A crop production and potable water generation system with integrated remineralization process

Abstract

A water management system and method are disclosed for supplying potable water, irrigation water and aquifer recharge water in a geographic region, particularly under water-scarce or off-grid conditions. Water is generated by condensing moisture from ambient air and supplied to a multiple-use water system including a potable water production unit, an irrigation water production unit with an irrigation distribution network for crop irrigation, and, in some embodiments, an aquifer recharge unit with recharge infrastructure delivering water to an aquifer basin. An Internet-of-Things monitoring device measures environmental data such as soil moisture, aquifer level, water quality and flow rate. A control unit continuously analyses the data and implements a priority-based allocation scheme to automatically operate the potable, irrigation and recharge units. In some embodiments, a deep learning model, optionally executed on a remote computing platform, optimises allocation and recharge. A photovoltaic powering unit with energy storage may supply electrical power and provide crop shading.

Description

A crop production and potable water generation system with integrated remineralization processTechnical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to water management in operational environments that include a defined geographic region. It concerns the generation, conditioning, allocation, and use of water for potable supply, agricultural irrigation, and groundwater recharge, particularly in water-scarce and off-grid settings.Background

[0002] Water scarcity and unreliable access to safe water are persistent challenges in many regions, particularly in arid and semi-arid climates where conventional surface-water and groundwater resources are often insufficient or over-exploited and where climate variability and prolonged droughts exacerbate the mismatch between availability and demand. Rural and off-grid communities are disproportionately affected because extending centralized water-supply and energy infrastructure is technically difficult and economically burdensome.Changing climate conditions have further reduced water for agriculture and escalated potable-water scarcity, underscoringthe need for approaches that integrate energy efficiency, water generation, and multipurpose functionality and for modern crop-production systems aligned with sustainable practices that minimize carbon footprint and reduce resource dependency in remote or arid regions.

[0003] Various technologies have been developed to address these issues. Atmospheric water generation using condensation or desiccant-based processes is known for producing water from humid ambient air, typically for drinking or small-scale uses. Separately, irrigation systems such as drip or micro-irrigation networks are widely employed to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture, sometimes combined with soil-moisture sensing and automated valves. ManagedSkywel-1-PCTaquifer recharge is also practiced, for example using infiltration basins or injection wells to replenish groundwater with alternative water sources, while monitoring groundwater levels and water quality.

[0004] Despite these developments, there remains a need for robust, flexible water-management approaches that integrate generation, treatment, distribution, and storage, and that respond dynamically to environmental conditions and competing water-use demands.Summary

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a water management system and a corresponding method of operating such a system in an operational environment including a geographic region, particularly suitable for water-scarce or off-grid areas. The system is configured to generate water from ambient air to condition and allocate the generated water for multiple uses, and to control these uses based on environmental data and hydrological demand in the geographic region.

[0006] The water management system comprises a water generation unit configured to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water. A multiple-use water system is fluidly coupled to the water generation unit and configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water. The multiple-use water system comprises at least a potable water production unit, operable to produce and deliver potable water, and an irrigation water production unit, which comprises an irrigation distribution network and is operable to produce irrigation water and deliver the irrigation water via the irrigation distribution network for crop irrigation within at least a portion of the geographic region. In some embodiments, the multiple-use water system further comprises an aquifer recharge unit including a recharge infrastructure operable to produce aquifer recharge water and deliver the aquifer recharge water to an aquifer basin in the geographic region.

[0007] In preferred embodiments, the multiple-use water system additionally includes a water treatment unit controllable by a control unit. The water treatmentSkywel-1-PCTunit may comprise a remineralization unit configured to add essential minerals to the extracted water, adjust pH, and achieve a predetermined concentration of total dissolved solids, and a water filtering and purifying unit, for example a reverse osmosis unit, configured to filter and purify the extracted water. The water treatment unit may further include a fertilizer dosing unit configured to add fertilizer to the irrigation water, thereby providing nutrient-enriched irrigation water forfertigation.

[0008] The water management system further comprises an Internet-of-Things monitoring device including at least one environmental sensor configured to measure environmental data within the geographic region. The environmental sensors may include soil-moisture sensors, groundwater-level sensors configured to measure aquifer-level data of the aquifer basin, and water-quality sensors configured to generate water-quality signals indicative of water-quality parameters of the potable water, the irrigation water and / orthe aquifer recharge water. In some embodiments, the monitoring device also includes at least one water-flow sensor configured to measure flow-rate data in the recharge infrastructure and is configured to generate infiltration-rate data indicative of a rate at which aquifer recharge water percolates from the recharge infrastructure into the aquifer basin.

[0009] The control unit is operatively connected to the water generation unit, the multiple-use water system and the monitoring device. The control unit receives environmental data from the monitoring device and continuously analyses this data to implement a priority-based allocation scheme that automatically operates at least one of the potable water production unit, the irrigation water production unit and the aquifer recharge unit. In certain embodiments, the allocation scheme is configured such that potable water demand is satisfied before irrigation water demand, and irrigation water demand is satisfied before aquifer recharge water demand. In these cases, the aquifer recharge unit is operated only when potable and irrigation demands are met, and the aquifer-level data indicate that the aquifer level is below a threshold value. The allocation scheme can additionally take into consideration user-defined schedules, water-demand profiles for potable water, irrigation and aquifer recharge, and pre-programmed modes for potable water generation, irrigation and aquifer recharge.Skywel-1-PCT

[0010] In some embodiments, the allocation scheme is at least partially implemented by a deep learning model executed by the control unit. The deep learning model can be trained to process soil-moisture data, aquifer-level data, infiltration-rate data and additional environmental data, and to determine operational parameters for operating or actuating at least one of the irrigation water production unit, the aquifer recharge unit and the water generation unit. The deep learning model may further implement an infiltration-control mechanism configured to dynamically adjust water percolation rates into the aquifer basin by controlling a flow rate through a multi-layer filter basin and / or through subsurface injection wells equipped with variable-speed flow valves. In addition, the deep learning model may be configured to optimise recharge rates based on environmental data and hydrological demand parameters, such as aquifer-level threshold values, forecasted groundwater withdrawals and potable-water and irrigation-water demand profiles.

