WO2018009051A1

WO2018009051A1 - An apparatus for enriching humidity in atmosphere and a method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2018009051A1
Application number: PCT/MY2017/050011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kong Hoi KAU; Lop Hing KAU
Original assignee: Kau Kong Hoi
Priority date: 2016-07-05
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2018-01-11

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for enriching humidity in atmosphere. The apparatus (10) may comprise a catamaran-type vessel (11) or a trimaran-type vessel; at least one conduit (14) mounted on the vessel (11) for channelling air from the surface of a water body and discharging the channelled air to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body; and an air extractor (17) positioned within each conduit (14) to create a reduced pressure condition therein to extract the air from the surface of the water body into the conduit. The apparatus (10) may also be provided with additional means (19) for further increasing the vapour content in the extracted air. The invention is also provided with a method for enriching humidity in the atmosphere by using one or a plurality of the apparatus (10) as depicted in the foregoing.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR ENRICHING HUMIDITY IN ATMOSPHERE

AND A METHOD THEREFOR

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for enriching humidity. In more particular, the invention pertains to an apparatus for enriching humidity at a height above the surface of a water body. The apparatus is also imparted with a mobility feature by mounting it on a vessel of a catamaran- or a trimaran-type. Further, the invention is provided with a method for enriching humidity in the atmosphere by using the apparatus as depicted.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Typically, formation of rain occurs under conditions when there is sufficient rising air and when the relative humidity of a specific location is very close to or equals to 100%. As the air arises, the moisture is distributed over a wide region and at the same time, the temperature is lowered by a colder wind and/or by the air expansion at great heights. Eventually, the relative humidity will reach 100% and it allows the droplets to coalescence and grow into cloud droplets and later, fall as raindrops.

Nevertheless, deserts and some locations in some parts of North Africa, the Middle East, northern China, etc. have low amounts of rainfall, despite the account of a large area on Earth, because they are located far from the source of moisture such as ocean. Furthermore, formation of high pressure on the ground leads to very dry weather. As a result, phenomenon of subsidence is observed, where the air sinks or subsides, leading to warm air and little cloud formation that contribute to the low amounts of rainfall. Therefore, in order to induce the formation of rain, it is desired to enrich the humidity of these locations.

A wide variety of apparatuses and methods for increasing the humidity at a specific location has been disclosed in the prior arts. For instance, U.S. Pub. No. 2005/006491 (Al) discloses an apparatus of increasing the amounts of raining in the desert. The apparatus comprises a plurality of water-storage regions in the desert, each water-storage region comprising a water- storage manager and a plurality of evaporation manager, each evaporating manager being connected to the water-storage manager through the gullet; and a water-pumping station on the beach and connected to the water- storage manager in each water- storage region via a delivery pipelines. The seawater is pumped by the water-pumping station and delivered to the water- storage regions in the desert. Later, the seawater inside the water- storage region is evaporated by utilizing the daytime sunlight to form the steam which arises to form the cloud to increase the chance of raining in the desert.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,278 (B2) discloses an apparatus for producing a mass of water vapour comprising a water film maker and a device that prevents the water film maker from drifting. The water film maker comprises a hollow body capable of being filled with air, thus allowing it to float on a surface of a water source; and a sheet covering the hollow body, the sheet capable of presenting capillary mechanism or moisture-holding ability. Correspondingly, it allows the water film maker to absorb water of the water source to make a thin water film on its surface. Later, when the thin water film is exposed to sunlight, the water in the thin water film is vaporised by sunlight energy to thereby produce a mass of water vapour in the sky. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of heaters, each having a coloured surface, to heat the atmospheric air and the mass of water vapour as produced from the evaporation of the water films, so that the mass of water vapour can climb to a desired height to facilitate effective artificial simulation of rain. U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,663 (A) also discloses an apparatus for making artificial rain. The disclosed apparatus is capable of inducing precipitation from humid atmosphere and it comprises a tandem series of blowers arranged in a circle at the ground level, spray distribution nozzles arranged in circular rows along the inside and outside of the series of blowers to provide concentric cylindrical spray curtains defining an annular channel for a vortex of air produced by operation of the blowers, and means for supplying seawater to the nozzles under pressure for spraying therethrough. However, operation of this apparatus is restricted to conditions when the surface atmosphere is quiet, when the air over the ocean is stagnant, hot and humid, with heavy clouds in the sky and a mass of cold air aloft in the immediate vicinity.

