Atmospheric water capture systems and methods

A system and method for capturing water from an atmosphere including an air compressor configured to compress air captured from an atmosphere and to receive power from a power source and collecting moisture from the compressed air at an elevated pressure. A first chamber may be used to heat or concentrate the humidity of the air before the air is compressed. A valve assembly maintains the pressure at which the water is captured at an elevated pressure. The humidity of the air may be concentrated before the air is compressed and the moisture of the air is collected.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to water capture systems and methods and more particularly is related to systems of capturing water from compressed atmospheric air and methods to capture atmospheric water.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Several devices have been previously described for acquiring water from the atmosphere. In general, these devices use refrigeration and refrigerated coils to cool air to its dew point or below in order to collect atmospheric water that condenses on the coils. Typically, these systems are based on a refrigeration device operating according to a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Such systems may be known as dehumidifiers. In the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, a refrigerant is circulated through a closed circuit cycle of condensation and evaporation to produce a cooling effect. Cooling is accomplished by the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant at low pressure. The refrigerant first enters a compressor where the temperature of the refrigerant is elevated by mechanical compression, such compression turns the refrigerant into a superheated, high pressure vapor. The high pressure vapor is allowed to enter a condenser, where the vapor condenses to a liquid and resultant heat is dissipated to the surroundings. Then, high pressure liquid is allowed to pass through an expansion valve through which fluid pressure and temperature are lowered. Finally, the low-pressure fluid is allowed to enter an evaporator, where the low-pressure fluid is allowed to evaporate by absorbing heat from the cooled space. The resultant vapor is then allowed to reenter the compressor and the cycle is repeated. As air is flowed across the evaporator, the air is cooled below its dew point. Thus, water, in the form of condensation, is obtained as a product of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. A water collection device may be disposed below the evaporator to collect water that condenses as air is flowed over the evaporator. Often, water capture devices are equipped with various water storage and water purity controlling devices, such as UV lights and filters. Conventional water capture devices may be designed to provide water that is either cooled or heated for the convenience of the user.

The temperature at which evaporated water forms into droplets is called the dew point. In air with relatively low humidity, the dew point may be at or below the temperature at which water freezes. In many desert environments, the dew point is well below 40 degrees for most of the year, often in the single digits. Dehumidifiers in these conditions can rapidly accumulate ice instead of liquid water, clogging the dehumidifier and preventing the dehumidifier from functioning correctly. One way to increase the dew point of air with relatively low humidity is to condense water from the air at an elevated pressure, i.e., a pressure above atmospheric pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A system for capturing water from an atmosphere may include an air compressor configured to receive power from a power source to compress atmospheric air directly from the atmosphere or to compress atmospheric air collected in a first chamber to an elevated pressure. A second chamber is in fluid communication with the air compressor, adapted to collect precipitated water vapor upon expansion of the compressed air and cooling within the second chamber. A valve assembly is adapted to open upon a pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber reaching a pressure value allowing the compressed air to expand and cool in the second chamber, while still maintaining the pressure above atmospheric pressure while the water condenses.

The atmospheric air may be captured in a first chamber and heated by heat source. The second chamber may also include a cooler to facilitate condensation of the compressed air. An ambient air stream may be passed through the heated air in the first chamber. The heated air may pull moisture from the ambient air stream into the first chamber, effectively concentrating the humidity of the heated air in the first chamber. In one embodiment, ambient air is pushed by, for example, a fan through an intake passage and across a gap into an exit passage. Moisture may be full from the ambient air stream while the ambient air is in the gap between the intake passage and the exit passage. A blower may circulate the heated air and direct the heated air at the ambient air stream.

The system according to aspects of the inventive concepts may include a reservoir for collecting precipitated water, the reservoir in fluid communication with the second chamber and may further include a tap for receiving water from the reservoir.

According to aspects, the power source may include one of an internal combustion engine, a solar panel and an electric power grid.

