Atmospheric water capture systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water capture systems using vapor compression refrigeration cycles often accumulate ice instead of liquid water in low-humidity environments, such as deserts, due to dew points being below freezing temperatures, which clogs the dehumidifier and prevents proper functioning.
Innovation Solution
A system that compresses atmospheric air to an elevated pressure using an air compressor and a valve assembly to control pressure, allowing the compressed air to expand and cool in a second chamber, maintaining pressure above atmospheric pressure to prevent freezing and facilitate water condensation, while also heating the air to concentrate humidity using a first chamber and cooler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycles are used to cool air to dew point, then water condensation is achieved, but ice accumulates in low-humidity environments causing system clogging and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the air being processed. By compressing atmospheric air to elevated pressure before cooling, the dew point temperature increases. This allows condensation to occur at temperatures above freezing, preventing ice accumulation while still achieving water collection. The pressure parameter modification fundamentally alters the phase behavior of water vapor in the air stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary compression of atmospheric air before the condensation process. By pre-compressing the air to elevated pressure, the system prepares the air stream to have an elevated dew point that remains above freezing during subsequent cooling. This preliminary action prevents the harmful freezing effect from occurring in the first place.
2Productivity
If air is compressed to elevated pressure and then expanded to cool for condensation, then water capture efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The air compressor serves multiple functions: it compresses atmospheric air to elevated pressure (which raises the dew point), and it also provides the pressure differential needed for air flow through the system. By making the compressor multi-functional, the patent avoids needing separate components for pressure elevation and flow control, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high water capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the compression and cooling functions into an integrated process sequence. The compressed air is cooled in a heat exchanger that utilizes ambient air, merging the cooling function with the existing air flow path. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed compared to traditional systems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If atmospheric air is directly compressed without pre-heating, then energy consumption is reduced, but humidity concentration remains low reducing water capture effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of atmospheric air before compression. By pre-heating the air, the system increases its capacity to hold moisture and concentrates the humidity content. This preliminary action ensures that when the air is compressed and cooled, a higher quantity of water vapor is available for condensation, improving overall water capture effectiveness without requiring excessive energy during the main compression cycle.
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
Effectively captures water vapor as liquid, preventing ice formation and ensuring the system's functionality in low-humidity conditions by maintaining water in a liquid state and allowing for efficient collection and storage.
Implementation Method 1
an air compressor configured to receive power from a power source to compress atmospheric air directly from the atmosphere or to compress atmospheric air collected in a first chamber to an elevated pressure
Implementation Method 2
A second chamber is in fluid communication with the air compressor, adapted to collect precipitated water vapor upon expansion of the compressed air and cooling within the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
allowing the compressed air to expand and cool in a second chamber, maintaining pressure above atmospheric pressure to prevent freezing and facilitate water condensation
Implementation Method 4
The second chamber may also include a cooler to facilitate condensation of the compressed air
Implementation Method 5
The atmospheric air may be captured in a first chamber and heated by heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for capturing water from an atmosphere including an air compressor configured to compress air captured from an atmosphere and to receive power from a power source and collecting moisture from the compressed air at an elevated pressure. A first chamber may be used to heat or concentrate the humidity of the air before the air is compressed. A valve assembly maintains the pressure at which the water is captured at an elevated pressure. The humidity of the air may be concentrated before the air is compressed and the moisture of the air is collected.