Water reclamation systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water reclamation systems for building exhaust air are inefficient and costly, particularly when ambient air humidity is low, as they struggle to effectively condense and collect moisture from ventilation air.
Innovation Solution
The use of porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) downstream of building exhaust vents to adsorb and desorb water, facilitated by cooling and agitation, with optional thermoelectric cooling and solar power, allowing for efficient water collection without the need for pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cooling surfaces below dew point to condense moisture is used, then water reclamation is achieved, but operating costs become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the core material for water reclamation. These porous materials provide extremely high surface area and controlled pore structures that enable efficient water vapor adsorption from exhaust air at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive cooling below dew point while achieving effective moisture recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes temperature cycling to change the adsorption/desorption state of water in the MOF material. During adsorption phase, the MOF operates at ambient temperature to capture water vapor; during desorption phase, mild heating releases the captured water for collection. This parameter change approach enables low-energy water reclamation compared to continuous cooling methods
2Quantity of substance
If solid or liquid desiccants are used to concentrate water vapor, then water reclamation is achieved, but effectiveness is insufficient when ambient air has low humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The porous MOF structures provide unprecedented surface area and tailored pore chemistry that dramatically enhance water vapor capture capability even at low ambient humidity levels. The controlled pore environments and high surface area-to-volume ratio enable the material to maintain high effectiveness across varying humidity conditions where traditional desiccants fail
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses metal-organic frameworks, which are composite materials combining metal ions or clusters with organic ligands to form porous crystalline structures. These composite materials offer tunable properties and superior water vapor affinity compared to traditional solid or liquid desiccants, ensuring reliable performance across diverse humidity environments
3Quantity of substance
If conventional condensation methods are used, then water collection is achieved, but the system becomes complex requiring pumps and additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The MOF material performs self-service by automatically adsorbing water vapor from exhaust air and then releasing it through mild heating or pressure changes. This passive adsorption-desorption cycle eliminates the need for active pumping, complex condensation surfaces, and sophisticated control systems, resulting in a simplified water collection mechanism that leverages the inherent properties of the porous material
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 approach significantly increases water harvesting rates, achieving up to 10 times more efficient water collection compared to natural convection methods, with potential for scalable implementation in residential and large building applications, especially under varying humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) disposed downstream of the building exhaust vent for adsorbing water from the exiting moisture-laden building exhaust
Implementation Method 2
The adsorped water can be desorped from the MOF... via diffusion within the MOF
Implementation Method 3
A cooler can lower the temperature of the MOF, such as when in abutment against a surface thereof, to facilitate desorption of water from within the MOF
Implementation Method 4
The adsorped water can be desorped from the MOF, either naturally or aided by cooling the MOF
Implementation Method 5
Optionally, the cooler can be a thermoelectric cooler
Implementation Method 6
An optional heat flux sensor for monitoring condensation heat can be disposed within or adjacent to the MOF for purposes of adjusting the thermoelectric cooler
Implementation Method 7
Optionally, the thermoelectric cooler can be powered by solar power
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reclaiming water from moisture-laden building exhaust exiting a building through a vent is described herein, where the system can include one or more porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) disposed downstream of the building exhaust vent for adsorbing water from the exiting moisture-laden building exhaust. The adsorped water can be desorped from the MOF, either naturally or aided by cooling the MOF. The desorped water can optionally be collected or directed elsewhere for use or collection.