Method and apparatus for collecting atmospheric moisture
A number of apparatii for condensing water from the atmosphere are described, whereby atmospheric air is drawn through an enclosed space and moisture condenses on plates or similar contained within the enclosed space and subsequently collected. Most of the apparatii include means to increase the flow of air through the enclosed space to increase the efficiency of moisture collection. A typical apparatus includes a body (11) supporting condenser plates (15) of conical or frusto-conical configuration. Extractor fans, the operation of which are controlled by humidity sensing switches and temperature sensors, provide the increased flow. To promote condensation, typically, cooling ducts (49) are provided through which air-conditioned cool air is passed.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for collecting moisture from the atmosphere.
BACKGROUND ARTWater for communities is generally provided by means of large scale reticulation systems where water is collected in dams and distributed to users. Alternatively, users can themselves provide for water collection by means of tanks which collect water off roofs or other surfaces. Because of changing climatic conditions however, the reliability of conventional water supplies is lessening with the result that, in many communities, water restrictions are in place which limit the volumes of water which can be used or the manner of water use.
It is known that large quantities of water are contained in the atmosphere measured by humidity and various condensation systems in the past have been proposed for recovering water from the atmosphere. The systems which have been proposed however have not proved to be particularly efficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention thus aims to provide improved methods and means for collecting water from the atmosphere. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.
The present invention thus provides in one preferred aspect a method of collecting water from the atmosphere, said method including:
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- arranging in an enclosed space a plurality of condenser members upon which moisture can condense;
- exposing said enclosed space to said atmosphere;
- providing flow means for increasing flow of air from said atmosphere through said enclosed space such that moisture in said atmosphere will condense upon said condenser members; and
- providing collection means for collecting thus condensed said moisture.
The present invention provides in a further preferred aspect an apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
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- a body defining an enclosed space;
- a plurality of downwardly angled condenser members within said enclosed space upon which moisture can condense, said enclosed space communicating with said atmosphere;
- flow means for increasing flow of air from said atmosphere through said enclosed space; and
- collection means for collecting thus condensed said moisture.
In a first form, the flow means for increasing air throughput is provided by an air exhaust extraction system. Suitably, the air exhaust extraction is undertaken at or near the base of the apparatus. Preferably the air exhaust extraction system includes one or more extractor fans. In isolated locations, the extractor fan/s may be powered directly by solar cells or from batteries charged by solar cells. Alternatively, where available, mains power may be used for driving the extractor fan/s.
Preferably, control means are provided to maximise air throughput as the humidity decreases. Such control means may function automatically and may comprise one or more humidity control switches which switch in one or more extractor fans as the humidity decreases. The control means may also be associated with temperature sensing means such that hot air is not passed through the system thereby reducing efficiency of operation of the condenser members.
Circulation means may also be provided for circulating cold air about or inside the apparatus. Cold air may be provided by an air-conditioning unit or other cold air source. Suitably, cold air is provided through a closed circuit system. The closed circuit system may comprise air ducts. The air ducts may be provided with heat exchange means to maximise heat transfer. The heat exchange means may comprise fine associated with the ducts. The circulation means may also be powered by solar cells or mains power.
Other means may also be provided to maximise flow of air. Such means may include a pressure means to alter pressure within the apparatus to increase air flow. Such pressure means may be a venture.
The body of the apparatus may comprise a tank-like structure arranged in an upright configuration. In a further form, the enclosed space may be defined by an inclined body such that condensed water flows towards the lowermost end of the body for collection.
The condenser members may be arranged in any suitable orientation within the enclosed space. In one form, the condenser members may be arranged in rows. Condenser members in one row may be arranged in an opposite inclination of the condenser members in an adjacent row and the space between the rows may define a water flow passage such that water or moisture condensing on the condenser members will flow down the members and into the water flow passage for collection. The condenser members may be arranged in concentric rows.
In a further preferred aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
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- a body defining an enclosed space;
- a plurality of downwardly angled condenser members within said enclosed space upon which moisture may condense, said enclosed space communicating with said atmosphere; and
- collection means for collecting thus condensed said moisture.
