WO2016086751A1 - Device for collecting water from ambient air - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for collecting water from ambient air comprises a moisture absorption unit, a heater (5), and a condenser (3). The moisture absorption unit is separately connected to the heater (5) and the condenser (3). Heating of the heater (5) enables air to flow circularly between the moisture absorption unit and a heating surface of the heater (5), a circulation air flow transmits heat provided by the heater (5) to the moisture absorption unit, to produce vapor, and the vapor is condensed into liquid water in the condenser (3).

Description

Equipment for collecting water from ambient air

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to the field of air abstraction technology, and more particularly to an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a solid moisture absorbent.

 Background technique

Water shortages are one of the problems in many regions. Therefore, the researchers explored various water extraction techniques, including the collection of moisture from humid air (耿浩清, etc., research progress in air abstraction technology, chemical progress, 2011, the first 8; Luo Jijie et al. Research and application of air intake equipment for field operations, HVAC, 2004, No. 4). These topics have achieved more research results. For example, 2008 to 2013 During the year, the number of Chinese patents belonging to IPC classification number E03B 3/28 (water intake technology - using humid air as water source) exceeded 300 Pieces. In particular, air extraction techniques using solid absorbents have received attention, and the technology consists of three basic steps:

 Step 1: adsorbing air moisture with a moisture absorbent;

 Step 2: heating the moisture absorbent to decompose and absorb water;

 Step 3: Collect desorbed water.

 Step 2 is the key to the technology. In the following, according to the heating method of step two, the prior art is divided into four types for discussion:

 Heating method 1: The moisture absorbent is placed in a transparent container, and the moisture absorbent is heated by solar radiation.

University of Science and Technology of China

Patent of CN2218770Y 'Solar Air Water Dispenser', Shanghai Jiaotong University Wang Ruzhu, etc. Patent CN1131358C 'Solar Adsorption Air Water Intake Device', Shanghai University of Technology, Zhao Huizhong, etc. Patent Application Open CN101906799A 'A Solar Adsorption Water Pipe', Japan International publication WO2005/116349 'Method for extracting water from air, and device therefore ', international publication of the Norwegian researcher PK Krumsvik WO96/09443 'A method and a device for recovering water from a humid atmosphere ', SA Petrov The Russian patent RU2230858 'Method of preparation of water from atmospheric air in arid regions by use of solar energy ', A. Beil's German patent DE 1010798 'Verfahren und vorrichtung zur wassergewinnung ' is a representative technique. Solar energy is a clean energy source that uses neither solar energy nor fossil fuels. Therefore, most of the prior art of this subject has adopted solar heating. However, the way solar radiation is heated has the following problems:

 ( 1 Uneven heating: The surface of the absorbent bed that is exposed to the sun can be heated faster, and the moisture-absorbing agent that is not exposed to the sun, especially in the interior of the bed, is slowly heated, and water decomposition is difficult.

 ( 2 The heating temperature is low: there is no insulation layer on the wall surface of the transparent container, and the convective conduction heat loss is large. The moisture absorption agent absorbs the solar radiation energy and continuously loses heat to the outside, so the moisture absorbent is difficult to reach a higher temperature.

 (3 Water vapor reduces the transparency of the transparent container: since the wall surface of the transparent container is in direct contact with the outside flowing air, the wall surface temperature is low, and the water vapor generated by the desorption of the moisture absorbent sometimes condenses on the inner wall surface of the transparent container, thereby reducing the transparency of the transparent container.

 ( 4 The influence of solar radiation on the structure and performance of the moisture absorbent: in the case where the moisture absorbent is stacked in a transparent container and the internal air is not easily circulated, long-term exposure to solar radiation may locally overheat the surface of the absorbent bed and destroy its microporous structure, resulting in Hygroscopic properties are degraded. In particular, when the solar radiation focused by the concentrating lens directly illuminates the moisture absorbent, the moisture absorbent is easily damaged by overheating.

 Heating method 2: The moisture absorbent is placed in an opaque container, and the solar radiation heats the container wall or the heat absorbing plate, and then transfers heat to the moisture absorbent.

 Representative technology is the international publication of Canadian researcher N. Arrison WO03/025295 ' Method And apparatus for producing potable drinking water from air '(Figure 5 Implementation method), patent of Bai Zeyu, etc. of Shanghai Jiaotong University, CN102936912B Patent application for disclosure of 'solar air adsorption type desert water intake travel bag', Zhao Huizhong CN103469848A 'A solar air intake system'. Since the wall of the opaque container is exposed to the surrounding air, the opaque container wall can only reach 60 to 80 even with strong sunlight. The temperature of °C (when no concentrator is used) is lower than the temperature required for significant desorption of the hygroscopic agent. There are also problems such as low heating temperature and uneven temperature distribution. One side of the moisture absorbent bed described by Bai Zeyu et al. is in direct contact with the blue titanium solar absorption plate, and the blue titanium solar absorption plate is heated by the solar radiation to conduct heat to the absorbent bed. However, the thermal conductivity of the hygroscopic material is small (for example, the thermal conductivity of silica gel is only 0.14 W/m · K ), the heat transfer performance inside the moisture absorbent bed is poor, and the moisture absorption and desorption are slower.

 Heating method 3: The hot water generated by the solar water heater is passed through a heat exchange coil embedded in the moisture absorbent bed to heat the moisture absorbent.

 The use of this heating method is: Israel Water Technology M • A • S • Limited International Publication WO99/66136 ' Method and apparatus for extracting water from atmospheric air ', Chinese patent CN2885942Y 'Using natural energy air intake device', CN202214762U 'an interactive adsorption type solar wind energy air water dispenser', CN203049680U 'Adsorption air intake device using phase change material', CN202945638U 'Solid water catching system in water shortage area'. The temperature of hot water produced by solar water heaters is generally lower than 80 °C, the hot water can only be heated to about 50 to 70 after the heat exchange coil embedded in the moisture absorbent bed °C, at this temperature range, some types of moisture absorbent can be desorbed in small amounts and slowly. In general, the heating method of introducing hot water is inferior, and the water production rate (the amount of water per unit weight of the moisture absorbent per day) is low.

 Heating method 4: Electric power is heating energy.

 US Patent US20140150651 'System and procedure for Extracting water from the environment 'The use of a rotating bed moisture absorber and a magnetron heater makes the equipment more complicated and expensive. Sweden International publication of Airwatergreen WO2011/062554 ' Device and method for absorbing water From gas ', N. Arrison's international publication, WO 03/025295, Figure 3, and the patent application of Harbin Institute of Technology, Li Songjing, etc. CN103225331A The 'microfluidic air intake device and the water intake method using the water intake device' employs electric heating, and the moisture absorbent is heated in contact with the heat generating surface of the electric heater or the heat transfer fins embedded in the moisture absorbent bed. However, the moisture absorbent itself is a poor conductor of heat and has a low heat resistant temperature. The moisture absorbents which are in contact with the heat generating surface of the electric heater are easily damaged by overheating, and the moisture absorbent which is not in contact with the heat generating surface or the heat transfer fins is difficult to be heated, which makes it difficult to desorb and has low water extraction efficiency.

If the water extraction efficiency of existing air abstraction technology can be improved, humid air is likely to be a source of water for water-deficient areas. However, the water production rate of the prior art is low, and the structure of the device is complicated, bulky, expensive, and consumes a large amount of electricity. Although there is no need to use electricity when heating with solar energy, the operation of various auxiliary equipment (such as fans) still requires electricity. However, where there is a lack of fresh water (eg deserts, plateaus, islands, seagoing vessels, offshore installations, field operations in the field, garrisons, rural and remote areas where water supply systems have not been established, droughts, other natural or unnatural disasters, etc.) Usually, in the absence of electricity supply, the air intake equipment that requires electricity is generally not operational. The above various reasons make the current air intake technology only applied in individual occasions.

 Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air having a relatively high water production rate. On the basis of this, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is simple in structure and low in cost and which collects water from ambient air. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air that can also operate without power supply. On the basis of the above, it is still a further object of the present invention to provide an easily portable device for collecting water from ambient air.

