Air-to-water generation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air-to-water generation system, which comprises: a water extraction unit for extracting water from an airflow. The water extraction unit comprises: an arrangement for implementing a refrigeration cycle, wherein the arrangement comprises a curved evaporator and a curved condenser; and a water collection conduit, for collecting water from the curved evaporator. The system also comprises a storage tank for receiving and storing water from the water collection conduit. Further, the system comprises a water treatment and dispensing unit. The water treatment and dispensing unit comprises: a dispensing unit, comprising a dispensing outlet controllable to dispense water responsive to input received via a user control interface, the dispensing outlet in fluid communication with the storage tank; and a controller operative to control operation of the dispensing unit.

Description

[0001] Air-to-water generation system

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an air-to-water generation system. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an air-to-water generation system, comprising an air-to-water generator comprising curved evaporator and condenser coils, and a water extraction unit for an air-to-water generator, where said water extraction unit comprises curved evaporator and condenser coils.

[0004] Background

[0005] The provision of water, particularly clean water, is essential in virtually every aspect of life. In regions of adequate rainfall and in developed regions which have access to piped water this is normally not a problem. However, many regions of the world have inadequate rainfall and are often great distances from water sources. In addition, the much-reported changes in global climate have further reduced rainfall in many regions, often in regions which already had inadequate rainfall.

[0006] The United Nations has predicted that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will face absolute water scarcity and two thirds of the world's population could be living under water-stressed conditions. It has also been estimated that 663 million people, roughly one in 10 of the world's population, lack access to safe drinking water.

[0007] Water from ground sources (e.g. reservoirs, aquifers, wells, etc.) comprise one source of potentially potable water for a population. However, the above issues have an impact on these limited sources of water.

[0008] Whilst water from ground sources is commonly bottled for distribution and sale to consumers, the bottles typically employed for containing the water are plastic bottles. There are currently concerns around the overuse of plastic in everyday life.

[0009] One way of supplying clean water in areas of water scarcity is by means of an air-to- water generator, sometimes known as an atmospheric water generator. Such generators can be used anywhere where the air has high humidity and a temperature consistently above 25° C. The water-containing air is passed over refrigerated coils, thereby condensing the water which can then be collected for later use.

[0010] In known systems, the refrigerated coils that are used tend to be a rectangular cuboid shape (i.e., be substantially planar in form). The footprint of a system containing coils of this type must be dimensioned so as to accommodate such a shape. If more water output is required, then a larger evaporator coil may be required. However, a consequence of this is that the footprint of the system must correspondingly increase to accommodate a larger coil. A unit with increased footprint may not be desirable in certain environments. Designers must balance these potentially conflicting issues of system water output versus system footprint.

[0011] The present invention has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

[0012] Summary

[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air-to-water generation system, which comprises: a water extraction unit for extracting water from an airflow. The water extraction unit comprises: an arrangement for implementing a refrigeration cycle, wherein the arrangement comprises a curved evaporator and a curved condenser; and a water collection conduit, for collecting water from the curved evaporator. The system also comprises a storage tank for receiving and storing water from the water collection conduit. Further, the system comprises a water treatment and dispensing unit. The water treatment and dispensing unit comprises: a dispensing unit, comprising a dispensing outlet controllable to dispense water responsive to input received via a user control interface, the dispensing outlet in fluid communication with the storage tank; and a controller operative to control operation of the dispensing unit.

[0014] Employing evaporator / condenser coils that are curved may mean that the coils require less space than a linear coil having the same length. This will have an impact on the dimensions of the housing of an air-to-water generation system that comprises such curved evaporator / condenser coils, i.e., such a housing may be smaller than a housing required where linear coils are employed.

[0015] Optionally, an outer circumference of the curved evaporator may define a major arc of a first circle. Further optionally, an outer circumference of the curved condenser may define a major arc of a second circle, wherein a diameter of the second circle is smaller than that of the first circle. Yet further optionally, the curved condenser may be at least partly nested within a space bounded by the curved evaporator.