Although many apparatuses and methods have been disclosed in the past, it should be noted that they have not been provided with a capability to ensure that the steam or water vapour generated from water sources, such as ocean and sea, can be distributed to the desired destination far from the moisture-rich sources by wind blows. Further, it is cost- ineffective by pumping the water from the sources to the desert, or building a glass house to produce steam by utilizing sunshine.

Therefore, there remains a need for providing a simple yet effective apparatus, and a method, for enriching the humidity in the atmosphere. The apparatus is also imparted with a mobility feature by mounting it on a vessel which may be of a catamaran- or a trimaran-type and so, the apparatus can be navigated or sailed to another position on the sea surface. Further, by using a plurality of this apparatus, it facilitates prevention of formation of typhoon or tropical cyclone on the western Pacific Ocean.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus for enriching humidity in the atmosphere. The apparatus is configured to extract the air from the surface of a body of water and release it to a position above the surface of the water body, so that rainfall can be generated at a designated location as a result of increased humidity of the ambient air.

Another object of the invention is to introduce an apparatus provided with a mobility feature, so that the apparatus can be stationed at another desirable position. It can be achieved by including a vessel which may be of a catamaran- or a trimaran-type to the apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of disrupting formation of destructive typhoon or tropical cyclone on the western Pacific Ocean. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for enriching humidity in the atmosphere by extracting the air from the surface of a water body and release it to a position above the surface of the water body. Accordingly, rainfall can be generated at a designated location as a result of increased humidity of the ambient air. Still another object of the invention is to introduce a method for disrupting formation of destructive typhoon or tropical cyclone on the western Pacific Ocean.

At least one of the preceding objects is met, in whole or in part, by the invention, in which an embodiment of the invention describes an apparatus for enriching humidity in atmosphere comprising a vessel defined by a central body structure having a deck platform disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure; at least one conduit mounted on the deck platform, each conduit having an inlet for receiving air from the surface of a body of water and an outlet to discharge the air upon channelling it to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body; and an air extractor positioned within each conduit in order to create a reduced pressure condition therein to extract the air from the surface of the water body into the conduit through the inlet. The inlet extends downwardly from one end of the intermediate portion of the conduit that lies on the vessel toward the surface of the water body, thus allowing the air on the surface of the water body to be drawn into the conduit. The inlet may also comprise a flange protruding inwardly around the edge of the inlet, in order to create a resistance force which would then increase speed of the extracted air when flowing into the conduit. On the other hand, the outlet is extending from the other end of the intermediate portion of the conduit and away from the surface of the water body toward the atmosphere. Preferably, the outlet is configured to be adjustable to a height of less than a predetermined height for discharging the vapour- rich air. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a vapour enriching means connecting to the conduit for enriching vapour content in the extracted air. The vapour enriching means may be a water spraying means installed within the conduit that receives a seawater feeding and then disperse the seawater inside the conduit to contact it with the extracted air which partially vaporises the seawater. Alternatively, the vapour enriching means may be a heat exchanger that receives a seawater feeding and then contacts it with a surface heated by a heating medium for partially vaporising the seawater, thus enriching the vapour content in the extracted air.

A further embodiment of the invention describes a method for enriching humidity in atmosphere comprising the steps of extracting air from the surface of a body of water into at least one conduit mounted on a vessel through an inlet of each conduit using an air extractor positioned within the conduit, the vessel being defined by a central body structure having a deck platform disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure; and channelling and discharging the extracted air through an outlet of each conduit to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body. The inlet is arranged in such a way that it extends downwardly from one end of the intermediate portion of the conduit that lies on the vessel toward the surface of the water body. The inlet may also comprise a flange protruding inwardly around the edge of the inlet, in order to create a resistance force to reduce speed of the extracted air when flowing into the conduit. It also helps to minimise the movement of the vessel as a result of pulling effect when the air is sucked into the conduit. On the contrary, the outlet extends upwardly from the other end of the intermediate portion of the conduit and away from the surface of the water body toward the atmosphere. In addition, the outlet may be configured to be adjustable to a predetermined height. In another further embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of enriching vapour content of the extracted air. The enriching step may be performed by dispersing seawater using a spraying means into the conduit, where upon contact with the extracted air, the dispersed water is partially vaporised to enrich the vapour content in the extracted air. Alternatively, the enriching step may be performed using a heat exchanger connected to the conduit by subjecting water to a surface substantially heated by a heating medium to partially vaporise the contacted seawater.