[0011] In some configurations, the recharge infrastructure comprises a multilayer filter basin configured to enhance percolation of aquifer recharge water into the aquifer basin. The multi-layer filter basin may include coarse-to-fine filter layers, for example a gravel layer and a sand layer, and may further comprise geotextile material and biochar to assist filtration, mitigate clogging and improve water quality. The recharge infrastructure may additionally or alternatively include subsurface injection wells equipped with variable-speed flow valves. These injection wells can be supplied by recharge conduits equipped with flow meters, enabling dynamic control of infiltration rates and precise management of aquifer recharge.

[0012] In a further aspect, the water management system may comprise a powering unit configured to power the water generation unit, the multiple-use water system and the control unit. The powering unit includes a photovoltaic array having a plurality of photovoltaic modules mounted on a support structure and arranged to extend over at least a portion of the geographic region, and an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic modules. The photovoltaic modules may be arranged above crops within the geographic region, thereby providing shading and forming an agrivoltaic configuration. The control unit can operate the photovoltaic modules toSkywel-1-PCTdynamically vary the shade cast over the geographic region, and can control the powering unit so that the water generation unit and the multiple-use water system are dynamically and selectively powered based on power-production and storage thresholds and real-time operational demands.

[0013] According to another aspect, a method of operating the water management system is provided. The method includes operating the water generation unit to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water to the multiple-use water system. At least a portion of the extracted water is supplied to the potable water production unit, the irrigation water production unit and, when present, the aquifer recharge unit.Environmental data within the geographic region are measured by the monitoring device usingthe environmental sensors, and the control unit receives and continuously analyses the environmental data to implement the priority-based allocation scheme. The method can further involve generating and using infiltration-rate data to detect a reduction in infiltration capacity and to adjust at least one operational parameter of the aquifer recharge unit, training and applying the deep learning model to determine operational parameters for the system components, and operating the powering unit to generate, store and distribute electrical power to the water generation unit, the multiple-use water system and the control unit. In some embodiments, the method also includes actuatingthe photovoltaic modules to dynamically vary shading and selectively powering different components of the water management system according to the availability of solar energy and the current water-management demands.

[0014] The water management system disclosed herein can provide for generating potable water, irrigating the land area by water-saving micro-irrigation and, possibly, aquifer recharge.

[0015] The water management system is highly convenient for remote installation and can be operated as a stand-alone system that does not necessarily require connection to any source of flowing water, nor connection to an electrical grid or fuel-driven motors.Skywel-1-PCT

[0016] The water management system is scalable. Its modular design allows for adapting the water management system to larger operations (larger geographic region, water volume, etc.).Brief description

[0017] Exemplar embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the description and illustrated by the drawings in which:Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a water management system for an operational environment includinga defined geographic region, accordingto an embodiment;Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an irrigation water production unit of the water management system, accordingto an embodiment,Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the aquifer recharge unit of the water management system, according to an embodiment; andFig.4 shows a powering unit of the water management system comprising a photovoltaic array including a plurality of photovoltaic modules mounted on a support structure and arranged to extend over at least a portion of the geographic region.Detailed description

[0018] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a water management system 1 for an operational environment includinga defined geographic region 10, accordingto an embodiment. The water management system 1 comprises a water generation unit 100 configured to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water. The water management system 1 further comprises a multiple-use water system (MUWS) 200 fluidly coupled to the water generation unit 100 and comprising:a potable water production unit 210 configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and operable to produce and deliver potable water; andSkywel-1-PCTan irrigation water production unit 220 comprising an irrigation distribution network 221 and configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and operable to produce irrigation water and deliver the irrigation water, via the irrigation distribution network 221 , for crop irrigation within at least a portion of the geographic region 10.

[0019] The water management system 1 further comprises an Internet-of-Things (loT) monitoring device 600 comprising at least one environmental sensor configured to measure environmental data within the geographic region 10.

[0020] The water management system 1 further comprises a control unit 300 operatively connected to the water generation unit 100, the MUWS 200 and the loT monitoring device 600. The control unit 300 is configured to:receive said environmental data; andcontinuously analyse the environmental data to implement a priority-based allocation scheme configured to automatically operate at least one of the potable water production unit 210 and irrigation water production unit 220.

[0021] The water generation unit 100 can comprises an atmospheric water generator (AWG) configured to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water to the MUWS 200. In one embodiment, the water generation unit 100 includes a condenser havingone ormore cooling surfaces and at least one fan for drawing ambient air across the cooling surfaces. Moisture present in the ambient air condenses on the cooling surfaces and is collected as extracted water.

[0022] The water generation unit 100 is preferably dimensioned such that it can provide sufficient extracted water to meet potable and irrigation demands, and, when present, aquifer recharge demand (see below). The water generation unit 100 may be enclosed, for example, in an intermodal container or housing that also accommodates further treatment components.Skywel-1-PCT

[0023] Fig.2 schematically illustrates the irrigation water production unit 220 according to an embodiment. The MUWS 200 is fluidly coupled to the water generation unit 100 and is configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water. The MUWS 200 comprises several functional units, including at least a potable water production unit 210 and an irrigation water production unit 220. In some embodiments, the MUWS 200 further comprises an aquifer recharge unit 230 and one or more conditioning and purification units.

