Compact Screw Compressor High-Output Atmospheric Water Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional atmospheric water generators (AWGs) are bulky, inefficient, and have low water production capacities, requiring multiple units to achieve substantial water output, and are cumbersome for modular or mobile operations due to the use of traditional compressors and fin-tube coil condensers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of advanced vapor compression refrigeration technology using compact screw compressors and microchannel heat exchange coil evaporators and condensers, which enhance efficiency, reduce weight and bulk, and allow for higher water production capacities, enabling the creation of modular and efficient high-output AWGs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional scroll or reciprocating compressors are used in AWGs, then the system can compress refrigerant, but the water production capacity remains limited and the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional scroll or reciprocating compressors to screw compressors, fundamentally changing the compression mechanism parameters. This parameter change enables higher refrigerant compression capacity, directly increasing water production while reducing the number of units needed, thus decreasing overall device bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts screw compressor technology from industrial refrigeration applications and adapts it for atmospheric water generation. This copying of proven high-capacity compression technology allows the AWG to achieve substantial water output without requiring multiple bulky traditional compressor units.
2Productivity
If traditional screw compressors are used, then compression capacity increases, but the device requires external oil cooling, oil separators, and additional cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the oil cooling function directly into the screw compressor assembly by incorporating cooling fins and coolant flow paths within the compressor housing. This merging of cooling and compression functions eliminates the need for separate external oil cooling systems, oil separators, and additional cooling capacity, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high compression capacity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fin-tube coil condensers and evaporators made of copper tubing with aluminum fins are used, then heat exchange can occur, but the system becomes inefficient, bulky, heavy, and expensive with low heat transfer rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional fin-tube coil geometry to microchannel heat exchanger geometry, fundamentally changing the heat transfer parameters. The microchannel design increases surface area density and improves heat transfer coefficients, achieving higher heat transfer efficiency while reducing the volume and weight of the heat exchanger components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from two-dimensional fin-tube heat exchange surfaces to three-dimensional microchannel networks, utilizing the third dimension more effectively. The microchannel structure packs heat transfer surfaces more densely in three-dimensional space, increasing heat transfer area per unit volume and reducing overall system weight and size.
4Productivity
If multiple small scroll or reciprocating compressors are required to achieve substantial water output, then water production capacity increases, but the device becomes more cumbersome for modular or mobile operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compressor type parameter from multiple small traditional compressors to a single or fewer screw compressors with higher individual capacity. This parameter change achieves substantial water output with fewer units, simplifying modular assembly and mobile deployment while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric water generator (AWG) may be used to extract water from ambient air. A compact screw compressor of the A WG may be used to compress refrigerant, a condenser of the A WG may be used to condense refrigerant, an expansion device, and an evaporator of the AWG may be used to transfer heat from ambient air to refrigerant, causing moisture in the air to condense. The condensed moisture may be collected in a water collection unit.