Atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump and a method for capturing water from ambient air. The water capture device [1100] comprises a rotating desiccant unit, a heat pump unit [1104], and a control unit. The rotating desiccant unit comprises a desiccant wheel [1102], a reactivated air inlet [1108a], a reactivated air outlet [1108b], a process air inlet [1106a], and a process air outlet [1106b]. The desiccant wheel [1102] comprises at least a process sector [1106], a reactivated sector [1108], and a wheel drive. The heat pump unit [1104] comprises at least one compressor, an expansion valve [1116], an evaporator [1112], and a main condenser [1110], such that a refrigerant fluid is flowed sequentially through the compressor [1114], the main condenser [1110], the expansion valve [1116], and the evaporator [1112].

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel adsorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device and method therefor, in particular to a device and method for capturing water from ambient air while maximizing moisture production and minimizing energy utilization under different climatic conditions. [Background technology]

[0002] Drinking water, a threatened resource, is absolutely essential for our survival. Water scarcity has become an ever-evolving challenge for the entire human race. Two major factors that are the main drivers of water scarcity across the globe are increasing freshwater use and depletion of available freshwater resources. Some of the main reasons for freshwater scarcity include climate change, natural disasters such as droughts and floods, polluted water sources, increasing population demand, urbanization, industrialization, overuse and waste of water, global increase in freshwater demand, etc. Freshwater is used for agriculture, energy production, industrial manufacturing, humans, and ecosystems, etc. At the current rate of consumption, as per a key UN report, about 30% of the world's population will be affected by water scarcity or water stress by 2025.

[0003] In recent years, several water treatment methods and technologies have been developed to address these problems. Traditional methods of drinking water treatment based on coagulation-flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration, disinfection, ozonation, desalination, etc., have proven to be less effective today due to difficulties such as transportation and associated high costs.

[0004] Numerous technologies have been developed to obtain drinking water in remote areas. One such technology is air-to-water harvesting, which can make the availability of drinking water widely available to various sectors such as work sites (e.g., mining, construction, energy, agriculture, etc.), communities (e.g., remote areas, water-stressed areas, sustainable cities, etc.), schools, universities, hospitals, and other destinations (e.g., hotels, eco-resorts, eco-venues, restaurants, etc.), groups / organizations working in remote areas (e.g., military), etc. The use of atmospheric water generators helps reduce the logistical burden of water transportation / delivery.

[0005] Water as a resource is continually dwindling, exacerbating the difficulties of availability of potable water with the growing population. Also, due to climate change, there is a significant change in climatic conditions as well as an increase in the earth's temperature, termed global warming. All these are further intensifying the unavailability of potable water in the arid and semi-arid regions of the planet.

[0006] While there is no denying that water has been and continues to be a precious resource and policies and programs have been developed regarding water use, these have mostly focused on policies of water conservation at both microscopic (individual use) and macroscopic levels (regulation of water use in industries, wastewater reuse, etc.). An alternative path of water resource management has been to develop technologies for desalination, based on the premise that brackish and / or salt water resources occupy the largest surface area of ​​the planet. However, desalination approaches can best be implemented only by national actors and not across communities due to high infrastructure and operational costs that in themselves result in increased costs for consumers. For example, a pressing issue with desalination plants is that they are highly location dependent, and in simple terms, they need to be adjacent or close to the water source. This immediately results in increased geographical costs of transporting treated / desalinated water to inland areas.

[0007] Given the above issues, many small groups of researchers have begun to look for alternative sources to generate water, including from the atmosphere. The atmosphere is an easy source of water since there is literally no place on the planet that has 0% moisture in the air, regardless of the climate zone or time of the year. To be fair, air is everywhere, so Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) as a method is location independent. However, although several technologies have been developed (and implemented) for Atmospheric Water Capture / Generation (AWG), the difficulties remain high, including high location dependency.

[0008] AWG technologies can be broadly categorized as using input energy sources that are solar energy, grid-based electricity, a combination of both, or both options. Furthermore, AWG technologies are primarily based on heat pumps or desiccant. Desiccant-based technologies can be further categorized as using fixed desiccant beds / modules or rotating desiccant beds.

[0009] Description of the Prior Art At this stage, a brief review of the prior art and related art available to the applicant is provided below to provide background and context to what has been achieved through the present invention. Inherent problems associated with each prior art are also outlined below.

[0010] FIG. 1 (WO2016 / 187709A1) depicts a basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle with a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a compressor. The evaporator extracts heat from the ambient air and transfers it to a refrigerant to cool the ambient air. When the ambient air is to be cooled in the evaporator, the relative humidity of the ambient air increases and condensation occurs in the coil of the evaporator. The condensed water can be collected and used as drinking water. The main drawback of such a type of system is that the relative humidity of the ambient air before entering the evaporator may be low. In such a case, the ambient air entering the evaporator needs to be cooled to a much lower temperature, which will increase the load on the condenser and compressor. This cannot be lower than the freezing point of water. This not only brings limitations but also directly affects the efficiency of the basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle as depicted in FIG. 1. Therefore, the basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle is not the most energy-efficient approach to extract water from the ambient air. Also, water extraction from ambient air relies on high humidity and moisture in the environment, which significantly limits its use in arid, semi-arid and water-stressed areas.

[0011] Another popular approach is a photovoltaic based approach using an adsorption rotor, such as that promoted by Zero Mass Inc. in the United States (US Patent Application No. 10357739 in FIG. 2 and US Patent Application Publication No. 20220307240 in FIG. 3). While this teaches the use of more than one adsorption rotor, the prior art essentially promotes highly complex control strategies and units that primarily control the reaction and process airflow and drive motor speed, and this technology combines the use of photovoltaics to heat air and regenerate a rotating desiccant wheel in an atmospheric water generator (AWG). This technology also utilizes solar PV panels to generate electricity to drive fans and spin floor drive motors. In essence, this technology is basic in principle. However, the critical problem with this technology is not only the complete reliance on sunlight, but also the high cost of building the infrastructure. In short, the exclusive reliance on sunlight and the attendant limitations of photovoltaic PV technology in terms of cost and spatial requirements make this technology less viable in terms of scale-up. Additionally, the systems in Figures 2 and 3 do not have a heat pump and do not utilize power from the grid. Even in tropical or tropical climate conditions, water intake / production production is unlikely to exceed 5 liters per day per unit, up from the typical 1-2 liters per day.

[0012] FIG. 4 demonstrates yet another desiccant wheel-based approach for extracting water from ambient air. The desiccant wheel-based approach depicted in FIG. 4 employs a chiller to supply a chilled fluid to an evaporator. Additionally, the system in FIG. 4 also utilizes hot fluid from an external source to heat the air entering the thermal unit. Such a system would require more energy to at least generate the chilled and hot fluids, and several different energy sources and devices dependent on the generation of the chilled and hot fluids, with inherent energy conversion losses. Thus, the overall efficiency of the system in FIG. 4, measured in terms of liters of water extracted per watt of power, would be much lower, thus making the system energetically inefficient.