The present invention contemplates that the underlying cause of the lower water production rate of the prior art is that the heat transfer from the heater to the absorbent bed is primarily dependent on the heat transfer mechanism. For example, the aforementioned heating method two CN102936912B Wherein, one side of the moisture absorbent bed is in direct contact with the blue titanium solar absorption plate, and the blue titanium solar absorption plate converts the solar radiation energy into heat energy and is then transmitted to the moisture absorbent bed; the heating method three WO99/66136 The hot water is passed into a heat exchange coil embedded in the moisture absorbent bed, and the surface of the heat exchange coil is in direct contact with the moisture absorbent to conduct heat to the moisture absorbent bed; FIG. 3 of the heating method of WO03/025295 In an embodiment, the moisture absorbent is in direct contact with the heat generating surface of the electric heater, and heat is transferred from the heat generating surface to the moisture absorbent bed.

Considering that the thermal conductivity of the moisture absorbent is small, the heat resistance temperature is low, the desorption rate is slow (the microporous diffusion inside the moisture absorbent particles is the rate control step), and the heat absorption is large when the moisture is converted from the adsorption state to the gaseous state. The idea of the present invention is to arrange the device such that the moisture absorbent does not directly contact the heating surface of the heater, so that the gas circulates between the moisture absorbent and the heater, and the heat provided by the heater is transferred by convective heat transfer of the circulating gas. The moisture absorbent bed is supplied, and most of the circulating gas does not flow through other equipment (such as a condenser) during the circulating flow. In the concept of the present invention, the heat transfer of the heater to the moisture absorbent bed is a convective heat transfer mechanism mainly relying on gas. The circulation of the gas between the moisture absorbent and the heater may be limited to the inside of the container in which the moisture absorbent is loaded, and may be in an internal circulation manner; or may flow through the outside of the container in which the moisture absorbent is loaded, in an external circulation manner. The driving force of the gas circulating between the moisture absorbent and the heater may be natural convection caused by the difference in density caused by the temperature difference of the heater heating the gas, which is a natural convection mode; or may be driven by a fan as a forced convection mode. The heater can be any form of heating device or an external heat source. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses a number of technical solutions of practical utility.

An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, comprising a moisture absorption unit, a heater, a condenser, the condenser being provided with a condensed water discharge port, the moisture absorption unit respectively turning on the heater and the condenser, and Arranging heat generated by the heater to cause a gas between the moisture absorbing unit and a heat generating surface of the heater to circulate between the moisture absorbing unit and a heat generating surface of the heater to cause the heater It is possible to supply heat to the moisture absorption unit by means of a circulating gas stream.

 Further, the heater is a solar collector.

Further, the moisture absorbing unit comprises a container and a moisture absorbent disposed in the container, the container respectively turning on the solar heat collector and the condenser.

 Further, a venting box is further included, the moisture absorbing agent being placed in the venting box, and the venting box being placed in the container.

Optionally, the solar collector is a plurality of vacuum solar collector tubes (in this patent, a vacuum solar collector tube is simply referred to as a vacuum tube), and the container connects the plurality of vacuum solar collector tubes.

Optionally, the solar collector is a vacuum solar heat collecting tube, the container is an inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube, the gas permeable box is cylindrical, and the gas permeable box is placed in the vacuum solar heat collecting tube. The inside of the inner tube has a gap between the gas permeable box and the inner wall surface of the inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube. In this embodiment, the wall surface of the inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube is a heat generating surface, and the vacuum solar heat collecting tube is simultaneously a container for loading the moisture absorbent, and the gas circulates between the moisture absorbent and the inner wall surface of the inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube. It is a natural convection internal circulation heating method.

Optionally, the upper and lower ends of the container are in communication with the upper and lower ends of the solar collector, respectively. In this embodiment, the solar energy absorbing plate of the solar heat collector is a heat generating surface, and the gas circulates between the container carrying the moisture absorbent and the solar energy absorbing plate of the solar heat collector, and is a natural convection outer circulation heating mode.

Further, an air inlet, a valve, and an exhaust port are sequentially disposed from the upper end of the container to the connecting pipe of the upper end of the solar heat collector, from the lower end of the container to the lower end of the solar heat collector The connecting pipe is sequentially provided with an air inlet and a valve, and the air inlet and the exhaust port are further provided with a valve.

Further, the solar collector is a plurality of vacuum solar collectors or a plurality of flat solar collectors, and the plurality of vacuum solar collectors are connected in parallel with each other, and the plurality of flat solar collectors are mutually connected Connected in parallel.

Optionally, the solar collector is a flat solar collector or a greenhouse, the container is the flat solar collector or the greenhouse, and the flat solar collector or greenhouse has a transparent cover plate and A solar absorption plate, the moisture absorbent is placed inside the flat solar collector or the greenhouse, and a gap is formed between the moisture absorbent and the solar absorption plate. In the embodiment, the solar absorption plate is a heat generating surface, and the flat type solar heat collector or the greenhouse is simultaneously a container for storing the moisture absorbent, and the gas circulates between the moisture absorbent and the solar absorption plate, and is a natural convection inner circulation heating mode. It should be noted that the definition of a container for loading a moisture absorbent in this patent extends to include a structure.

Further, a heat insulating plate is disposed between the moisture absorbent and the solar energy absorbing plate, and a gap exists between the heat insulating plate and the solar energy absorbing plate, and the heat insulating plate There is also a gap between the upper end and the lower end and the inner wall surface of the flat solar collector or the greenhouse.

The above-mentioned heating and desorption of the moisture absorbent of the equipment for collecting water from the ambient air utilizes solar energy, and the circulating flow of the gas is natural convection, and does not involve any component requiring electric power, and is suitable for the occasion where there is no power supply.

The invention also provides an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air by forced convection heating, comprising a moisture absorption unit, a heater, a fan and a condenser, wherein the condenser is provided with a condensed water discharge port, and the moisture absorption unit is respectively connected The heater and the condenser, the fan respectively turning on the moisture absorption unit and the heater and urging gas to circulate between the moisture absorption unit and the heat generating surface of the heater to make The heater can supply heat to the moisture absorbing unit through a circulating gas stream. The fan may be motor driven (electric power from grid power supply, or conventional fuel generator power supply, or new energy and renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, marine energy power generation equipment, etc.); the fan may also be natural energy Driven (for example, wind power drives the windmill, and the windmill drives the fan through the transmission).

 Further, the heater is a solar collector or a solar collector array.

Further, the moisture absorbing unit comprises a container and a moisture absorbent disposed in the container, the container respectively turning on the solar heat collector and the condenser.

Further, the exhaust port of the fan is connected to the intake end of the solar collector or the solar collector array through a pipeline, and the exhaust end of the solar collector or the solar collector array is connected through a pipeline. At the inlet end of the container, the exhaust end of the container is connected to the inlet of the fan through a pipe.

Further, the condenser is connected in parallel to the pipeline between the moisture absorption unit and the fan through a pipe to form a condensation branch, and the condensation branch is provided with a valve to restrict entry into the The gas flow rate of the condenser.

The above embodiment is a kit of parts in which the heater portion is assembled with the moisture absorbent and other parts. The invention also provides an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, which does not include a heater portion, and can use different heaters or external heat sources to heat the desorbing moisture absorbent according to actual conditions:

An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, comprising: a moisture absorbent, a container, a condenser, the condenser is provided with a condensed water discharge port, the moisture absorbent is placed in the container, and the container is connected Through the condenser, the container can promote the circulation of gas between the heated surface of the container and the moisture absorbent by absorbing external heat, so that external heat is transferred from the circulating airflow to the moisture absorbent.

 Further, a venting box is further included, the moisture absorbing agent being placed in the venting box, and the venting box being placed in the container.

 Further, a solar cooker is further included, which is used to heat the container.

 Further, the heated surface of the container has a recess.