The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the details may be effected by those skilled in the arts but without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for enriching humidity in the atmosphere as embodied by one of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates an overview of generation of rainfall at a designated location as embodied by one of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the drawings is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

The invention provides an apparatus for enriching humidity in the atmosphere. More particularly, the apparatus is capable of enriching the air humidity at a height above a water body surface. Furthermore, the apparatus is provided with a vessel, which may be of a catamaran- or a trimaran-type, to impart a mobility feature.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (10) for enriching humidity in atmosphere comprises a vessel (11) defined by a central body structure having a deck platform (12) disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure (13) arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure; at least one conduit (14) mounted on the deck platform (12), each conduit (14) having an inlet (15) for receiving air from the surface of a body of water and an outlet (16) to discharge the air upon channelling it to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body; and an air extractor (17) positioned within each conduit (14) to create a reduced pressure condition therein to extract the air from the surface of the water body into the conduit (14) through the inlet (15).

Presence of these floating structures (13) enables the apparatus (10) to float on the surface of a water body, such as sea, ocean, lakes, lagoons, etc. Accordingly, the apparatus (10) can be stationed on the water body, which is preferably a sea or an ocean in this invention. In addition, it should be noted by referring to Figure 1 that the apparatus (10) comprises two floating structures (13) on the underside of the vessel (11), which makes the vessel (11) to be a catamaran type. It should be appreciated that the catamaran-type vessel (11) is preferred due to its stability derived from its wide beam. However, size of the catamaran-type vessel (11) may vary according to the size of the conduits (14) placed thereon. Furthermore, the invention should not be limited to only the catamaran-type vessel (11), but other types of vessel, such as a trimaran, may also be used alternatively. Most importantly, providing such vessel (11) imparts a mobility feature to the apparatus (10), which allows it to navigate or sail to another position on the surface of the water body.

There may be one or more conduits (14) mounted on the catamaran-type vessel (11) and each conduit (14) is configured to channel the air in bulk amount from the surface of the water body to the atmosphere or more particularly, to a height above the surface of the water body. As illustrated in Figure 1, each conduit (14) is a long hollow tube along which the air may pass, with one end serving as an inlet (15) and the other as an outlet (16). The inlet (15) at the end of each conduit (14) allows the air to flow into the hollow tube. It is also illustrated in Figure 1 that the inlet (15) is extending downwardly from the end of the intermediate portion of the conduit (14) that lies on the vessel (11), preferably at an angle of around 90°, toward the surface of the water body. The inlet (15) may also comprise a flange (18) protruding inwardly around the edge of the inlet (15) so as to create a resistance force to reduce the speed of the air when flowing into the conduit (14) and it also helps to minimise the movement of the vessel as a result of pulling effect when the air is sucked into the conduit.. Similarly, at the other end of the conduit (14), an outlet (16) is extending from its intermediate portion, preferably at an angle of 60 to 90°, but in an opposing direction to that of the inlet (15). Specifically, the outlet (16) extends upwardly to a position (or an area) at a height above the water surface, where the pressure at this height is relatively lower than that near the water surface. Further, although it is not shown in any of the accompanying diagrams, the outlet (16) of the conduit (14) may be telescopic or non-telescopic. However, it is preferred in this invention that the outlet (16) is telescopic so that it can be adjustable to achieve a predetermined height.

