Membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of water collection, in particular to a membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air. According to the membrane separation device for obtaining the water from the desert air, the multiple membrane separation mechanisms are connected to the air filtering mechanism, and the multiple membrane separation mechanisms communicate with one another through the pipelines; the membrane separation mechanism comprises a membrane shell, the membrane shell is filled with a plurality of polymer hollow fiber membranes through which water vapor preferentially permeates, a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a first air outlet and a second air outlet are formed in the membrane shell, and a pressure regulating mechanism is mounted between the first air outlet and the second air inlet; and the second air outlet is connected with a condensation mechanism, so that liquid water is obtained from air in an environment without a water source.

Description

A membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water harvesting technology, specifically to a membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the arid climate of deserts, natural rivers, groundwater, and rainfall are extremely scarce, almost negligible, posing significant obstacles and limitations to human and vegetation life. Currently, the most common approach is to collect and utilize moisture from the desert air. However, current equipment for filtering airborne moisture is often relatively simple in structure. While it can meet the need for filtration, its low efficiency makes it unsuitable for practical use. To address this issue, large-scale, high-efficiency air-water filtration devices have been developed, but these are bulky, inconvenient to use, and consume significant energy, resulting in high operating costs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a membrane separation device for extracting water from desert air to meet practical application requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air, comprising an air filtration mechanism, wherein a plurality of membrane separation mechanisms are connected to the air filtration mechanism, and the plurality of membrane separation mechanisms are interconnected through pipes; each membrane separation mechanism comprises a membrane shell, wherein a plurality of high molecular weight hollow fiber membranes that allow water vapor to pass through are filled inside the membrane shell, and the membrane shell is provided with a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, wherein a pressure regulating mechanism is installed between the first air outlet and the second air inlet, and a condensation mechanism is connected to the second air outlet.

[0005] Furthermore, the filtration mechanism includes a filter, the exhaust port of which is connected to the first air inlet.

[0006] Furthermore, several of the membrane separation mechanisms are interconnected through the second air outlet.

[0007] Furthermore, the pressure regulating mechanism includes a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the operating pressure of the membrane separation mechanism, and a pressure gauge for detecting pressure is installed between the pressure regulating valve and the first outlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the condensation mechanism includes a condenser, which is provided with a drain port and an exhaust port.

[0009] Furthermore, a collection tank is connected to the drain outlet.

[0010] Furthermore, the fibrous membrane is tubular in shape.

[0011] As can be seen from the above description of this utility model, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] 1. This application compresses air and draws it into an air filtration mechanism, which removes dust and oil mist from the air. The purified compressed air then enters several membrane separation mechanisms. Each membrane separation mechanism includes a membrane shell, which is filled with several high-molecular hollow fiber membranes that allow water vapor to pass through preferentially. The membrane shell is provided with a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet. A pressure regulating mechanism is installed between the first air outlet and the second air inlet, and a condensation mechanism is connected to the second air outlet. This allows liquid water to be obtained from the air in an environment without a water source.

[0013] 2. The device described in this application has the advantages of being simple, occupying little space, easy to operate, and pollution-free. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the membrane separation mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Filtration mechanism; 2. Membrane separation mechanism; 201. Membrane housing; 202. Fiber membrane; 3. First air inlet; 4. Second air inlet; 5. First air outlet; 6. Second air outlet; 7. Pressure regulating mechanism; 701. Pressure regulating valve; 702. Pressure gauge; 8. Condensation mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1-2, a preferred embodiment of this utility model discloses a membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air, comprising an air filtration mechanism 1, wherein a plurality of membrane separation mechanisms 2 are connected to the air filtration mechanism 1, and the plurality of membrane separation mechanisms 2 are interconnected by pipes; each membrane separation mechanism 2 includes a membrane shell 201, wherein a plurality of high molecular weight hollow fiber membranes 202 that allow water vapor to pass through are filled inside the membrane shell 201; the membrane shell 201 is provided with a first air inlet 3, a second air inlet 4, a first air outlet 5, and a second air outlet 6; a pressure regulating mechanism 7 is installed between the first air outlet 5 and the second air inlet 4; and a condensation mechanism 8 is connected to the second air outlet 6, thereby enabling the extraction of liquid water from the air in an environment without a water source.

