on an offset metallic object (not shown) so as to vibrate the metallic object within the housing of the vibrator.
  • Other means for inducing a vibration in chassis 16 would be well known to those skilled in the art.
  • pulsing the electricity through a screen mounted between an air filter and chassis 16 , or through perforated plate 44 using a pulse generator which feeds for example in the range of 15,000 kilovolts which might be obtained from an automobile coil into the metal of the screen, or a mesh, or the plate, may increase the droplet flow rate down surfaces 22 b .
  • the ionizing in applicant's experience so as to oxygenates the water droplets as they are borne therethrough in the moisture laden airflow. In applicant's opinion, and to which applicant does not wish to be bound, the water droplets become negatively charged thereby attracting the droplets to the grounded surfaces of the roll-bond evaporators.
  • the result is an oxygenated supply of water scavenged from the incoming airflow and which provides the resulting water with a light-blue appearance.
  • the light-blue water provides an aesthetically appealing look to the water which may then simply be bottled and sold to the consuming public who will perceive the difference between ordinary tap water and the oxygenated water for at least the reason of the difference in color as between the two.

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  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
US13/261,067 2009-06-08 2009-06-08 Atmospheric water generator Abandoned US20120073320A1 (en)

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EP2905262A1 (de) * 2014-02-11 2015-08-12 Matthias Enzenhofer Anordnung und Verfahren zur Behandlung eines Rohwassers
WO2016185222A1 (en) * 2015-05-21 2016-11-24 University Of Durham Liquid movement and/or collection apparatus and method
US20170254053A1 (en) * 2014-10-10 2017-09-07 Rajah Vijay Kumar Confined hypersonic evaprotranspiration chamber and a method of extraction of water
USD837735S1 (en) * 2016-07-25 2019-01-08 Atmospheric Water Solutions Atmospheric water generator unit
WO2019023513A1 (en) * 2017-07-28 2019-01-31 Cice Project 103, Llc METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRO-CONDUCTIVE EXTRACTION OF WATER MOLECULES FROM AIR
WO2019147935A1 (en) * 2018-01-25 2019-08-01 Northwestern University Surfaces with high surface areas for enhanced condensation and airborne liquid droplet collection
US10619332B2 (en) 2018-02-02 2020-04-14 Rocky Research Method and system for obtaining water from air
USD909297S1 (en) * 2019-05-31 2021-02-02 Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation Power converter
US11300370B2 (en) * 2014-12-29 2022-04-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Methods and apparatus for dropwise excitation heat transfer
US11490574B2 (en) * 2017-11-03 2022-11-08 Republic Of Korea(Management : Rural Development Administration) Flower water receiver
USD1027856S1 (en) * 2019-12-30 2024-05-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Power conversion apparatus

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MX2016000303A (es) * 2013-07-10 2017-10-31 Merlin Investment Man Pty Ltd Un aparato y sistema para la generacion de agua potable a partir de la atmosfera.
FR3020453A1 (fr) * 2014-04-23 2015-10-30 Joanes DEGUITRE Moyens d'echange thermique liquide/gaz, notamment eau/air, et systeme de production d'eau a partir de l'humidite de l'air comprenant de tels moyens
CN104612212A (zh) * 2015-02-05 2015-05-13 王常智 水蒸汽加压制水装置
US20180209123A1 (en) * 2015-05-22 2018-07-26 Simon Fraser University Hybrid atmospheric water generator
EA039705B1 (ru) * 2015-09-28 2022-03-02 Массачусетс Инститьют Оф Текнолоджи Системы и способы для сбора частиц
CN105536281B (zh) * 2015-12-18 2017-03-22 曹可欣 用于淡水收集设备上的空气凝水装置
CN107882109A (zh) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-06 重庆市科学技术研究院 一种空气制凝结水生成饮用水的制备装置及制备方法
RU2719813C1 (ru) * 2019-05-13 2020-04-23 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью Научно-инженерный центр "Углехимволокно" (ООО "НИЦ "Углехимволокно") Способ извлечения воды из теплого влажного воздуха и устройство для его осуществления
CN111042266A (zh) * 2019-12-25 2020-04-21 孝感锐创机械科技有限公司 一种光能制水设备
CA3166649A1 (en) 2020-01-20 2021-07-29 Cirrus Rehos Renewable Power And Water (Pty) Ltd Atmospheric water generator
CN114956223B (zh) * 2021-09-14 2023-05-12 深圳市图灵科创产业发展有限公司 海水浓缩与淡化处理系统及处理控制方法

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FR2997177A1 (fr) * 2012-10-23 2014-04-25 Michael Henry Montgomery Moyens d'echange thermique liquide/gaz, notamment eau/air, et systeme de production d'eau a partir de l'humidite de l'air comprenant de tels moyens
EP2905262A1 (de) * 2014-02-11 2015-08-12 Matthias Enzenhofer Anordnung und Verfahren zur Behandlung eines Rohwassers
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US9920505B2 (en) * 2014-10-10 2018-03-20 Rajah Vijay Kumar Confined Hypersonic Evaprotranspiration Chamber and a method of extraction of water
US11300370B2 (en) * 2014-12-29 2022-04-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Methods and apparatus for dropwise excitation heat transfer
WO2016185222A1 (en) * 2015-05-21 2016-11-24 University Of Durham Liquid movement and/or collection apparatus and method
USD837735S1 (en) * 2016-07-25 2019-01-08 Atmospheric Water Solutions Atmospheric water generator unit
WO2019023513A1 (en) * 2017-07-28 2019-01-31 Cice Project 103, Llc METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRO-CONDUCTIVE EXTRACTION OF WATER MOLECULES FROM AIR
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US11490574B2 (en) * 2017-11-03 2022-11-08 Republic Of Korea(Management : Rural Development Administration) Flower water receiver
WO2019147935A1 (en) * 2018-01-25 2019-08-01 Northwestern University Surfaces with high surface areas for enhanced condensation and airborne liquid droplet collection
US11680391B2 (en) * 2018-01-25 2023-06-20 Northwestern University Surfaces with high surface areas for enhanced condensation and airborne liquid droplet collection
US10619332B2 (en) 2018-02-02 2020-04-14 Rocky Research Method and system for obtaining water from air
USD909297S1 (en) * 2019-05-31 2021-02-02 Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation Power converter
USD1027856S1 (en) * 2019-12-30 2024-05-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Power conversion apparatus

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CN102625897A (zh) 2012-08-01
WO2010142012A1 (en) 2010-12-16
MX2011013212A (es) 2012-04-11
AU2009347700A1 (en) 2012-02-02
EP2440864A1 (de) 2012-04-18
CA2764896A1 (en) 2010-12-16
BRPI0924394A2 (pt) 2019-09-24

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