[0013] Yet another technology recently developed locally in India (WO2022074682) uses conventional desiccant materials such as silica gel in a fixed bed to adsorb moisture from the air and then regenerate / capture water from the desiccant material after full saturation using solar power. Again, this technology shows promise but has attendant problems such as non-continuous operation as the system cannot operate on a constant cycle. To overcome this, buffer heat storage has been proposed. This is not always practical in size, capacity, cost, etc. Typically, the system only works for periods of time when sunlight is sufficient and constant. This implicitly increases costs if large production volumes of water are the objective. As far as the applicant has been able to determine herein, the use of grid power in this technology is limited to the operation of fans as a means to move air.

[0014] Grid-based electric AWG systems typically fall into the following categories: - using refrigeration; - using air compression, - Using liquid desiccants and adsorption technologies; and - Using heat pumps and adsorption modules become.

[0015] WaHa Inc., USA, claims to have developed a technology for AWG that uses a combination of adsorption modules and heat pumps. The developed technology appears to be very material-dependent as well as very location-dependent. As far as the applicant has been able to determine herein, while the method appears to offer flexibility in capacity / production, WaHa's technology system relies on proprietary metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and is more focused on regions with low atmospheric humidity, such as the Sahara and sub-Saharan. Also, one immediate drawback of this system is that while its exclusive reliance on grid power allows for continuous operation, apart from inflexibility in terms of where the system is installed, the infrastructure costs are as high as the operational costs. The focus is generally in dry / arid regions, thus virtually precluding implementation in regions where groundwater resources may be abundant and the problem is one of contamination and not lack of water. Also, the cost in cents per liter of water is very high, especially when averaged over a year for a dry setup. Furthermore, being modular and cyclical, with each cycle the water production varies from more to less before the end of the cycle, and therefore does not provide a continuous uniform water extraction rate as is possible in the present invention.

[0016] One interesting technology that seems likely to be commercialized is based on liquid desiccants (using a proprietary material called Absium) using adsorption. Drupps SE, the owner of this technology, claims that the technology allows for the recovery of around 80% of water from the atmosphere. However, the overall focus of this technology seems to be on adsorption and on industries that generate large amounts of wastewater / evaporation / steam by-products, and on allowing such wastewater / evaporation / steam to be reused in AWG components, which would be of advantage over other things. Secondly, given the very nature of this technology, i.e. the focus on adsorption to allow reuse, rather than AWGs as the primary objective, and the fact that liquid desiccants are notoriously corrosive and very demanding in terms of the number of mechanical parts and the maintenance required, this technology may not be particularly useful for pure AWG purposes.

[0017] The above adsorption based technologies have been developed primarily in response to problems realized from conventional / known refrigeration based water capture / production systems, namely equipment space due to size as well as setup costs offsetting production rate factors. A further problem is that these fields of technology are very energy consuming, thereby resulting in high operating costs.

[0018] Analysis of publicly / commercially available technologies revealed the following problems / challenges:

[0019] Such technologies are either inflexible because they are usually highly location-dependent based on the final application (such as industrial wastewater reuse, or use in low humidity dry zones), or highly dependent on adsorbents such as MOFs of the 303 class, or require high capital expenditures to set up the infrastructure when large production volumes are required, including due to the size or material costs of the equipment in dry zone applications with high infrastructure, or high operational costs due to being very energy intensive, or suffer from the risk of discontinuous operation due to their large scale if not entirely dependent on solar PV generation.

[0020] Therefore, as is evident, the considerable challenges faced in the commercially / publicly available technology so far are limited use of the technology due to inflexibility in operation, large and very energy intensive operation driving up capital and operational costs negating the benefits of increased water production, limited or specific environmental applications such as either arid or industrial areas, excessive reliance on corrosive materials such as liquid desiccants, etc.

[0021] The applicants herein have evaluated the problems arising from or existing in commercially available technologies based on their experience as world leaders in rotary desiccant based technologies and their wide application across various environments and locations in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Rotary desiccant based systems can be utilized for AWGs if certain modifications can be made in the structure and in a manner where the traditional role in HVAC is not sacrificed. Thus, the challenge was to develop a rotary desiccant system that can not only perform traditional implementations (used for HVAC) but also be operable for AWGs and is geography / location / time insensitive.

[0022] Furthermore, US patent application 11065573 (FIG. 5) discloses a rotary desiccant system for extracting water from ambient air, comprising an air duct for process air, an air duct for regeneration air and an adsorption exchanger moving at least partially between the two air ducts. A cooler is also installed in the air duct for regeneration air on the side facing the adsorption exchanger outlet and a heater on the side facing the adsorption exchanger inlet. The device also comprises a closed refrigerant circuit. The cooler for cooling the regeneration air is a refrigerant evaporator, which is connected to the regeneration air heater by a refrigerant piping via a compressor for suction and compression of the evaporated refrigerant, and the heater for heating the regeneration air is a condenser for condensing the refrigerant vapor. The device also comprises a subcooler for additional heat removal from the refrigerant. While the subcooler is clearly limited to the process air flow after the wheel, there are certain drawbacks, since the advantages of doing so are not recommended and the subcooler operates inefficiently in this arrangement, particularly at higher ambient temperatures.

[0023] The system of US Patent Application No. 11065573 (FIG. 5) provides for the extraction of air by using water extraction from ambient air, comprising two air ducts including an air duct for process air and an air duct for regeneration air, the air duct for process air having a process air inlet at one end of the air duct for process air and a process air outlet at the other end of the air duct for process air, the air duct for regeneration air having a regeneration air inlet at one end of the air duct for regeneration air and a regeneration air outlet at the other end of the air duct for regeneration air, the process air inlet, the process air outlet, the regeneration air inlet and the regeneration air outlet being connected to the surrounding environment, the two air ducts and an adsorption exchanger at least partially positioned in at least one of the two air ducts, the adsorption exchanger being movable in such a way that at least a portion of the volume of the adsorption exchanger is transferable between the two air ducts, and in both of the two air ducts a space for the adsorption exchanger is allocated for locating the adsorption exchanger, a first suction device positioned in the air duct for the regeneration air, a second suction device positioned in the air duct for the regeneration air, a heater for heating the regeneration air, and a cooler configured to have a surface temperature below the dew point for cooling the regeneration air, the heater and the cooler being positioned in such a way that a space for the adsorption exchanger is located between the heater and the cooler, and the second suction device is configured to draw air in a first direction from the heater to the cooler, a closed refrigerant circuit including a heater and a cooler positioned in the regeneration air, an element for collecting condensed water from the regeneration air, a refrigerant and a refrigerant piping, the cooler for cooling the regeneration air being a refrigerant evaporator, the cooler being interconnected by a refrigerant piping with a heater for heating the regeneration air, the heater for heating the regeneration air being a condenser for condensing refrigerant vapor, and a subcooler for additional heat removal from the refrigerant, connected to the heater via the refrigerant piping and via the refrigerant piping;and a subcooler that is also connected to the cooler through an expansion valve.

