Systems and methods for extracting and purifying water from groundwater sources

Abstract

Systems and methods for water extraction and purification are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes at least one water lifting unit that fluidly communicates with a groundwater source, and a gas generator that is fluidly coupled to the at least one water lifting unit to generate a gas that buoyantly moves water from the groundwater source to a water consumer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 488,206, filed Jul. 18, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to water extraction and processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for extracting and purifying water recovered from a groundwater source.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Although water occupies a substantial portion of the Earth's surface, a relatively small portion (approximately about one percent) of this water is fresh water. Of that portion, even less is immediately suitable for human consumption. In most cases, the available fresh water must be recovered and suitably processed in order to eliminate dangerous water borne pathogens that may be present. In most developed nations of the world, water treatment and pumping plants are generally available to recover the water from surface or subterranean sources and to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about systems and methods for extracting and purifying water. It includes a device that pulls water from the ground and a device that generates gas to push the water to a person or machine that needs it.

Problems solved by technology

Of that portion, even less is immediately suitable for human consumption.

In contrast, in the developing nations of the world, safe drinking water is typically unavailable due to economic as well as climatic reasons.

For example, constructing and maintaining suitable water treatment and pumping plants is not economically obtainable in most cases due to the relatively high cost associated with these plants.

Moreover, since many portions of the developing world are typically arid, the only suitable water is available from deep groundwater sources that are relatively expensive to exploit, due to the relatively deep well that must be drilled, and the large pumping plant that is required to extract useable volumes of water.

Unfortunately, water obtained from shallow groundwater sources is generally of a low bacteriological quality (e.g., having a relatively high bacteriological concentration).

Accordingly, many persons in the developing world do not have access to adequate amounts of safe drinking water, which has adversely affected the state of public health in these regions.

For example, drinking water of substandard quality has significantly contributed to infant mortality in the developing world.

Sterile intravenous set-ups and nurses and / or physicians to administer them are all too scarce in rural Africa.

This is often very difficult, or even impossible since transporting the sick child through rural areas of African countries may not be possible.

Still further, since babies dehydrate so quickly, the child often will die while being transported to the hospital or clinic.

Accordingly, in the unlikely event that the child survives by receiving adequate care, the child may become infected again quite soon, if a new source of clean water is not found.

The cost associated with establishing deep wells is very high, often in the range of approximately about $20,000 (USD).

Moreover, deep wells further require powerful submersible pumps to extract water from the well.

Accordingly, large amounts of electrical power are required, which is generally scarce in underdeveloped regions.

Obviously, the necessary engineering support is generally also unavailable in underdeveloped regions, such as rural Africa.

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