AUTONOMOUS WATER GENERATION MODULE

Abstract

Autonomous water generation module, characterized by comprising: a housing (1) with solar panels (2) on the roof, a monitoring system and a wireless communication module (3), a humid air inlet (6) and a dry air outlet (8), an air treatment system comprising in turn: -air inlet filters (21), -air outlet filters (22), -an evaporator (9) and a condenser (10) controlled by a self-regulating compressor (12), -a fan (11) that moves air from the humid air inlet (6) to the dry air outlet (8), -a water collection tray (13), a water purification system comprising in turn: -a condensate water tank (14), a treated water tank (19), a potable water tank (20), -a water pump that draws water from the condensate water tank (14) and directs it through a filter system (16), an ultraviolet lamp (17) that irradiates the water with ultraviolet light, and a mineralization module (18), -a potable water dispenser (7).

Description

AUTONOMOUS WATER GENERATION MODULE This descriptive report, as its title indicates, refers to a self-contained water generation module that utilizes the circulation and treatment of humid air through an evaporator and a condenser to extract atmospheric moisture and use the resulting water for both irrigation and human consumption. The module is designed to offer high efficiency in areas with limited water resources. Background of the invention Water, despite being abundant on the planet, is becoming increasingly valuable in many regions due to irresponsible use and a lack of proper management of natural resources, especially in developing countries. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide water-scarce areas with highly efficient modules, adapted to their specific environment, capable of extracting water from atmospheric humidity. Several patent documents have been identified that describe systems for obtaining water from air. Some representative examples are listed below. Patent application US2021108396 describes a mobile atmospheric water generation system that filters carbon emissions from the air while creating clean drinking water. This unit is powered by a 20 metric horsepower electric motor, which operates a refrigeration unit necessary for generating water from atmospheric humidity. Energy for the system is primarily provided by solar panels on top of the unit. All electricity generated is stored in a battery pack and converted to alternating current via an integrated inverter. On the other hand, document CN117005494, which is an air water intake device suitable for subsurface irrigation and water intake method, in which the objective of the invention is to overcome the deficiencies mentioned above and provide a water and air extraction device and a water extraction method suitable for subsurface irrigation, which can extract moisture from the air and irrigate crops by subsurface irrigation. And document CN118855041, in which the invention describes a device and method for water and air intake suitable for a photovoltaic power plant in a desert environment. The water and air intake device comprises a box body, a water vapor condensation collection area, and a water intake evaporation area; a sunshade, cooling fins located on the inner side of the sunshade, and spaces for air circulation between the cooling fins and the sunshade. The heat produced by a photovoltaic panel serves as an energy source. The photovoltaic panel in the desert area can be cooled with water, thereby improving energy generation efficiency and facilitating desert greening. The documents mentioned above address different technical aspects related to this type of device: the first stands out for its mobility, the second is geared towards underground irrigation and the third towards cooling solar panels in desert environments to improve their energy efficiency. All these inventions focus on optimizing functions external to the water generation system itself; however, the module described below aims to maximize the overall efficiency of the process, incorporating high-efficiency technologies, optimizing water collection and treatment procedures, and applying accessible control systems that allow remote management of monitoring and maintenance tasks. These modules are specifically designed for rural environments in developing countries. Description of the invention The autonomous water generation module incorporates a system for capturing and condensing atmospheric humidity, intended for human consumption, irrigation, or animal watering in rural and / or urban areas with scarce water resources. Because it is demineralized, or reverse osmosis, water, it is in high demand and can be sold, as it has numerous health and skin benefits and promotes optimal hydration. The exterior of this module consists of a galvanized steel casing with an electrostatic paint coating. It can also be constructed from a polymer material, provided it is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and facilitate transport to remote regions. Once installed at the destination, the module is secured to the ground using adjustable, solid steel legs. As its name suggests, this module is autonomous, meaning it is capable of self-management. This implies that it requires a power source independent of the electrical grid. To achieve this, once fixed to the ground, solar panels are installed on top of the module and connected to batteries. Power is supplied by a hybrid solar-thermal system that reuses waste heat to increase energy efficiency. An internal electrical panel is responsible for distributing the electricity safely. The module is equipped with storage batteries that collect the excess energy generated by the solar panels so that it can operate continuously, without depending on sunlight. Being autonomous also involves equipping the module with an external surveillance system and a long-range wireless communication module. This includes installing at least one panoramic camera that transmits real-time information about the surroundings and the module's external status. Additionally, a predictive climate control device is incorporated to anticipate humidity changes and maximize water production. The module also has a control system equipped with internal software that monitors its operation, detects any alteration in the operating parameters and sends the information both to a control screen located outside the module and to a remote monitoring system. On the exterior of the module are installed a humid air intake grille and a dry air outlet grille. The interior of the module houses all the components necessary for air treatment, as well as for water storage and treatment. Air treatment takes place in a duct that incorporates primary and secondary air intake filters at its ends, made of layers of polyester mesh. Following these are the evaporator, which cools the warm air, and at the opposite end, the condenser, which produces cool air inside the module. A self-regulating compressor then cools the evaporator. Both components have an epoxy coating for increased corrosion resistance. The condensation and water production process occurs in this duct. The cycle begins when outside air passes through the intake filters located in the intake duct. This air is then circulated by a fan to the outlet filters, where it is expelled after filtration. The airflow is established from the evaporator to the condenser.At the bottom of the evaporator there is a collection tray designed to collect the condensed water. During the condensation process, the water is collected in the collection tray and, by the effect of gravity, this pours the liquid into a condensate water tank intended for its subsequent treatment or purification. In the purification process, drinking water is pumped from the condensate tank and directed to a multi-stage cascade filtration system. This system includes certified filters down to 5 microns and chemical filtration using activated carbon. The process also features a sterilization stage using a germicidal ultraviolet lamp that irradiates the water to eliminate bacteria, as well as a controlled mineralization module that infuses calcium, magnesium, and zinc without energy consumption. This mineralization balances the water's pH and provides a pleasant taste to the resulting drinking water. After the purification process, the water reaches a treated water tank. From this second treated water tank, some of it passes to a third potable water tank, connected to a drinking water dispenser for human consumption. The water tanks are made of polyethylene with an algae-resistant coating. Each tank incorporates level sensors that prevent overflows and alert users in case of low levels. A solenoid valve controlled by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is also included to regulate the opening and closing of the water flow at the tank outlets. Additionally, a temperature sensor is integrated that shuts down the system if the water exceeds 40°C, thus preventing potential damage from high temperatures. The water circuit is a closed-loop system of epoxy-coated copper pipes to prevent corrosion. It also incorporates a safety valve to prevent overpressure in the pipes. All information relating to examples or modes of embodiment forms part of the description of the invention. Description of the figures To better understand the object of the present invention, a preferred practical embodiment thereof has been represented in the attached drawing. Figure 1 shows an exterior view of the module to show the humid air inlet (6) Figure 2 shows an exterior view of the module to show the dry air outlet (8) Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of the air circulation inside the module and how moisture is collected from the air and transformed into water. Figure 4 shows a schematic drawing of the water purification process obtained from the air. Preferred embodiment of the invention The autonomous water generation module, the subject of this invention, is shown in Figure 1, where the casing (1) and the externally visible components can be seen. Solar panels (2) and a monitoring system and wireless communication module (3) are installed on the top of the casing (1). The latter is designed to detect external damage and environmental factors that could affect the module's proper functioning. A humidified air inlet (6) and a control system (4) equipped with management software are located on one side of the casing (1), along with an electrical panel (5) that safely distributes electricity. A potable water dispenser (7) for human consumption is installed on another side of the casing (1). The autonomous water generation module, the subject of the present invention, is shown in Figure 2, where the housing (1) and the arrangement of the dry air outlet (8) on the opposite face to the humid air inlet (6) can be observed. The self-contained water generation module, the subject of this invention, is shown in Figure 3, which depicts a schematic of the air treatment process taking place in a duct. At the humid air inlet end are the inlet filters (21), consisting of 20 µm polyester mesh for particle retention. Following these filters is the evaporator (9), and at the opposite end, the condenser (10), responsible for generating fresh air inside the module. Both components have an epoxy coating that provides greater corrosion resistance. The condensation and water production process occurs in this duct. A renewal fan (11) propels the air to the outside, where it passes through the outlet filters (22) before being expelled. A collection tray (13) is located at the bottom of the evaporator for collecting the condensed water.The air treatment system includes a self-regulating compressor (12) responsible for cooling the evaporator. The self-contained water generation module, the subject of this invention, is shown in Figure 4, which depicts a schematic of the water purification process using the collection tray (13). This tray empties the liquid into a condensate tank (14) for treatment and purification. The water is extracted from the condensate tank by a pump (15) and conveyed to a cascade filter system (16), which operates in multiple filtration stages. The process includes a sterilization stage using a germicidal ultraviolet lamp (17) that irradiates the water with ultraviolet light for bacterial disinfection, and a controlled mineralization module (18) with a ceramic dome that balances the pH and provides excellent-tasting drinking water. Passive mineralization is also applied during purification using an additional module that infuses calcium, magnesium, and zinc without energy consumption.After the purification process, the water reaches a treated water tank (19), and from this second tank, part of it is directed to a third drinking water tank (20), connected to a drinking water dispenser (7). A person skilled in the technique will easily understand that they can combine features of different embodiments with features of other possible embodiments, provided that such a combination is technically possible.