Further, the opening of the recess of the heating surface of the container has a flat plate, and the flat plate has a hole having a diameter corresponding to a concentrating cover of the solar cooker to focus solar radiation to the bottom of the container. Spot diameter.

 Further, a transparent plate is provided at the opening of the recess of the heating surface of the container, and the transparent plate has a vent hole.

 Further, a transparent outer casing that cooperates with the outer shape of the container is also included.

All of the above embodiments have the common feature that the moisture absorbent avoids the heating surface of the heater and circulates the gas between the moisture absorbent and the heating surface of the heater, and uses the convective heat transfer of the gas to transfer the heat provided by the heater to A moisture absorbent bed. The beneficial effects of this type of equipment arrangement are: ( 1) The hygroscopic agent bed can obtain uniform heating: the average hygroscopic agent has an average particle size of about 5 mm, and the moisture absorbent bed has a void ratio of about 0.4. The heater heats the gas, and then the hot gas flows from the voids of the moisture absorbent particles into the interior of the moisture absorbent bed, so that the various portions of the absorbent bed can be uniformly heated. ( 2 The surface temperature of the heating surface of the heater can be much higher than the heat-resistant temperature of the moisture absorbent: since the device is arranged such that the moisture absorbent does not directly contact the heating surface of the heater, the surface temperature of the heating surface of the heater can be much higher than that of the moisture absorbent. The hot temperature does not cause local overheating damage of the moisture absorbent. ( 3 The moisture absorbent bed can obtain rapid temperature rise: since the heater heating surface can adopt a higher temperature and the heat transfer temperature difference is large, the cold gas can be quickly heated into a hot gas, and the hot gas flows into the moisture absorbent bed to heat the moisture absorbent. The cooling is cold gas, the cold gas circulates into the heater, is heated into hot gas, and flows into the moisture absorbent bed again to heat the moisture absorbent. In this way, a large amount of heat can be transferred to the inside of the absorbent bed, so that the entire absorbent bed is When the temperature is raised rapidly, the adsorbed moisture is rapidly and fully desorbed, and the water vapor generated by the desorption is condensed into liquid water, and a high water yield can be obtained. Other benefits of various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in the examples which follow.

 DRAWINGS

 Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using an all-glass vacuum solar collector.

 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1.

 Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a glass-to-metal sealed vacuum solar collector.

 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 3.

 Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a direct current vacuum solar collector.

 Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a flat solar collector.

 Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 6.

 Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a greenhouse.

 Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a solar collector array.

 Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a solar cooktop.

 Symbol Description:

 1 moisture absorbent

 101 Breathable box or orifice for moisture absorbent

 102 the moisture-absorbing box of the moisture absorber

 103 moisture absorbing material of the breathable box

 2 container or structure

 201 Cover or vent cover for containers or structures

 202 Notch of the heated surface of the container

 3 condensing coil or condenser

 Condensate drain for 301 condensing coil or condenser

 4 water tank

 401 water tank drain valve

 402 water tank exhaust valve

 403 water tank water level gauge

 5 vacuum solar collector tube

 501 vacuum solar collector tube inner tube

 502 vacuum solar collector tube outer tube

 503 solar solar collector solar reflector

 504 vacuum solar collector bracket

 505 vacuum solar collector tube upper tube

 506 vacuum solar collector tube lower tube

 6 flat solar collectors or greenhouses

 Transparent cover for 601 flat solar collector or greenhouse

 602 flat solar collector or transparent glass wool in greenhouse

 603 flat solar collector or greenhouse solar absorption panel

 604 flat solar collector or heat sink fins for solar panels

 605 flat solar collector or greenhouse front insulation panel

 606 flat solar collector or rear insulation panel for greenhouse

 607 flat solar collector or wall of greenhouse

 701 solar cooker concentrator

 702 solar cooker

 8 solar radiation

 9 fan

 10 auxiliary heater

 11, 11A, 11B filters

 12, 12A, 12B air inlet

 13 exhaust vents

 14~27, 28A, 28B valves

 detailed description

The invention will now be further described in conjunction with specific embodiments. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and are merely illustrative, rather than actual, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention; Zooming in or out does not represent the size of the actual product; it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain known structures and their description may be omitted.

The same or similar reference numerals in the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention correspond to the same or similar components; in the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms 'up', 'down', 'left', 'right' are used. The orientation or positional relationship of the 'vertical', 'horizontal' and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is merely for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply the indicated device or component. It is necessary to have a specific orientation and construction and operation in a specific orientation, and therefore the terms used in the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting.

The data recited in the embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary data given to better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the terms 'first', 'second' and the like are used for descriptive purposes only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. For those skilled in the art, the above terms may be understood on a case-by-case basis. The specific meaning.

 Example 1

 As shown in FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using an all-glass vacuum solar collector tube is shown in FIG. See Figure 1 In the present embodiment, the moisture absorbing unit comprises a container 2 and a moisture absorbent 1 placed in the container 2, and the heater is a solar heat collector, specifically, an all-glass vacuum solar heat collecting tube 5. Moisture absorber 1 Placed in the ventilated box 101, the moisture absorbent 1 is a granular silica gel having a particle size of 5 to 8 mm, a moisture absorbent loading of 1 kg, and a void ratio of about 0.4. Breathable box 101 Made of stainless steel wire mesh or other gas permeable material, the shape can be cylindrical, square or other shape, and the stainless steel wire mesh hole is smaller than the moisture absorbent particle size. Breathable box 101 also has legs 102 for venting boxes 101 The bottom is also breathable. The venting box 101 is placed in a container 2 that matches the outer shape of the venting box 101, and the upper portion of the container 2 has an opening for inserting and removing a ventilated box loaded with the moisture absorbent 1 . The opening of the container 2 cooperates with the lid 201 and has a threaded and O-ring seal. The air outlet on the cover 201 is connected to the condensing coil 3 through a pipe. Container 2 Each wall has an insulating layer, and the cover 201 also has an insulating layer, and the air outlet and the condensing coil of the cover 201 are connected. The air flow direction of the duct has a thermal insulation layer in a substantially upward and horizontal portion to prevent water vapor generated by desorption of the moisture absorbent from condensing into water at these portions and flowing back into the container 2 .

 The bottom of the container 2 is connected in series with the vacuum solar heat collecting tube 5, and the joint has a hermetic seal such as an O-ring. Vacuum solar collector tube 5 The performance meets the national standard "all-glass vacuum solar collector tube" (GB/T 17049-2005), including glass inner tube 501 (inner diameter Φ 47mm, thickness 1.6mm) and glass outer tube 502 (outer diameter Φ 58mm, thickness 1.6mm), length 1.5m. The inner tube 501 and the outer tube 502 are vacuumed, and the inner tube 501 A layer of selective absorption of solar radiation. The solar reflector 503 is a cylindrical parabolic reflector that focuses incident sunlight onto the inner tube 501 (as shown in Figure 2). Inner tube 501 The side facing the incident direction of the sunlight is directly irradiated with sunlight, and the side facing away from the incident direction of the sunlight is irradiated with the sunlight focused by the solar reflector 503.

