Abstract:
An apparatus and system for the generation of potable water from air. The apparatus includes a ventilation fan for moving air into and through the apparatus; a gas compressor for compressing and cooling a refrigerant gas; at least one venturi radiator fin for receiving the compressed gas and cooling surrounding air; and a reservoir for collecting potable water condensed from the cooled air. The system may include several of the apparatus.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for the generation of potable water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The availability of potable water has been identified as one of the largest problems facing mankind into the future. As the human population grows and the effects of long term climate change occur, it is foreseen that potable water will become increasingly scarce. 
         [0003]    It is predicted that climate change will cause rainfall patterns to change, causing rain to fall in different areas than it has historically. As such, large centres of population, such as cities, may find that their water supply is affected. This phenomenon has been experienced in the South West corner of Western Australia over the previous two decades, wherein the average rainfall received in the period is significantly less than the historical average. 
         [0004]    In response to the declining levels of rainfall, governments have begun to create infrastructure to either recycle water or to create potable water from non-potable supplies. Accordingly, there has been a large increase in the number of desalination plants currently being constructed, wherein sea water is desalinated to make potable water. 
         [0005]    Desalination and water recycling plants are expensive to build, though, and face significant operating expenses, particularly as most desalination plants operate using a reverse osmosis system. These systems are known to require significant amounts of electricity to operate. 
         [0006]    Recycled water plants commonly take water from sewage treatment plants, which has been treated to remove biological matter from the water. The water, after initial treatment, is often further treated using the same reverse osmosis as a desalination plant to subsequently remove additional impurities from the treated water. As such, water from recycled water plants is also expensive in terms of the amount of energy involved in removing biological matter and further purifying the water. 
         [0007]    Recycled water is also often viewed negatively by consumers due to the stigma attached to drinking water from a sewage process. 
         [0008]    The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous systems for generating potable water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for the generation of potable water characterised in that it comprises: 
         [0010]    a ventilation fan for moving air into and through the apparatus; 
         [0011]    a gas compressor for compressing and cooling a refrigerant gas; 
         [0012]    at least one venturi radiator in for receiving the compressed gas and cooling surrounding air; and 
         [0013]    a reservoir for collecting potable water condensed from the cooled air. 
         [0014]    Condensate from the cooled air may form on the at least one venturi radiator fin in water droplets until they reach sufficient size to fall from the fin to be collected in the reservoir. 
         [0015]    The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchanger which is in fluid communication with the compressor, for receiving fluid heated by the operation of the compressor and heating the air. 
         [0016]    The air heated by the heat exchanger may be at a substantially similar temperature to the air moved into the apparatus by the ventilation fan, before it is cooled. 
         [0017]    The apparatus may further comprise an inlet air filter for reducing or eliminating particulate matter from entering the apparatus or reservoir. 
         [0018]    The apparatus may further comprising an outlet air filter for reducing or eliminating particulate matter from exiting the apparatus. 
         [0019]    The air moved by the ventilation fan may be substantially laminar as it passes the at least one venturi radiator fin. 
         [0020]    The apparatus may further comprise a means for connection to any type of electrical energy for powering the apparatus. 
         [0021]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for the generation of potable water comprising a plurality of apparatus, each apparatus characterised by: 
         [0022]    a ventilation fan for moving air into and through the apparatus; 
         [0023]    a gas compressor for compressing and cooling a refrigerant gas; 
         [0024]    at least one venturi radiator fin for receiving the compressed gas and cooling surrounding air; and 
         [0025]    a reservoir for collecting potable water condensed from the cooled air. 
         [0026]    The system may be mounted within a rotatable housing for orientating the system in accordance with atmospheric conditions. 
         [0027]    The system according to claim  10 , characterised in that it may be orientated toward prevailing wind fur additional air flow through the plurality of apparatus. 
         [0028]    The system may comprise a means for generating electricity for powering the plurality of apparatus. 
         [0029]    The means for generating electricity may comprise a heat motor. 
         [0030]    The means for generating electricity may comprise one or more solar panels. 
         [0031]    The system ay comprise a reservoir for capturing water generated by the system. 
         [0032]    The system may comprise control electronics for controlling the operation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an apparatus for generating potable water in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a system for generating potable water in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    Referring to the Figures, there is shown an apparatus  10  for the generation of potable water. The apparatus  10  comprises a compressor  12  for compressing a refrigerant gas, a heat exchanger  16  comprising a radiator  18  and a plurality of venturi radiator fins  20  and a reservoir  22  for the collection of potable water. The compressor  12  is in fluid communication  14  with the heat exchanger  16 . 
         [0037]    The apparatus  10  further comprises a ventilation fan  23  for controlling the flow of air into and out of the frame  24  of the apparatus  10 . Additionally, inlet filter  26  and outlet filter  28  may be fitted to the frame  24  to ensure particulate matter does not enter the apparatus  10  or the reservoir  22 . The apparatus  10  may further comprise an energy source  30  of any suitable known type. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a system  100  in accordance with the present invention. The system  100  comprises a plurality of apparatus  10  arranged within a structure  110 . As necessary, the structure  110  may include ladders, gantries and access ways  112  to allow maintenance of the plurality of apparatus  10 . 