[0024] The MUWS 200 further comprises a water treatment unit 240 controllable by the control unit 300. The water treatment unit 240 includes a remineralization unit 241 configured to add essential minerals into the extracted water, adjust pH, and achieve a predetermined concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS). The water treatment unit 240 further comprises a water filtering and purifying unit 242 configured to filter and purify the extracted water. The water filtering and purifying unit 242 may comprise a reverse osmosis unit.

[0025] The potable water production unit 210 is configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and is actionable to produce and deliver potable water. In preferred embodiments, the potable water production unit210 is fluidly connected to the water treatment unit 240. The water treatment unit 240 can be controlled by the control unit 300 such that, when the potable water production unit 210 is operated, the filtering and purifying unit 242 remove dissolved solids, pathogens and other contaminants from the extracted water, and such that the remineralization unit 241 add essential minerals to the extracted water, adjust pH and achieve a predetermined concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), thereby producing water suitable for human consumption in accordance with potable water standards.

[0026] The irrigation water production unit 220 is configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and to produce irrigation water. The irrigation water production unit 220 comprises an irrigation distribution network 221 , which may include at least one fluid conduit extending over at least a portion of the geographic region 10. The irrigation distribution network 221 is configured toSkywel-1-PCTdeliver irrigation water to crops within the geographic region 10, for example by micro-irrigation, drip irrigation or other low-flow irrigation techniques.

[0027] A fluid transfer device 222, such as a pump, is configured to circulate irrigation water through the irrigation distribution network 221 when the irrigation water production unit 220 is activated. In preferred embodiments, the irrigation distribution network 221 and fluid transfer device 222 are dimensioned to permit zone-specific irrigation across multiple soil zones.

[0028] The water treatment unit 240 can be controlled by the control unit 300 such that, when the irrigation water production unit 220 is operated, the filtering and purifying unit 242 may be operated to remove dissolved solids, pathogens and other contaminants from the extracted water, and such that the remineralization unit 241 add essential minerals to the extracted water, such as calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) to prevent soil structure degradation and supply essential nutrients, potassium (K+) for plant growth, and bicarbonates to maintain pH stability.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the water treatment unit 240 further includes a fertilizer dosing unit 243. The water treatment unit 240 can be controlled by the control unit 300 such that, when the irrigation water production unit 220 is operated, the fertilizer dosing unit 243 adds fertilizer or nutrients to the irrigation water. The fertilizer dosing unit 243 enables the production of nutrient-enriched irrigation water for fertigation, improving crop yield while reducing fertilizer waste.

[0030] The irrigation water production unit 220 can further comprises a storage tank 110 for storing the irrigation water. The storage tank 110 can be arranged between the fluid transfer device (pump) 222 and the irrigation distribution network 221.

[0031] In some embodiments, the MUWS 200 further comprises an aquifer recharge unit 230 configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and actionable to produce aquifer recharge water. Fig.3 schematically illustrates the aquifer recharge unit 230 accordingto an embodiment. The aquifer rechargeSkywel-1-PCTunit 230 comprises a recharge infrastructure 231 configured to deliver the produced aquifer recharge water to an aquifer basin 235 in the geographic region 10 when the aquifer recharge unit 230 is activated.

[0032] The recharge infrastructure 231 may include surface or near-surface recharge structure 232, such as an infiltration reservoir, or a plurality of infiltration reservoirs, whereby the aquifer recharge water is supplied to the infiltration reservoir. The aquifer recharge water in the surface or near-surface recharge structure 232 infiltrates through the soil in the vadose zone 234 into the aquifer basin 235. Alternatively, the recharge infrastructure 231 may include a subsurface injection infrastructure 233, such as subsurface injection wells.

[0033] In another embodiment, the recharge infrastructure 231 further comprises one or more subsurface injection wells 233 equipped with variablespeed flow valves configured to dynamically adjust infiltration rates of the aquifer recharge water. The injection wells may be supplied via recharge conduits equipped with at least one flow meter.

[0034] The water treatment unit 240 can be controlled by the control unit 300 such that, when the aquifer recharge unit 230 is operated, the filtering and purifying unit 242 may be operated to remove dissolved solids, pathogens and other contaminants from the extracted water, and such that the remineralization unit 241 add essential minerals to the extracted water, such as calcium and magnesium to prevents aggressive dissolution of aquifer minerals, and bicarbonates to maintain pH in a range suitable for aquifer water, such as 6.5-8.5.

[0035] In one embodiment, the recharge infrastructure 231 comprises a multilayer filter basin configured to enhance percolation of aquifer recharge water into the aquifer basin. The multi-layer filter basin may include coarse-to-fine filter layers, for example a gravel layer and a sand layer, and may further comprise geotextile material and biochar to support filtration, clogging control and waterquality improvement.Skywel-1-PCT

[0036] The loT monitoring device 600 is configured to collect environmental data within the geographic region 10. The loT monitoring device 600 comprises one or more environmental sensors 610-612. The environmental sensors may be deployed across the geographic region 10 and / or within the aquifer basin 235.

[0037] In one embodiment, the environmental sensors include at least one soil-moisture sensor 610 configured to measure soil-moisture data. A plurality of soil-moisture sensors 610 may be distributed over a plurality of soil zones within the geographic region 10. This distribution allows monitoring of soil moisture at multiple locations and depths, enabling zone-specific irrigation control.