[0016] Optionally, the system may further comprise a user control interface for receiving user input. Further optionally, the user interface may be operative, responsive to received user input, to control operation of a dispensing valve to dispense water from the dispensing outlet. Yet further optionally, the dispensing valve may operate to cause water to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet in direct response to input received via the user control interface. Optionally, the user control interface may comprise a mechanical element. Further optionally, wherein the mechanical element may comprise a tap, lever, handle and / or button.

[0017] Optionally, the user control interface may comprise an electronic element. Further optionally, the electronic element may comprise a button, a display a touch-screen display, and / or a motion sensing element.

[0018] Optionally, the user interface may be operative to communicate a user input instruction to the controller. Further optionally, the controller, responsive to a received user input instruction, may be operative to control operation of a / the dispensing valve to dispense water from the dispensing outlet. Yet further optionally, the dispensing valve may operate to cause water to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet in response to a signal received from the controller, the signal output by the controller to the dispensing valve responsive to input received at the controller via the user control interface.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water extraction unit for an air-to-water generation system, the water extraction unit for extracting water from an airflow, the water extraction unit comprising: an arrangement for implementing a refrigeration cycle, wherein the arrangement comprises a curved evaporator and a curved condenser; and a water collection conduit, for collecting water from the curved evaporator.

[0020] Optionally, an outer circumference of the curved evaporator may define a major arc of a first circle. Further optionally, an outer circumference of the curved condenser may define a major arc of a second circle, wherein a diameter of the second circle is smaller than that of the first circle. Yet further optionally, the curved condenser may be at least partly nested within a space bounded by the curved evaporator.

[0021] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] One or more embodiments of the present invention are described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an air-to-water (ATW) generation system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates evaporator and condenser elements of an ATW generation system according to an optional arrangement.

[0025] Detailed Description of the Invention Fig. 1 illustrates an air-to-water (ATW) generation system 10 according to one or more embodiments. The ATW generation system 10 comprises an air-to-water (ATW) generator 12 and a water treatment and dispensing unit 14.

[0026] ATW generator 12 comprises a water extraction unit 13, which, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises a cooling condensation type generator. ATW generator 12 operates in a manner where moist air is drawn into a conduit 16 of the ATW generator 12 via an inlet 18 to the conduit 16. Air is discharged from the conduit 16 through an outlet 20 at an opposite end of the conduit 16 to the inlet 18. An air flow induction system is configured to induce a flow of air into and through the conduit 16. Air flow induction system comprises fan

[0027] 21, which operates to draw air into the conduit 16 via inlet 18, and to expel air from the conduit 16 via outlet 20.

[0028] The ATW generator 12 further comprises a curved evaporator 22, a curved condenser 24, a compressor 26 and a throttle device 28. Together, these elements operate to perform a refrigeration cycle in which compressor 26 circulates a refrigerant through curved condenser 24, throttle device 28 and curved evaporator 22. The curved condenser 24 connects with the curved evaporator 22 via the throttle device 28. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser 24 and enters the throttle device 28, pressure of the refrigerant drops due to the constriction in the refrigerant flow-path presented by the throttle device 28. This causes the temperature of the refrigerant fluid to decrease. The relatively cold refrigerant fluid that exits the throttle device 28 is then routed to curved evaporator 22.

[0029] Warm, moist air drawn into the conduit 16 by the fan 21 first passes over the curved evaporator 22, which absorbs energy from the air, reducing the temperature of the air and resulting in condensation of water from the air. This water extracted from the air is collected in a water storage unit 30 (discussed further below).

[0030] Warm, moist air drawn into the conduit 16 by the fan 21 first passes over the curved evaporator 22, which absorbs energy from the air, reducing the temperature of the air and resulting in condensation of water from the air on the surfaces of the curved evaporator 22. This water extracted from the air on the curved evaporator 22 is collected in a collection conduit 29, which is configured to direct collected water to the water storage unit 30 (discussed further below).

[0031] In the ATW generation system 10 illustrated in Fig. 1, the ATW generator 12 also comprises (optional) air filter 27, which is located in conduit 16 upstream of curved evaporator

[0032] 22. The air filter 27 serves to remove, or reduce, particulate matter in an air stream reaching the evaporator, and may be further configured to remove, or reduce air-borne pathogens in the air stream and / or treat air-borne pathogens in the air stream.