 The operation of the apparatus is as follows: a ventilated box 101 loaded with a moisture absorbent 1 having an adsorbed air moisture close to saturation is placed in a container 2 Inside, cover and tighten the cover 201. The container 2 of the apparatus is placed at the upper end and the other end is below. The central axis of the vacuum tube 5 is substantially perpendicular to the incident direction of the sunlight, and the solar reflector 503 is adjusted. , the sunlight is focused on the inner tube 501, and the inner tube 501 absorbs solar radiation energy. Since the inner tube 501 and the outer tube 502 are vacuumed, the inner tube 501 has a very small heat loss to the outside convection, and the inner tube 501 The vast majority of the absorbed solar radiation energy is used to heat the air inside the inner tube 501, so that the inner tube 501 The internal air gradually warms up. As the air warms up, its volume expands and the pressure increases, thereby forcing the cooler air in the container 2 communicating with the vacuum tube 5 through the gas outlet of the lid 201 and the condensing coil 3 The condensate drain port 301 is discharged to the atmosphere, and at this time, the condensate drain port 301 of the condenser 3 is also used as an exhaust port. At the same time, the hot air inside the vacuum tube 5 flows into the moisture absorbent 1 Particle gap. Since the air is heated at the wall surface of the inner tube 501, the hot air flows upward, the cold air flows downward, and the inner tube 501 and the air inside the container 2 show natural convection, and the effect is that the inner tube 501 The absorbed solar radiation heat is transferred to the moisture absorbent 1 . When the moisture absorbent 1 is heated to about 60 °C, the adsorbed moisture begins to desorb a little; when the temperature rises to about 100 At °C, the adsorbed water is significantly desorbed, producing a large amount of water vapor. When the adsorbed water is converted into water vapor, the volume of water is significantly increased, so that the pressure in the vessel 2 is increased to drive the water vapor through the cover 201. The gas outlet enters the condensing coil 3 and is condensed into liquid water. Then, under the action of gravity, the liquid water is discharged from the condensate discharge port 301, and can be collected from the condensate discharge port 301 by another container. Condensed water discharged. The above operation is continued until no condensed water is discharged, and the desorption process is ended. The lid 201 can be opened to remove the venting box 101 loaded with the desorbed moisture absorbent 1 Place it in a place where air circulates to absorb the moisture of the air again. Moisture Absorber 1 After the moisture of the adsorbed air is nearly saturated, it is placed in the container 2 again to perform the above desorption operation.

 Generally, when the weather is wet, put the silicone moisture absorber outside, just 3 to 5 It can absorb water to reach saturation in an hour. However, in the case where the weather is dry or the silica gel absorbent is placed in a poorly ventilated room, it takes tens of hours to several days to saturate. Therefore, each set of equipment for collecting water from ambient air described in this embodiment should be equipped with several venting boxes. 101, each containing 1kg of silicone moisture absorbent, placed in a ventilated place until the adsorption is saturated (we can use the weighing method to determine whether it is saturated, the saturated moisture absorption of the silica gel can reach 40% of the weight of the silica gel itself. Or, put a small amount of color-changing silica gel on the upper surface of the silica gel absorbent to indicate the water content), and then perform the desorption operation in turn according to the above operation method. Adsorption of the device - The desorption operation cycle can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs.

In the present embodiment, in the adsorption stage, since a plurality of gas permeable boxes are used to adsorb air moisture for a long period of time, the moisture absorbent can be sufficiently and sufficiently contacted with air until the adsorbed moisture reaches saturation. Moisture absorbent can absorb its own weight from ambient air 40% Moisture is because: first, the moisture absorbent is a microporous material with a large internal surface area; second, there are many unsaturated bonds on the inner surface (ie, active sites); third, the nature of these active sites is Selectively adsorbs water molecules with minimal adsorption of oxygen and nitrogen molecules. In the desorption stage, first of all, due to the vacuum tube The glass inner tube 501 of 5 has a film layer that selectively absorbs solar radiation, so that solar radiation energy can be efficiently absorbed, and the vacuum between the inner tube 501 and the outer tube 502 of the vacuum tube 5 and its container 2 The insulation layer can ensure that the convective heat loss of the device to the outside is minimal, and the absorbed solar radiation energy is close to all the air used to heat the inside of the device; then, the hot air is infiltrated into the moisture absorbent by natural convection. So that the moisture absorbent 1 can be uniformly and sufficiently heated and desorbed; finally, due to the higher temperature and pressure in the container 2, most of the water vapor generated by the desorption enters the condensing coil 3 Condensate to produce liquid water.

In this embodiment, although a silica gel moisture absorbent is described, other types of moisture absorbent such as activated alumina, zeolite molecular sieve, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, or the like, or two or more kinds may be used. a mixture of hygroscopic agents; although a container 2 The fit between the cover 201 and the cover 201 is threaded and O Sealed seals, other types of seals such as bolts and gaskets are also suitable; although all-glass vacuum solar collectors are used, other types of solar collectors such as heat pipe vacuum solar collectors, concentric casings A vacuum solar collector tube or the like is also applicable (it is to be noted that although each embodiment of the present invention uses only some form of heater or solar collector, other forms of heaters or solar collectors are also applicable) ; although the sun reflector The 503 uses a cylindrical parabolic reflector. Other types of reflectors such as cylindrical specular reflectors, composite mirror concentrating reflectors, etc. are also suitable; although condensing coils are used 3 Other forms of condensers such as tube condensers, plate finned condensers, and the like are also available. The above description is applicable to all embodiments of the invention.

This embodiment does not use a fan, a valve, a meter, etc., and does not require electricity. The vacuum solar collector tube involved may be a commercially available vacuum solar collector tube. At present, vacuum solar collector tubes have been widely used in various solar devices such as solar water heaters, and vacuum tubes are relatively inexpensive. Silica gel absorbent (silica gel desiccant) is a common chemical product. Commercially available all-glass vacuum solar collector tubes are generally made of high borosilicate glass and have high mechanical strength. In this embodiment, a transparent plastic protective cover can be added outside the all-glass vacuum solar heat collecting tube to improve the safety of the device during carrying and operation.

 In summary, the advantages of the embodiment are high water production rate, simple structure, low cost, no need for electricity, adsorption - The desorption operation cycle has great flexibility.

 Example 2

 This embodiment is similar to the embodiment 1, except that the moisture absorbent 1 It is placed inside the vacuum solar heat collecting tube and externally connected to the condenser. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a glass is used in the present invention - Schematic diagram of a device for collecting water from ambient air in a metal-sealed vacuum solar collector. Glass in line with the national standard "Technical Conditions for Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors" (GB/T 17581-2006) - Metal-sealed vacuum solar collector tube 5 includes metal inner tube 501 (inner diameter Φ 78mm) and glass outer tube 502 (outer diameter Φ 90mm, thickness 1.6mm), length 1.5m . The moisture absorbent 1 is placed in the ventilated box 101, and the moisture absorbent 1 is granular silica gel having an average particle diameter of 5 mm and a loading capacity of 3 kg. Breathable box 101 is cylindrical (OD Φ 60mm, length) 1.48m) and having a plurality of legs 102 for maintaining a gap between the venting box 101 and the inner wall surface of the inner tube 501. The cover 201 has two air outlet pipes, respectively, and a venting box 101 The lower air outlet is connected to the upper air outlet and connected to the condensing coil 3 through a pipe. The condensing coil 3 is connected with a water tank 4, and the water tank 4 is provided with an exhaust valve 401, a drain valve 402, and a water level gauge. 403.

 There are three methods for the moisture desorption operation of this device:

 (1) Full open mode:

 During the desorption phase, the exhaust valve 401 is always open. Solar heating vacuum tube 5 When the temperature starts to rise, open the valve 14 The cold air in the moisture absorbent 1 located at the lower end of the vacuum tube 5 is discharged under the action of the gas temperature rising pressure (the moisture absorbent at the lower end of the vacuum tube 5) The inside is the lowest temperature point inside the equipment. When the equipment warms up, the cooler air is discharged here instead of discharging the hot air at the upper end of the vacuum tube 5 to reduce heat loss and accelerate the heating rate). When the moisture absorbent 1 When desorbed by heating, since the water vapor is lighter than air, the water vapor concentration in the upper portion of the vacuum tube 5 is high. Close the valve 14 , open the valve 15 , let the water vapor enter the condensing coil 3 , and the condensed water flows into the water tank 4 . Continue heating to fully desorb the moisture absorbent 1 and observe the water level gauge 403. When the water level is no longer raised, the desorption ends and the heating is stopped (the moisture absorbent after desorption is heated and easily overheated and damaged).

