Abstract:
An atmospheric water generation system, including a casing into which an air treatment unit and a chiller unit are located, the air treatment unit being provided with a first air inlet for ambient air and a first air outlet, the chiller unit being provided with a second air inlet and a second air outlet, wherein a respectively closing member is directly associated to each first and second air inlet and outlet. The system thus can additionally be used as an air conditioning unit, when the cooled and demoistured air from the air treatment unit is directed to a closed work space. The system may additionally include a water treatment unit and a power generating unit for stand alone purposes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of atmospheric water generation systems and more particularly to integrated air conditioning and atmospheric water generation systems that condense water from air to provide drinking water. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Potable drinking water is a shrinking resource around the world. It is in short supply in many parts of the world, and in the future it will become more even challenging to supply the water requirements of growing populations. Climate change effects have begun to alter expected weather and water patterns, and these changes, combined with an ever-increasing human population and increased water requirements for domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors has led and will lead to shortages. 
         [0003]    The problem is particularly acute in places such as tropical islands, and floating installations such as oil rigs, and at remote or tropical locations that lack a water supply infrastructure. For example, on many islands, consumers must purchase expensive bottled water, or refill water jugs with water of questionable purity at local water stations. There are no wells, most houses are not on city water and even if they are, the city water is not potable. Many homes use rain water runoff guttered into a cistern sanitized with bleach. 
         [0004]    In other locations lacking a water piping infrastructure, such as in the Middle East, the typical water source is delivered “jug water,” obtained from local water sources. Such water is often of questionable purity and flavor. 
         [0005]    The problem is also found in places where the existing water infrastructure has not been maintained. Water pipes may leak, cisterns may be cracked, such that the quantity of available water is less than amounts available a century ago. In addition, such systems also are at risk for contamination of the water supply from such leaks and from other causes. 
         [0006]    Ambient air typically contains moisture. The amount of water in ambient atmospheric air varies with temperature, air humidity and pressure. Hot humid air contains more water than cold dry air. Moisture contained in ambient air condenses into liquid form as droplets when the air temperature drops below a determined dewpoint. 
         [0007]    Many atmospheric water generating machines have been proposed in the past. The typical machine has a cooling element that receives filtered ambient air and cools the air to condense moisture. The condensation is collected, sterilized by UV light and/or ozone, and stored and/or dispensed. The temperature of the cooling element is maintained so that is does not reach the freezing point which would decrease water collection efficiency. However, such systems, whether large or small, have been dependent on an electrical system infrastructure to operate the systems. Small water cooler size systems, while portable, have insufficient capacity to supply the needs of a substantial population. Larger installations are all custom built and are not designed to be readily deployed using standard commercial transport systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Starting from this background an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved atmospheric water generating apparatus which is readily transported and deployed using standard commercial transport systems. 
         [0009]    Another object is that of reaching this goal with a simple and rational solution. 
         [0010]    These and other objects are achieved by the embodiments of the invention as defined in the independent claim. The dependent claims define preferred or particularly advantageous aspects of the embodiments of the invention. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an atmospheric water generation system, comprises a casing into which an air treatment unit and a chiller unit are located, the air treatment unit being provided with a first air inlet for ambient air and a first air outlet, the chiller unit being provided with a second air inlet and a second air outlet, wherein a respectively closing member is directly associated to each first and second air inlet and outlet. 
         [0012]    According to a first aspect of the invention the closing member directly associated to the first air inlet is a louvered shutter. 
         [0013]    According to a second aspect of the invention, the closing member directly associated to the first air outlet is a door hinged to a vertical edge of the first air outlet. 
         [0014]    According to a third aspect of the invention, the door is configured to be rotated between a closed position and an open position wherein the door is rotated of a predetermined angle with respect to a side of the casing. The predetermined angle is comprised in a range between 30° and 80°, and preferably the predetermined angle is equal to 60°. 
         [0015]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the closing member directly associated to the second air inlet comprises a door. 
         [0016]    The door is configured to be rotated between a first closed position wherein it closes said second air inlet and realize a portion of an external side of the casing, and a second open position wherein it is located in a plane perpendicular to the side allowing the flow of the ambient air towards the chiller unit. 
         [0017]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the closing member directly associated to the second air outlet comprises a door. 
         [0018]    The door configured to be rotated between a first closed position wherein it closes said second air outlet and realizes a portion of a ceiling of the casing, and a second open position wherein the door is located in a plane perpendicular to the ceiling allowing the flow of the ambient air from the chiller unit towards the environment. 
         [0019]    According to a further aspect of the invention the atmospheric water generation system comprises also a water treatment unit located in the casing. 
         [0020]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the atmospheric water generation system comprises also electric generator system located in or on the casing. 