According to a second embodiment of the inventive concepts is a method of for capturing water from an atmosphere which may include the following steps: capturing air from the atmosphere and compressing the air with an air compressor configured to receive power from a power source. The air may be captured and held in a first chamber prior to compressing the air. The air compressed air is received by a second chamber adapted to collect precipitated water vapor upon expansion and cooling of the compressed air within the second chamber. A valve assembly operates to ensure that the water precipitates at an elevated pressure, ensuring that the water does not freeze and affect the operation of the dehumidifier.

Optional steps that may be performed according to aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to: collecting precipitated water in a reservoir and dispensing the precipitated water via an outlet, such as a tap. Other optional steps which may be performed according to aspects of the invention include sensing, by a sensor, one of an air pressure, an air temperature, a carbon level and a relative humidity of the compressed air within the first chamber and/or displaying, on a display, one of the sensed air pressure, the sensed air temperature, the sensed carbon level and the sensed relative humidity of the compressed air within the first chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system100for capturing water from the atmosphere. The water capture system100includes a refrigeration device120operating according to a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. A refrigerant (not shown) enters a compressor121where the temperature of the refrigerant is elevated by mechanical compression turning the refrigerant into a superheated, high pressure vapor. The high pressure vapor is allowed to enter a condenser122, where the vapor condenses to a liquid and resultant heat is dissipated to the surroundings. Then, high pressure liquid is allowed to pass through an expansion valve123through which fluid pressure and temperature are lowered. Finally, the low-pressure fluid is allowed to enter an evaporator124, where the low-pressure fluid is allowed to evaporate by absorbing heat from the cooled space. The resultant vapor is then allowed to reenter the compressor121and the cycle is repeated.

Atmospheric water capture system100also includes a first chamber108for heating air and concentrating humidity. Air passes through the air intake101into the first chamber108where the air contacts and absorbs heat from the condenser122. An ambient air stream130is passed through the heated air in the first chamber108by a propeller131. Ambient air stream130includes an air stream intake132, an air stream intake passage134, an air stream gap135, an air stream exit passage136, and an air stream exit138. Hot air in the first chamber108is circulated through an air blower109. In a particular embodiment, the air blower109pushes air through an air knife110to concentrate the flow of heated air in the air chamber108. The air blower aims circulating heated air across the air stream gap135. In one embodiment, the air blower aims air from an air knife that is essentially orthogonal to the ambient air stream130. The heated air absorbs moisture from the ambient air stream130, concentrating the humidity of the heated air in the first chamber108.

First chamber108is in fluid communication with an air compressor102which may include an air turbine or any appropriate device known in the art for compressing air. Air compressor102may be configured to receive heated air from the first chamber108. Further, air compressor102may be configured to receive power from a power source104. Power source104may be a solar power source. Power source104may be attached to a power grid, a generator having, for example an internal combustion engine, or power source104may receive power from any appropriate source. Further, power source104may include a combination of different power sources, such as an internal combustion engine, one or more batteries and/or one or more solar panels, etc.

Without departing from the inventive concepts, power may be acquired by the system100as power is available, or by any desired means. Power source104may be operated by an on/off switch106.

First chamber108may be attached to first sensor110A. First sensor110A may be adapted to sense qualities of the compressed air contained within first chamber108, such as any or all of temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. First sensor110A may include multiple sensors or may include a single device. First sensor110A may be in electronic communication with a processor, a computer or other control device140configured to receive information from first sensor110A. Control device MO is connected to all sensors and controlling all valves, etc., wirelessly, via hard wiring (not shown), or via a combination of wireless and hard wiring. First sensor110A may further be configured to automatically open valve assembly115as discussed below.

A controller106turns on the compressor102based on input from the first sensor110A. Compressor102passes hot, compressed air from the first chamber108to the second chamber114, as second chamber114is in fluid communication with first chamber108via the compressor102. That is, second chamber114is adapted for receiving the hot, compressed air from the first chamber upon operation of the compressor102. The second chamber114contains the evaporator124of the refrigeration device120. In second chamber114, the compressed air is allowed to expand and cool in contact with the evaporator124, thereby allowing precipitation of water vapor contained in the compressed air onto the coils125of the evaporator124. Evaporator124is a refrigerant passage150formed into coils125. In a particular embodiment, the coils125in passage150have a wider, rounded upper section152and a narrower lower section154. The narrower lower section154may narrow to a point156. Water from the air may condense on the wider upper section152and drip down to the narrower lower section154and drip down to a water collector126at the bottom of the second chamber114.