 In this mode, since the equipment is always open to the atmosphere, the internal pressure of the equipment is normal pressure or slightly higher than normal pressure, such as non-pressure equipment (such as embodiment 1 The all-glass vacuum tube) is more suitable for this method of operation. A disadvantage of this method is that water vapor emissions losses sometimes occur. For example, when the ambient air temperature is 35 °C, drain from the vacuum tube 5 to the condensing coil 3 The mixture of water vapor and air is substantially cooled to about 45 °C in the condensing coil 3, at which point some of the water vapor is vented to the atmosphere via the exhaust valve 401 and wasted. In addition, after the device is warmed up and boosted, the exhaust valve 401 A small amount of water vapor and air mixture will be continuously discharged, resulting in less and less air in the equipment, and more and more water vapor generated by desorption, which is not conducive to the complete desorption of the moisture absorbent.

 (2) Fully closed mode:

 During the desorption phase, the exhaust valve 401 is always closed. Solar heating causes the vacuum tube 5 to warm up and open, opening the valve 14 The cold gas enters the condensing coil 3 and the water tank 4, and the condensing coil 3 and the water tank 4 are also boosted. When the moisture absorbent 1 is desorbed, the valve 14 is closed, the valve 15 is opened, and the moisture absorbent 1 The water vapor generated by the desorption enters the condensing coil 3, and the condensed water flows into the water tank 4 . Heating continues and desorption ends when the water level in tank 4 no longer rises.

 In this mode, the pressure inside the equipment is higher, and the pressure equipment (such as the glass of this embodiment) This method of operation can be employed for metal-sealed vacuum tubes. The advantage of this method is that there is no loss of water vapor emissions at all, and the moisture absorbent can be completely desorbed.

 (2) Open - closed mode:

 When the desorption is started, the exhaust valve 401 and the valve 14 are opened, and the solar heating is performed to make the vacuum tube 5 The temperature rises and the part of the cold air is discharged to the atmosphere. When the moisture absorbent 1 is desorbed, the exhaust valve 401 and the valve 14 are closed, the valve 15 is opened, and the water vapor generated by the desorbent 1 desorbs into the condensing coil 3 Condensed water flows into the water tank 4 . Heating continues and desorption ends when the water level in tank 4 no longer rises. The advantage of this method is that the water vapor loss is less, which is beneficial to the complete desorption of the moisture absorbent.

 It can be fully open, fully enclosed or open according to the actual situation (especially whether the equipment is under pressure) - Closed operation method. The above description of the method of operation is applicable to all embodiments of the invention.

 The arrangement of the apparatus in this embodiment is such that the moisture absorbent 1 is dependent on the inner tube 501. The natural convection of the internal air is heated, rather than relying on the heat conduction of the moisture absorbent 1 in direct contact with the wall surface of the inner tube 501, and the advantageous effects of the arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention are explained below.

The thermal performance of the vacuum solar collector is usually measured by the air drying performance parameter: Y = (T _s - T _a ) / H ≥ 0.195 m ² · °C /W, where Y is the air drying performance parameter, m ² · °C / W T _s is the air drying temperature, ° C; T _a is the ambient temperature, ° C; H is the solar irradiance, W / m ² . It is assumed that the average solar irradiance H = 950 W/m ² on a sunny day and the ambient temperature T _a = 30 °C. According to the above formula, the drying temperature of the vacuum tube is T _s ≥ 215 °C. The vacuum tube can reach temperatures above 215 °C because the film on the vacuum tube can absorb solar radiation energy efficiently, and the convective conduction heat loss of the vacuum interlayer is extremely small. Referring to Fig. 3, if a gap between the ventilating box 101 and the inner tube 501 is used to naturally convect the air, but a mode in which 3 kg of the moisture absorbent 1 is dispersed inside the inner tube 501, most of the inner tube 501 is used. The inner wall surface will be covered by the moisture absorbent 1. At this time, the inner tube 501 is outwardly provided with a vacuum interlayer and cannot dissipate heat, and the inward is the moisture absorbent 1 (the thermal conductivity of the moisture absorbent 1 is only 0.14 W/m · K), and it is difficult to dissipate heat. The inner tube 501 will overheat, causing the membrane that selectively absorbs solar radiation to be damaged and detached, and the vacuum tube 5 will fail. On the other hand, the temperature of the moisture absorbent particles which are in direct contact with the inner tube 501 will reach 215 ° C or higher, which is close to or exceeds the heat resistant temperature of the silicone moisture absorbent, and this partially overheated moisture absorbent will be damaged. At the same time, those moisture-repellent particles which are not in contact with the wall surface of the inner tube 501 at the intermediate position inside the inner tube 501 rely on the heat transfer of the moisture absorbent bed but can only be heated slowly.

 In view of the above problems, the apparatus arrangement of the present embodiment is such that there is a gap between the moisture absorbent 1 and the inner tube 501, and the inner tube 501 Heating the air, hot air enters the ventilating box 101 Heating the moisture absorbent 1 becomes cold air, and the cold air is again taken by the inner tube 501 Heat up. This arrangement enables uniform and rapid heating of all parts of the entire absorbent bed.

It should be noted that all the embodiments of the present invention have the substantial features of the above-mentioned moisture absorbent arrangement, and the principles and effects thereof are the same, and will not be further described in the following embodiments.

 The above description applies to all embodiments of the present invention employing other forms of heaters or external heat sources.

 The parts not mentioned in this embodiment are similar to the embodiment 1, and are not described herein again.

 Example 3

 This embodiment is similar to the embodiment 1 except that the vacuum solar heat collecting tube is a direct current vacuum solar heat collecting tube, and the container 2 It is connected in parallel with eight vacuum solar collector tubes and is connected in series with the condenser through a pipe. As shown in FIG. 5, it is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a direct current vacuum solar heat collecting tube. Moisture absorber 1 (about 10 kg) is placed in the container 2, four DC vacuum solar collector tubes are arranged side by side on one side of the container 2, and the other four vacuum tubes are arranged on the other side. Inner tube 501 of each vacuum tube and its container 2 The upper end is connected to the upper header 505 and the lower end is connected to the lower header 506. The solar reflector 503 is mounted behind the vacuum tube. The connecting pipe at the upper end of the container 2 is provided with an air inlet 12A Inlet filter 11A and valve 28A (with mounting direction from the paper facing rear), and the inlet pipe on the lower end is provided with an inlet port 12B and an air inlet filter with a fine mesh wire mesh. And valve 28B (installation direction is from the paper to the back and bottom). The exhaust port 13 and the valve 18 are disposed on the upper pipe 505. The condenser and water tank (not shown in Figure 5) are installed in the container 2 At the lower rear, the dotted circle at the bottom of the container 2 is the pipe exit position to the condenser.

 The operation of the equipment in wet weather is as follows: open the valve at night when adsorbing moisture 17 , 18 , 28B , close other valves. The outside air enters from the intake port 12B, and the moisture is adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 1, and the dry air passes through the exhaust port. Discharge. The driving force of air flow when adsorbing moisture at night is the chimney effect caused by the heat of adsorption to warm the air. Open the valve at sunrise in the morning 16 , 17 , close other valves. The sunlight heats the air in the vacuum tube, and the hot air in the vacuum tube flows upward into the upper tube 505 and flows into the container 2, and the cooler air in the container 2 flows downward into the lower tube 506. After flowing into the vacuum tube, the natural convection of the air is formed, and the solar radiation energy absorbed by the vacuum tube is transmitted to the moisture absorbent 1 to make the moisture absorbent 1 Desorb by heating. After the desorption is completed, if there is still sunlight, perform the moisture adsorption during the day, open the valves 16, 18, 28A and close the other valves. Inner tube 501 The chimney effect caused by the heating of the inner air by the sunlight is such that the outside air entering from the air inlet 12A flows through the container 2, the lower pipe 506, the inner pipe 501, the upper pipe 505, and the exhaust port 13 Exhausted, the outside air moisture is adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 1 . After the sunset in the evening, start the nighttime adsorption operation and open the valve 17 , 18 , 28B Close other valves and continue to absorb moisture throughout the night. The above desorption operation was started again at sunrise the next morning. The adsorption-desorption cycle is 24 hours.

