Structure and method for the collection of an evaporated fluid

Abstract

A structure for the collection of an evaporated fluid is disclosed. The structure may include a reservoir for holding a liquid. The reservoir may have an open end, and an enclosure mounted about the open end of the reservoir for entrapping a fluid evaporated from the reservoir. The enclosure may include a support structure, and a tensionable covering supported by the support structure. The structure also may include a collector for collecting condensate from the covering, the collector being mounted to the support structure, intermediate the support structure and the covering, and oriented to receive condensate moved by gravity along the covering. A tensioning apparatus may be employed for tensioning the covering about the collector to encourage the condensate to engage the collector. The condensate may then be transported within the collector to a desired location.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a structure and method for the collection of an evaporated fluid, and is concerned with treating fluids, for example by distillation, to make them potable or usable for the production of foodstuffs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There may be an over abundance of carbon dioxide in some or all of the planet. For example, glaciers may be melting faster than desired with the possibility of world wide flooding in some coastal areas. Additionally, there may be water shortages for drinking and agricultural irrigation, and deforestation which may cause less carbon dioxide to be absorbed by vegetation. Further, a reduction in arable land may compound difficulties in food production. Similarly, overgrazing of existing land may in turn expands the desert area world wide.[0003]Fluids, in particular water, have been processed and cleaned through a variety of known processes. For example, water has been purified or desalinated by the use of d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In an embodiment, a spacer may be included to inhibit significant movement of the arcuate trough when the tensioning apparatus is tensioned, and a portion of the edge may be encouraged to abut the tensionable covering to facilitate transmission of condensate from the covering into the collector.

[0014]In an embodiment, the structure may include at least one fan for encouraging formation of the condensate upon the covering.

Problems solved by technology

For example, glaciers may be melting faster than desired with the possibility of world wide flooding in some coastal areas.

Additionally, there may be water shortages for drinking and agricultural irrigation, and deforestation which may cause less carbon dioxide to be absorbed by vegetation.

Further, a reduction in arable land may compound difficulties in food production.

Similarly, overgrazing of existing land may in turn expands the desert area world wide.

Existing systems of treatment of water have tended to be expensive when large amounts of water are to be treated or collected.

Difficulty has also been found in collecting any fluid that has been evaporated in an attempt to purify it.

Other systems that have been built may lack portability and / or the ability to locate such systems in unforgiving environments, such as in a desert.

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