[0024] A problem arising from the system and process described in U.S. Patent Application No. 11,065,573 (FIG. 5) is that the adsorption process is exothermic and therefore uses process air to subcool a two-stage heat pump condenser which has efficiency difficulties due to its higher detectable heat versus ambient air or the air after the desiccant drum / wheel. This ultimately negatively impacts the performance of the heat pump and therefore the cost of clean water produced. Thus, the difficulty in this system is to provide efficiency in heat pump operation without compromising on water production capacity.

[0025] In US Patent Application 11065573, a second condenser is placed at the process air outlet. The present invention should outperform this prior art design because the process outlet air is at a higher temperature compared to the air after the evaporator. However, the air flow on the process side is much higher than the reactivated air side, so more heat can be rejected by placing a larger condenser outside the process. Theoretically, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump (HP) will be better for a lower condenser temperature.

[0026] Therefore, there is a need for a water harvesting device that can be used in a wide variety of locations ranging from tropical (high humidity) to semi-arid / arid (low humidity) regions, among others. There is also a need for a water harvesting device that can operate throughout the day in an energy efficient manner (in terms of liters of water extracted per watt of power consumed). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0027] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 187709 Brochure [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application No. 10,357,739 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Publication No. 20220307240 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2022 / 074682 Brochure [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application No. 11065573 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0028] In the present invention, a specially constructed desiccant wheel is used as an adsorption-based moisture generator, thereby increasing the available water vapor for capture.

[0029] The present invention utilizes a combination of a rotating desiccant system, a heat pump with a capacity controlled compressor, a control unit and dual energy [solar PV, grid or combined] input for 24 / 7 moisture production in an energy efficient manner.

[0030] The primary objective of the adsorption-based moisture generating device and method provided herein is to enable the achievement of a significant objective of operating in a wide variety of locations ranging from high to low humidity regions. Also of importance is energy efficient extraction of water (liters / kW) from ambient air. The present invention also contemplates maximum water extraction (liters / day) while utilizing an energy source that allows for 24 / 7 operation throughout the year. [Means for solving the problem]

[0031] The present disclosure relates to an atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump. The atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump includes a rotating desiccant unit, a heat pump unit, and a control unit. The rotating desiccant unit includes a desiccant wheel, a reactivated air inlet, a reactivated air outlet, a process air inlet, and a process air outlet. The desiccant wheel includes at least a process sector, a reactivated sector, and a wheel drive. The reactivated air inlet and the reactivated air outlet are connected such that the reactivated air is supplied from the reactivated air inlet through the reactivated sector to the reactivated air outlet. The process air inlet and the process air outlet are connected such that the process air is supplied from the process air inlet through the process sector to the process air outlet. The heat pump unit includes at least one compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a main condenser, such that the refrigerant fluid is continuously flowed through the compressor, the main condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. The main condenser receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air inlet before supplying the reactivated air to the reactivated sector. The evaporator receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet after the reactivated air leaves the reactivated sector, and causes condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator. The compressor of the heat pump unit is a capacity-controlled compressor. Furthermore, the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet is mixed with the process air at the process air inlet whenever the reactivated air has a moisture content greater than the external ambient moisture content. Furthermore, the control unit is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, a reactivated air inlet temperature, and an operation mode, and to control one or more of the compressor power, the reaction-to-process air, the reaction circulation, the auxiliary condenser, and the evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters.

[0032] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a heat pump unit further comprising an auxiliary condenser such that refrigerant fluid is sequentially passed through the main condenser, then through the auxiliary condenser, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and back to the compressor. The auxiliary condenser is adapted to receive reactivated air from the evaporator, ambient air, the process air outlet, or the process air inlet.

[0033] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump in which a portion of the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet is recirculated to the reactivated air inlet.

[0034] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a compressor that is a capacity controlled compressor, where the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the speed, electronic control, or hot gas bypass based on input parameters received by the control unit to achieve the desired water extraction in terms of liters / day capacity or the desired energy minimization in terms of liters / kW.

[0035] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump that is powered from the power grid, one or more solar photovoltaic cells, or a combination thereof.

[0036] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to supplying a portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air to an enclosed space as conditioned air.

[0037] The present disclosure also relates to a method of capturing water from ambient air, the method including the steps of: installing a rotary desiccant unit having a desiccant wheel with at least a process sector and a reactivation sector, such that the rotary desiccant unit defines a reactivation air inlet and a reactivation air outlet for passing reactivation air through the rotary desiccant unit, and a process air inlet and a process air outlet for passing process air through the rotary desiccant unit, installing a heat pump unit operatively associated with the rotary desiccant unit, such that the heat pump unit includes at least one compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a main condenser, and a refrigerant fluid is continuously flowed through the compressor, the main condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator, and installing a control unit. The main condenser receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air inlet before supplying it to the reactivation sector, the evaporator receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet after the reactivated air leaves the reactivation sector and causes condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator, the compressor is a capacity-controlled compressor, and the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet is mixed with process air at the process air inlet at the ambient when the reaction outlet moisture content is greater than the ambient moisture content, and the control unit is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, reactivated air inlet temperature, and an operating mode, and to control one or more of the compressor capacity, reaction to process air, reaction circulation, auxiliary condenser, and evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters.

[0038] Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of capturing water from ambient air including receiving reactivated air from an evaporator or receiving ambient air at an auxiliary condenser of a heat pump unit to transfer heat from the refrigerant fluid to the incoming reactivated air, the auxiliary condenser being arranged such that the refrigerant fluid is sequentially passed through a main condenser, then through the auxiliary condenser, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and back to the compressor.

[0039] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of capturing water from ambient air, in which a portion of the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet is recirculated to the reactivated air inlet.

[0040] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of capturing water from ambient air where the compressor is a capacity controlled compressor and the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the speed, electronic control or hot gas bypass based on input parameters received by the control unit to achieve a desired water extraction capacity (liters / day) or a desired energy minimization (liters / kW).

[0041] Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of harvesting water from ambient air that includes powering a water harvesting device from a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof.