The condenser members may be of a conical or frusto-conical configuration.
The condenser members may be of circular cross section, of rectangular cross section or of any other suitable cross section.
In one form, the condenser members may be supported at spaced apart positions along respective central support members. The support members may be hollow to define flow passages through which moisture condensing on the condenser members may pass for collection.
Typically, the angle of inclination of the condenser members is 45 degrees, however this angle may be varied.
In yet a further preferred aspect, the present invention provides apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
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- an elongated chamber defining an enclosed space, said elongated chamber being inclined to the horizontal;
- a plurality of condenser members upon which moisture can condense within said enclosed space;
- an air inlet and an air outlet communicating said chamber with said atmosphere; and
- collection means at the lower most end of said chamber for collecting condensed said moisture.
Preferably, cooling means are provided to cool the chamber and/or condenser members within the chamber. Such means may comprise cold air tubes within the chamber. The tubes may be located adjacent to the condenser members. Preferably, the cold air tubes are supplied with cold air from an air-conditioning unit. The cold air tubes are preferably arranged within a closed circuit with the air-conditioning unit.
Preferably, to enhance condensation of moisture on the condenser members, they may be coated with zircon, zeolite or similar hydrophilic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention wherein;
FIGS. 20 to 22 illustrate alternative condenser configurations;
Referring to the drawings and firstly to
In use, moisture carried by air circulating through the tank 11 by means of the air inlets 12 and 13 will condense on the condenser plates 15 and be directed by the inclined plates 15 towards the central flow passage 16 to collect in the bottom of the tank 11. A water outlet 17 is provided in the bottom of the tank 11 at a level such that some water remains in the tank 11 to act as a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the air within the tank 11 and promote further condensation. To improve moisture collection, air flow through the tank 11 may be enhanced by the use of a fan or other air flow inducing means.
Arranged within the tank 19 are condenser assemblies 33 which are of similar configuration to that of
The panels or plates 34 as also shown in
The side walls 19, however, as shown in
The tank 19 is also provided with a central strut 39 which extends between the roof 22 and base 28, the strut 39 being extendable to expand the base and roof to allow central drainage of water.
The tank 19 as shown in
To maximise water collection, extractor fans may be provide at the bottom outlets 31 of the tank 19. The extractor fans may be powered by solar panels either directly or through rechargeable batteries. Humidity switches may be provided on or adjacent to the tank 19 such that when the humidity drops below a certain level, such as 65% humidity, the switches switch on to start the extractor fans and exhaust dry cool air. Exhaustion of the dry cool air would result in further air from the atmosphere being introduced into the tank 19 and therefore not only increase the flow of air but maximise water collection. Further, the exhausted cool air could be recycled to pre-cool the subsequent incoming air from the atmosphere. This system may be interlocked with a temperature control system to ensure that no great quantity of hot air is introduced into the tank and thereby disrupt the water collection process.
A typical arrangement of extracting dry cool air from the tank 19 is shown in
The chamber 43 as shown in
To promote the condensation of moisture on the condenser plates or panels 47, a series of cooling ducts 49 may be provided in a closed circuit, the ducts 49 extending along the length of the chamber 43 and adjacent the inner side of the walls 46 of the chamber 43 as shown more clearly in
Referring now to
An air conditioning unit 55 is located at one end of the chamber 54 and a plurality of interconnected air supply ducts and air return ducts 56 are provided along the inner walls of the chamber 54, in the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In use, the chamber 54 is inclined to the horizontal such that the water outlet 62 is located lowermost. In this attitude, convection air flows through the chamber 54 from the air inlets 59 to the outlets 60 which will also promote condensation of moisture on the plates or panels 58. This is further encouraged by the cooling effect of the cold air flowing through the ducts 56 adjacent the plates or panels 58. Moisture condensing on the plates or panels 58 will drip onto the collection panel 61 or the lower inner surface of the chamber 54 for passage to the water outlet 62.