         [0021]    Preferably the water treatment unit and the electric generator system are co-located adjacent each other within the casing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side and top perspective view of an embodiment of an atmospheric water generation system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a front, side and top perspective view of the atmospheric water generation system of  FIG. 1  with its side and top exterior walls removed to display the internal components thereof showing air circulation through the air treatment unit. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the atmospheric water generation system  1  with its top exterior wall removed to display the internal components thereof. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation schematic view of the atmospheric water generation system of  FIG. 1  showing alternative options for the location of the water treatment unit and generator system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation schematic view of an embodiment of a water treatment unit of an atmospheric water generation system in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , where like numerals indicate the same elements in the Figures, an atmospheric water generation system  20  is shown. 
         [0028]    Atmospheric water generation system  20  comprises at least an air treatment unit  40  associated with a chiller unit  80 , and a water treatment unit  100 . 
         [0029]    According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention the atmospheric water generation system  20  comprises an electric generator system  120  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0030]    Atmospheric water generation system  20  is a high performance integrated water production machine which is assembled into a casing having a parallelepiped shaped and comprising a tubular frame  220  ( FIG. 2 ) externally closed by metallic undulated panels  221 . The casing has a standard shipping container size, specifically a container  22  which is the size of a ISO standard 40′ high-cube container (length 12.19 m×width 2.44 m×height 2.90 m) (40′×8′×9′6″). According to different embodiment of the invention larger casing may also be used including a 45′ high cube container size, but in most cases the 40′ high-cube container size is easily transportable and is sufficient for the invention. 
         [0031]    Casing  22  is seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , and contains the air treatment unit  40 , the chiller unit  80 , the water treatment unit  100 , and the generator system  120 . In general, the air treatment unit  40 , the chiller unit  80 , are each sized to occupy approximately one-third of the casing  22 , while the water treatment unit  100  and the generator system  120  are sized to be co-located in the remaining third of the casing  22   
         [0032]    The casing  22  is provided with a first ambient air inlet  42 , having a rectangular shape, for supplying a stream of ambient air to the air treatment unit  40 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , and a first air outlet  70 , having a rectangular shape, to discharge demoisturized cold air from the air treatment unit  40 . 
         [0033]    A closing member is respectively associated to the air inlet  42  and to the air outlet  70 . According to this embodiment of the invention the closing member associated to the air inlet is an adjustable louvered shutter  202 , powered by an electric motor not illustrated, while the closing member associated to the first air outlet  70  is a door  204  hinged to a vertical edge of the rectangular air outlet  70  so that it can be rotated between a closed position wherein the door is co-planar with the external surface of a side  22   a  of the casing  22 , and an open position, wherein the door is rotated of a predetermined angle with respect to the side  22 , so that an air stream can flow throughout the air outlet. 
         [0034]    The opening angle of the doors  204 , with respect to sides  22   a,  is comprised in a range between 30 and 80°, preferably the opening angle is equal to 60°. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the air treatment unit  40  comprises an inlet chamber  44  extending from the inlet  42 . An air filter system  45  is is provided in the inlet air chamber  44  for removing insects, windblown debris, dirt, sand and other contaminants from the incoming ambient air stream. Inlet air chamber  44  connects to a crossflow air to air heat exchanger  46  having a first heat exchange area  48  and a second heat exchange area  54 . The first heat exchange area  48  has a first inlet  50  receiving air from the inlet chamber  44  and a first exit  52  for discharging air. The second heat exchange area  54  has a second inlet  56  and a second exit  58 . The crossflow heat exchanger  46  operates to precool the incoming air stream before the air reaches the water condensing heat exchanger  62  where water is condensed from the air and collected. 
         [0036]    A condensation chamber  60  extends from the crossflow heat exchanger first exit  52 . The water condensing tube and plate heat exchanger  62  is located in the condensation chamber  60 . Surfaces of the water condensing heat exchanger  62  are chilled to below the dew point, and accordingly water vapor in the air stream condenses out of the air stream and onto the plates and other surfaces of the water condensing heat exchanger  62 . A drop separator  64  (mist eliminator) is located downstream of and adjacent to the water condensing heat exchanger  62  and collects entrained water droplets from the air stream. 
         [0037]    A water collecting container  65  is located below the water condensing heat exchanger  62  and the drop separator  64  so that condensed water that is collected on the chilled surfaces of the water condensing heat exchanger  62 , and which runs down the walls of the water condensing heat exchanger  62  by gravity, is collected. The water collecting container is hydraulically connected to the water treatment unit  100 , by means of a pump  101  for pumping the collected water to the water treatment unit  100 . ( FIG. 5 ) 
         [0038]    An air recirculation chamber  67  extends from the water condensing heat exchanger  62  to the second inlet  56  of the crossflow heat exchanger  46 . Air stream that has passed through the crossflow heat exchanger  46  and it has been precooled, and which has then been significantly further cooled by passage through the water condensing heat exchanger  62 , is thus returned to the crossflow heat exchanger  46  to provide cooling to the incoming air stream. 