[0038] In another embodiment, the environmental sensors further comprise at least one groundwater-level sensor 611 configured to measure aquifer-level data of the aquifer basin 235. Such groundwater-level sensors 611 may be installed in observation wells or in the recharge infrastructure 231 itself.

[0039] The loT monitoring device 600 may further comprise at least one additional environmental sensor, such as a water-quality sensor 612 configured to generate a water-quality signal indicative of at least one water-quality parameter of the potable water, the irrigation water, and / or the aquifer recharge water.Water-quality parameters may include, for example, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, or specific contaminant indicators.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the loT monitoring device 600 also includes a water-flow sensor 613, such as a flow meter, associated with the recharge infrastructure 231 and configured to acquire flow-rate data for aquifer recharge water supplied to subsurface injection wells 233 or filter basins 232.

[0041] The control unit 300 is operatively connected to the water generation unit 100, the MUWS 200 and the loT monitoring device 600. The control unit 300 may comprise one or more processors, memory and programmable logic. The control unit 300 is configured to receive environmental data from the loT monitoring device 60) and to continuously analyse this data to implement a priority-based allocation scheme for the extracted water.Skywel-1-PCT

[0042] In one embodiment, the environmental data comprise at least soilmoisture data and aquifer-level data. The control unit 300 executes programmable logic to determine, based on the environmental data and optionally on user-defined parameters, which of the potable water production unit 210, irrigation water production unit 220 and aquifer recharge unit 230 are to be operated at a given time.

[0043] The priority-based allocation scheme can be configured such that potable water demand is satisfied before irrigation water demand, and irrigation water demand is satisfied before aquifer recharge water demand. In such embodiments, the aquifer recharge unit 230 is operated only when the potable water demand and the irrigation water demand are satisfied and the measured aquifer-level data are below an aquifer-level threshold value.

[0044] In one example, the control unit 300 is configured to automatically operate the irrigation water production unit 220 when the soil-moisture data indicate a moisture level below a soil-moisture threshold value. In another example, the control unit 300 automatically actuates the aquifer recharge unit 230 when the aquifer-level data indicate a level below an aquifer-level threshold value.

[0045] The allocation scheme can further comprise a user-defined schedule, a water demand profile for irrigation, potable water or aquifer recharge, and / or preprogrammed modes for potable water generation, irrigation and aquifer recharge. This allows the operator to specify priorities and constraints that are taken into account by the control unit 300. in addition to the environmental data.

[0046] In some embodiments, the loT monitoring device 600 is configured to generate infiltration-rate data indicative of a rate at which aquifer recharge water percolates from the recharge infrastructure 231 into the aquifer basin 235 (for example from the near-surface recharge structure 232 and the aquifer basin 235. The infiltration-rate data can be derived from one or more measured quantities, such as soil-moisture data, aquifer-level data and flow-rate data.Skywel-1-PCT

[0047] In a first variant, at least one soil-moisture sensor 610 is arranged in a vadose zone 234 between the recharge infrastructure 231 and the aquifer basin 235. The soil-moisture sensor 610 generates soil-moisture data indicative of a time-varying water content of the vadose zone 234. The control unit 300 is configured to determine infiltration-rate data for the aquifer recharge water from the soil-moisture data by analysing a temporal change in the soil-moisture data in combination with a known depth position of the soil-moisture sensor 610 relative to the recharge infrastructure 231.

[0048] In a second variant, the control unit 300 computes infiltration-rate data from the measured aquifer-level data, a known geometry of the aquifer basin 235 and a known outflow from the aquifer basin 235. For example, a water balance may be performed over a given time interval, allowing the net infiltrated volume and corresponding infiltration rate to be calculated.

[0049] In a third variant, the recharge infrastructure 231 comprises at least one water-flow sensor 613 arranged on a recharge conduit supplying aquifer recharge water to subsurface injection wells 233. The loT monitoring device 600 acquires flow-rate data via the water-flow sensor 613, and the control unit 300 determines infiltration-rate data for the subsurface injection wells 233 from the flow-rate data alone or in combination with pressure or level data.

[0050] The control unit 300 is configured to use the infiltration-rate data to detect a reduction in infiltration capacity, such as due to clogging of the filter basin or injection wells 233, and to adjust at least one operational parameter of the aquifer recharge unit 230 in response. Operational parameters may include, for example, flow rates, duty cycles, flushing sequences, or the distribution of recharge water between different recharge structures.

[0051] In some embodiments, the allocation scheme is at least partially implemented by a deep learning model executed by the control unit 300. The deep learning model may be configured to process soil-moisture data, aquifer-level data, infiltration-rate data and additional environmental data.Skywel-1-PCT

[0052] The deep learning model can be trained using historical and / or simulated data to determine operational parameters for actuating at least one of the irrigation water production unit 220, the aquifer recharge unit 230 and the water generation unit 100. Training may involve supervised, unsupervised or reinforcement learning approaches.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the deep learning model is further configured to implement an infiltration-control mechanism, dynamically adjusting water percolation rates into the aquifer basin 235 by controlling at least one of: a flow rate through the multi-layer filter basin and a flow rate through the subsurface injection wells. The model may also be configured to optimise recharge rates of the aquifer basin 235 based on environmental data and hydrological demand parameters, including at least one of: an aquifer-level threshold value, a forecasted groundwater withdrawal, and a potable-water and irrigation-water demand profile.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least part of the data processing required for implementing the priority-based allocation scheme is performed by a remote computing platform 500. The remote computing platform 500 may be a cloudbased processing system or a distributed computing environment communicatively coupled to the control unit via a wired or wireless communication network 510, such as the Internet, a cellular network or a local area network.

