Atmospheric water generator apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an economic and efficient atmospheric water condensing apparatus that can maximize water vapor condensation from ambient air, particularly in areas where fresh water is scarce, and reduce energy consumption by collecting water closer to the point of need.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a fluid heating device to warm a refrigerant fluid, which is then passed through an air-cooled heat rejection device and a fluid cooling device connected to a water condensing surface, where ambient air is forced to condense water. The condensing surface can be optimized with superhydrophobic, hydrophobic, superhydrophilic, or hydrophilic coatings to enhance water capture and drainage, using various techniques such as chemical etching, nanostructuring, and plasma treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional condensing surfaces are used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but water condensation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials to the condensing surface to increase surface area and enhance water vapor condensation efficiency. The porous structure provides numerous nucleation sites for condensation while maintaining a relatively simple overall apparatus structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies surface parameters such as surface energy, roughness, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity to optimize water condensation. By changing these surface parameters, the apparatus achieves higher condensation efficiency without fundamentally altering the basic condensing surface structure.
2Ease of operation
If hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces are used, then water drainage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatments that modify hydrophobicity parameters to improve water drainage. By controlling surface energy and contact angle parameters, the apparatus achieves effective water drainage while using established surface treatment techniques that are relatively easy to manufacture.
3Productivity
If advanced surface treatments like nanostructuring are applied, then water capture efficiency increases, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous materials that can be manufactured through relatively simple processes while providing high surface area for water capture. This approach achieves high water capture efficiency without requiring complex nanostructuring techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes surface parameters such as porosity, surface area, and surface energy to achieve high water capture efficiency. By carefully selecting and controlling these parameters, the apparatus achieves excellent performance while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional surface treatment methods.
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
This approach increases water condensation efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and provides a cost-effective method for collecting water in water-scarce areas by optimizing the condensing surface properties to enhance water capture and drainage.
Implementation Method 1
ambient air is forced over the fins or the plate by forced air from a fan, resulting in water condensation
Implementation Method 2
The fluid cooling device is in fluid communication with a water condensing surface... The refrigerant fluid is thereafter directed to a fluid cooling device
Implementation Method 3
The fins or the plate of the water condensing surface may comprise a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a highly hydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, a highly hydrophilic condensing surface
Implementation Method 4
hydrophobic surfaces, superhydrophobic surfaces, hydrophilic surfaces, and superhydrophilic surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric water generator apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid cooling device. A water condensing surface is thermally connected to the fluid cooling device, the water condensing surface having a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a highly hydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, a highly hydrophilic condensing surface, or a combination thereof. An air-cooled heat rejection device is in fluid communication with a fluid cooling device. An air fan is configured to induce airflow across the water condensing surface in order to condense and extract water from the atmosphere.