Water extraction device and method for extracting water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water extraction devices from air flows require energy-intensive cooling and heating, limiting their efficiency as they can only extract water when the air temperature falls below the dew point, making them inefficient in terms of energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compressor between the sorption element and the first condensation stage to increase the absolute humidity of the moist air flow, allowing for efficient water extraction without the need for energy-intensive cooling, and using a heat supply device to heat the moist air before it passes through the sorption element for enhanced water uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the air flow is cooled down to extract water with a condenser, then water extraction is enabled, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the air flow by heating it before it passes through the sorption element. This parameter change enables the sorption material to release absorbed water more effectively, allowing water extraction without subsequent cooling, thus resolving the contradiction between water extraction efficiency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cooling system (condenser requiring cooling) with a thermal processing approach (heating air flow through sorption element). This substitution eliminates the need for energy-intensive cooling while maintaining water extraction capability through enhanced sorption and condensation mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If the air flow is heated before passing through the sorption wheel, then water absorption capacity increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heat from the air flow itself (or waste heat from the environment) to preheat the air before it enters the sorption element. This self-service approach reduces the additional energy required for heating while maintaining the enhanced water absorption capacity provided by the heated air flow.
3Quantity of substance
If cooling is required for water extraction, then water can be separated from air flow, but the process becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is preheated before entering the sorption element, which is a preliminary action that enhances water absorption capacity. This preliminary heating action enables effective water separation through the sorption and condensation process without requiring subsequent cooling, thereby maintaining high overall process efficiency while achieving good water separation.
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 configuration enables energy-efficient water extraction from ambient or exhaust air by increasing the relative humidity and altering the dew point temperature, allowing for effective water recovery without the need for extensive cooling, thus improving overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Through an adsorption process, water from the ambient air is adsorbed in the relevant section of the sorption wheel
Implementation Method 2
a heat supply device for heating the moist air stream before it flows through the sorption element, so that the release of water to the moist air stream is improved
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing the moist air flow, which is arranged between the sorption element and the first condensation stage and increases the absolute humidity of the compressed moist air flow
Implementation Method 4
a first condensation stage, which has a condenser for extracting water from the moist air stream
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a water extraction device (1) for extracting water from ambient air (4), comprising: a sorption element for the sorption of water from an inlet air stream (3) obtained from the ambient air (4), and for emitting water into a moisture-laden air stream (7) that is conducted through said water extraction device (1), said sorption element being arranged such that the inlet air stream (3) and the moisture-laden air stream (7) can flow through it; a heat supply device (8) for heating the moisture-laden air stream (7) before it flows through the sorption element in order to improve the emission of water into the moisture-laden air stream (7); and a first condensation stage (12) that comprises a condenser for extracting water from the moisture-laden air stream (7). According to the invention, the water extraction device (1) comprises a compressor (13) for compressing the moisture-laden air stream (7), which is arranged between the sorption element and the first condensation stage (12) so that water can be extracted from the moisture-laden air stream (7) via the first condensation stage (12). The invention also relates to a method for extracting water from ambient air (4), in which a moisture-laden air stream (7) is compressed prior to water being extracted from said moisture-laden air stream (7) in a first condensation step (25).