         [0039]    Cooled demoisturized air exits the crossflow heat exchanger  46  from the second exit  58  of the crossflow heat exchanger  46  into an outlet chamber  66  ( FIG. 4 ). Outlet chamber  66  exhausts the cooled demoisturized air to the first air outlet  70 . In the preferred embodiment, the casing comprises two laterally located air outlets  70  ( FIG. 3 ) on sides  22   a  of the container  22 , but the air outlet  70  may be located elsewhere, such as in an end wall of container  22 , as desired. 
         [0040]    The circulation of the air stream in the air treatment unit is established by the operation of a blower  68 , which is preferably located in air recirculation chamber  67 . Air blower  68  may be any type of energy efficient blower system known in the art and may include centrifugal fans and axial fans. Although a single appropriately sized blower may be used, to better fit the blower units in the casing  22 , there are preferably two smaller blower units  68  provided side-by side. Alternatively, air blower  68  may be located in the outlet chamber  66 , or any of the other chambers  44 , and  60 . 
         [0041]    The chiller unit  80  is also located in the casing  22  adjacent to the air treatment unit  40 . 
         [0042]    Chiller unit  80  may be based on any of a number of known cooling technologies, however, in most applications a conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycle will be the most robust and versatile system. Thus, the chiller unit  80 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is a refrigeration system comprising a coolant fluid circulating through a compressor  82 , a condenser  84 , an expansion valve (not shown), and an evaporator  88  and a plurality of powered fans  840 . 
         [0043]    The casing  22  is provided with a second ambient air inlet  50  for supplying ambient air to the chiller unit  80 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , and a second air outlet  51  to discharge hot air from the chiller unit  80  to the environment. 
         [0044]    According to this embodiment of the invention the second air inlet is located on a side of the casing while the second air outlet is located on a ceiling  22   b  of the casing  22  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0045]    A closing member is respectively associated to the second air inlet  50  and to the second air outlet  51 . 
         [0046]    According to this embodiment of the invention the closing member associated to the second air inlet comprises two doors  216 , 218  each of them being hinged to a respective horizontal edge of the second air inlet  50  so that they can be rotated between a first closed position wherein the doors  216 , 218  close said second air inlet  50  and realize a portion of the external side  22   a  of the casing  22 , and a second open position wherein the doors  216 , 218  are located in a plane perpendicular to the side  22   a  allowing the flow of the ambient air towards the chiller unit. 
         [0047]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention ( FIG. 3 ) the casing  22  is provided with two second air inlets  50 , opposite each other, and a closing member is associated to each second air inlet  50 . The closing member may comprise two doors identical to the doors  216 , 218  described in the illustrated embodiment of the invention or it may comprise only one door having the same dimension of the second air inlet. 
         [0048]    The closing member associated to the second air outlet  51  comprises two doors  212 , 214  each of them being hinged to a respective horizontal edge of the second air outlet  51  so that they can be rotated between a first closed position wherein the doors  212 , 214  close said second air outlet  51  and realize a portion of a ceiling  22   b  of the casing, and a second open position wherein the doors  212 , 214  are located in a plane perpendicular to the ceiling  22   b  allowing the flow of the ambient air from the chiller unit  80  towards the environment. 
         [0049]    The rotation of the doors  212 , 214 , 218 , 220  associated to the second air inlet  50  and the second air outlet  51  can be performed by means of linear actuator  53 ,  54  such as a hydraulic cylinder, a gas cylinder or an electric actuator. 
         [0050]    According to a different embodiment of the invention the closing member associated to the second air outlet  51  may comprise only one door instead of the couple of doors  212 , 214 . 
         [0051]    During the operation of the atmospheric water generation system  20  all the doors  212 , 214 , 218 , 220  of the chiller unit  80  are in the open position so that a stream of air flows through the chiller unit thanks to the operation of the fans  840 . 
         [0052]    As told above, during the operation of the atmospheric water generation system  20 , the doors  204  of the air treatment unit are opened of a predetermined angle with respect of the side  22   a  of the casing. As a consequence they advantageously act as a deflector directing the demoisturized cold air flowing though the first air outlet  70  of the air treatment unit to the second air inlet  50  of the chiller unit. 
         [0053]    This solution allows to a reduction of the energy consumption of the chiller unit and a general increase of the performance of the same, being the air, supplied to the chiller, demoisturized and at a temperature lower than the ambient air. 