[0033] After exiting the curved evaporator 22, refrigerant fluid within the refrigeration cycle is compressed by the compressor 26 and is pumped to the curved condenser 24, at which point the cycle begins again.

[0034] Arrows in the figure indicate direction of refrigerant flow through the circuit that comprises the elements that operate to perform the refrigeration cycle.

[0035] The curvatures of the curved evaporator 22 and curved condenser 24 are not shown in Fig. 1. Instead, these can be seen in Fig. 2.

[0036] In the ATW generation system 10 illustrated in Fig. 1, the water storage unit 30 forms part of water treatment and dispensing unit 14. The water treatment and dispensing unit 14 illustrated in Fig. 1 further comprises: a first (optional) pathogen treatment device 31 operative to treat water stored in the water storage unit 30; a dispensing unit 32 controllable to dispense water; a pump 34 for inducing flow of water from the water storage unit 30 to the dispensing unit 32; a user control interface 36; a second (optional) pathogen treatment device 38 operative to treat water in the dispensing unit 32; and a controller 40 operative to control operation of at least the first pathogen treatment device 31 and the second pathogen treatment device 38. An optional water filtration system 42 may also form part of the water treatment and dispensing unit 14.

[0037] Water collected in the water storage unit 30 can be pumped via pump 34 and water filtration system 42 to dispensing unit 32. Water can be dispensed from the dispensing unit 32 through a dispensing outlet of the dispensing unit. Control of dispensing of water from the dispensing unit is by way of operating a valve 46.

[0038] Water collected in water storage unit 30 from the ATW generator 12 can be rendered potable (i.e. safe-to-drink) by a treatment process implemented by the water treatment and dispensing unit 14. Initially, first pathogen treatment device 31 is operated to treat water stored in the water storage unit 30. In one or more embodiments, the first pathogen treatment device 31 comprises an ultra-violet (UV) radiation source configured to irradiate water stored in the water storage unit 30 with UV light. UV light rays emitted by the first pathogen treatment device 31 can kill pathogens (e.g. protozoa, bacteria, etc.) in water within the water storage unit 30.

[0039] The water treatment process continues at the water filtration system 42, which can be configured to remove, or reduce particulate matter in the water stream. Following passage through the water filtration system 42, the water undergoes further treatment in dispensing unit 32. The second pathogen treatment device 38 is operated to treat water in the dispensing unit 32. In one or more embodiments, the second pathogen treatment device 38 comprises an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source configured to irradiate water in the dispensing unit 32 with UV light. UV light rays emitted by the second pathogen treatment device 38 can kill any remaining pathogens in water in the dispensing unit in proximity to the point of dispensing. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion 48 of a water conduit in the dispensing unit 32 is transparent to permit the irradiation of water within that portion of the water conduit with UV light rays emitted by second pathogen treatment device 38.

[0040] Treated water can be dispensed from a dispensing outlet of the dispensing unit 32 by controlling valve 46. Valve 46 is controlled by input received via user control interface 36. In one arrangement, user control interface 36 may comprise a mechanical control element (e.g. a tap) to operate the valve 46. In another arrangement, user control interface 36 may comprise an electronic control element. In a further arrangement, user control interface 36 may comprise a combination of both mechanical and electronic control elements.

[0041] The user control interface 36 may also be configured to allow a user to input instructions to control operation of the water treatment and dispensing unit 14. Such instructions input by the user control interface 36 are conveyed to controller 40, which operates, responsive to the input instructions to control one or more elements of the water treatment and dispensing unit 14. In one example, the dispensing unit 32 operates to dispense water in response to a signal received from the controller 40, the signal output by the controller 40 to the dispensing unit 14 responsive to input received at the controller 40 via the user control interface 36.

[0042] Fig. 2 illustrates evaporator and condenser elements of an ATW generation system 10 according to an optional arrangement.

[0043] Curved evaporator 22 comprises a hollow cylindrical body having an outer diameter denoted as DEouter. The hollow cylindrical body of the curved evaporator 22 does not form a complete circle, but instead includes a gap following a minor arc of the circle. If the hollow cylindrical body were to be a solid cylindrical body, then the gap would correspond to a minor sector of material removed from the solid cylindrical body. The length of the gap is denoted by CEgap in the figure and corresponds to a portion of the outer circumference of the curved evaporator 22.