In order to enable the air to be drawn from the surface of the water body into the conduit (14), an air extractor (17) may be installed within each conduit (14) so as to create a reduced pressure condition before the turbine. Correspondingly, the air can be easily extracted from the water surface and flowed into the conduit (14) through the inlet (15). Such reduced pressure condition may also assist channelling of the extracted air along the conduit (14) and up to a predetermined height above the surface of the water body. In one possible embodiment, the air extractor (17) may be a rotary-type that comprises a fan for mechanical air extraction.

As the reduced pressure condition is created within the conduit (14), the ambient pressure may exert a force on the outer surface of the conduit (14), which would deform or distort the conduit (14). Hence, the conduit (14) is preferably made of a material resistant to pressure. Besides resistant to pressure, the material used to construct the conduit (14) should possess good pressure resistance so that the vapour-rich air can be channelled or transferred at a relatively constant temperature along the conduit (14) from the surface of the water body to a height above the water surface. In one embodiment, the material used to fabricate the conduit (14) may be stainless steel.

The apparatus (10) may further comprise a vapour enriching means (19) functioned to increase the vapour content in the extracted air. As shown in Figure 1, the vapour enriching means (19) may be located inside the conduit (14), particularly at a position between the inlet (15) and the air extractor (17). In one embodiment, the vapour enriching means (19) may be a water spraying means. The spraying means is configured to receive water feeding from the water body and disperse in a fan-like manner inside the conduit (14) so that the dispersed water is exposed to the extracted air. As the air extracted through the inlet (15) is low in temperature, the extracted air may be used as a heating medium to partially evaporate the water to water vapour, thereby enriching the vapour content in the extracted to form vapour- enriched air. For the water remained not vaporised, it will be drained back to the water body through an opening (20) at the base of the conduit (14). The water flowing into the conduit (14) during the air extraction may also be discharged through the opening (20). However, if the water body refers to the sea or the ocean, the water draining back to the sea bed will contain higher salt content, as only part of the seawater is vaporised. Alternatively, the vapour enriching means (19) may be a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive water feeding from the water body and bring the water into contact with a surface heated by a heating medium, which may be a hot air flow, to partially vaporise the water to enrich vapour content in the extracted air to form vapour-enriched air. Meanwhile, the water not vaporised is collected at the base of the heat exchanger and then drained back to the water body. Similarly, if the water body refers to the sea or ocean, the water draining back to the sea bed will contain higher salt content, as only part of the seawater has been vaporised. The heat exchanger depicted herein may have a simple configuration, in which a set of tube bundles passes through the body structure of the heat exchanger, with a hot air stream as a heating agent flowing in the tube bundles. In case where a heat exchanger is used, the conduit (14) may further comprise an opening (20) on the conduit (14) to discharge the water that flows into the conduit (14) while extracting the air through the inlet (15). The air extractor (17) and the vapour enriching means (19) are preferably made of materials resistant to corrosion from exposure to moisture and/or salt as well as deterioration from sunlight exposure. The aforementioned material used for constructing the air extractor (17) and the vapour enriching means (19) may be stainless steel. The vapour-enriched air as generated, or the vapour-rich air as extracted in absence of the vapour enriching means (19), may be channelled to the predetermined height above the water body and discharged to the atmosphere through the outlet (16) of the conduit (14). It should be appreciably noted the fact that at the predetermined height where the air is released, it has a pressure relatively lower than that near or on the surface of the water body. Strong wind in the sky may blow the vapour-enriched air towards a desired location on the ground. Subsequent accumulation of the vapour-enriched air above the location facilitates formation of clouds on the atmosphere, as well as generation of rainfall. Upon generation of rainfalls, the rainwater falls onto the ground and is impounded together with other water streams such as river water by a barrier, thereby forming a dam for acting as a water reservoir or water supply storage.

