Power-to-Water Battery Thermal Storage Water Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems face challenges such as specific terrain requirements, high capacity, low efficiency, and environmental issues, while existing methods for atmospheric water harvesting and humidity control consume significant high-grade energy, limiting their scalability and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A power-to-water battery that stores surplus renewable electricity as thermal energy using a thermal energy storage unit, a hygroscopic solution container, and a condenser to convert atmospheric water vapor into water, featuring high-storage-density media, a thermal conductive inner container, and a water vapor permeable membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If solid or liquid desiccants are used for humidity control, then environmental-friendliness and noise-free operation are improved, but energy consumption for absorbent/desiccant regeneration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines atmospheric water harvesting with thermal energy storage and humidity control functions into a single integrated system. The desiccant material serves dual purposes: controlling humidity in the environment and capturing atmospheric water vapor. The thermal energy storage unit provides heat for regenerating the desiccant, merging the regeneration function with the water harvesting process, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant material performs multiple functions simultaneously: it controls ambient humidity, captures water vapor from the atmosphere, and serves as a thermal mass for heat transfer. The system integrates water harvesting, humidity control, and thermal energy storage into one multi-functional device, reducing the need for separate regeneration systems and lowering overall energy requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If atmospheric water harvesting is implemented, then water scarcity is alleviated, but significant high-grade energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive adsorption of water vapor by the desiccant material without requiring external power input for the absorption process. The thermal energy storage unit stores heat during off-peak times and releases it during regeneration, reducing the need for continuous high-grade energy input. This self-service approach minimizes active energy consumption while maintaining water production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using cyclic adsorption-desorption processes driven by thermal energy storage rather than continuous high-grade energy input. The system operates in cycles where the desiccant absorbs moisture passively, then is regenerated using stored thermal energy, transforming the energy consumption pattern from continuous high-grade input to intermittent low-grade input, thereby reducing overall energy requirements.
3Reliability
If existing energy storage systems are deployed, then energy supply and demand mismatch is addressed, but specific terrain requirements and scalability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: thermal energy storage units, desiccant chambers, water condensation sections, and filtration systems. These modular segments can be independently configured and scaled based on available space and energy storage requirements. The segmentation allows the system to be deployed in diverse terrains without requiring specific site conditions, as each module can be adapted to the available footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves multiple functions simultaneously: energy storage, water harvesting, and humidity control. This multi-functionality increases versatility and adaptability to different environments and applications. The same basic configuration can serve different purposes depending on the environment, making the system highly adaptable to various terrains and use cases without requiring significant redesign.
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 solution enables efficient and scalable water harvesting and humidity control, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact, with a round-trip efficiency of up to 90% and cost-effective operation, outperforming state-of-the-art technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy storage (TES) unit made of high-storage-density media for storing heat
Implementation Method 2
a hygroscopic solution disposed between a space formed between the inner container and the water vapor permeable membrane for absorbing the atmospheric water vapor
Implementation Method 3
the atmospheric water vapor released from the hygroscopic solution is condensed into the water by the condenser
Implementation Method 4
an inner container made of a conduction material for receiving the TES unit therein
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a power-to-water (P2W) battery and its use for converting atmospheric water vapor into water by surplus renewable energy. The P2W battery includes, a thermal energy storage (TES) unit made of high-storage-density media for storing heat; a hygroscopic solution container consists of an inner container made of a conduction material for receiving the TES unit therein, a water vapor permeable membrane disposed outside and around the inner container, a hygroscopic solution disposed between a space formed between the inner container and the water vapor permeable membrane; and a condenser disposed downstream and coupled to the hygroscopic solution container; wherein the hygroscopic solution is capable of absorbing the atmospheric water vapor, which is released by heat stored within the TES unit when the TES unit is received in the inner container; and the atmospheric water vapor released from the hygroscopic solution is condensed into water by the condenser.