Water collecting system and water collecting method

Abstract

To provide a novel water collecting system and water collecting method.SOLUTION: A water collecting system comprises: a water source; a sound wave transmitter capable of transmitting sound waves of a predetermined frequency; and a structure having a wall surface capable of propagating the sound waves at least in a part of the wall surface, wherein the structure is installed above the water source, and the sound wave transmitter is installed inside the structure so as to be capable of transmitting the sound waves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to new water collection systems and methods. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been disclosure of an apparatus that uses ultrasonic waves to condense moisture in the air to produce water droplets (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Public Notice Showa 46-33470 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 involves applying ultrasonic waves to moisture (water particles) in the air to create water droplets, but this requires the ultrasonic waves to resonate using a paraboloid to increase their amplitude, making it impractical.

[0005] It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure to provide a new water collection system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a non-limiting aspect, the water collection system of the present disclosure is a water collection system comprising a water source, an ultrasonic transmitter capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves of a predetermined frequency, and a structure having a wall surface capable of propagating the ultrasonic waves on at least a portion of the wall surface, the structure being installed above the water source, and the ultrasonic transmitter being installed inside the structure so as to be capable of transmitting the ultrasonic waves. Effect of the Invention

[0007] Each embodiment of the present disclosure addresses one or more of the deficiencies. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a water collection system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of a water collection system, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a water collection system used in a simulation experiment, corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a simulation experiment result (evaluation A) corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a simulation experiment result (evaluation B) corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a water collection system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the effects is one aspect of the effects of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not limited to those described here. In addition, the order of each process constituting the flowchart described below is random as long as there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the process content.

[0010] [First embodiment] An overview of a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following, a water collection system including a water source, an ultrasonic transmitter capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves at a predetermined frequency, and a structure having a wall surface capable of propagating the ultrasonic waves on at least a part of the wall surface will be described as an example.

[0011] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a water collecting system corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The water collecting system 1 includes at least a structure 2, an acoustic wave transmitter 3 capable of transmitting an acoustic wave of a predetermined frequency, and a water source 5. In addition, the water collecting system may include an airflow generating device 4 and a water collecting mechanism 6, for example.

[0012] The structure 2 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited as long as the shape allows the airflow from the water source to flow in. In Fig. 1, a cylindrical structure is assumed to have a test tube shape.

[0013] As shown in the figure, when the structure 2 is cylindrical with a closed spherical tip, the diameter of the structure 2 is preferably such that the sound waves transmitted from the sound wave transmitter 3 can reach the opposing wall surface farther than the sound wave transmitter 3. Since the reach of sound waves differs depending on the frequency, the structure 2 may be designed taking into consideration the frequency to be used.

[0014] A part of the structure 2 is preferably made of a material capable of propagating the sound waves transmitted from the sound wave transmitter 3. Any material can be used as long as it can propagate sound waves.

[0015] The sonic wave transmitter 3 can transmit a sonic wave of a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency is preferably 20 kHz or more. In other words, the predetermined frequency is preferably ultrasonic. Ultrasonic waves are elastic vibration waves with a high vibration frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear.

[0016] The airflow generating device 4 can be of any shape as long as it is a device capable of generating an airflow in a predetermined direction, such as a propeller. In addition, there needs to be at least one airflow generating device 4, and there is no problem with arranging multiple devices.

[0017] The water source 5 may be any liquid that contains water, and in the following example, seawater is assumed, but is not limited to this.

[0018] The water collecting mechanism 6 is a mechanism that assists in collecting water. In the figure, a structure that is inclined vertically upward is attached to enable water collection, but this is not limited to this. For example, a material that is prone to condensation may be attached to the wall surface to enable water collection.

[0019] The water collection system 1 may further include a cooling control function. There is a risk that the part irradiated with the sound waves transmitted from the sonic transmitter 3 may be heated. Therefore, the irradiation may be controlled to cool at a predetermined timing. The control may be performed, for example, by the sonic transmitter 3, or the sonic transmitter 3 may be controlled by a separate computer device. In addition, the cooling control function may not only control not to irradiate, but may also control to cool the heated part by blowing cool air, for example.

