Air-to-Water Condenser with Membrane Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for condensing water vapor from ambient air suffer from reduced cooling capacity due to cooling of ambient air, contamination from dust particles, and inefficiencies in water collection, as they expose ambient air to the cooling surface and lack effective filtration.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a membrane to filter out dust particles and isolate ambient air from the cooling surface, employing a simple heat pump and membrane that withstands pressure differences, with excess heat creating airflow and no additional equipment needed, allowing for efficient condensation of water vapor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ambient air circulates around the cooling surface, then water vapour condenses on the cooling surface, but only part of the cooling capacity is available for condensing water vapour
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the ambient air flow path from the water vapor source path. A membrane structure divides the housing into first and second spaces, allowing water vapor to reach the cooling surface through the membrane while ambient air flows separately. This segmentation ensures that the cooling capacity is dedicated entirely to water vapor condensation without being wasted on cooling ambient air.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary between the ambient air environment and the water vapor source. It selectively allows water vapor molecules to pass through while blocking ambient air, enabling the cooling surface to interact only with water vapor for condensation while the ambient air flows separately through the system.
2Quantity of substance
If ambient air contacts the cooling surface, then water vapour condenses, but dust particles mix with condensed water vapour and contaminate the water
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct spaces: a first space for ambient air intake and filtration, and a second space for water vapor condensation. The membrane separates these spaces, ensuring that dust particles filtered from ambient air cannot contaminate the condensed water vapor, which condenses on the cooling surface in the isolated second space.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane serves as a protective intermediary that allows water vapor to pass through from the ambient air space while blocking dust particles and other contaminants. This creates a clean environment for condensation on the cooling surface, preventing contamination of the collected water.
3Quantity of substance
If a membrane is introduced to filter dust particles and isolate ambient air, then water vapour condensation efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it filters dust particles from ambient air, selectively permits water vapor passage, and physically separates the ambient air flow path from the condensation space. The housing structure integrates the air intake, membrane filtration, and condensation chambers into a single unified device, reducing the need for additional separate components.
4Quantity of substance
If the cooling unit is located inside the closed space, then water vapour condensation occurs, but the size of the closed space increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane acts as an intermediary that allows water vapor to reach the cooling surface without requiring the cooling unit to be physically located inside the closed space. The cooling unit can be positioned externally while the membrane enables water vapor to pass through and condense on the cooling surface, maintaining a compact closed space volume and facilitating easier maintenance.
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 solution ensures all cooling capacity is used for condensing water vapor, prevents contamination, and allows for easy maintenance and high water vapor collection efficiency, using renewable energy sources like wind or water power effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A device that uses a membrane to filter out dust particles and isolate ambient air from the cooling surface
Implementation Method 2
employing a simple heat pump and membrane that withstands pressure differences, with excess heat creating airflow over the membrane
Implementation Method 3
all cooling capacity is used for condensing water vapor
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention concerns a device for producing water from ambient air comprising a heat pump with a cooling unit and a receiver for collecting the water that formed as condensed water vapour on a cooling surface of the cooling unit. In accordance with the invention the cooling surface is located in a closed space and a water vapour permeable membrane separates the ambient air and the closed space.