[0055] Environmental data and operational data acquired by the control unit 300 and / or the loT monitoring device 600 can be transmitted to the remote computing platform 500, which executes one or more data-processing algorithms, such as the deep learning model. The remote computing platform 500 may return processed data, model outputs and / or control parameters to the control unit 300, which uses the returned information to operate the potable water production unit 100, the irrigation water production unit 100 and / orthe aquifer recharge unit 230.Powering Unit and agrivoltaic operationSkywel-1-PCT

[0056] In preferred embodiments, the water management system 1 further comprises a powering unit 400 (see Fig. 1 ) configured to power the water generation unit 100, the MUWS 200 and the control unit 300.

[0057] As shown in Fig.4, the powering unit 400 can comprises a photovoltaic array including a plurality of photovoltaic modules 410 mounted on a support structure 411 and arranged to extend over at least a portion of the geographic region 10. The powering unit 400 may further comprise an energy storage device 420, such as one or more batteries, configured to store electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic modules 410.

[0058] The photovoltaic modules 410 may be positioned above crops 11 within the geographic region 10, thereby providing shade and contributingto an agrivoltaic configuration. The photovoltaic modules 410 can be controllably oriented or otherwise actuated so as to dynamically vary the shade cast over the geographic region 10. The control unit 300 may adjust the position of the photovoltaic modules 410 based on environmental data and crop-growth schedules, balancing power generation and micro-climate control.

[0059] The control unit 300 may further be configured to determine whether electric power produced by the photovoltaic array 410 is greater than a first threshold value and whether a remaining capacity of electric power stored in the energy storage device 420 is greater than a second threshold value. Based on these determinations, the control unit 300 controls the powering unit 400 to power the water generation unit 100 and the MUWS 200, and may dynamically and selectively power different components based on real-time operational demands.

[0060] The water generation unit 100, MUWS 200, control unit 300 and powering unit 400 may be enclosed on a housing 101 (see Fig. 1 ). The housing 101 can comprise an intermodal (ISO) container.

[0061] The disclosure further relates to a method of operating the water management system 1 in the geographic region 10. The method comprises operating the water generation unit 100 to extract water by condensing moistureSkywel-1-PCTfrom ambient air and to provide extracted water to the MUWS 200. At least a portion of the extracted water is supplied to the potable water production unit 210, the irrigation water production unit 220, and, when present, the aquifer recharge unit 230.

[0062] The method further comprises measuring, by the loT monitoring device 600, environmental data within the geographic region 10 using at least one environmental sensor 610-612. The environmental data comprise, for example, soil-moisture data measured by soil-moisture sensors 610 and aquifer-level data measured by groundwater-level sensors 611. The control unit 300 receives the environmental data and continuously analyses them to implement the prioritybased allocation scheme described above.

[0063] During operation, the control unit 300 automatically actuates the irrigation water production unit 220 when the soil-moisture data indicate that soil moisture is below a soil-moisture threshold value, and automatically actuates the aquifer recharge unit 230 when the aquifer-level data indicate that the aquifer level is below an aquifer-level threshold value. The potable water production unit 210 is actuated when potable water demand is present, and the prioritization scheme ensures that potable water demand is met before irrigation and aquifer recharge demands.

[0064] In embodiments using a deep learning model, the method further comprises trainingthe model using collected soil-moisture data, aquifer-level data, infiltration-rate data and other environmental data, and applying model outputs to determine control parameters for the water generation unit 100, the irrigation water production unit 220 and the aquifer recharge unit 230.

[0065] Where a powering unit 400 is present, the method may comprise generating electric power by the photovoltaic modules 410, storing electric power in the energy storage device 420, and supplying electric power from the photovoltaic modules 410 and / or the energy storage device 420 to the water generation unit 100, the MUWS 200 and the control unit 300. The method may include dynamically varying shade cast by the photovoltaic modules 410 over theSkywel-1-PCTgeographic region 10 and selectively powering system components based on power availability and operational demand.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method further comprises installingthe water management system 1 in the geographic region 10. The installation procedure may include selecting an outdoor land area within the geographic region 10 having moist ambient air and sufficient solar exposure, positioning an intermodal container or housingforthe water generation unit 100 and MUWS 200 adjacent the outdoor land area, installing the photovoltaic array 410 over at least a portion of the outdoor land area, and arrangingthe irrigation distribution network 221 across the outdoor land area for crop irrigation.Skywel-1-PCTReference numbers andI water management system10 geographic region / crop areaII crop100 water generation unit110 storage tank200 multiple-use water system (MUWS)210 potable water production unit220 irrigation water production unit221 irrigation distribution network, fluid conduit 222 fluid transfer device230 aquifer recharge unit231 recharge infrastructure232 near-surface recharge structure233 subsurface injection infrastructure234 vadose zone235 aquifer basin240 water treatment unit241 remineralization unit242 water filtering and purifying unit243 fertilizer dosing unit250 storage tank300 control unit400 powering unit410 photovoltaic module411 support structure420 energy storage device500 computing platform510 communication network600 loT monitoring device610 soil moisture sensor611 groundwater-level sensor612 water-quality sensor613 water-flow sensorSkywel-1-PCT

Claims

Claims1. A water management system (1 ) for an operational environment including a geographic region (10), the system comprising:a water generation unit (100) configured to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water;a multiple-use water system (MUWS) (200) fluidly coupled to the water generation unit (100) and comprising:a potable water production unit (210) configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and operable to produce and deliver potable water; andan irrigation water production unit (220) comprising an irrigation distribution network (221 ) and configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and operable to produce irrigation water and deliver the irrigation water, via the irrigation distribution network (221 ), for crop irrigation within at least a portion of the geographic region (10); andan Internet-of-Things (loT) monitoring device (600) comprising at least one environmental sensor(610-612) configured to measure environmental data within the geographic region (10); anda control unit (300) operatively connected to the water generation unit (100), the MUWS (200) and the loT monitoring device (600), the control unit (300) being configured to:receive said environmental data; andcontinuously analyse the environmental data to implement a priority-based allocation scheme configured to automatically operate at least one of the potable water production unit (210) and irrigation water production unit (220).

2. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 1 ,wherein the irrigation distribution network (221 ) comprises at least one fluid conduit extending over said at least a portion of the geographic region (10), and aSkywel-1-PCTfluid transfer device (222) configured to circulate the irrigation water through the irrigation distribution network (221) when the irrigation water production unit (220) is operated; andwherein the environmental sensor comprises at least one soil moisture sensor (610) measuring soil moisture data.

3. The water production system (1 ) according claim 2,wherein the MUWS (200) further comprises an aquifer recharge unit (230) configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted water and operable to produce aquifer recharge water;wherein and aquifer recharge unit (230) comprises a recharge infrastructure (231) configured to deliver the produced aquifer recharge water to an aquifer basin in the geographic region (10) when the aquifer recharge unit (230) is operated; and wherein the environmental sensor comprises at least one groundwater-level sensor (611) configured to measure an aquifer-level data of the aquifer basin.

4. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,wherein the MUWS (200) further comprises a water treatment unit (240) controllable by the control unit (300) and including:a remineralization unit (241) configured to add essential minerals into the extracted water, adjust pH, and achieve a predetermined concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS); anda water filtering and purifying unit (242) configured to filter and purify the extracted water.

5. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 4,wherein the water filtering and purifying unit (242) comprises a reverse osmosis unit.

6. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,Skywel-1-PCTwherein the water treatment unit (240) further includes a fertilizer dosing unit (243) configured to add a fertilizer to the irrigation water.

7. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 6,wherein said allocation scheme comprises automatically operate the irrigation water production unit (220) when the soil-moisture data indicates a moisture level below a soil-moisture threshold value.

8. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 7,wherein said allocation scheme comprises automatically operate the aquifer recharge unit (230) when the aquifer-level data indicate a level below an aquifer-level threshold value.

9. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 7,wherein the loT monitoring device (600) comprises a plurality of soil moisture sensors (610) distributed over a plurality of soil zones within the geographic region (10); andwherein the control unit (300) is configured to determine, from the soil moisture data measured by the distributed soil moisture sensors (610), zone-specific irrigation water demand values and to control the irrigation water production unit (220) to deliver irrigation water selectively to those soil zones for which the measured soil moisture is below a value soil moisture threshold.

10. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 9,wherein the monitoring network (600) further comprises at least one additional environmental sensor configured to measure additional environmental data; and wherein the control unit (300) is configured to continuously analyse said soil moisture data and aquifer-level data in combination with said additional environmental data.Skywel-1-PCT11. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein said at least one additional environmental sensor comprises a waterquality sensor (612) configured to generate a water-quality signal indicative of at least one water-quality parameter of the potable water, irrigation water, and / or aquifer recharge water.

12. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 11,wherein said allocation scheme further comprises at least one of:a user-defined schedule,a water demand for irrigation, potable water, or aquifer recharge, andpre-programmed modes for potable water generation, irrigation and aquifer recharge.

13. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 11,wherein the control unit (300) comprises programmable logic configured to actuate one of the potable water production unit (210), the irrigation water production unit (220), and the aquifer recharge unit (230) accordingto a prioritization scheme in which:potable water demand is satisfied before irrigation water demand; andirrigation water demand is satisfied before aquifer recharge water demand; andwherein the aquifer recharge water production unit (230) is operated only when the potable water demand and the irrigation water demand are satisfied and the measured aquifer level data are below the threshold value.

14. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 11,Skywel-1-PCTwherein said allocation scheme comprises a deep learning model; and wherein the deep learning model is configured to be trained to process said soilmoisture data and aquifer-level data and to determine operational parameters to operate at least one of: the irrigation water production unit (220), the aquifer recharge unit (230) and the water production unit (230).

15. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 14,wherein the loT monitoring device (600) is configured to generate infiltration-rate data indicative of a rate at which aquifer recharge water percolates from the recharge infrastructure (231 ) into the aquifer basin; andwherein the control unit (300) is configured to use said infiltration-rate data to detect a reduction in infiltration capacity and to adjust at least one operational parameter of the aquifer recharge unit (230) in response.

16. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 15, wherein the loT monitoring device (600) further comprises at least one soilmoisture sensor (610) arranged in a vadose zone between the recharge infrastructure (231 ) and the aquifer basin, the soil-moisture sensor (610) being configured to generate soil-moisture data indicative of a time-varying water content of the vadose zone; andwherein the control unit (300) is configured to determine infiltration-rate data for the aquifer recharge water from the soil-moisture data by analysing a temporal change in the soil-moisture data in combination with a known depth position of the soil-moisture sensor (610) relative to the recharge infrastructure (231 ).

17. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 15, wherein the control unit (300) is configured to compute an infiltration rate data from the measured aquifer-level data, a known geometry of the aquifer basin and outflow to aquifer basin.