 The operation of the equipment in dry weather conditions is as follows: open the valve at night when adsorbing moisture 17 , 18 , 28B , close other valves. The outside air enters from the intake port 12B, the moisture is adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 1, and the dry air is discharged through the exhaust port 13. Due to the low moisture content of the air, the chimney effect caused by the adsorption heat is weak, so the moisture absorbent 1 It is difficult to achieve adsorption saturation. In the morning sunrise, start the moisture absorption operation during the day, open the valves 16, 18, 28A and close the other valves. Inner tube 501 The chimney effect caused by the heating of the inner air by the sunlight is such that the outside air entering from the air inlet 12A flows through the container 2, the lower pipe 506, the inner pipe 501, the upper pipe 505, and the exhaust port 13 Exhausted, the outside air moisture is adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 1 and continues to absorb moisture during the day until saturation. Then open the valve 16 , 17 The other valves are closed, and the air in the vacuum tube is heated by the sunlight to form a natural convection of the air to desorb the moisture absorbent 1. Adsorption - The desorption operation cycle can be adjusted according to actual needs. For example, continuous adsorption for two nights and one day, and then a day to desorb (where night adsorption is the chimney effect generated by the adsorption heat, daytime adsorption is the chimney effect generated by the use of solar heating air, daytime desorption is the use of solar heating gas The resulting natural convection cycle).

 In the above operation, the moisture absorbent 1 The amount of water absorption is generally indicated by a hygrometer or a water content indicator with a color changing silica gel. These conventional meters that are not used are not drawn in Figure 5 (and other figures) and can be configured as needed.

In the present embodiment, the heater (vacuum solar heat collecting tube) is located outside the container for carrying the moisture absorbent, and the hot air flows from the heater to the container and then from the container to the heater, and belongs to the external circulation flow mode. The foregoing embodiment 2 The heater is located inside the container for storing the moisture absorbent, and the air circulates inside the container, which belongs to the inner circulation flow mode.

 This embodiment can also be used to load the moisture absorbent into the gas permeable box and then into the container 2 as in the first and second embodiments. After desorption, take it out and put it in a ventilated place to absorb moisture. The advantage of removing moisture from the moisture absorber is that it can be used with multiple venting boxes, providing great flexibility in the adsorption-desorption cycle. Figure 5 The advantage of the manner in which the intake and exhaust ports of the present embodiment are shown to adsorb moisture is that the labor cost is slightly lower. All the embodiments of the present invention may adopt a method of taking out the moisture adsorbing agent to adsorb moisture or setting a manner of adsorbing moisture into the exhaust port.

In this embodiment, a plurality of vacuum solar heat collecting tubes are arranged side by side for the purpose of increasing the lighting area. Other embodiments of the invention may also employ multiple vacuum solar collector tubes arranged side by side to increase the daylighting area. For example, the container of embodiment 1 2 can be rectangular, the ventilated box 101 is a rectangle matching the container 2, and several all-glass vacuum solar heat collecting tubes 5 are arranged side by side, and the upper end is connected to the container 2 . Rectangular container 2 The two opposite end faces can be opened for the passage of ambient air when the moisture absorbent adsorbs moisture.

 Other forms of solar collectors can also be used in this embodiment. For example, Figure 5 The four DC vacuum solar collector tubes can be replaced by a flat solar collector having an exhaust port connected to the upper tube and a lower port connected to the lower tube. .

 The parts not mentioned in this embodiment are similar to the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

 Example 4

This embodiment is similar to the above embodiment, except that the solar collector is composed of a flat type solar collector assembly, and the moisture absorption unit is disposed inside the flat type collector and sealed to form by solar heating. The natural convection internal circulation system has the same function as the container of the above embodiment. As shown 6 and 7 are schematic views of an apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a flat solar collector. Flat plate collector 6 is provided with transparent cover 601 and transparent glass wool in front. The solar absorption plate 603 and the heat dissipation fins 604, and the front heat insulation plate 605, the upper and lower ends of the front heat insulation plate 605 and the wall surface of the flat heat collector 607 There is a gap between them to allow gas to circulate. The clear glass wool 602 reduces heat loss in the front of the flat panel collector 6. The solar absorption plate 603 has a film with high selective absorption of solar radiation, and the solar absorption plate 603 A hermetic seal is formed between the flat collector wall 607 to prevent water vapor from entering the space between the solar absorbing panel 603 and the transparent cover 601 to reduce the transparency of the transparent cover 601. Solar absorption board The 603 and the front heat shield 605 constitute an air flow passage for the gas to flow upward, and the front heat shield 605 and the rear heat shield 606 constitute a gas flow passage for the gas to flow downward. Moisture absorber 1 placed in several breathable boxes Inside 101, the venting box 101 is layered on the support beam 103 at the rear of the flat plate collector 6. A plurality of vent covers 201 are provided on the flat collector wall 607 (Fig. 6 Only draw one of them). The lower portion of the flat condenser 3 also serves as a water tank, and a small hole in the middle of the rear heat shield 606 allows water vapor to enter the condenser 3 . When the device is desorbed, sunlight passes through the transparent cover 601, transparent glass wool 602 irradiation heating solar absorption plate 603, solar absorption plate 603 and heat dissipation fins 604 heating air, solar absorption plate 603 and front insulation board 605 The hot air flows upwardly, and the cooler air between the front heat shield 605 and the rear heat shield 606 flows downward, forming a natural convection of the air. One of the functions of the front heat shield 605 is to reduce the solar absorption panel 603 The direct heat transfer from the high temperature zone to the moisture absorbent bed causes a large temperature difference between the high temperature zone and the moisture absorbent bed, thereby generating a large driving force for natural gas convection.

 The device can be made in a variety of sizes. The size of the medium-sized equipment is 2m long, 1m wide, 0.2m thick, and the moisture-absorbing agent load is 35kg. . The transparent cover should be double-layered glass, and the solar absorption plate and the heat dissipation fins can be made of thin steel plate. The size of the small portable device is: length 0.5m, width 0.2m, thickness 0.15m, moisture absorbent loading 2kg . The lightweight material is used, the transparent cover is a methyl methacrylate plate, and the solar absorption plate and the heat dissipation fin are aluminum alloy plates. The advantage of using the flat plate collector in this embodiment is that the lighting area is relatively large, and the disadvantage is that the front part of the flat plate collector is in contact with the ambient air, and the convective conduction heat loss is large. In order to increase the incidence of sunlight, it is also possible to install a solar reflector on the front of the flat plate collector or to use other concentrator devices.

 And embodiment 3 Compared with the external circulation flow mode, the internal circulation flow mode of the present embodiment has the advantages of compact structure, short gas circulation flow path and low flow resistance.

 If it is desired to utilize the chimney effect for the daytime moisture adsorption operation as described in Example 3, the present embodiment can be used in a solar absorption panel. An exhaust valve is added to the wall of the flat collector above the passage between the 603 and the front heat shield 605, and the upper end of the front heat shield 605 and the wall of the flat collector 607 A valve (butterfly valve or gate valve) is added between the gaps.

 The parts not mentioned in this embodiment are similar to the embodiment 3, and are not described herein again.

 Example 5

This embodiment is similar to Embodiment 4 except that the solar collector is composed of a greenhouse which functions the same as the flat type solar collector. An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a greenhouse as shown in Fig. 8 can be used for loading a large amount of moisture absorbent. The south wall of the greenhouse 6 has a transparent cover 601 with a lighting area of 20 m ² and a moisture absorbent 1 load of 400 kg, which is layered and scattered on the orifice plate 101. The rest is similar to the embodiment 4, and the working principle is the same as that of the embodiment 4, and details are not described herein again.