[0042] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of capturing water from ambient air including supplying a portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air to an enclosed space as conditioned air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle as known in the prior art. [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art system for extracting water from atmospheric air utilizing two desiccant units, a solar thermal unit, and an air-to-air condenser. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b is a prior art diagram showing the control logic for the system shown in FIG. 2a. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art system for extracting water from atmospheric air utilizing three desiccant units, a heat unit, and an air-to-air condenser. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram of a prior art system for extracting water from atmospheric air utilizing a desiccant unit, a cooled fluid supply, and a hot fluid supply. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art system for extracting water from atmospheric air utilizing a desiccant unit, a compressor, two liquid-to-air heat exchangers, a subcooler, and an expansion valve. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption-based moisture generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7a] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption-based moisture generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7b] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption-based moisture generating device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption-based moisture generating device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is apparent that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Some features described hereinafter may be used independently of each other or in any combination with other features. Individual features may not address any of the problems discussed above, or may address only one of the problems discussed above. A problem discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below as shown in various drawings, in which numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0045] The present invention The basic premise of the present invention is to extract water from ambient air in an energy efficient manner at all times of the year in a wide variety of regions (from tropical regions with high humidity to arid / semi-arid regions with low humidity). The unique design and implementation of the present invention ensures that the present invention is advantageous in a variety of climatic conditions such as tropical, subtropical, arid, semi-arid, etc. The climate independent implementation makes the system flexible such that it is useful in a variety of applications and industries.

[0046] The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] is adapted to extract water from the ambient air while being powered from a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof. By utilizing a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof, the atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] can be operated continuously throughout the year in an energy-efficient manner in terms of liters of water extracted per watt of power consumed in producing the water. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] comprises a rotating desiccant unit, a heat pump unit

[1104] , a storage unit for condensed water, a control unit, and one or more fans.

[0047] Details of a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to the concepts of the present disclosure are described in detail hereinafter. Figure 6 shows a schematic depiction of an atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to this embodiment of the present invention configured in such a way that it is used to extract moisture from ambient air.

[0048] As mentioned above, the atmospheric water capture device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] comprises a rotating desiccant unit, a heat pump unit

[1104] , and a control unit. The rotating desiccant unit comprises a desiccant wheel

[1102] , a reactivated air inlet [1108a], a reactivated air outlet [1108b], a process air inlet [1106a], and a process air outlet [1106b]. The desiccant wheel

[1102] comprises at least a process sector

[1106] , a reactivated sector

[1108] , and a wheel drive. Adsorption of moisture from the ambient air is performed in the process sector

[1106] , and desorption of the water previously adsorbed in the process sector

[1106] is performed in the reactivated sector

[1108] . The wheel drive is essentially a conventional drive mechanism adapted to rotate the desiccant wheel

[1102] at a predetermined speed. The reactivated air inlet [1108a] and the reactivated air outlet [1108b] are connected such that reactivated air is supplied from the reactivated air inlet [1108a] through the reactivated sector

[1108] to the reactivated air outlet [1108b]. The process air inlet [1106a] and the process air outlet [1106b] are connected such that process air is supplied from the process air inlet [1106a] through the process sector

[1106] to the process air outlet [1106b]. The process air inlet [1106a], the process air outlet [1106b], the reactivated air inlet [1108a], and the reactivated air outlet [1108b] are suitably sized ducts adapted to allow air flow therethrough. The reactivated air entering the reactivated air inlet [1108a] and the process air entering the process air inlet [1106a] are ambient air. The reactivation air flowing at the reactivation air inlet [1108a] may be referred to as the "reactant inlet air" and may be designated by the same reference number as the reactivation air inlet, i.e., [1108a]. The reactivation air flowing at the reactivation air outlet [1108b] may be referred to as the "reactant outlet air" and may be designated by the same reference number as the reactivation air outlet, i.e., [1108b].The process air flowing at the process air inlet [1106a] may be referred to as "process inlet air" and may be designated by the same reference number as the process air inlet, i.e., [1106a]. The process air flowing at the process air outlet [1106b] may be referred to as "process outlet air" and may be designated by the same reference number as the process air outlet, i.e., [1106b].

[0049] The heat pump unit

[1104] includes at least one compressor

[1114] , an expansion valve

[1116] , an evaporator / condenser

[1112] (interchangeably referred to as the "evaporator

[1112] "), and a main heat condenser

[1110] (interchangeably referred to as the "main condenser

[1110] "), such that refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed through the compressor

[1114] , the main condenser

[1110] , the expansion valve

[1116] , and the evaporator

[1112] . The main condenser

[1110] receives reactivated air from a reactivated air inlet [1108a] before supplying the reactivated air to the reactivated sector

[1108] . After the expansion valve, the evaporator

[1112] receives reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] after it leaves the reactivated sector

[1108] , causing condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator

[1112] . Furthermore, the compressor is a capacity-controlled compressor. It is worth noting that the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with the process air at the process air inlet [1106a] whenever it has a moisture content higher than the external ambient moisture content.

[0050] The main condenser

[1110] of the heat pump unit

[1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to the reactivated air flowing through the main condenser

[1110] . As is commonly known, the main condenser

[1110] employs several coils through which heated refrigerant is passed. The evaporator

[1112] of the heat pump unit

[1104] facilitates heat transfer from the reactivated outlet air flowing through the evaporator

[1112] to the incoming refrigerant fluid to cause condensation of water from the high relative humidity (RH) reactivated outlet air. As is commonly known, the evaporator

[1112] employs several coils through which low temperature refrigerant is passed. The storage unit is positioned and adapted to receive the condensed water from the evaporator

[1112] . The compressor

[1114] is a capacity controlled compressor, where the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the through speed, electronic control, or hot gas bypass based on input parameters received by the control unit to achieve the desired water extraction capacity.

[0051] A capacity controlled compressor has the advantage that power consumption is proportional to the work done by the compressor. This significantly improves energy usage / efficiency in terms of liters of water produced per kW of energy input. Capacity control is through the control unit and is actuated by (a) varying the load of the evaporator through selected set points in a mode to maximize water production or a mode to minimize energy consumption, and (b) by the ambient air inlet to the main condenser

[1110] to regulate the air outlet temperature of the main condenser

[1110] .

[0052] The control unit of the atmospheric water intake device based on sorption moisture pump

[1100] is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, reactivated air inlet temperature, and operation mode, and to control one or more of the compressor power, the reaction-to-process air, the reaction circulation, the auxiliary condenser, and the evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters. Controlling the reaction-to-process air means mixing the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] with the process air at the process air inlet [1106a] whenever the moisture content is higher than the external ambient moisture content. Controlling the auxiliary condenser means operating the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] when the demand of the evaporator

[1112] cannot be fully met by the main condenser (described in detail later). Controlling the reaction circulation means redirecting at least a portion of the reactivated outlet air to the reactivated inlet air to increase the moisture content of the reactivated inlet air when the reactivated outlet air has a moisture content higher than the ambient reactivated inlet air. Here, the operating modes are configured to provide other means for either improving water extraction in terms of liters / day or reducing energy consumption in terms of liters / kW. The control unit comprises a processing unit, where processing unit refers to any logic circuit for processing instructions. The processing unit may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array circuit, any other type of integrated circuit, etc. The processing unit may perform signal coding data processing, input / output processing, and / or any other function that enables the operation of the system according to the present disclosure.The present invention contemplates special control algorithms used by a control unit that works in the background to modify the operation of the entire system based on input parameters to achieve a desired output in terms of water extraction capacity (liters / day) or minimum energy consumption (liters / kW) through control of one or more of the following: compressor power, reaction to process air, reaction circulation, auxiliary condenser, and evaporator temperature. As explained elsewhere, some of the parameters controlled, particularly through the control unit, are in principle the following: a. Compressor power control: Controlling the capacity of one or more compressors

[1114] ; b. Diverting reaction outlet air to process inlet air under certain conditions; c. Increase in main thermal condenser

[1110] air outlet temperature under specific operating conditions; d. Increase in evaporator

[1112] air outlet temperature under specific operating conditions; e. Addition of auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] above a certain evaporator load (as explained in the following paragraphs); f. Control of reactivation outlet air instead of bypassing through #b It will be from among.