18. The water production system (1 ) according to any one of claims 15 to 1 ,wherein the recharge infrastructure (231 ) further comprises at least one flowSkywel-1-PCTmeter arranged on a recharge conduit supplying aquifer recharge water to subsurface injection wells, andwherein the loT monitoring device (600) comprises a water-flow sensor (613) configured to acquire flow-rate data; andwherein the control unit (300) is configured to determine infiltration-rate data for the subsurface injection wells from said flow-rate data.

19. The water production system (1) accordingto claims 14 and 15, wherein the deep learning model is further configured to receive said infiltrationrate data and to update, based thereon, at least one control output for the recharge infrastructure (231 ).

20. The water management system according to any one of claims 1 to 19,further comprising a powering unit (400) configured to power the water generation unit (100), the MUWS (200), and the control unit (300), the powering unit (400) comprising:a photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules (410) mounted on a support structure and arranged to extend over at least a portion of the geographic region (10); andan energy storage device (420) configured to store electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic modules (410).

21. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 20, wherein the control unit (300) is further configured to operate the photovoltaic modules (410) to dynamically vary the shade cast by the photovoltaic modules (410) over the geographic region (10).

22. The water production system (1) accordingto claims 21 , wherein the programmable logic of the control unit (300) is further configured to determine whether the electric power produced by the photovoltaic array (410) is greater than a threshold value and whether the remaining capacity of electric power stored in the energy storage device (420) is greater than a threshold value;Skywel-1-PCTandto control the powering unit (400) to power the water generation unit (100) and the MUWS (200) in accordance with said threshold values.

23. The water production system (1 ) according to claim 22, wherein the programmable logic is further configured to control the powering unit (400) to dynamically and selectively power the water generation unit (100) and the MUWS (200), based on real-time operational demands.

24. The water management system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 19,wherein the recharge infrastructure (231 ) comprises a multi-layer filter basin configured to enhance percolation of the aquifer recharge water into the aquifer basin.

25. The water management system (1 ) according to claim 24, wherein the multi-layer filter basin comprises coarse-to-fine filter layers including at least a gravel layer and a sand layer, and further comprises geotextile material and biochar.

26. The water management system (1 ) according to any one of claims 3, 15, 18 or 24 to 25,wherein the recharge infrastructure (231 ) further comprises one or more subsurface injection wells equipped with variable-speed flow valves configured to dynamically adjust infiltration rates of the aquifer recharge water.

27. The water management system (1) accordingto claims 14 and 15, or any one of claims 14to 19when dependent on claim 15,wherein said allocation scheme further comprises an infiltration-control mechanism implemented by the deep learning mode; andwherein the deep learning model is configured to dynamically adjust water percolation rates into the aquifer basin by controlling at least one of:a flow rate through the multi-layer filter basin, andSkywel-1-PCTa flow rate through the subsurface injection wells.

28. The water management system (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the deep learning model is configured to optimise recharge rates of the aquifer basin based on said environmental data and on hydrological demand parameters including at least one of:an aquifer-level threshold value,a forecasted groundwater withdrawal, anda potable-water and irrigation-water demand profile.

29. The water management system (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 28,wherein the control unit (300) is communicatively coupled, via a communication network (510), to a remote computing platform (500), andwherein at least part of the data processing associated with the priority-based allocation scheme is performed by the remote computing platform (500), the remote computing platform (500) being configured to receive environmental data and / or operational data from the control unit (300) and to provide processed data and / or control parameters to the control unit (300).

30. he water management system (1) accordingto claim 14, claim 19, or any one of claims 14to 19when dependent on claim 15wherein the deep learning model is executed on a remote computing platform (500) communicatively coupled to the control unit (300) via a communication network (510),and wherein the control unit (300) is configured to transmit environmental data, infiltration-rate data and / or hydrological demand parameters to the remote computing platform (500) and to receive, from the remote computing platform (500), model outputs defining operational parameters for operating at least one of: the irrigation water production unit (220), the aquifer recharge unit (230) and the water generation unit (100).Skywel-1-PCTT131. A method of operating a water management system (1 ) in a geographic region (10), the water management system (1 ) comprising:a water generation unit (100) configured to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air and to provide extracted water;a multiple-use water system (MUWS) (200) fluidly coupled to the water generation unit (100) and comprising a potable water production unit (210), an irrigation water production unit (220) comprising an irrigation distribution network (221 ), and optionally an aquifer recharge unit (230) comprising a recharge infrastructure (231 );an Internet-of-Things (loT) monitoring device (600) comprising at least one environmental sensor (610-612); anda control unit (300) operatively connected to the water generation unit (100), the MUWS (200) and the loT monitoring device (600); the method comprising:operating the water generation unit (100) to extract water by condensing moisture from ambient air to provide the extracted water;supplying at least a portion of the extracted water to the potable water production unit (210) and to the irrigation water production unit (220), and, when present, to the aquifer recharge unit (230); measuring, by the loT monitoring device (600), environmental data within the geographic region (10) using said at least one environmental sensor (610-612), the environmental data comprising at least soil-moisture data and / or aquifer-level data;receiving, by the control unit (300), said environmental data; and continuously analysing, by the control unit (300), the environmental data to implement a priority-based allocation scheme that automatically operate at least one of the potable water production unit (210), the irrigation water production unit (220) and the aquifer recharge unit (230) to produce and deliver, respectively, potable water,Skywel-1-PCTirrigation water and / or aquifer recharge water based on said environmental data.

32. The method accordingto claim 31 ,wherein said environmental data comprise soil-moisture data measured by at least one soil-moisture sensor (610), andwherein the priority-based allocation scheme comprises automatically actuating the irrigation water production unit (220) when the soil-moisture data indicate a moisture level below a soil-moisture threshold value.

