Patent ID: 6058718
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: C02F,E03B,Y02A,Y02W

Abstract:
A portable, potable-water recovery system for producing and dispensing water comprising:a portable enclosure provided with an inlet port, an outlet port and air-circulation means for circulating ambient air from said inlet port to said outlet port and water-condensing means within said enclosure, CHARACTERIZED IN THATa. filtration means adapted to remove and trap particulates of diameter larger than 1-100 micrometers dispersed in ambient air is sealingly connected upstream of said air-circulation means,b. said air-circulation means comprising an internal, ducted, electric, rotary air-circulation means of controllable, variable flow volume of ambient air sealingly connected downstream of said filtration means,c. water condensing means comprising an enclosed first cooling means sealingly connected downstream to said filter port and upstream to said air-circulation means including dew-forming surfaces adapted to cool the boundary-layer air adjacent to said dew-forming surfaces to a temperature at least 1-10 deg. C. below the equilibrium dew point of the inlet air stream, thereby forming liquid-water on said dew-forming surfaces, said surfaces being formed and positioned for gravity flow of said liquid water into a enclosed drip off collection vessel,d. enclosed fluid-reservoir sealingly connected to said drip off collection vessel of material appropriate for storage of high-purity drinking water and fitted with a outlet connection whereby most of the water held therein can be withdrawn,e. bacteriostat loop means sealingly connected to said fluid reservoir and comprising a closed-loop, recirculation channel and pump whereby water in said reservoir is pumped at a predetermined flow rate through a disposable activated-carbon porous VOC filter-absorber connected in series with a UV treatment zone where it is continually exposed to radiation of sufficient energy and appropriate wavelength to kill adventitious bacteria and viruses,f. a first delivery channel sealingly connected to said recirculation channel, extending through said enclosure and terminated with a valve for external dispensing of purified water from said reservoir, andg. means within said enclosure for sequencing control operations, monitoring integrity and indicating proper operation of system components therein.