Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for gas management of metal-air batteries. Each one of a plurality of electrochemical cells may include at least one air electrode, a metal electrode, a vessel, and a liquid electrolyte between the at least one air electrode and the metal electrode in the vessel, with each one of the plurality of electrochemical cells defining a respective headspace above the liquid electrolyte in the vessel. A manifold may include ducting defining a shared vent and an outlet region, and the respective headspace of each one of the plurality of electrochemical cells may be fluidically coupled to the shared vent and in fluid communication with the outlet region of the ducting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing water from process gas are provided herein. The systems include a water generating system that adjusts the pressure and temperature conditions surrounding a hygroscopic material in order to release water vapor generated by exposure of the hygroscopic material to the process gas.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for producing liquid water from ambient air. In certain embodiments, a system includes a regeneration fluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid and a thermal unit configured to heat the regeneration fluid. The system can further include a continuous desiccant unit that comprises an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, as well as a batch desiccant unit that includes a regeneration inlet and a batch desiccant housing. The batch desiccant housing can include a batch desiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air, a batch desiccant outlet configured to output a batch output fluid, and a batch desiccant material. A condenser unit can be configured to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid, and the system can maximize a water production rate of the condenser unit based on an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid.

Abstract: Systems for generation of liquid water are provided. In embodiments, the systems comprise a thermal desiccant unit comprising a porous hygroscopic material located within a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a working fluid that accumulates heat and water vapor upon flowing from fluid inlet of the housing, through the porous hygroscopic material, and to the fluid outlet of the housing, a condenser comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for condensing water vapor from the working fluid; an enthalpy exchange unit operatively coupled between the thermal desiccant unit and the condenser, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the thermal desiccant unit and the working fluid input to the thermal desiccant unit, and, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the condenser and the working fluid input to the condenser.

Abstract: Systems for generation of liquid water are provided. In embodiments, the systems comprise a thermal desiccant unit comprising a porous hygroscopic material located within a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a working fluid that accumulates heat and water vapor upon flowing from fluid inlet of the housing, through the porous hygroscopic material, and to the fluid outlet of the housing, a condenser comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for condensing water vapor from the working fluid; an enthalpy exchange unit operatively coupled between the thermal desiccant unit and the condenser, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the thermal desiccant unit and the working fluid input to the thermal desiccant unit, and, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the condenser and the working fluid input to the condenser.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for producing liquid water from ambient air. In certain embodiments, a system includes a regeneration fluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid and a thermal unit configured to heat the regeneration fluid. The system can further include a continuous desiccant unit that comprises an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, as well as a batch desiccant unit that includes a regeneration inlet and a batch desiccant housing. The batch desiccant housing can include a batch desiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air, a batch desiccant outlet configured to output a batch output fluid, and a batch desiccant material. A condenser unit can be configured to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid, and the system can maximize a water production rate of the condenser unit based on an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing production and distribution of liquid water extracted from air. In certain embodiments, a system is provided that includes a plurality of local water generation units (110) including a first local water generation unit and a second local water generation unit. The first and second water generation units each include a controller that is configured to control a production rate of liquid water extracted from the air, a local water collection unit, and a local transceiver. A principal water supply unit (120) is in fluid communication with at least one of the local water collection units. The principal water supply unit is configured to store at least part of the liquid water extracted from the air and to maintain a principal water level at a reservoir of the principal water supply unit based on one or more operational parameters for water distribution.