[0020] A specific example of the structure and the like used in the water collection system 1 will be described. It is preferable that the width of the inner wall of the structure 2 is about 6 m, the height of the inner wall is about 19.7 m, the frequency of the sound wave transmitter 3 is about 40 kHz, and the diameter of the airflow generating device 4 is about 1.7 m. The water source 5 is preferably fresh water or seawater.

[0021] [Function Description] 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of a water collecting system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The water collecting system 1 may include an acoustic wave transmitting unit 101, an airflow generating unit 102, and a cooling control unit 103.

[0022] The sonic wave transmitting unit 101 has a function of transmitting a sonic wave of a predetermined frequency. The airflow generating unit 102 has a function of generating an airflow. The cooling control unit 103 has a function of controlling the sonic wave transmitter 3 to cool the structure 2.

[0023] [Water collection and treatment] Water collection using the water collection system 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, there are a structure 2, an acoustic transmitter 3, an airflow generating device 4, and a water source 5. The air temperature is preferably in the range of -10 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any temperature may be used as long as the water source 5 can exist in liquid form.

[0024] A sound wave of a predetermined frequency is transmitted from the sonic transmitter 3 to irradiate the rising air current generated from the water source 5. The predetermined frequency is preferably so-called ultrasonic. The predetermined frequency is preferably 20 kHz to 50 kHz, and more preferably 35 kHz to 45 kHz.

[0025] The sonic transmitter 3 may be in contact with the structure 2 or may not be in contact with it. Furthermore, the sonic transmitter 3 is installed outside the structure 2, but may be installed inside the structure 2. When sound waves are irradiated to the airflow, condensation occurs above the water collection mechanism 6 and on the wall surface of the structure 2. The condensed liquid falls due to gravity and is stored in the water collection mechanism 6.

[0026] According to such a water collecting system 1, it is possible to collect water by condensing water droplets on the structure 2. Furthermore, by providing the water collecting mechanism 6, it is possible to collect water more efficiently.

[0027] [Simulation results] The results of a simulation performed to confirm the above-mentioned effects will be described below. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a water collection system used in a simulation experiment, which corresponds to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] The water collection system 1 in Fig. 3 includes a structure 2, an ultrasonic transmitter 3, an airflow generating device 4, and a water source 5. A 900 mL plastic bottle was used as the structure 2. Tap water at room temperature was used as the water source 5, and 3.3 cm of the water was poured into the structure 2. An ultrasonic cleaner SWT710 (40 kHz, two transducers) manufactured by Citizen Corporation was used as the ultrasonic transmitter 3. The room temperature in the experiment was 27.4 degrees Celsius, and the humidity was 58%.

[0029] The state of condensation was evaluated by changing the presence or absence of the sonic transmitter 3, the presence or absence of the airflow generating device 4, and the presence or absence of the water source 5. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. In each experiment, the time for which sound waves were irradiated from the sonic transmitter 3 was approximately 900 seconds.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] The evaluation results are shown in the "Condensation Evaluation" column of Table 1. The evaluations were divided into three categories: A, B, and C, with A being the best evaluation with the most condensation, B being a lower evaluation but with some condensation, and C being an evaluation with almost no condensation. As can be seen from Table 1, condensation occurs when there is a combination of the sonic transmitter 3 and the water source 5.

[0032] In this experiment, the result was that condensation was less likely to occur when the airflow generating device 4 was present. This is thought to be because there was enough water vapor to cause condensation when the sound wave was irradiated for a limited short time of about 900 seconds. When the water collection system of the present disclosure is operated for a long period of time, the use of the airflow generating device 4 makes it possible to supply more water vapor to the structure 2 and collect a larger amount of condensation.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a result of a simulation experiment (evaluation A) corresponding to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a result of a simulation experiment (evaluation B) corresponding to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be seen that larger water droplets are attached in the evaluation A.

[0034] The rising air current generated from the water source 5 may contain air molecules, water vapor, and aerosols. The inventors consider that when sound waves of a certain frequency are propagated in an adiabatic state by the high and low air pressures being transmitted from one to the next, the air molecules collide or rub against each other or against the water vapor and aerosols, reducing the energy of the molecular motion of the air itself, causing a drop in temperature, and liquefying the gas.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the sonic transmitter 3 is installed so as to transmit the sonic waves in a horizontal direction, but this is not limited to this. As long as the sonic waves can be irradiated to the gas present in the structure 2, the angle at which the sonic waves are irradiated may be an oblique angle of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic transmitter 3 is installed outside the structure 2, but this is not limiting. In theory, since sound waves (especially ultrasonic waves) can propagate through solids, liquids, and gases, the same results can be obtained even if an ultrasonic transmitter is installed inside the structure 2.