[0053] One or more fans (not shown) of the sorption moisture pump based atmospheric water intake device

[1100] are adapted to generate one or more flows of reactivated air and / or process air. The present invention contemplates that the fans may be installed at either of the two, i.e., the process air inlet [1106a] and the process air outlet [1106b], to generate the process air flow. The present invention also contemplates that the same or other fans may be used at either of the other two, i.e., the reactivated air inlet [1108a] and the reactivated air outlet [1108b], to generate the reactivated air flow.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the reactivated air through the reactivated air inlet [1108a] passes through the main condenser

[1110] and is heated while cooling the refrigerant flowing through the condenser. The heated reactivated air is then passed through the reactivation sector

[1108] of the desiccant wheel

[1102] to desorb moisture from the reactivation sector

[1108] and regenerate the desiccant wheel

[1102] for further adsorption of moisture in the process sector

[1106] . The reactivated air exiting the reactivation sector

[1108] , which contains moisture, is cooled as it passes through the evaporator

[1112] , during which it heats the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator

[1112] . The cooling of the reactivated air in the evaporator

[1112] increases the relative humidity, eventually resulting in condensation of the moisture. The moisture removed through condensation in the evaporator

[1112] is collected in a storage unit. The collected water is potable and suitable for drinking purposes. A portion of the reactivated air leaving the evaporator

[1112] is mixed with the process air (ambient air) at the process air inlet [1106a] to increase the specific humidity of the process air entering the process sector

[1106] . The mixture of the recirculated reactivated air and the process air (ambient air) is passed through the process sector

[1106] of the desiccant wheel

[1102] via the process air inlet [1106a], where the mixture of the recirculated reactivated air and the process air removes moisture to the desiccant that is regenerated in the reactivation sector

[1108] . This increases the water extraction capacity (liters / day) / efficiency (liters / kW) of the atmospheric water capture device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] , especially when the dew point temperature of the reactivated air leaving the evaporator

[1112] is higher than the dew point of the process air before mixing.

[0055] A portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air is supplied to the enclosed space as conditioned air.

[0056] The desiccant wheel

[1102] of the rotating desiccant unit comprises a desiccant matrix comprising one or more desiccants attached to a substrate, where the one or more desiccants are selected from the group consisting of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), alone or in combination, with or without inorganic adsorbents. The one or more desiccants may be selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolites, alumina, reactive oxygen species (ROS), functionalized adsorbents, alone or in combination. The desiccant must be adsorbent for water so that ambient air passing through the desiccant can be dehumidified. The desiccant matrix comprises one or more smaller passages arranged axially such that the smaller passages are formed by alternating layers of flat or corrugated substrate material carrying one or more desiccants. The one or more smaller passages allow separate air flows to pass through the desiccant wheel

[1102] without significant cross-mixing. It is noteworthy that the desiccant matrix is ​​in the form of a honeycomb.

[0057] Details of another embodiment of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to the concept of the present disclosure will be described hereafter. FIG. 7a shows a schematic depiction of an atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to this embodiment of the present invention configured in such a way that the device is used to extract moisture from ambient air. Details related to the structure and operation of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] have already been described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7a, the heat pump unit

[1104] further comprises an auxiliary condenser [1118a] such that the refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed to the main condenser

[1110] , then to the auxiliary condenser [1118a], the expansion valve

[1116] , the evaporator

[1112] , and back to the compressor

[1114] . In this embodiment, the auxiliary condenser [1118a] is adapted to receive the cooled reactivated air exiting the evaporator

[1112] . Thus, the auxiliary condenser [1118a] of the heat pump unit

[1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to the reactivated air flowing through the auxiliary condenser [1118a]. Additionally, the reactivated air from the auxiliary condenser [1118a] at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with the process air at the process air inlet [1106a] before the process air is passed through the process sector

[1106] of the desiccant wheel

[1102] whenever the reactivated air has a moisture content greater than the external ambient moisture content.

[0058] The auxiliary condenser [1118a] is activated through the control unit when the demand of the evaporator

[1112] cannot be fully met by the main condenser

[1110] .

[0059] In the previous embodiment of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] , the temperature of the reactivated air treated in the evaporator is lower than the temperature of the reactivated air flowing at the reactivated air inlet [1108a] or the process air flowing at the process air inlet [1106a] or the process air outlet [1106b], and the condensation capacity of the auxiliary condenser [1118a] is greatly improved. Thus, the overall condensation capacity of the combination of the main condenser

[1110] and the auxiliary condenser [1118a] is significantly improved. Such an improvement in the overall condensation capacity of the combination of the main condenser

[1110] and the auxiliary condenser [1118a] increases the evaporation capacity of the evaporator

[1112] . Thus, the evaporator

[1112] can increase the water extraction capacity of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] . It can be seen that in this embodiment of the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on an adsorption moisture pump, the ratio of water extraction capacity to electrical energy consumption is substantially improved, i.e., a greater amount of water is extracted for the same amount of energy consumed.

[0060] Details of yet another embodiment of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to the concept of the present disclosure will be described in detail hereafter. FIG. 7b shows a schematic depiction of an atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to this embodiment of the present invention configured in such a way that the device is used to extract moisture from ambient air. Details related to the structure and operation of the atmospheric water intake device based on the adsorption moisture pump

[1100] have already been described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7b, the heat pump unit

[1104] further comprises an auxiliary condenser [1118b] such that the refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed to the main condenser

[1110] , then to the auxiliary condenser [1118b], the expansion valve

[1116] , the evaporator

[1112] , and back to the compressor

[1114] . In this embodiment, the auxiliary condenser [1118b] is adapted to receive ambient air to extract heat from the refrigerant. Thus, the auxiliary condenser [1118b] of the heat pump unit

[1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to the ambient air flowing through the auxiliary condenser [1118b].

[0061] The auxiliary condenser [1118b] is activated through the control unit when the demand of the evaporator

[1112] cannot be fully met by the main condenser.