In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of the apparatus (10) as described in the foregoing may be used. By allocating a few of the depicted apparatus (10) on the surface of a water body, a large amount of vapour-rich air can be produced at a shorter period of time. Further, by using a plurality of such apparatus (10), it can facilitate prevention of formation of typhoon or tropical cyclone on the western Pacific Ocean. There are 6 requirements for formation and development of a tropical cyclone: (a) sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures; (b) atmospheric instability; (c) high humidity in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere; (d) enough Coriolis force to develop a low pressure center; (e) a pre-existing low level focus or disturbance; and (e) low vertical wind shear. By using a plurality of this apparatus (10), a large amount of vapour-rich air can be formed and then accumulated at targeted location in the troposphere. High humidity at the targeted location in the troposphere can be attained and accordingly, a tropical cyclone formation center is formed above the apparatus. In addition, navigating these apparatuses (10) on the sea or the ocean towards the equator causes the center of the tropical cyclone to follow the course of motion of the sailing apparatuses (10). Along the course of motion, the tropical cyclone is weakened and dissipated upon reaching the equator, particularly within 5° of the equator. Hence, formation of the destructive typhoon or tropical cyclone can be prevented.

A further embodiment of the invention describes a method for enriching humidity in the atmosphere comprising the steps of extractingair from the surface of a body of water into at least one conduit (14) mounted on a vessel (11) through an inlet (15) of each conduit (14) using an air extractor (17) positioned within the conduit (14); and channelling and discharging the extracted air through an outlet (16) of each conduit (14) to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body.

The vessel (11) as described in the foregoing may be defined by a central body structure having a deck platform (12) disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure (13) arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus comprises two floating structures (13) provided on the underside of the vessel (11), which renders the vessel (11) to be a catamaran type. However, it should be noted that other types of vessel, such as a trimaran, may be used alternatively.

Presence of such vessel (11) enables the apparatus (10) to float on the water body such as sea, ocean, lakes, lagoons, etc. Correspondingly, the apparatus (10) can be navigated or sailed to another position on the water body which is preferably a sea or an ocean. The air may be extracted in a bulk amount by drawing the air from the surface into one or more conduits (14) mounted on the catamaran-type vessel (11) through an inlet (15) of each conduit (14). Particularly, the extracting step may be performed using an air extractor (17) that is installed inside each conduit (14). In one embodiment, the air extractor (17) may be a rotary-type that comprises a fan for mechanical air extraction. As the air extractor (17) operates, the pressure in the conduit (14) is reduced. Accordingly, the air available on the sea surface is forced into the inlet (15) of each conduit (14). Further, as illustrated in Figure 1, the inlet (15) of the conduit (14) is extending downwardly from the intermediate portion of the conduit (14) that lies on the vessel (11) toward the surface of the water body. Such configuration allows the air to flow into the conduit (14) easily upon creation of the reduced pressure condition in the conduit (14). The inlet (15) may also comprise a flange (18) protruding around the edge of the inlet (15) of the conduit (14), in order to create a resistance force to further reduce the speed of the air when flowing into the conduit (14). It also helps to minimise the movement of the vessel as a result of pulling effect when the air is sucked into the conduit.

The reduced pressure condition created within the conduit (14) also facilitates channelling of the air from the water surface to a predetermined height substantially above the water surface, where at this height, the pressure is relatively lower than that near or on the water surface. Eventually, the vapour-rich air will be discharged to the atmosphere through the outlet (16) of each conduit (14). The outlet (16), as shown in Figure 1, is configured to be extending away from the water surface and towards the atmosphere. It should also be appreciated that although it is not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the outlet (16) may be telescopic or non-telescopic. However, in this invention, it is preferred to have a telescopic outlet (16) so that it can reach to a predetermined height from the water surface.

The method may further comprise the step of enriching vapour content of the extracted air to form vapour-enriched air. The enriching step may be performed in such a way that the water drawn from the water body is dispersed in a fan-like pattern by using a spraying means inside the conduit, in which the dispersed water is exposed and heated by the hot, extracted air. The water in contact with the extracted air will be partially vaporised to enrich vapour content thereof to form vapour-enriched air, whereas the water remained not vaporised is drained back to the water body through an opening (20) at the base of the conduit (14). Alternatively, the enriching step may be performed using a heat exchanger that comprises a set of tube bundles passes through a body structure of the heat exchanger, using a hot air stream (or hot air drawn above the sea surface) as a heating agent flowing in the tube bundles. The water drawn from the water body is fed to the heat exchanger. When the water is to contact with the surface substantially heated by the hot air flow, the water is partially vaporised, thus enriching the vapour content in the extracted air to form vapour-enriched air. Meanwhile, the water not vaporised is collected at the base of the heat exchanger and drained back to the sea bed to avoid the sea water on surface be cooled.