[0020] Specifically, this technology utilizes compressed air membrane dehumidification to obtain liquid water. When water vapor passes through a hollow fiber membrane, the water molecules permeate at a relatively fast rate. Under the influence of the pressure difference, water vapor (H2O) permeates to the permeate side, while other gas molecules in the air, such as O2, N2, CO2, and He, remain on the osmotic side and are pushed to the outlet by the pressure, thereby achieving the purpose of dehumidification and drying.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, it may also have the following additional technical features: the filtration mechanism 1 includes a filter, the exhaust port of which is connected to the first air inlet 3. This allows for the removal of dust and oil mist from the air.

[0022] In this embodiment, the membrane separation mechanism 2 comprises several units, which are interconnected through the second air outlet 6. This allows for multi-stage separation to obtain water vapor-rich air, which is then liquefied using a condenser to obtain liquid water. Even in deserts without water sources, it is possible to obtain liquid water from the air.

[0023] In this embodiment, the pressure regulating mechanism 7 includes a pressure regulating valve 701 for adjusting the operating pressure of the membrane separation mechanism 2. A pressure gauge 702 for detecting pressure is installed between the pressure regulating valve 701 and the first air outlet 5. This enables control of the operating pressure of the membrane separation mechanism 3, allowing water vapor that has passed through the membrane to be carried away more quickly, thereby improving the drying efficiency of the membrane separation mechanism 3 and providing power to the next stage membrane separation mechanism 3.

[0024] In this embodiment, the condensation mechanism 8 includes a condenser, which has a drain port and an exhaust port, and a collection tank is connected to the drain port. This allows liquid water to be obtained from the air.

[0025] In this embodiment, the fiber membrane 302 is in the form of a filament tube. The membrane separation mechanism 3 has a simple structure, with numerous selective polymer fiber membrane filament tubes disposed within the membrane housing 301. This allows water vapor to diffuse through the fiber membrane to the outside when compressed air passes through it. At the outlet of the membrane separation mechanism 3, a small portion of the dried compressed air is diverted through a splitter pipe and flows in the opposite direction outside the fiber membrane to blow away the permeated water vapor. Due to the density difference between water vapor and dry air, water molecules in the compressed air continuously diffuse to the outside of the fiber membrane and are blown away by the reverse drying air, thus achieving the purpose of drying the compressed air.

[0026] The working principle of this invention is as follows: An air compressor draws in ambient air to obtain un-dried compressed air. This compressed air enters a dust and oil removal filter, which removes dust and oil mist. The purified compressed air then enters membrane separation unit 2. Under pressure, water vapor in the compressed air preferentially permeates through the membrane. The membrane outlet yields dried compressed air. A pressure gauge at the outlet detects the operating pressure, which is regulated by a pressure regulating valve to adjust the operating pressure of membrane separation unit 2. Gas from the pressure regulating valve outlet is directly discharged, while a portion of the gas enters the humidified gas side of membrane separation unit 2. The pressurized dry gas carries away the water vapor that has permeated the membrane more quickly, thus improving the drying efficiency of membrane separation unit 2 and providing power to the next stage of membrane separation unit 2. The air enriched with water vapor in the first stage enters the second stage membrane separation unit 2 for further enrichment, resulting in air with high humidity through multiple enrichment stages. After being discharged from the water vapor enrichment outlet of the final stage membrane separation unit 2, the air is condensed in a condenser to obtain liquid water.

[0027] Without causing conflict, those skilled in the art can freely combine and use the above-mentioned additional technical features.

[0028] It is understood that this utility model has been described through some embodiments, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes or equivalent substitutions can be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Furthermore, under the teachings of this utility model, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific situations and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are protected by this utility model.

Claims

1. A membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air, characterized in that: The system includes an air filtration mechanism, to which several membrane separation mechanisms are connected, and these membrane separation mechanisms are interconnected via pipes. Each membrane separation mechanism includes a membrane housing, which is filled with several high-molecular hollow fiber membranes that allow water vapor to pass through preferentially. The membrane housing is provided with a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet. A pressure regulating mechanism is installed between the first air outlet and the second air inlet, and a condensing mechanism is connected to the second air outlet.

2. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air filtration mechanism includes a filter, and the exhaust port of the filter is connected to the first air inlet.

3. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several of the membrane separation units are interconnected through the second air outlet.

4. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure regulating mechanism includes a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the operating pressure of the membrane separation mechanism, and a pressure gauge for detecting pressure is installed between the pressure regulating valve and the first air outlet.

5. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes the condensation mechanism, which includes a condenser, and the condenser is provided with a drain port and an exhaust port.

6. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 5, characterized in that: A collection tank is connected to the drain outlet.

7. The membrane separation device for obtaining water from desert air according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fiber membrane is in the form of a filamentous tube.

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