[0062] Details of yet another embodiment of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to the concepts of the present disclosure will be described hereafter. FIG. 8 shows a schematic depiction of an atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] according to this embodiment of the present invention configured in such a way that it is used to extract moisture from ambient air. Details related to the structure and operation of this embodiment of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] are described in detail above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is split into two parts. One part of the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with the process air at the process air inlet [1106a] whenever the reactivated air has a moisture content higher than the external ambient moisture content. The other part of the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with the reactivated air at the reactivated air inlet [1108a] and is passed successively through the main condenser

[1110] , the reactivation sector

[1108] and the evaporator

[1112] . It is worth noting that the reaction outlet air is mixed with the reactivated inlet air only when it has a lower moisture content than the ambient reactivated inlet air.

[0063] For each of the above embodiments of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] , it can be noted that the water extraction capacity (amount of water extracted in a defined period of time, i.e., liters / day) of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] depends on the temperature of the evaporator

[1112] . The lower the temperature of the evaporator

[1112] , the higher the water extraction capacity of the water intake device

[1100] . Furthermore, the water extraction capacity of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] also depends on the temperature of the condenser. The higher the temperature of the condenser, the higher the water extraction capacity of the atmospheric water intake device based on an adsorption moisture pump

[1100] . Therefore, the capacity of the compressor

[1114] is controlled by the control unit to control the water extraction capacity of the air due to the power consumed by the compressor

[1114] .

[0064] The method includes the steps of installing a rotary desiccant unit having a desiccant wheel

[1102] with at least a process sector

[1106] and a reactivation sector

[1108] , such that the rotary desiccant unit defines a reactivation air inlet [1108a] and a reactivation air outlet [1108b] for passing reactivation air through the rotary desiccant unit, and a process air inlet [1106a] and a process air outlet [1106b] for passing process air through the rotary desiccant unit; installing a heat pump unit operatively associated with the rotary desiccant unit, such that the heat pump unit comprises at least one compressor

[1114] , an expansion valve

[1116] , an evaporator

[1112] , and a main condenser

[1110] , and a refrigerant fluid is continuously flowed through the compressor

[1114] , the main condenser

[1110] , the expansion valve

[1116] , and the evaporator

[1112] ; and installing a control unit. The main condenser

[1110] receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air inlet [1108a] before supplying it to the reactivation sector

[1108] , the evaporator

[1112] receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] after the reactivated air leaves the reactivation sector

[1108] , causing condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator, the compressor

[1114] is a capacity-controlled compressor, and the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with the process air at the process air inlet [1106a] when the reactivated air has a moisture content higher than the external ambient moisture content, and the control unit is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, reactivated air inlet temperature, and operation mode, and to control one or more of the compressor capacity, reaction-to-process air, reaction circulation, auxiliary condenser, and evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters according to an embodiment of the atmospheric water capture device based on adsorption moisture pump

[1100] .

[0065] The method of capturing water from ambient air further includes receiving reactivated air from the evaporator

[1112] or receiving ambient air at the auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] of the heat pump unit

[1104] for transferring heat from the refrigerant fluid to the incoming reactivated air according to an embodiment of the sorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device

[1100] . The auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] are arranged such that the refrigerant fluid is sequentially passed to the main condenser

[1110] , then to the auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b], the expansion valve

[1116] , the evaporator

[1112] and back to the compressor

[1114] .

[0066] The compressor

[1114] used in the method of capturing water from ambient air is a capacity-controlled compressor, where the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the through speed, electronic control, or hot gas bypass, based on input parameters received by the control unit.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on a sorption moisture pump, a method of capturing water from ambient air includes recirculating a portion of the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] to the reactivated air inlet [1108a].

[0068] According to an embodiment of the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on an adsorption moisture pump, a method for capturing water from ambient air includes supplying a portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air as conditioned air to an enclosed space.

[0069] The method of capturing water from ambient air further includes powering the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on sorption moisture pump from a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof.

[0070] Various advantages of the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] and method for capturing water from ambient air based on the adsorption moisture pump as disclosed in the above embodiments are discussed hereinafter.

[0071] In initial commissioning, the present invention has resulted in the production of approximately 25-30 liters of water per day in a warm climate environment using silica gel desiccant as the desiccant material. Furthermore, the present invention is ideally suited for domestic use and can be upgraded for uses where higher production volumes are required. In this case, the capacity of the evaporator

[1112] needs to be increased while a corresponding increase in the capacity of the main condenser

[1110] is augmented by the use of auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] as shown in Figures 7a and 7b.

[0072] It is emphasized that the inherent use of an atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on an adsorption moisture pump and a heat pump unit

[1104] using a condenser-evaporator

[1112] in combination with a rotating desiccant unit as part of the method of capturing water from the ambient air allows for easy dissipation of heat in the system, control over water production levels, flexibility in operation and implementation without incurring significant infrastructure or operating costs. Thus, the present invention is an elegant solution that addresses many of the challenges discussed above, without compromising on installation and operating costs.

[0073] It is worth noting that the present invention is desiccant independent. The choice of desiccant material employed and used in the rotary desiccant system is a function of the level of adsorption required in a given climatic environment. Thus, for example, in areas with tropical climates, where a relatively low level of water adsorption is required due to relatively high atmospheric humidity, the desiccant can be silica gel. On the other hand, where there is a need to maximize water production, such as in arid zones where the relative humidity of the atmosphere is low, novel materials with high desiccant capacity, such as materials composited with hydrated salts impregnated in porous materials (desiccant such as MOFs, COFs, ZIFs, ROS, functionalized adsorbents, etc.), can be used depending on the location of different climatic conditions. This is achieved without the need for increased infrastructure, installation, or operating costs.

[0074] An additional advantage of the present invention is that the dual functionality of the device and method as disclosed in this disclosure allows for not only the function of air conditioning a room / space, but also the function of water capture / generation from the air.

[0075] The present invention can be independent of the power source, since it can operate on a grid-based power supply or an off-grid power supply such as an energy storage medium or off-solar power. In essence, the elegant simplicity of the construction allows the system to be implemented as a plug-and-play system whose operation is not compromised by power source interruptions. The advantage of working with both alternative energy sources, such as photovoltaic (solar PV) or photovoltaic thermal (PVT) sources, and a grid-based power source, is that the system can be continuous, i.e., at all times throughout the year.

[0076] The present invention is unique because it maximizes the amount of water that can be captured while at the same time minimizing the energy / power used to capture the water. This is achieved more effectively in arid and semi-arid regions. Water production is effectively measured as liters of water produced per kWh (kilowatt hour) of energy used. This is essentially achieved through a compressor

[1114] whose capacity is controlled by a control unit based on simultaneous and separate adjustments of the air temperature leaving the main condenser

[1110] for regenerating the wheel and the gas temperature at the evaporator

[1112] in the heat pump evaporator

[1112] based on continuously changing ambient conditions of temperature, specific humidity, and relative humidity.