33. The method accordingto claim 31 or 32,wherein said environmental data comprise aquifer-level data measured by at least one groundwater-level sensor (611 ), andwherein the priority-based allocation scheme comprises automatically actuating the aquifer recharge unit (230) when the aquifer-level data indicate a level below an aquifer-level threshold value.

34. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 33,wherein the control unit (300) comprises programmable logic and the prioritybased allocation scheme is implemented such that:potable water demand is satisfied before irrigation water demand; andirrigation water demand is satisfied before aquifer recharge water demand;and wherein the aquifer recharge unit (230) is actuated only when the potable water demand and the irrigation water demand are satisfied and the aquifer-level data are below the aquifer-level threshold value.

35. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 34,wherein said environmental data further comprise additional environmental data measured by at least one additional environmental sensor of the loT monitoring device (600), andwherein the control unit (300) continuously analyses the soil-moisture data andSkywel-1-PCTthe aquifer-level data in combination with said additional environmental data to determine control commands for the potable water production unit (210), the irrigation water production unit (220) and, when present, the aquifer recharge unit (230).

36. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 35,wherein the loT monitoring device (600) is further used to generate infiltration-rate data indicative of a rate at which aquifer recharge water percolates from the recharge infrastructure (231 ) into the aquifer basin, andwherein the method further comprises using, by the control unit (300), the infiltration-rate data to detect a reduction in infiltration capacity and to adjust at least one operational parameter of the aquifer recharge unit (230) in response.

37. The method accordingto claim 36,wherein the loT monitoring device (600) comprises at least one soil-moisture sensor (610) arranged in a vadose zone between the recharge infrastructure (231 ) and the aquifer basin, andwherein determiningthe infiltration-rate data comprises:acquiring soil-moisture data indicative of a time-varying water content of the vadose zone; andderiving, by the control unit (300), an infiltration rate from a temporal change in the soil-moisture data in combination with a known depth position of the soil-moisture sensor (610) relative to the recharge infrastructure (231).

38. The method accordingto any one of claims 36 or 37,wherein the priority-based allocation scheme is at least partially implemented by a deep learning model executed by the control unit (300), the method further comprising:training the deep learning model using the soil-moisture data, the aquifer-level data and the infiltration-rate data; andSkywel-1-PCTdetermining, by the deep learning model, operational parameters to actuate at least one of: the irrigation water production unit (220), the aquifer recharge unit (230) and the water generation unit (100).

39. The method accordingto any one of claims 36 to 38,wherein the deep learning model is further used to optimise recharge rates of the aquifer basin based on said environmental data and on hydrological demand parameters including at least one of:an aquifer-level threshold value,a forecasted groundwater withdrawal, anda potable-water and irrigation-water demand profile.

40. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 39,wherein the water management system (1 ) further comprises a powering unit (400) including a photovoltaic array with a plurality of photovoltaic modules (410) and an energy storage device (420), andwherein operating the water management system (1 ) further comprises:generating electric power by the photovoltaic modules (410); storing at least part of the generated electric power in the energy storage device (420); andsupplying electric power from the photovoltaic modules (410) and / or the energy storage device (420) to the water generation unit (100), the MUWS (200) and the control unit (300).

41. The method accordingto claim 40,further comprising actuating, by the control unit (300), the photovoltaic modules (410) to dynamically vary a shade cast by the photovoltaic modules (410) over at least a portion of the geographic region (10) based on at least one of: the environmental data and a crop-growth schedule.Skywel-1-PCT42. The method according to any one of claims 40 or 41 ,wherein the control unit (300) determines whether electric power produced by the photovoltaic array is greater than a first threshold value and whether a remaining capacity of electric power stored in the energy storage device (420) is greater than a second threshold value, andwherein operating the water management system (1 ) further comprises controlling, by the control unit (300), the powering unit (400) to dynamically and selectively power the water generation unit (100) and the MUWS (200) based on said threshold values and real-time operational demands.

43. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 42,further comprising installing the water management system (1 ) in the geographic region (10), the installing comprising:selecting an outdoor land area within the geographic region (10) having moist ambient air and sufficient solar exposure;positioning an intermodal container (101 ) housing at least the water generation unit (100), the MUWS (200) and the control unit (300) adjacentto the outdoor land area;installing the photovoltaic modules (410) over at least a portion of the outdoor land area to provide both electric power generation and shadingfor crops; andarranging the irrigation distribution network (221 ) across the outdoor land area to supply irrigation water from the irrigation water production unit (220) to crops within the geographic region (10).

44. The method accordingto any one of claims 31 to 43,further comprising transmitting, by the control unit (300), environmental data and / or operational data to a remote computing platform (500) via a communication network; andreceiving, by the control unit (300), processed data and / or control parameters from the remote computing platform (500); andand wherein at least part of the data processing associated with the priority-based allocation scheme is performed by the remote computing platform (500).Skywel-1-PCT45. The method accordingto any one of claims 29 to 42, and in particular accordingto any one of claims 34 to 37,wherein the priority-based allocation scheme is at least partially implemented by a deep learning model executed on a remote computing platform (500) communicatively coupled to the control unit (300) via a communication network, the method further comprising:transmitting, by the control unit (300), environmental data, infiltration-rate data and / or hydrological demand parameters to the remote computing platform (500); andreceiving, by the control unit (300), model outputs from the remote computing platform (500), the model outputs defining operational parameters for operating at least one of: the irrigation water production unit (220), the aquifer recharge unit (230) and the water generation unit (100).Skywel-1-PCT

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