 Example 6

 The above examples 1 to 5 They are all heated by solar energy and belong to the natural convection mode. They do not need electricity and are suitable for occasions without electricity supply. Under the condition of power supply (including grid power supply, conventional fuel generator power supply, new energy and renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, power supply for ocean energy power generation equipment, etc.), the forced convection method driven by electric fan can be applied (with natural When the power unit can be powered, the forced convection method driven by the natural energy fan can be applied). That is, a fan can be added to the above embodiment, and the fan can be respectively turned on to the moisture absorption unit and the heater to cause a circulating airflow between the moisture absorption unit and the heater. For example, an embodiment 5 (Fig. 8) The front insulation board 605 is equipped with several circulation fans below it, which becomes the forced convection internal circulation mode. Example 3 (Fig. 5) in the container 2 and the upper tube 505 A two-way axial fan is added (and valves 17 and 28A, filter 11A and inlet 12A are eliminated), and the flow direction is from the upper pipe 505 to the vessel during the desorption operation. When the airflow direction is from the container 2 to the exhaust port 13 during the adsorption operation, it becomes a forced convection external circulation mode.

An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air using a vacuum solar collector array for forced convection outside the circulation is shown in FIG. The vacuum tube 5 conforming to the national standard "Glass-Metal Sealed Heat Pipe Vacuum Solar Collector" (GB/T 19775-2005) is a group of eight, and the heat pipe of each vacuum tube is connected to the upper tube 505, every eight The upper tubes 505 of the group are connected in series, and are connected in parallel with the upper tubes 505 of the other eight sets of vacuum tubes to form a vacuum solar collector array with a total lighting area of 25.6 m ² . Moisture absorber 1 loading capacity 500kg. The auxiliary heater 10 is used for auxiliary heating on a cloudy day.

 When using the fully enclosed method, the operation of the equipment is as follows: open the valve 20, 23, 25 in the morning sunrise, close the valve 19 , 21, 22, 24, running the fan 9 , the air inside the equipment is heated by the solar collector array, the hot air enters the container 2 makes the moisture absorbent 1 Desorption, the concentration of water vapor in the hot air increases. When the water vapor concentration is increased to 60g/kg-dry air or above, adjust the valves 21, 22, 23 to make the total flow of the circulating gas about 10% to 30% flows through the condenser 3, and the condensed water is discharged from the discharge port 301. Continue the above desorption operation until no condensed water is discharged. Open the valve 19, 23, 24 in the evening at sunset, close the valve 20 , 21, 22, 25, running the fan 9 , the outside humid air enters from the air inlet 12 throughout the night, the moisture is absorbed by the moisture absorbent 1 , and the dry air is discharged through the exhaust port 13 . Adsorption - The desorption operation cycle is 24 hours.

In the fully enclosed desorption mode described above, no gas is emitted to the outside. The circulating gas is always dominated by the air originally present inside the equipment. The circulating air is a heat transfer medium that transfers the solar radiation energy collected by the solar collector array to the moisture absorbent; the circulating air is also a carrier that delivers the water vapor generated by the desorption of the moisture absorbent to the condenser.

The arrangement of the condenser in this embodiment is quite different from the prior art. In the prior art, the condenser is placed on the exhaust pipe, and all the gas flows through the condenser (that is, the condenser 3 of FIG. 9 is placed in the valve 23 The position, no valve 23, no valves 21, 22 and the branch pipe in which it is located). In this embodiment, 10% to 30% of the circulating gas flows through the condenser 3 . The advantageous effects of the condenser setting mode of the present embodiment will be described below.

The circulating gas contains hot air and water vapor. The purpose of using a condenser to condense the circulating gas is to condense the water vapor, but the hot air is also cooled and cooled, and the heat of the hot air is lost. Therefore, the smaller the gas flow rate into the condenser, the smaller the heat loss; the higher the water vapor concentration of the gas entering the condenser, the smaller the heat loss. For example, the gas is heated by the solar collector array to about After entering the vessel 2 at a temperature of 150 °C, the sensible heat is supplied to the moisture absorbent 1 and then cooled to about 80 °C and then discharged from the container 2, and the sensible heat supplied to the moisture absorbent 1 is about 70 kJ/kg- Dry air. The desorption heat of moisture is 2500 kJ/kg-water. Therefore, the sensible heat supplied to the moisture absorbent 1 per kilogram of hot air per gram of hot air per liter of the absorbent 1 is only sufficient to desorb 28 g of moisture. After 6 After the second cycle, the concentration of water vapor accumulated in the circulating gas will reach 168 g / kg - dry air (note that the moisture content at 168 g / kg at 150 ° C - the relative humidity of dry air is 21% RH has little effect on the desorption of the moisture absorbent because the partial pressure of water vapor inside the moisture absorbent is much higher than the partial pressure of water vapor of the circulating flowing gas at 150 °C. Under the above parameters, let the circulation of the flowing gas 16.7% flows through the condenser 3, and the weight of the water condensed and discharged in the condenser 3 is equal to the weight of the water vapor generated by the desorption of the moisture absorbent 1, and reaches an equilibrium state. Let the circulating gas flow 16.7% The heat loss through the condenser is much less than the heat loss through the condenser, which is 100% of the prior art circulating flow gas.

Briefly, the condenser of the present invention is arranged such that hot air containing low concentrations of water vapor does not enter the condenser, and a small portion of the hot air containing high concentration of water vapor enters the condenser (the rest mostly acts as a heat transfer medium). The circulatory flow between the moisture absorbent and the heater) greatly reduces the heat loss caused by the hot air entering the condenser. The foregoing embodiment The condenser arrangement of Example 7 of 1 to 5 and below has similar effects of reducing heat loss. For example, see Figure 6. When the solar heating is warming up, only a small amount of hot air enters the condenser. Most of the hot air does not flow through the condenser 3 when it circulates between the solar absorption plate 603 and the moisture absorbent 1. Water vapor enters the condenser only when the hot air contains more water vapor to increase its pressure. .

 The parts not mentioned in this embodiment are similar to the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

 Example 7

In areas with abundant solar energy resources (such as the western part of China), solar cookers have a certain degree of popularity. A device for collecting water from ambient air using a solar cooker of the present invention is shown in FIG. Shown. It should be noted that the technical solution of the present embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the vacuum solar collector tube of the above embodiment is replaced by the solar cooker of the prior art, and the moisture absorbent is placed in the container, and the container is connected to the condenser. The container generates a circulating air flow between the inner cavity of the container and the moisture absorbent by absorbing external heat, thereby transferring external heat to the moisture absorbent. Due to the need to receive solar radiation, the walls of the container have no insulating layer. Specifically, as shown As shown in Fig. 10, a container 2 is placed on the pot ring 702 of the solar cooker, and a flat condenser 3 (also serving as a water tank) is provided on the side of the container 2 facing away from the solar radiation 8 , and the condenser 3 A drain valve and a water level gauge (not shown) are also provided, and the gas in the container 2 can be passed through the small hole in the wall to the condenser 3, and the bottom of the container 2 has a cylindrical recess 202.

 Each container 2 is provided with a plurality of venting boxes 101, a venting box with a moisture absorbent 1 Usually placed in an outdoor ventilated place to absorb the moisture of the air. In the desorption operation, the ventilated box 101 containing the moisture absorbent 1 is placed in the container 2 and the upper cover 201 is screwed, and the container 2 is placed in the pot 702 On. Adjusting the solar cooker causes the concentrator 701 to focus the solar radiation 8 to the notch 202 at the bottom of the container 2. The bottom and wall of the recess 202 absorb solar radiation and are heated, container 2 The internal gas is naturally convected by heat, transferring heat to the moisture absorbent 1 . The moisture absorbent 1 desorbs to produce water vapor to increase the pressure inside the container 2. The water vapor enters the condenser 3 and is condensed into liquid water.