Abstract: Systems for generation of liquid water are provided. In embodiments, the systems comprise a thermal desiccant unit comprising a porous hygroscopic material located within a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a working fluid that accumulates heat and water vapor upon flowing from fluid inlet of the housing, through the porous hygroscopic material, and to the fluid outlet of the housing, a condenser comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for condensing water vapor from the working fluid; an enthalpy exchange unit operatively coupled between the thermal desiccant unit and the condenser, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the thermal desiccant unit and the working fluid input to the thermal desiccant unit, and, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the condenser and the working fluid input to the condenser.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for producing liquid water from ambient air. In certain embodiments, a system includes a regeneration fluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid and a thermal unit configured to heat the regeneration fluid. The system can further include a continuous desiccant unit that comprises an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, as well as a batch desiccant unit that includes a regeneration inlet and a batch desiccant housing. The batch desiccant housing can include a batch desiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air, a batch desiccant outlet configured to output a batch output fluid, and a batch desiccant material. A condenser unit can be configured to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid, and the system can maximize a water production rate of the condenser unit based on an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing production and distribution of liquid water extracted from air. A system is provided that includes a plurality of local water generation units including a first local water generation unit and a second local water generation unit. The first and second water generation units each include a controller that is configured to control a production rate of liquid water extracted from the air, a local water collection unit, and a local transceiver. A principal water supply unit is in fluid communication with at least one of the local water collection units. The principal water supply unit is configured to store at least part of the liquid water extracted from the air and to maintain a principal water level at a reservoir of the principal water supply unit based on one or more operational parameters for water distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing water from process gas are provided herein. The systems include a water generating system that adjusts the pressure and temperature conditions surrounding a hygroscopic material in order to release water vapor generated by exposure of the hygroscopic material to the process gas.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing water to a user for consumption. Systems of the present disclosure can include a water management system including one or more a water treatment flow path for receiving source water, disinfection unit(s), additive unit(s), sensor(s) for maintaining various water conditions. Additionally, water management, treatment and/or storage systems including controller(s) and associated methods of operating are also described for dispensing water to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing water from process gas are provided herein. The systems include a water generating system that adjusts the pressure and temperature conditions surrounding a hygroscopic material in order to release water vapor generated by exposure of the hygroscopic material to the process gas.

Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing production and distribution of liquid water extracted from air. In certain embodiments, a system is provided that includes a plurality of local water generation units (110) including a first local water generation unit and a second local water generation unit. The first and second water generation units each include a controller that is configured to control a production rate of liquid water extracted from the air, a local water collection unit, and a local transceiver. A principal water supply unit (120) is in fluid communication with at least one of the local water collection units. The principal water supply unit is configured to store at least part of the liquid water extracted from the air and to maintain a principal water level at a reservoir of the principal water supply unit based on one or more operational parameters for water distribution.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an oxidant reduction electrode module containing an oxidant reduction electrode mounted to a housing to form a gaseous oxidant space therein that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium. A fuel electrode is spaced from the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the ionically conductive medium may conduct ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A gaseous oxidant channel extending through the gaseous oxidant space provides a supply of oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the fuel electrode and the oxidant reduction electrode are configured to, during discharge, oxidize the metal fuel at the fuel electrode and reduce the oxidant at the oxidant reduction electrode, to generate a discharge potential difference therebetween for application to a load.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. A controller is configured to apply an electrical current between charging electrode(s) and a fuel electrode with the charging electrode(s) functioning as an anode and the fuel electrode functioning as a cathode, such that reducible metal fuel ions in the ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on the fuel electrode. The controller may selectively apply current to a charging electrode and third electrode between fuel electrodes of separate cells to increase uniformity of the metal fuel being electrodeposited on the fuel electrode. The controller controls a number of switches to apply current to the electrodes and select different modes for the system. Also provided are methods for charging and discharging an electrochemical cell system, and selecting different modes.

Abstract: Systems for generation of liquid water are provided. In embodiments, the systems comprise a thermal desiccant unit comprising a porous hygroscopic material located within a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a working fluid that accumulates heat and water vapor upon flowing from fluid inlet of the housing, through the porous hygroscopic material, and to the fluid outlet of the housing, a condenser comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for condensing water vapor from the working fluid; an enthalpy exchange unit operatively coupled between the thermal desiccant unit and the condenser, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the thermal desiccant unit and the working fluid input to the thermal desiccant unit, and, wherein the enthalpy exchange unit transfers enthalpy between the working fluid output from the condenser and the working fluid input to the condenser.