         [0039]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the structure  110  is mounted on a plurality of rollers  114 . The structure  110  is further connected to a means of providing rotational torque such as an electrical motor to provide locomotion for the structure  110 . 
         [0040]    The structure  100  is preferably mounted over a reservoir  118  for capturing and storing water, with each of the plurality of apparatus  10  housed within the structure  110  being in fluid communication with the reservoir  118  such that any water generated by the apparatus  10  may freely flow to the reservoir  118 . 
         [0041]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system  100  further comprises control electronics (not shown). The control electronics may be housed in a separate location to the structure  110  or inside the structure  110  depending upon operational requirements. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the system  100  further comprises a means (not shown) for generating electrical energy for its own consumption. The means  122  for generating electrical energy may take the form of any device or groups of devices capable of delivering sufficient electrical energy for the system  100  to operate. 
         [0043]    In use, the apparatus  10  is connected to a source of electrical energy  30 . The source of electrical energy maybe a regular mains power supply or, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a solar energy system. The apparatus  10  draws electrical energy from the source  30  to power the compressor  12 . The compressor  12  acts to compress a refrigerant gas as commonly known in the field of refrigeration or air conditioners. 
         [0044]    The gas compressor  12  compresses the refrigerant gas causing the refrigerant gas to cool in a manner which would be easily understood to a skilled person. The compressed refrigerant gas is forced under pressure into the venturi fins  20 . The refrigerant gas acts to cool the venturi fins  20 . 
         [0045]    The ventilation fan  23  is started and draws air from outside in through the inlet air filter  26 . Air is drawn from the atmosphere surrounding the apparatus  10  through and past the venturi fins  20 . 
         [0046]    As the venturi fins  20  have been chilled by the refrigerant gas passing through them, as the air passes the venturi fins  20 , the air itself is cooled. As will be apparent, the cooling of the air causes water vapour from the atmosphere to condense. The condensation forms water droplets which would collect on the venturi fins  20  until such time as they obtain a sufficient size and therein fall down the venturi fins  20  to be collected in the reservoir  22 . 
         [0047]    As the compressor  12  is run, it generates heat through its normal operation. The heat exchanger  16  takes heated fluid, through the fluid communication means  14 , from the compressor  12 . As the air cooled through its passage by the chilled venturi fins  20  passes through the heat exchanger  16 , the air is heated again. Finally, the heated air then passes the ventilation fan  23  and is forced through the outlet air filter  28 . 
         [0048]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air passing through the outlet filter  28  is at substantially the same temperature as the air drawn through the inlet filter  26 . This provides the advantage that it is possible to regulate the temperature of the compressor  12  such that it operates at its maximum efficiency level in terms of temperature. 
         [0049]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation fan  23  is arranged to be separated from the venturi fins  20  sufficiently such that the flow of air generated by the ventilation fan  23  is substantially laminar as it passes the venturi fins  20 . 
         [0050]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the operation of the system  100  will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The system  100  comprises a plurality of apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention. The arrangement of the apparatus  10  can be made to any size and shape and is housed within a structure  110 . 
         [0051]    The operation of the system  100  is controlled by known control electronics in a manner which would be understood by a skilled person. The control electronics control all aspects of operation, from those of the apparatus  10  that are operating; to controlling the orientation of the structure  110 . 
         [0052]    Preferably the structure  110  is arranged such that the inlet side of the plurality of apparatus  10  are directed toward the prevailing wind direction in accordance with atmospheric conditions. It has been found that, in this way, additional air flow through the apparatus  10  is achieved, leading to improved water generation. 
         [0053]    The structure  110  is mounted on a number of rollers  114  which are arranged to allow the structure  110  to be rotated about a point The structure  100  is in communication with a means of providing a rotational torque such as an electric motor, for providing the necessary forces to rotate the structure  110 . It should be apparent that this process need not be completed in response to small shifts in the wind direction but in response to major wind directions changes. 
         [0054]    The system  100  also comprises a means for generating electrical energy, or may be connected directly to a base load power grid. The energy generation means provides electrical power for the operation of the plurality of apparatus  10  and to the means for providing rotational torque. 
         [0055]    Each of the plurality of apparatus  10  are controlled by the control electronics, such that they operate at their ideal efficiency, both in terms of climatic conditions and also in controlling usage to ensure that each of the apparatus  10  operate for approximately the same amount of time. 
         [0056]    As will be apparent, the ladders, gantries and access ways  112  are provided to allow workers to perform maintenance on the plurality of apparatus  10 . The control electronics are able to continue operation of the system while maintenance is being performed. 
         [0057]    Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.