[0077] The present invention operates to reduce the ratio of electrical supply to water extraction capacity. Specifically, the present invention achieves water uptake from air at least below 0.5 kWh / liter, preferably up to 0.3 kWh / liter, based on an average of year-round conditions, not in a given weather condition. Thus, one advantage of the present invention relates to a power supply source that is an alternative option to a solar power source, a grid power source, a combination of both, and / or both, to enable 24 / 7 operation. Another advantage of the present invention relates to the employment of an auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] that substantially reduces the ratio of electrical supply to water extraction capacity. Yet another advantage of the present invention relates to the various options of desiccant materials that can be determined based on ambient conditions.

[0078] Yet another advantage of the present invention relates to the control unit deployed in the present invention, which provides precise control of water extraction capacity at the cost of electricity based on ambient conditions. For example, in arid regions, there is a requirement for increased water extraction capacity of the atmospheric water intake device

[1100] based on adsorption moisture pump (as disclosed in the present disclosure) and the method of taking water from ambient air, by increasing the electricity supply. In such a situation, the compressor

[1114] can be controlled by the control unit to increase the electricity consumption in order to increase the temperature of the condenser, which in turn leads to a decrease in the temperature of the evaporator

[1112] , and output an increased water extraction capacity by the atmospheric water intake device

[1100] based on adsorption moisture pump (as disclosed in the present disclosure) and the method of taking water from ambient air. Alternatively, in tropical regions, there is a requirement for electrical energy consumption, while there is a reduced requirement for water extraction capacity of the atmospheric water intake device

[1100] based on adsorption moisture pump (as disclosed in the present disclosure) and the method of taking water from ambient air. In such a situation, the compressor

[1114] can be controlled by the control unit to lower the condenser temperature and thus raise the evaporator

[1112] temperature so that the output water extraction capacity is reduced, thereby lowering the electricity consumption. Thus, such a control unit of the atmospheric water capture device

[1100] based on sorption moisture pump can adjust the water extraction capacity of the present invention as disclosed in this disclosure.

[0079] The following examples demonstrate some of the important advantages of this adsorption-based invention compared to the most commonly used technology of refrigerant-based atmospheric water generators.

[0080] One of the major benefits of this invention is that it is not limited to areas of high humidity and can produce water in different climates around the world since the adsorption principle operates independent of dew point, which is the major drawback / limitation of refrigeration AWGs that cannot go below 0°C dew point. This adsorption feature of this technology is further amplified in its operation in arid and semi-arid regions. The following examples clarify this. EXAMPLES

[0081] In this example, the cities of Jaipur, Abu Dhabi, Delhi and Riyadh were selected to amplify the benefits of this technology in arid and semi-arid regions. Using the hourly binary data of each of these cities, the total water produced for the entire year of 8760 hours was calculated using the suction wheel configuration of the present invention. Similarly, the total energy was also calculated for the entire year as the energy consumed through the control unit automatically proportional to the water produced at a given time, hour and day of the year. From this, the total water produced per 100kW can be easily calculated and is presented below, further providing the water produced in liters / kW.

[0082] [Table 1]

[0083] In the above table, the water produced is based on a main thermal condenser

[1110] air outlet (reactivation air entering the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel) temperature of approximately 50°C and a saturated air outlet temperature from the evaporator / condenser

[1112] of approximately 15°C.

[0084] From the above, it is evident that the present invention is more efficient at producing water over the prior art. EXAMPLES

[0085] An additional benefit of the present invention through the control unit is that it allows the user to maximize water production, especially in times of need and / or in water stressed areas. Through this mode, the control unit will maximize water production by lowering the saturated air outlet temperature of the evaporator / condenser

[1112] to about 10°C with a higher regenerative air heat input from the main heat condenser

[1110] at about 60°C.

[0086] [Table 2] EXAMPLES

[0087] There are times when the ambient air moisture content is lower than the moisture coming from the reactivated air outlet flow. This is a small but effective waste of moisture available for capture. In this example, the reactivated air outlet, when it is higher in moisture than the flowing ambient process air, is automatically directed through the control unit into the flowing process air to create a higher in moisture condition for the process sector of the suction wheel.

[0088] [Table 3]

[0089] In Table 3 above, a typical reactor outlet air moisture content is assumed as 74.8 gr / lb, and the corresponding process inlet air condition before mixing should be 74.8 gr / lb or less. In this example, an ambient moisture content of 55.3 gr / lb (30° C. and 30% RH) is assumed. Thus, the mixed air condition is calculated using the given mix ratio of the reactivation air outlet and the process air inlet. The resulting process air moisture content is 61.8 gr / lb, which is higher than the 55.3 gr / lb moisture in ambient air, thereby increasing the possibility of water entrapment. This is an essential feature of the present invention.

[0090] In all the above embodiments, if the evaporator load requires more heat removal than is available / possible through the main "hot" condenser

[1110] , the control unit automatically provides for the integration of auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] in the refrigeration system in an alternative embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1100 Atmospheric water capture device based on adsorption water pump 1102 Desiccant Wheel 1104 Heat pump unit 1106 Process Sector 1106a Process air inlet 1106b Process air outlet 1108 Reactivation Sector 1108a Reactivation air inlet 1108b Reactivation air outlet 1110 Main condenser, main heat condenser 1112 Evaporator, evaporator-condenser 1114 Compressor 1116 Expansion valve 1118a, 1118b Auxiliary condenser

Claims

1. An atmospheric water capture device [1100] based on an adsorption moisture pump, comprising:

1. A rotary desiccant unit comprising: a desiccant wheel [1102] comprising at least a process sector [1106], a reactivation sector [1108], and a wheel drive; a reactivation air inlet [1108a] and a reactivation air outlet [1108b], such that reactivation air is supplied from the reactivation air inlet [1108a] through the reactivation sector [1108] to the reactivation air outlet [1108b]; and a process air inlet [1106a] and a process air outlet [1106b], such that process air is supplied from the process air inlet [1106a] through the process sector [1106] to the process air outlet [1106b]; a rotary desiccant unit comprising: a heat pump unit [1104] comprising at least one compressor [1114], an expansion valve [1116], an evaporator [1112], and a main condenser [1110], such that a refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed through said compressor [1114], said main condenser [1110], said expansion valve [1116], and said evaporator [1112]; Control unit and Equipped with The main condenser [1110] receives the reactivation air from the reactivation air inlet [1108a] before supplying the reactivation air to the reactivation sector [1108]; the evaporator [1112] receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] after the reactivated air has exited the reactivated sector [1108], causing condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator [1112]; The compressor [1114] is a capacity-controlled compressor; the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with process air at the process air inlet [1106a] whenever the reactivated air has a moisture content greater than the external ambient moisture content; The control unit is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, reactivated air inlet temperature, and operation mode, and to control one or more of compressor power, reactivated air outlet-process air inlet reaction to process air, reaction circulation, auxiliary condenser, and evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters, in the atmospheric water capture device based on adsorption moisture pump [1100].

2. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode is configured to maximize water extraction in terms of liters / day or reduce energy consumption in terms of liters / kW.

3. The heat pump unit [1104] includes auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] such that refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed through the main condenser [1110], then through the auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b], the expansion valve [1116], the evaporator [1112], and back to the compressor [1114].

4. The adsorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 3, wherein the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] is adapted to receive the reactivated air from the evaporator [1112] or ambient air.

5. The sorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 1, wherein the main condenser [1110] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to the reactivated air flowing through the main condenser [1110].

6. The adsorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 1, wherein the evaporator [1112] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the reactivated air flowing through the evaporator [1112] to the incoming refrigerant fluid to cause condensation of water from the reactivated air.

7. The sorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 1, comprising a storage unit for receiving condensed water from said evaporator [1112] unit.

8. The adsorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 3 or 4, wherein the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to either the reactivated air or ambient air flowing through the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b].

9. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump [1100] of claim 1, wherein the compressor [1114] is a capacity-controlled compressor and the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the through rate, electronic control, or hot gas bypass based on the input parameters received by the control unit to achieve a desired water extraction capacity or energy minimization.

10. 2. The adsorption moisture pump-based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 1, wherein a portion of the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is recirculated to the reactivated air inlet [1108a].

11. The water uptake device 11. The atmospheric water capture device based on the sorption moisture pump of claim 1, wherein the atmospheric water capture device is powered from a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof.

12. The sorption moisture pump based atmospheric water capture device [1100] of claim 1, wherein the desiccant wheel [1102] comprises a sorbent matrix comprising one or more sorbents attached to a substrate.

13. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump according to claim 1, wherein the one or more adsorbents are selected from the group consisting of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), alone or in combination with each other, with or without inorganic adsorbents.

14. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump according to claim 1, wherein the one or more adsorbents are selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolite, alumina, reactive oxygen species (ROS), functionalized adsorbents, alone or in combination.

15. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump as described in claim 16, wherein the adsorbent matrix comprises one or more smaller passages arranged axially such that the smaller passages are formed by alternating layers of flat or corrugated substrate material carrying the one or more adsorbents.

16. An atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump as described in claim 12 or 15, wherein the adsorbent matrix is ​​in the form of a honeycomb [1100].

17. The atmospheric water intake device [1100] based on an adsorption moisture pump as described in claim 1, wherein the water intake device [1100] comprises one or more fans adapted to generate a flow of the reactivated air and / or the process air.

18. The atmospheric water capture device based on an adsorption moisture pump according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air is supplied to an enclosed space as conditioned air [1100].

19. 1. A method for capturing water from ambient air, comprising: installing a rotary desiccant unit having a desiccant wheel [1102] with at least a process sector [1106] and a reactivation sector [1108] such that said rotary desiccant unit defines a reactivation air inlet [1108a] and a reactivation air outlet [1108b] for passing reactivation air through said rotary desiccant unit, and a process air inlet [1106a] and a process air outlet [1106b] for passing process air through said rotary desiccant unit; providing a heat pump unit [1104] operatively associated with said rotary desiccant unit, said heat pump unit comprising at least one compressor [1114], an expansion valve [1116], an evaporator [1112], and a main condenser [1110], and wherein a refrigerant fluid is continuously flowed through said compressor [1114], said main condenser [1110], said expansion valve [1116], and said evaporator [1112]; installing a control unit; Including, The main condenser [1110] receives the reactivation air from the reactivation air inlet [1108a] before supplying the reactivation air to the reactivation sector [1108]; the evaporator [1112] receives the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] after the reactivated air has exited the reactivated sector [1108], causing condensation of water from the reactivated air passing through the evaporator [1112]; The compressor [1114] is a capacity-controlled compressor; the reactivated air at the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is mixed with process air at the process air inlet [1106a] whenever the reactivated air has a moisture content greater than the external ambient moisture content; The method of capturing water from ambient air, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive one or more input parameters from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, reactivation air inlet temperature, and operation mode, and control one or more of compressor power, reaction to process air, reaction circulation, auxiliary condenser, and evaporator temperature based on the received input parameters.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the operating mode is configured to maximize water extraction in terms of liters / day or reduce energy consumption in terms of liters / kW.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising the step of receiving the reactivated air from the evaporator [1112] or receiving the ambient air in an auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] of the heat pump unit [1104] to transfer heat from the refrigerant fluid to the incoming reactivated air or ambient air.

22. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b] are arranged such that refrigerant fluid is sequentially flowed through the main condenser [1110], then through the auxiliary condensers [1118a, 1118b], the expansion valve [1116], the evaporator [1112], and back to the compressor [1114].

23. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the main condenser [1110] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to the reactivated air flowing through the main condenser [1110].

24. 21. The method of capturing water from ambient air as described in claim 20, wherein the evaporator [1112] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the reactivated air flowing through the evaporator [1112] to the incoming refrigerant fluid to cause condensation of water from the reactivated air.

25. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising providing a storage unit for receiving condensed water from said evaporator [1112] unit.

26. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b] of the heat pump unit [1104] facilitates heat transfer from the incoming refrigerant fluid to either the reactivated air or the ambient air flowing through the auxiliary condenser [1118a, 1118b].

27. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the compressor [1114] is a capacity controlled compressor and the compressor capacity is varied by varying either the through speed, electronic control, or hot gas bypass based on the input parameters received by the control unit to achieve a desired water extraction capacity or energy minimization.

28. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a portion of the reactivated air from the reactivated air outlet [1108b] is recirculated to the reactivated air inlet [1108a].

29. 21. The method of capturing water from ambient air as described in claim 20, comprising powering the water capture device [1100] from a power grid, one or more solar cells, or a combination thereof.

30. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the desiccant wheel [1102] comprises an adsorbent matrix comprising one or more adsorbents attached to a substrate.

31. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more adsorbents are selected from the group consisting of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), alone or in combination, with or without inorganic adsorbents.

32. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more adsorbents are selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolites, alumina, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and functionalized adsorbents.

33. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the adsorbent matrix comprises one or more smaller passages arranged axially such that the smaller passages are formed by alternating layers of flat or corrugated substrate material carrying the one or more adsorbents.

34. 34. A method for capturing water from ambient air as claimed in claim 30 or 33, wherein the adsorbent matrix is ​​in the form of a honeycomb.

35. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising providing one or more fans adapted to generate one or more flows of the reactivation air and / or the process air.

36. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a portion of the cooled reactivated outlet air is supplied to an enclosed space as conditioned air.

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