[0044] The curved condenser 24 has a similar geometry to that of the curved evaporator 22, but has an outer diameter, denoted as DCouterin the figure, that is smaller than an inner diameter of the curved evaporator 22. This allows the curved condenser 24 to be located in the space bounded by the curved evaporator 22, i.e., nested inside the hollow central section of the curved evaporator 22 that is surrounded by the inner walls of the curved evaporator 22.

[0045] As with the curved evaporator 22, the curved condenser 24 similarly includes a gap. The length of the gap is denoted by CCgapin the figure.

[0046] For the purposes of comparing footprint occupied by known linear evaporator / condenser coils to the footprint occupied by curved evaporator / condenser coils according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, assume that a length of a linear evaporator / condenser coil can be denoted by L. For a coil of the same length, but which has been arranged in a curved arrangement, such as illustrated in Fig. 2, the length, L, can be expressed as:

[0047] L = CE - CEgap(1)

[0048] In the above equation, CE denotes the outer circumference of the hollow cylindrical body that forms the curved evaporator 22 and CEgapdenotes the length of the gap.

[0049] Equation (1) can be re-written as:

[0050] L — nDE0Uter— CEgap(2)

[0051] For the purposes of the comparison, assume that the length of the gap corresponds to a quarter of the full circumference of the hollow cylindrical body of the curved evaporator 22 (if there was no gap). Then, equation (2) can be re-written as:

[0052] Re-arranging the terms to show the outer diameter of the curved evaporator 22, which provides an indication of the footprint of the curved evaporator 22: Therefore, it can be seen that employing evaporator / condenser coils that are curved means that the coils require less space than a linear coil having the same length. This will have an impact on the dimensions of the housing of an ATW generation system 10 that comprises such curved evaporator / condenser coils, i.e., such a housing may be smaller than a housing required where linear coils are employed.

[0053] Although the curved condenser 24 is shown to be nested wholly within the curved evaporator 22 in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2, in other arrangements the curved condenser 24 may be only partially nested therein, e.g. a top surface of the curved condenser 24 may be located above / below that of the curved evaporator 22.

[0054] In the above-described one or more embodiments, the water storage unit 28 is described as forming part of water treatment and dispensing unit 14. However, in an optional arrangement, the water storage unit 30 may form part of ATW generator 12, with the water storage unit 30 of ATW generator 12 in fluid communication with water treatment and dispensing unit 14 (e.g. via a conduit to convey water from the ATW generator 12 to the water treatment and dispensing unit 14). In a further optional arrangement, the water storage unit 30 may be separate from both the ATW generator 12 and the water treatment and dispensing unit 14.

[0055] In the above-described one or more embodiments, the ATW generation system 10 comprises a single fan in the ATW generator 12. However, in an optional arrangement, the ATW generator 12 may comprise two fans: one upstream of the evaporator / condenser pair 22, 24; and the other downstream of the evaporator / condenser pair 22, 24. In another optional arrangement, the ATW generator 12 may comprise greater than two fans operative to draw air into the conduit via the air inlet and expel air therefrom via the air outlet. The one or more fans may comprise centrifugal and / or axial fans.

[0056] In the above-described one or more embodiments, the ATW generation system 10 is illustrated, in the accompanying figures, with a single air filter 27. However, in an optional arrangement, the air filter 27 may comprises a plurality of air filter units. The plurality of air filter units may be the same in some arrangements, and may be different in other arrangements (e.g. some may be to remove particulate matter and others may be to treat airborne pathogens). In some optional arrangements, at least one air filter may comprise a HEPA filter. In other optional arrangements, at least one air filter may comprise a filter that comprises a pathogen treatment agent (e.g. the filter may be chemically impregnated with an anti-bacterial agent).

