A system and method, to extract water from the environment and regulate temperature with low energy use using a thermal heat exchange cascade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for extracting water from the environment and controlling temperature through heat transfer between environments suffer from high energy consumption, inefficiencies due to temperature differences, and inability to effectively utilize the specific heat of thermal working fluids for phase change materials (PCMs), limiting their efficiency and practicality for domestic, commercial, or industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a closed circuit with two or more heat exchangers connected through a recirculation subsystem, employing thermal working fluids with different phase change temperatures to efficiently transfer heat and extract water, reducing energy consumption by optimizing the use of PCM-specific heat through compression and expansion cycles, and incorporating a hybrid system for air humidification and condensation to enhance water extraction and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heat transfer systems are used for water extraction and temperature control, then basic functionality is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of thermal working fluids (specific heat storage materials) between solid and liquid states to enable efficient heat transfer. During compression, the fluid absorbs heat during melting; during expansion, it releases heat during solidification. This phase change mechanism allows the system to achieve high COP (>10) by effectively storing and releasing thermal energy, dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to conventional heat transfer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic compression and expansion cycles to drive the thermal working fluid through repeated phase transitions. The compression phase charges the thermal energy (melting), while the expansion phase discharges it (solidification). This periodic operation enables continuous water extraction and temperature control with minimal energy input, as the latent heat from phase changes provides the primary thermal transfer mechanism rather than continuous mechanical compression.
2Productivity
If temperature differences are increased to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer rate increases, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing phase transitions at constant temperature. The thermal working fluid absorbs or releases latent heat during melting or solidification without significant temperature change, enabling efficient heat transfer at minimal temperature differential. This eliminates the energy loss associated with large temperature differences while maintaining high heat transfer rates through the latent heat of phase change.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional compressors are used for water extraction, then compression function is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a self-service mechanism where the thermal working fluid's own phase change properties are utilized to drive the compression and expansion processes. The latent heat absorbed during melting and released during solidification provides the thermal driving force, eliminating the need for high-energy conventional compressors. The system essentially uses its own thermal energy storage and release cycle to perform the compression function required for water extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression function is achieved through the phase transition of the thermal working fluid rather than mechanical compression. During the compression stroke, the fluid melts absorbing latent heat; during expansion, it solidifies releasing latent heat. This phase change-driven mechanism achieves the necessary pressure and temperature variations for water extraction with minimal external energy input, dramatically reducing compressor energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a high coefficient of performance (COP) exceeding 10, significantly reducing energy consumption for water extraction and temperature control, with the ability to extract grams of water per cubic meter of air and lower energy consumption compared to existing methods, making it one of the most efficient systems worldwide for water extraction from air.
Implementation Method 1
employing thermal working fluids with different phase change temperatures to efficiently transfer heat
Implementation Method 2
efficiently uses the latent heat use of the compressed liquid inside a closed chamber
Implementation Method 3
at least one closed chamber connected to the cylinder, wherein that closed chamber comprises: at least one tube joined with at least one closed radiator wherein the thermal working fluid is compressed within that closed chamber
Implementation Method 4
which equalize the temperatures in an intermediate step between compression and decompression
Implementation Method 5
the condensation of the water contained in the air
Implementation Method 6
cool its dew point to collect water
Implementation Method 7
compress the thermal working fluid according to the phase diagram of each thermal working fluid, to increase the temperature of that thermal working fluid within the closed chamber
Implementation Method 8
and decompress the opposite side to cool the thermal working fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A system to extract water from the environment and control temperature through heat transfer between two or more environments, with low energy consumption, for domestic, commercial, or industrial use, which comprises: at least one force unit (10), capable of increasing or decreasing the pressure of the thermal working fluid, wherein the force unit (10) comprises one cylinder (1), which comprises within at least one plunger (2) joined to a piston (27), wherein the piston (27) moves alternately through the activation of a directional control valve (29) that receives hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump (32); at least one closed chamber connected to the cylinder (1), wherein that closed chamber comprises at least one tube (12) joined with at least one closed radiator (8a, 8b) wherein thermal working fluid is compressed inside that closed chamber, wherein the change from liquid to solid state or vice versa occurs, or from solid to another solid state or vice versa; and a control unit (11) that regulates the operation of the directional control valve (29) according to the temperature and pressure obtained from the closed chamber; a first (92) and a second (93) heat transfer circuit, wherein the valves (37as, 37ai, 37bs, 37 bi; 81 ai, 81 bs, 81 bi; 81 as, 81 ai, 81 bs, 81 bi) are operated by a control unit (11) and associated method.