Method and apparatus for generating drinking water by condensing air humidity

Abstract

A system and method are shown which utilize a hybrid mechanical and evaporative air conditioning system to produce potable drinking while cooling an enclosure. The system operates on direct current, making it suitable for use in areas effected by natural disaster, power outage, or simply rural locations without access to electricity. The conditioning system includes both evaporative air conditioning and mechanical air conditioning functioning components to produce a water discharge. The system is operated to cool an enclosure. A portion of the water discharge is then drawn off and purified for use as drinking water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 10 / 963,188, filed Oct. 12, 2004, entitled “Cooling Assembly”, presently pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to low powered air conditioning systems, and in particular, to a low power air conditioning system capable of running on direct current which is also capable of generating potable drinking water from humidity in the air. The system can be used in such irregularly powered locations as those that are affected by natural disaster or power blackouts and, in addition to cooling, produce potable drinking water. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Heat in tropical and semi-tropical regions is usually accompanied by extremes of high humidity, especially at low altitude where the geographic features include bayous, marshlands, swamps, shallow lakes, heavy veget...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention seeks to provide an alternative evaporative air conditioning unit that is capable of producing potable drinking while cooling an enclosure. The system is able to effectively function on direct current, making it ideal for use in areas effected by natural disaster, power outage, or simply rural locations without access to electricity.

[0023] Water in the cold water sump is refrigerated by the refrigeration compressor located in the top section of the design. Cold water from the cold water sump is introduced into the evaporative cooling chamber through a distribution header. The cold water saturates an evaporative media which surrounds or otherwise contacts the riser tubes in the cooling chamber. Air is introduced into the cooling chamber by means of oppositely arranged fans mounted on sidewalls of the cooling chamber which create a turbulent air flow in the cooling chamber and which enhance the evaporative cooling process. Cooled air from the cooling chamber can be discharged through a suitable duct to the interior of the structure to be cooled.

[0026] The present invention therefore has as a primary aim to provide purified, potable drinking water while operating as an air conditioning unit. The excess discharge water that is generated during the air conditioning process is filtered and can be channeled through a fluid conduit directly into a water cooler, if desired. In one version of the device, the air conditioning system of the invention has been used to produce up to about a gallon and a half of purified, potable drinking water every day in addition to providing indoor cooling for an inhabited structure. The system requires low power input to operate, and is capable of functioning on direct current, allowing the system to be ideal for locations experiencing irregular power distribution or blackouts. The direct current power source may be a battery, or in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a solar panel which may be used to charge a storage battery.

Problems solved by technology

Generally, natural freshwater resources are scarce or limited in very hot and humid arid areas by or near shorelines due to low precipitation and rainfall and high salinity of underground water.

Shortage in supply of potable water and freshwater is increasing at a vast rate as deserts expand and overtake fertile land and as many of the existing water resources are being depleted.

Global weather patterns in recent years have, in some cases, resulted in a drop in the rate of rainfall in many populated areas.

In addition, large cities are expanding at a fast pace, swallowing neighboring villages and small towns, leading to drastic change in the lifestyle of inhabitants.

The shift from rural to urban lifestyle has, in many cases, forced people to live in crowded housing and congested apartments with no or little opportunities to fresh air, thus suffering from stuffiness, heat and humidity, and being more exposed to an increasing shortage of freshwater supply.

Historically, power outages can have devastating effects on residential populations such as apartment dwellings that require electricity to power, among other things, air conditioning units that primarily run on AC.

Blackouts are especially dangerous in high temperature environments where extended exposure to the heat for long periods of time may result in adverse health conditions.

Children and elderly are especially vulnerable to extreme heat conditions, wherein heat related sickness such as heat strokes can cause serious health detriment or even death.

Therefore a problem exists with current air conditioning technology, which is primarily based on powering units by AC, as users of these units are susceptible to power outages.

There are numerous reasons for power failures, such as defects in a power station, damage to a power line or other part of the distribution system, a short circuit, or the overloading of electricity mains.

In addition to the problem of power outages and the need to supply air conditioning in hot environments, the problem of supplying drinking water often goes hand in hand, particularly in the area of natural disaster.

In the event of serious natural disasters, access to freshwater needed for drinking purposes can be limited or even completely eliminated for long periods of time.

This can have a devastating effect on residential communities located within the region of the disaster, whereby purifying and providing potable water may pose serious health threats.

However, this activity is not always efficient in getting the drinking water to those who need it the most.

In addition, this process is not energy efficient due to transport and labor needed to execute properly.

Water quality in areas for which freshwater can be transported from natural or man-made resources is often lower than the standards for drinking water quality due to exposure to contamination during handling, transport and storage in water tanks on top of buildings, thus forcing the residents to use bottled water.

The transportation of loads of freshwater is costly and exposes the water to contamination en route and during handling and storage.

Also, reliance on bottled water is expensive for the average consumer.

However, these type systems also do not relate to the present invention since they are generally not capable of performing economically within compact structures.

However, to the best of Applicant's knowledge, none of the prior art-references disclose modifications of those units that enhance cooling while increasing of freshwater output of the units by condensation of outdoor atmospheric humidity.

Rather, the condensate and drainage that come from such units has generally been limited to watering of flower beds, lawns and similar limited applications.

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