 In this embodiment, the container with the bottom heating surface as a flat bottom can also be used. However, the light reflection and convection heat transfer loss of the flat-bottomed container is large (because the solar cooker is set in the open air, the outdoor air temperature is low, and the wind speed is large, resulting in a large heat loss of the outer surface of the container 2 which is in direct contact with the outside cold air). Figure 10 container 2 The bottom notch 202 acts to reduce light reflection and convective heat transfer losses. Light reflection and/or convective heat transfer losses can also be further reduced by: (1) at notch 202 A flat plate is added to the opening, and the center of the plate has a hole (the diameter corresponding to the spot size of the concentrating cover 701 for focusing the solar radiation 8 to the bottom of the container 2), and the focused spot passes through the hole to enter the notch. 202, a black hole effect can occur, and the focused spot energy is all absorbed by the container 2. (2) Adding a transparent plate at the opening of the notch 202, the transparent plate has Φ 1~2mm Vent hole for maintaining pressure balance inside and outside the transparent plate. When the desorption operation causes the spot focused by the solar cooker to enter the notch 202 through the transparent plate, the convective heat transfer loss can be greatly reduced. (3 An improved way of being able to be used for a flat bottom container or a container having a notch at the bottom is to add a transparent outer sleeve that matches the outer shape of the container. For example, container 2 In the case of a cylindrical shape, the transparent outer casing is a cylindrical cylinder having an upper opening, a wall surface and a transparent material at the bottom, and the container 2 can be placed inside the transparent casing from the upper opening. The function of the transparent outer cover is to reduce the container 2 The heat loss of the outer wall surface.

The above desorption operation may use any other form of heating device or external heat source in addition to the solar cooker. For example, when using the device in the field, the solar cooker can be used to heat the container on sunny days 2 On cloudy days, biomass fuel can be collected to heat the vessel 2 .

The advantages of the embodiment are high water production rate, simple structure, low cost, no need for electricity, easy to carry, flexible use of any convenient heater or external heat source for heating desorption and adsorption - The desorption operation cycle has great flexibility.

 The parts not mentioned in this embodiment are similar to the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

 Solar energy is a clean energy source that uses neither solar energy nor fossil fuels. Therefore, the embodiments 1 to 7 of the present invention The given device for collecting water from ambient air involves the use of a solar collector to heat the moisture absorbent. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the use of solar collectors. Essentially, solar collectors convert solar radiation energy into heat, primarily through the heat of the solar absorber. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any form of heating device or external heat source can be utilized with the devices described herein and / Or way to perform heat desorption of the moisture absorbent. For example, electric heaters, heat exchangers (heating medium can be high-temperature steam, flue gas, heat transfer oil, engine exhaust, industrial waste heat, etc.), heaters for burning gases, liquids or solid fuels, using new energy or renewable Energy heaters, infrared, RF heaters, etc. For example, the figure 9 The solar collector array can be replaced by other forms of heaters; when continuously exhausting industrial waste heat is used as the desorption heat source, several moisture absorption units can be connected in parallel and each moisture absorption unit can be connected to the desorption heat source in a circulation loop manner. The moisture absorption and desorption operations of the respective moisture absorption units are alternately performed, that is, the devices that continuously collect water from the ambient air; or the continuous air water extraction operation can be performed using a rotating bed device such as a moisture absorption wheel. The invention can be applied to various forms of moisture absorbing unit equipment such as fixed bed, moving bed, rotating bed and the like.

 Temperature, humidity, pressure, water level, solar light sensor, PLC can be configured in various embodiments of the invention , solenoid valves, safety valves, etc. to form an automated operating system is obvious.

It is apparent that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Other variations and modifications of the various forms may be made by those skilled in the art in light of the above description, and all embodiments are not required to be exhaustive. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, comprising: a moisture absorption unit, a heater, a condenser, the condenser is provided with a condensed water discharge port, and the moisture absorption unit respectively turns on the heater and the a condenser, and arranged to generate heat of the heater to cause a gas between the moisture absorbing unit and a heat generating surface of the heater to circulate between the moisture absorbing unit and a heat generating surface of the heater, so that The heater is capable of supplying heat to the moisture absorbing unit through a circulating gas stream.
2. An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air according to claim 1 wherein said heater is a solar collector.
3. According to claim 2 The apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, characterized in that the moisture absorption unit comprises a container and a moisture absorbent disposed in the container, the container respectively turning on the solar heat collector and the condenser .
4. According to claim 3 The apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, further comprising a venting box, the moisture absorbing agent being disposed within the venting box, the venting box being disposed within the container.
5. According to claim 3 or 4 The apparatus for collecting water from ambient air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar heat collector is a plurality of vacuum solar heat collecting tubes, and the container connects the plurality of vacuum solar heat collecting tubes.
6. According to claim 4 The device for collecting water from ambient air is characterized in that: the solar collector is a vacuum solar collector tube, the container is an inner tube of the vacuum solar collector tube, and the gas permeable box is cylindrical. The gas permeable box is placed inside the inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube, and a gap exists between the gas permeable box and an inner wall surface of the inner tube of the vacuum solar heat collecting tube.
7. According to claim 3 or 4 An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper end and the lower end of the container are in communication with upper and lower ends of the solar collector, respectively.
8. According to claim 7 The device for collecting water from ambient air, characterized in that: an air inlet, a valve, and an exhaust port are sequentially disposed on a connecting pipe from an upper end of the container to an upper end of the solar heat collector. An air inlet and a valve are disposed on the connecting pipe of the lower end of the container to the lower end of the solar heat collector, and a valve is further disposed on the air inlet and the air outlet.
9. According to claim 8 The device for collecting water from ambient air is characterized in that the solar collector is a plurality of vacuum solar collectors or a plurality of flat solar collectors, and the plurality of vacuum solar collectors are coupled to each other. The plurality of flat solar collectors are connected in parallel with each other.
10. According to claim 3 or 4 The device for collecting water from ambient air according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar collector is a flat solar collector or a greenhouse, and the container is the flat solar collector or the greenhouse. The flat type solar collector or greenhouse has a transparent cover plate and a solar absorption plate, and the moisture absorbent is placed inside the flat solar collector or the greenhouse, between the moisture absorbent and the solar absorption plate Having a gap, further comprising a heat insulating plate, the heat insulating plate being located between the moisture absorbent and the solar energy absorbing plate, wherein the heat insulating plate and the solar energy absorbing plate have a gap, the heat insulating plate There is also a gap between the upper end and the lower end and the inner wall surface of the flat solar collector or the greenhouse.
11. An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, comprising: a moisture absorption unit, a heater, a fan, a condenser, the condenser is provided with a condensed water discharge port, and the moisture absorption unit respectively turns on the heater and The condenser, the fan respectively turns on the moisture absorption unit and the heater and can promote circulation of gas between the moisture absorption unit and the heat generating surface of the heater, so that the heater can pass The circulating gas stream supplies heat to the moisture absorbing unit.
12. According to claim 11 The device for collecting water from ambient air, wherein the heater is a solar collector or a solar collector array, and the moisture absorption unit comprises a container and a moisture absorbent disposed in the container. The container respectively turns on the solar collector and the condenser, and the exhaust port of the fan is connected to the inlet end of the solar collector or the solar collector array through a pipeline, the solar collector Or the exhaust end of the solar collector array is connected to the air inlet end of the container through a pipe, and the exhaust end of the container is connected to the air inlet of the fan through a pipe, and the condenser is connected in parallel through the pipe. A conduit between the moisture absorption unit and the fan to form a condensation branch, the condensation branch being provided with a valve to limit the flow of gas from the moisture absorption unit into the condenser.
13. An apparatus for collecting water from ambient air, comprising: a moisture absorbent, a container, a condenser, the condenser is provided with a condensed water discharge port, the moisture absorbent is placed in the container, and the container is connected Through the condenser, the container can promote the circulation of gas between the heated surface of the container and the moisture absorbent by absorbing external heat, so that external heat is transferred from the circulating airflow to the moisture absorbent.
14. According to claim 13 The device for collecting water from ambient air, characterized in that it further comprises a ventilating box, the moisture absorbing agent is placed in the ventilating box, the ventilating box is placed in the container, and further comprises a solar cooker. The solar cooker is used to heat the container, and further includes at least one of the following: ( 1) the heated surface of the container has a notch; (2 a flat plate at the opening of the recess of the heated surface of the container, the flat plate having a hole having a diameter corresponding to a spot size of the solar cooker concentrating the solar radiation to the bottom of the container ;( 3 a transparent plate at the opening of the recess of the heated surface of the container, the transparent plate having a venting opening; (4) further comprising a transparent outer casing that cooperates with the outer shape of the container.