Referring now to
The condenser panels or plates 67 may typically be of the form shown in
The units 66 may be arranged in any configuration, for example, in buildings 71 and 72 of circular or rectangular cross section as shown in
Typically, and as shown in
In each of the above described systems, the condenser plates may be at steeper or less steep angles from that described. The moisture collection systems as described above may be provided in various sizes and may be made portable for various uses or erected on site in larger installations for supplying water to communities or for agricultural purposes. To avoid costs of pumping, the systems may be erected at an elevated location such as on mountains so that the collected water can be supplied by a gravity supply system. The extent of collection of water may be governed so that collection tanks or other storage devices are not required. Other benefits of the systems are that they would allow development of areas normally regarded as marginal such as deserts and also allow for rebuilding of underground water supplies.
Each of the described systems may incorporate air extraction fans or other means to increase air flow through the space containing the condenser members. Each system may also incorporate means to cool air within the space such as the described closed circuit air conditioning system. Each system may also include humidity control means which allows, or causes by the use of fans, for example the air extraction fans, greater air flow through the condenser space when humidity drops. Associated with the humidity control means may be a temperature control means which will prevent hot air flowing through the condenser space. Each system may be further adapted such that any exhausted cool air is recycled to pre-cool the subsequent incoming air.
Flow through the condenser space may be maximised by ventures or funnels at the upper end of the condenser space to slightly pressurise the condenser space and induce flow through the space. Pitot tube extraction may be used at the lower end of the condenser space to allow extraction of used dry air and its replacement by new incoming humid air.
It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are only exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1: An apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
- a body defining an enclosed space;
- a plurality of downwardly angled condenser members within said enclosed space upon which moisture can condense, said enclosed space communicating with said atmosphere;
- a circulation means for circulating cold air exterior and/or interior to said apparatus, said circulation means including an air-conditioning unit; and
- a collection means for collecting thus condensed said moisture
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cold air is provided through a closed circuit system.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said closed circuit system includes air ducts.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said air ducts include a heat exchange means.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said heat exchange means includes fins.
6-7. (canceled)
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes a flow means for increasing flow of air from said atmosphere through said enclosed space, said flow means including a pressure means to alter pressure within said apparatus to increase said flow of air.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said pressure means includes a venturi.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said body is of a substantially inclined configuration when said apparatus is in use.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said condenser members are arranged in rows.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said condenser members in one of said rows are arranged in an opposite inclination to the condenser members in another adjacent row of said rows, the space between said one row and said adjacent row defining a passage though which said thus condensed said moisture can flow.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said rows are concentric.
14. An apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
- a body defining an enclosed space;
- a plurality of downwardly angled condenser members within said enclosed space upon which moisture can condense, said enclosed space communicating with said atmosphere; and
- collection means for collecting thus condensed said moisture;
- characterised in that each of said condenser members is of a configuration selected from the group of conical, frusto-conical, and circular configurations.
15-16. (canceled)
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said condenser members are supported at spaced apart positions along respective central support members.
18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said support members is hollow to define a flow passage through which said condensed moisture can pass for subsequent collection.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said condenser members are downwardly angled 45 degrees.
20. An apparatus for collecting water from the atmosphere, said apparatus including:
- an elongated chamber defining an enclosed space, said elongated chamber being inclined to the horizontal when said apparatus is in use;
- cooling means to cool said chamber;
- a plurality of condenser members upon which moisture can condense within said enclosed space;
- an air inlet and an air outlet communicating said chamber with said atmosphere; and
- collection means at one end of said chamber for collecting condensed said moisture.
21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein cooling means are also provided to cool said condenser members.
22. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said cooling means include cold air tubes within said chamber.
23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said cold air tubes are located adjacent to said condenser members.
24. An apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein cold air is supplied to said cold air tubes by an air-conditioning unit.
25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said cold air is provided through a closed circuit system.
26. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said condenser members are coated with zircon, zeolite or a similar hydrophilic material.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 25, 2003
Publication Date: Jun 1, 2006
Inventor: Peter Boyle (Allenstown)
Application Number: 10/529,068
International Classification: F25D 21/00 (20060101); F25D 21/14 (20060101);