Claims

1. Autonomous water generation module, characterized by comprising: a housing (1) with solar panels (2) on the roof, a monitoring system and a wireless communication module (3), a humid air inlet (6) and a dry air outlet (8), an air treatment system comprising in turn: - air inlet filters (21), - air outlet filters (22), - an evaporator (9) and a condenser (10) controlled by a self-regulating compressor (12), - a fan (11) that moves air from the humid air inlet (6) to the dry air outlet (8), - a water collection tray (13), a water purification system comprising in turn: -a condensate water tank (14), a treated water tank (19), a drinking water tank (20), -a water pump that draws water from the condensate water tank (14) and directs it through a filter system (16), an ultraviolet lamp (17) that radiates ultraviolet light into the water,and a mineralization module (18) - a drinking water dispenser (7).

2. A self-contained water generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) is made of galvanized steel.

3. A self-contained water generation module according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the galvanized steel housing (1) has an electrostatic paint coating.

4. A self-contained water generation module according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1) is made of a polymer material.

5. A self-contained water generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet filters (21) are made of polyester mesh.

6. A self-contained water generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaporator (9) and the condenser (10) have an epoxy coating for increased corrosion resistance.

7. A self-contained water generation module according to claim 1,characterized in that the tanks are made of polyethylene with an algae-resistant coating.

8. Autonomous water generation module, according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the tanks have level sensors.

9. Autonomous water generation module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter system (16) is a multi-stage cascade system with filters down to 5 microns and chemical filtration with activated carbon.

10. Autonomous water generation module, according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the mineralization module (18) contains calcium, magnesium, and zinc.