[0037] As one aspect of the first embodiment, a new water collection system can be provided.

[0038] [Second embodiment] Next, an overview of a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following, a water collection system including a water source, an ultrasonic transmitter capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves at a predetermined frequency, and a structure having a wall surface capable of propagating the ultrasonic waves on at least a part of the wall surface will be described as an example.

[0039] 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a water collecting system corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The water collecting system 1 includes at least a structure 2, an acoustic wave transmitter 3 capable of transmitting an acoustic wave of a predetermined frequency, and a water source 5. In addition, the water collecting system may include an airflow generating device 4 and a water collecting mechanism 6, for example.

[0040] The structure 2 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited as long as the shape allows the airflow from the water source to flow in. In Fig. 6, a cylindrical structure having a test tube shape is assumed.

[0041] As shown in the figure, when the structure 2 is cylindrical with a closed spherical tip, the diameter of the structure 2 is preferably such that the sound waves transmitted from the sound wave transmitter 3 can reach the opposing wall surface farther than the sound wave transmitter 3. Since the reach of sound waves differs depending on the frequency, the structure 2 may be designed taking into consideration the frequency to be used.

[0042] Regarding the structure 2, the sonic transmitter 3, the airflow generating device 4, the water source 5, the water collecting mechanism 6, and the cooling control function, the contents shown in the first embodiment can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0043] The functions of the water collection system in the second embodiment can adopt the contents of the functional description given in the first embodiment to the extent necessary.

[0044] [Water collection and treatment] Water collection using the water collection system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, there are a structure 2, an acoustic transmitter 3, an airflow generating device 4, and a water source 5. The air temperature is preferably in the range of -10 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any air temperature may be used as long as the water source 5 can exist in liquid form.

[0045] A sound wave of a predetermined frequency is transmitted from the sonic transmitter 3 to irradiate the rising air current generated from the water source 5. The predetermined frequency is preferably so-called ultrasonic. The predetermined frequency is preferably 20 kHz to 50 kHz, and more preferably 35 kHz to 45 kHz.

[0046] The sonic transmitter 3 may be in contact with the structure 2 or may not be in contact with it. The sonic transmitter 3 is installed outside the structure 2, but may be installed inside the structure 2. When sound waves are irradiated to the airflow, condensation occurs on the wall surface in the direction of the closed tip portion of the structure 2 in the downstream direction of the airflow. The condensed liquid falls due to gravity and is stored in the water collection mechanism 6.

[0047] Such a water collecting system 1 makes it possible to collect water by condensing water droplets on the structure 2. Furthermore, by providing the airflow generating device 4 and the water collecting mechanism 6, it becomes possible to collect water more efficiently.

[0048] As an aspect of the second embodiment, a new water collection system can be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1: Water collection system 2 :Structure 3: Sonic transmitter 4: Airflow generating device 5: Water source 6: Water collection mechanism

Claims

1. Water sources and A sonic transmitter capable of transmitting sonic waves of a predetermined frequency; A water collecting system comprising a structure having a wall surface capable of propagating the sound wave on at least a part of the wall surface, The structure is positioned above a water source; A water collection system, wherein the ultrasonic transmitter is positioned within the structure so as to be capable of transmitting the ultrasonic waves.

2. The water collection system further comprises: An airflow generating device that generates an airflow, The water collection system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow generating device is positioned to direct airflow from the water source to an interior of the structure.

3. The water collection system further comprises: A cooling control means for cooling the structure.

3. The water collecting system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. The water collecting system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water collecting mechanism inside the structure.

5. 3. The water collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ultrasonic transmitter is installed so as to be capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves horizontally.

6. 3. The water collection system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the acoustic transmitter produces acoustic waves at a frequency of 35 kHz or more and 45 kHz or less.

7. A method of collecting water using the water collecting system according to claim 1.

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