Optional second sensor110B may be adapted to sense qualities of the compressed air contained within air compressor102, such as any or all of temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. Second sensor110B may include multiple sensors or may include a single device. Second sensor110B may be in electronic communication with a processor, a computer or other control device140configured to receive information from second sensor110B.

Optional third sensor110C may be adapted to sense qualities of the compressed air contained within second chamber114, such as any or all of temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. Third sensor110C may include multiple sensors or may include a single device. Third sensor110C may be in electronic communication with a processor, a computer or other control device120configured to receive information from third sensor110C.

A valve assembly115in response to one or the other or both of: a temperature of the compressed air within the second chamber reaching a temperature value and a pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber each reaching a pressure value. Valve assembly115may include an expansion valve, such as a thermal expansion valve commonly known in the art. Valve assembly115may open automatically or via a control system when a sensed pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber reaches a pressure value. In an optional step according to methods, the temperature value and/or the pressure value may be predetermined or determined in an adaptive manner.

FIG. 1also illustrates optional reservoir116. The water collector126includes a drain128leading to optional reservoir116. Optional reservoir116may be in fluid communication with second chamber114via at least one valve (not shown) and an appropriate fluid conduit. Reservoir116may be used to store precipitated water received from second chamber114. The stored water, may be allowed to leave reservoir via tap118, as illustrated inFIG. 1, or via any other appropriate outlet means.

FIG. 1shows panel or display160which may optionally display values associated with atmospheric air, the air within first chamber108or the air within second chamber114,

Qualities displayed on panel160may include, but are not limited to, air pressure, air temperature, carbon level and or relative humidity. Such qualities may be sensed by first sensor110A, second sensor110E or third sensor110C. Panel160may further be adapted to display values associated with external, atmospheric air.

As is shown by block202, a first step in a method according to aspects of the invention includes capturing air from the atmosphere in a first chamber108. In the second step204, the captured air is heated using the condenser122of a refrigeration device120. In the next step206, an ambient air stream130is passed through the first chamber108from the air stream intake132, through the air stream intake passage134, across the air stream gap135, into the air stream exit passage136and out through the air stream exit138. Hot air is blown across the ambient air stream130and circulated via an air blower109, absorbing moisture from the ambient air stream and concentrating the humidity of the air in the first chamber108.

When the air in the first chamber108reaches a desired metric or when power is available to the compressor, the compressor102is engaged and hot air is pressurized in the compressor and passed to the second chamber114in step208. At step210A, coolant flows through the evaporator passage150within the second chamber114, and in step210B compressed air in the second chamber114is passed over the evaporator coil125where water vapor is condensed.

A subsequent step is illustrated by block212and includes opening a valve assembly115in response to one or the other or both of: a temperature of the compressed air within the second chamber reaching a temperature value and a pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber each reaching a pressure value. Valve assembly115may include an expansion valve, such as a thermal expansion valve commonly known in the art. In step212a, valve assembly115may open automatically or via a control system, upon a temperature of the compressed air within first chamber108reaching a temperature value. Further, in step212h, valve assembly115may open, automatically or via a control system, when a sensed pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber reaches a pressure value, keeping the pressure in the second chamber114essentially constant. In an optional step according to methods, the temperature value and/or the pressure value may be predetermined or determined in an adaptive manner.

A subsequent step is illustrated in block214and includes collecting, by the second chamber114, precipitated water vapor upon expansion of the compressed air within the second chamber114.

Other steps that may be performed, include purifying the collected water in a treatment block216, by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to filtration, aeration and/or chemical or ultraviolet light treatment. Water or treated water can be draw away from the system or to an additional reservoir through a tap at step218.

The methods according to the present invention may include any additional number of steps or variations thereof, which includes any of the functioning or structures discussed with respect toFIG. 1.

The system100provides significant benefits over the prior art.