Subsequently, the vapour-enriched air as generated, or the air as extracted without being subjected to the further enriching step, may be channelled to a height substantially above the water surface and discharged to the atmosphere through the outlet (16) of the conduit (14). It should be appreciated that at the height where the air is released, it has air pressure relatively lower than that near or on the surface of the water body. Consequently, the air/vapour surrounding the vessel (11) will rise together and accumulate with the air discharged from the outlet (16). Strong wind in the sky may blow the vapour-enriched air towards a desired location on the ground. Subsequent accumulation of the vapour-enriched air above the desired location facilitates formation of clouds on the atmosphere, as well as generation of rainfall. Upon generation of rainfalls, the rainwater falls onto the ground and is impounded together with other water streams such as river water by a barrier, thereby forming a dam for acting as a water reservoir or water supply storage.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that the same is by the way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for enriching humidity in atmosphere comprising

a vessel (11) defined by a central body structure having a deck platform (12) disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure (13) arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure;

at least one conduit (14) mounted on the deck platform (12), each conduit (14) having an inlet (15) for receiving air from the surface of a body of water and an outlet (16) to discharge the air upon channelling it to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body; and

an air extractor (17) positioned within each conduit (14) to create a reduced pressure condition therein to extract the air from the surface of the water body into the conduit (14) through the inlet (15).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (15) is extending downwardly from one end of the conduit (14) toward the surface of the water body.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet (15) comprises a flange (18) protruding inwardly around the edge of the inlet (15) to create a resistance force to reduce speed of the extracted air when flowing into the conduit (14) and to minimise movement to the vessel (11).

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet (16) is extending upwardly from the other end of the conduit (14) and toward the atmosphere.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the outlet (16) is configured to be adjustable to a predetermined height.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a vapour enriching means (19) connecting to the conduit (14) for enriching vapour content in the extracted air.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the vapour enriching means (19) is a water spraying means or a heat exchanger.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the spraying means is configured to receive a water feeding and disperse the water inside the conduit (14) so that the dispersed water is heated by the extracted air and partially vaporised to enrich vapour content therein.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive a water feeding and subject the water to contact with a surface heated by a heating medium to partially vaporise the water to enrich vapour content in the extracted air.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vessel (11) is of a catamaran type or a trimaran type.

11. A method for enriching humidity in atmosphere comprising the steps of

extracting air from the surface of a body of water into at least one conduit (14) mounted on a vessel (11) through an inlet (15) of each conduit (14) using an air extractor (17) positioned within the conduit (14), the vessel (11) being defined by a central body structure having a deck platform (12) disposed thereon and at least one elongated floating structure (13) arranged in a laterally spaced manner on underside of the body structure; and

channelling and discharging the extracted air through an outlet (16) of each conduit (14) to a position above the surface of the water body, the position having a pressure relatively lower than that on the surface of the water body.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the inlet (15) is extending downwardly from one end of the conduit (14) toward the surface of the water body.

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inlet (15) comprises a flange (18) protruding inwardly around the edge of the inlet (15) to create a resistance force to reduce speed of the extracted air when flowing into the conduit (14) and to stabilise the movement of the vessel (11).

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the outlet (16) is extending upwardly from the other end of the conduct (14) and toward the atmosphere.

15. A method according to claim 11 or 14, wherein the outlet (16) is configured to be adjustable to a predetermined height.

16. A method according to claim 11 further comprising a step of enriching vapour content of the extracted air.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the enriching step is performed by dispersing water into the conduit using a spraying means, wherein the dispersed water is heated by the extracted air and partially vaporised to enrich vapour content thereof.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the enriching step is performed using a heat exchanger connecting to the conduit (14) by subjecting water to a surface substantially heated by a heating medium to partially vaporise the contacted water into the vapour-rich air.

19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the vessel (11) is of a catamaran type or a trimaran type.