         [0054]    A water treatment unit  100  is also provided in the casing  22  ( FIG. 2 ). The water treatment unit  100 , is connected to the water collecting container  65  by means of the pump  101  ( FIG. 5 ) and includes one or more of, and preferably all of: particulate filters  102  and  103 ; an activated charcoal filter  104 ; and an ultraviolet light sterilizing chamber  106 . Particulate filter  102  is a 50 μm (micron) filter; particulate filter  103  is a 5 μm (micron) filter. The activated charcoal filter  104  has a porosity of 5 μm. The particulate filters  102 ,  103  and the activated charcoal filter  104  are preferably cartridge filters. Ultraviolet light sterilizing chamber  106  comprises an ultraviolet lamp capable of irradiating water at a wavelength between 245 nm and 285 nm, preferably including 254 nm, at a sufficient dose and for a sufficient time period to sterilize microorganisms in the produced water. An alternative sterilization system such as an ozone injection system may be used. Particulate filters  102  and  103 , and the activated charcoal filter  104  are connected in series. 
         [0055]    The water treatment unit  100 , comprises also a calcite media mineralization system  108  to add mineral salts or other additives to collected water to improve flavor, prevent bacteria, and provide essential dietary minerals to the collected water. 
         [0056]    The mineralization system  108  is connected in series to the activated charcoal filter  104  and comprises two mineralization unit  108   a  connected in parallel between them and fluidly connected to the ultraviolet sterilizing chamber  106 . 
         [0057]    The purified water is then delivered to a storage tank  110 . Storage tank  110  is desirably a 100 litre tank sized to hold collected water. Storage tank  110  is provided with an appropriate outlet valve system, so that collected water in storage tank  110  may be dispensed into jugs, water trucks, or to a local sanitary water distribution piping system. 
         [0058]    A manual hatch door  226  ( FIG. 1 ), on an end wall  22   c,  of the casing  22 , provides access to the water treatment unit  100 . 
         [0059]    An electric generator system  120  ( FIG. 3 ) is optionally located in or on the casing  22 , and, according to present embodiment of the invention the generator system  120  is co-located with the water treatment unit  100 . 
         [0060]    The electric generator system  120  generates electrical power to operate the air treatment unit  40 , the chiller unit  80 , the water treatment unit  100 , and all the electrical components provided in the atmospheric water generation system. The electric generator system  120  may comprise: an internal combustion engine generator, or a hydrogen fuel cell; or a solar panel system. 
         [0061]    According to the disclosed embodiment of the invention the electric generator system  120  is a self-contained diesel engine  122  and an electric generator  124 . Diesel engine  122  and an electric generator  124  desirably have a capacity of at least 250 kW, with an optional range of up to 400 kW. The diesel engine includes a 120 litre fuel tank  126 , and heavy duty air and oil filter systems. The electric generator  124  is a synchronous three phase alternator. 
         [0062]    The casing  22  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises an air vent  220  for supplying fresh air to the diesel engine and an exhaust gas vent  224  for discharging exhaust gas from the engine. In detail, the air vent  220  and the exhaust gas vent  224  are provided with adjustable louvered shutters. A manual hatch door  222 , on side  22   a  of the casing  22 , provides access to the generator system  120 . 
         [0063]    The three main component elements—the air treatment unit  40 , the water treatment unit  100  with the chiller unit  80 ; and the generator system  120 ; are designed as modular components. Each modular component has a length of about 4 meters. The modular design of the present invention provides a great deal of flexibility. The above noted three main component elements can be placed in casing  22  in various combinations as needed. This permits a convenient modular approach to fabricating each atmospheric water generation system  20 . 
         [0064]    Furthermore, in some embodiments, for example, where a generator system  120  is not required within casing  22  due to the availability of line power from a central electrical generating system, the generator system  120  may be omitted and a second air treatment unit  40  and a water treatment unit  100  may be located in the container  22  to increase water output. 
         [0065]    Appropriate inspection doors and hatches  206 ,  208 ,  210  allow access to the various components of the air treatment unit. 
         [0066]    All the louvers, doors, and hatches are closed when the system  20  is transported or when dust storms or other bad weather events occur to protect the system components and they can then be opened when the system is operated. 
         [0067]    The operation of the atmospheric water generation system  20  is controlled by an appropriate control system which coordinates the operation of the system components and collects and acts on data collected by sensors in the system. 
         [0068]    From the above disclosure it is evident that the atmospheric water generation system  20  is easily transported using existing intermodal transport systems. It can be supplied in a self contained system that can be delivered to disaster sites such as areas devastated by floods, tsunamis, or other disasters which disrupt water supplies. It can be transported to tropical locations such as islands and to remote areas in need of water. 
         [0069]    The present invention is therefore a new and nonobvious invention that can assist in providing clean water resources to the parts of the world where water is badly needed. 
         [0070]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.