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the ATW generator 12 may be located remote from the water treatment and dispensing unit 14. The ATW generator 12 and water treatment and dispensing unit 14 may be in fluid communication by way of a conduit connecting the two. In one or more embodiments, the water storage unit 30 may be in the ATW generator side and in other one or more embodiments, the water storage unit 30 may be in the water treatment and dispensing unit side. In further one or more embodiments, the water storage unit 30 may comprise a split unit, with one portion located in the ATW generator side and another portion located in the water treatment and dispensing unit side.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, an agitator, or stirrer, may be provided in a water storage unit and / or storage tank(s), to prevent water in the storage units / tanks from “standing” for too long.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the ATW generation system 10 may be configured for communicative coupling to a communications network. Parameters and messages relating to the system operation (e.g. water generated, power consumed, cost per litre of water, fault messages, chiller / heater temperatures and control, filter change alert, water storage unit level, ambient temp, relative humidity, etc.) may be conveyed to a remote device via the communications network. This may allow an ATW generation system 10 to be monitored remotely. Optionally, the ATW generation system 10 could also be controlled remotely via the remote device in such an arrangement.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, water-containing elements of the system (e.g. water conduits and / or water storage units) may comprise an anti-pathogen agent. Optionally, the antipathogen agent may be impregnated in material(s) forming the water-containing elements. Further optionally, the anti-pathogen agent may be contained in a surface coating of the watercontaining elements. Such an anti-pathogen agent may inhibit biofilm and / or bacterial growth in the water-containing elements and / or may serve to kill pathogens in the water-containing elements. Any references made herein to orientation (e.g. top, bottom, upper, lower, front, back, and rear) are made for the purposes of describing relative spatial arrangements of the features of the apparatus, and are not intended to be limiting in any sense.

[0061] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0062] In addition, the terms “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is means otherwise.

[0063] In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments in accordance with the invention are not limited to any of the particular materials disclosed herein. Other materials suitable for performing the function described herein for a particular material may also be utilized in embodiments of the invention.

[0064] The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air-to-water generation system comprising: a water extraction unit for extracting water from an airflow, the water extraction unit comprising: an arrangement for implementing a refrigeration cycle, wherein the arrangement comprises a curved evaporator and a curved condenser; a water collection conduit, for collecting water from the curved evaporator; a storage tank for receiving and storing water from the water collection conduit; and a water treatment and dispensing unit, the water treatment and dispensing unit comprising: a dispensing unit, comprising a dispensing outlet controllable to dispense water responsive to input received via a user control interface, the dispensing outlet in fluid communication with the storage tank; and a controller operative to control operation of the dispensing unit.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein an outer circumference of the curved evaporator defines a major arc of a first circle.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein an outer circumference of the curved condenser defines a major arc of a second circle, wherein a diameter of the second circle is smaller than that of the first circle.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the curved condenser is at least partly nested within a space bounded by the curved evaporator.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a user control interface for receiving user input.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the user interface is operative, responsive to received user input, to control operation of a dispensing valve to dispense water from the dispensing outlet.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing valve operates to cause water to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet in direct response to input received via the user control interface.

8. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the user control interface comprises a mechanical element.

9. A system according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical element comprises a tap, lever, handle and / or button.

10. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the user control interface comprises an electronic element.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the electronic element comprises a button, a display a touch-screen display, and / or a motion sensing element.

12. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the user interface is operative to communicate a user input instruction to the controller.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the controller, responsive to a received user input instruction, is operative to control operation of a / the dispensing valve to dispense water from the dispensing outlet.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the dispensing valve operates to cause water to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet in response to a signal received from the controller, the signal output by the controller to the dispensing valve responsive to input received at the controller via the user control interface.

15. A water extraction unit for an air-to-water generation system, the water extraction unit for extracting water from an airflow, the water extraction unit comprising: an arrangement for implementing a refrigeration cycle, wherein the arrangement comprises a curved evaporator and a curved condenser; and a water collection conduit, for collecting water from the curved evaporator.

16. A unit according to claim 15, wherein an outer circumference of the curved evaporator defines a major arc of a first circle.

17. A unit according to claim 16, wherein an outer circumference of the curved condenser defines a major arc of a second circle, wherein a diameter of the second circle is smaller than that of the first circle.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the curved condenser is at least partly nested within a space bounded by the curved evaporator.

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