Desert Pavement Water Generation via Condensation and Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Tropic desert areas face severe water scarcity due to minimal rainfall and significant temperature differences between daytime and nighttime, leading to rapid water vaporization and evaporation, necessitating an innovative solution for water generation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A water generation system comprising a surface pavement structure with a sand layer, grading layer, and water pervious layer, featuring hollow water penetration tubes and a moisture locking cloth, which allows rainwater collection and storage in an underground tank, and utilizes nighttime temperature condensation to generate additional water without electrical power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional pavement structures are used in desert areas, then surface water accumulation occurs during rainfall, but water quickly vaporizes and evaporates due to high daytime temperatures, making water resources unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The pavement structure performs preliminary action by capturing and storing rainwater during rainfall events before evaporation can occur. The void spaces in the graded layer and underground storage chambers pre-position water reserves that can be accessed during dry periods, preventing the water loss that would otherwise occur through vaporization in conventional pavement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions water storage from a two-dimensional surface accumulation (conventional pavement) to a three-dimensional subsurface storage system. By creating vertical void spaces in the graded layer and extending storage chambers underground, the system moves water storage into the subsurface dimension where temperature fluctuations are reduced and evaporation is minimized.
2Productivity
If the pavement structure uses multiple layers for water penetration and storage, then water collection efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graded layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the pavement, creates void spaces for water storage, facilitates water penetration from the surface, and allows nighttime air circulation for condensation. This multi-functionality increases water collection efficiency without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as a single layer performs several critical roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of porous graded material with controlled void spaces enables water penetration and storage without requiring complex piping or mechanical components. The porous structure naturally facilitates water movement and storage through its physical properties, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high water collection efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If water penetration tubes are installed to enable quick rainwater infiltration, then water storage capacity improves, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water penetration system is segmented into multiple distributed tubes rather than a single complex structure. Each tube is a simple, standardized component that can be manufactured independently and installed at regular intervals throughout the pavement. This segmentation allows for modular construction, simplifying both manufacturing and installation while collectively providing significant water storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water penetration tubes act as intermediary elements that connect the surface pavement layer to the underground storage chambers. These tubes simplify the connection process by providing pre-formed conduits that naturally guide water from the surface through the graded layer into storage, eliminating the need for complex excavation and piping systems.
4Quantity of substance
If moisture locking cloth is used to prevent water evaporation from the ground layer, then water retention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture locking cloth is a thin film material that provides evaporation prevention through its physical barrier properties. This simple, flexible membrane reduces water retention complexity by using a single-layer material solution rather than requiring multiple thick layers or rigid barriers, maintaining water quantity while minimizing structural complexity.
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 efficiently collects and stores rainwater, reduces surface water accumulation, and generates additional water through condensation, addressing water scarcity in desert regions while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the cold air of the nighttime is conducted through the water penetration tubes to a site under the water resisting cloth of the laid layer to get condensed, through an effect of condensation, onto condensed water on the undersurface of the water resisting cloth
Implementation Method 2
a moisture locking cloth is provided under the water pervious layer to provide an effect of preventing evaporation and escape of water from the ground layer
Data Source
AI summary
A water generation system for deserts is provided as a water generation system designed for desert climate areas and constructed in a surface pavement and generally includes a sand layer, which includes a water tank embedded therein and is covered with a moisture locking cloth on which a grading layer is laid. A water resisting cloth is arranged in the grading layer. Hollow water penetration tubes are arranged above the grading layer and have bottoms extending through the water resisting cloth and inserted into the grading layer with pouring and grouting of grout cement thereon to form a water pervious layer. As such, rainwater can be quickly conducted into the sand layer for storage for subsequent uses and air can be conducted into the grading layer to subject to condensation for forming condensed water on an undersurface of the water resisting cloth to achieve a purpose of automatic water generation.