Apparatus and Method For Generating Water From an Air Stream

Abstract

An apparatus and method for generating water from an air stream is disclosed. The apparatus has an inlet for receiving an air stream, a condensing element located in the air stream, a collector for gathering water vapor condensate that is formed on the condensing element when the condensing element temperature drops below the dew point temperature of the ambient air stream, and an ozone generator that precisely generates ozone required to disinfect the water vapor condensate. In some embodiments of the invention, the ozone is also added to the air stream for disinfecting the air stream and associated elements of the apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 814,884 filed on Jun. 20, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to generating water from water vapor in ambient air, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for generating water from water vapor in ambient air using an ozone generator for disinfection. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Water may be generated from ambient air by condensing water vapor. In general, ambient air may contain contaminants, including particulate matter, moulds, spores, mites, volatile organic compounds, and other such contaminants. If these contaminants are not removed from the air or the generated water, the resulting water product that has been generated from ambient air may be contaminated. [0006] One particular challenge in operating any practical water gener...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus for generating water from an air stream. It includes a condensing element that reaches a temperature below the dew point of the air stream, a collector to gather the water vapor condensate that forms on the condensing element, an ozone generator that uses a portion of the water vapor condensate to generate ozone, and a reservoir to mix the generated ozone with the water vapor condensate. The ozone can also be added to the air stream for disinfecting it and its associated elements."

Problems solved by technology

If these contaminants are not removed from the air or the generated water, the resulting water product that has been generated from ambient air may be contaminated.

One particular challenge in operating any practical water generation system is to combat the growth of biological contaminants that may not have been removed by filtering or other treatment processes.

In particular, some water generation systems suffer from formation of black mould in water reservoirs and tubing.

In less developed countries, the water supply is often rudimentary or even non-existent and diseases are commonly spread through contaminated drinking water.

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