Single Cycle Apparatus for Condensing Water from Ambient Air

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for condensing water from ambient air, the method comprising: providing at least one condensation surface for contact with the ambient air; heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive gaseous refrigerant from the solution; cooling the gaseous refrigerant to condense the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant, and collecting the liquid refrigerant; evaporating refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant such that heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the condensation surface which is thereby cooled to, or below, the dew point of the water in the ambient air; and contacting the cooled condensation surface with the ambient air to effect condensation of water from the ambient air onto the condensation surface. In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for condensing water from ambient air, the apparatus comprising: heating means for heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive evaporation of the refrigerant from the solution to produce gaseous refrigerant; cooling means for cooling the gaseous refrigerant such that the gaseous refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant; and an evaporator having at least one condensation surface for contact with the ambient air and being arranged for collecting the liquid refrigerant, and subsequent evaporation of gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant; wherein the condensation surface is arranged for being cooled to, or below, the dew point of the water in the ambient air by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensation surface upon evaporation of the refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant, and thereby effecting condensation of water from the ambient air onto the condensation surface.

1 . A method for collecting water from ambient atmospheric air, the method comprising:
 providing apparatus with at least one condensation surface for contact with the ambient air;   heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive gaseous refrigerant from the solution;   cooling the gaseous refrigerant to condense the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant, and collecting the liquid refrigerant;   evaporating refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant such that heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the condensation surface which is thereby cooled to, or below, the dew point of the water in the ambient air; and   contacting the cooled condensation surface with the ambient air to effect condensation of water from the ambient air onto the condensation surface, the apparatus being adapted for collection of the water from the condensation surface; and   collecting the condensed water from the condensation surface.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of heating the solution comprises solar energy. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of heating the refrigerant and fluid solution is controlled in response to temperature of the refrigerant and fluid solution and pressure within a container containing that solution. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the step of heating the refrigerant and fluid solution is at least partially reduced if, according to the temperature of the refrigerant and fluid solution and the pressure within the container, the concentration of ammonia in solution is less than or equal to about 39.5% by weight. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of returning the refrigerant evaporated from the liquid refrigerant to the fluid for repeating the heating and evaporation steps. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising the step of drawing away any heat generated on contact of the returned refrigerant with the fluid to promote return of further refrigerant evaporated from the liquid refrigerant to the fluid. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising the step of controlling the flow rate of the gaseous refrigerant to the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the step of controlling the flowrate of gaseous refrigerant to the refrigerant and fluid solution comprises the step of comparing the dewpoint of the ambient air with the temperature of ambient air following its contact with the condensation surface. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the dewpoint of the ambient air is determined by sensing the temperature at which water condenses from the ambient air onto the condensation surface. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the steps of sensing and comparing temperatures comprise the steps of measuring corresponding temperatures. 
   
   
       11 . A method for heating comprising:
 heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive gaseous refrigerant from the solution;   cooling the gaseous refrigerant such that the gaseous refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant, and collecting the liquid refrigerant;   evaporating refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant and returning the refrigerant evaporated from the liquid refrigerant to the fluid to produce heat upon contact of the refrigerant with the fluid;   drawing heat generated by the contact of the refrigerant with the fluid away from the fluid to promote return of further evaporated refrigerant into the fluid; and   utilising the heat for heating.   
   
   
       12 . A method for cooling comprising:
 providing at least one cooling surface for contact with ambient air;   heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive gaseous refrigerant from the solution;   cooling the gaseous refrigerant to condense the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant, and collecting the liquid refrigerant;   evaporating refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant such that heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the cooling surface which is thereby cooled;   returning the evaporated refrigerant to the fluid, the contact of the refrigerant with the fluid generating heat;   drawing heat generated by the contact of the refrigerant with the fluid away from the fluid to promote return of further evaporated refrigerant into the fluid;   contacting the cooling surface with the ambient air to cool the ambient air; and   using the cooled ambient air for cooling.   
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for collecting water from ambient atmospheric air, the apparatus comprising:
 heating means for heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive evaporation of the refrigerant from the solution to produce gaseous refrigerant;   cooling means for cooling the gaseous refrigerant such that the gaseous refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant; and   an evaporator having at least one condensation surface for contact with the ambient air and being arranged for collecting the liquid refrigerant, and subsequent evaporation of gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant the condensation surface being arranged for being cooled to, or below, the dew point of the water in the ambient air by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensation surface upon evaporation of the refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant, to effect condensation of water from the ambient air onto the condensation surface; and   water collection means adapted for collection of the condensed water from the condensation surface.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the heating means comprises a heat collector for collecting heat. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the heat collector is arranged to collect solar energy. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the heating means comprises a heat exchanger arranged to transfer heat from the heat collector to the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the heat exchanger comprises a metal jacket in fluid communication with the heat collector. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the communicating fluid is mineral oil. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the heating means is arranged to at least partially restrict flow of the communicating fluid between the heat collector and heat exchanger if the communicating fluid rises above a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the heating means is arranged to control heating of the refrigerant and fluid solution in response to temperature of the refrigerant and fluid solution and pressure within a container containing that solution. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the heating means is arranged to at least partially reduce heating of the refrigerant and fluid solution if, according to the temperature of the refrigerant and fluid solution and the pressure within the container, the condensation of ammonia in solution is less than or equal to about 39.5% by weight. 
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the cooling means comprises a heat sink for dissipating heat from the gaseous refrigerant to effect the condensation of the gaseous refrigerant. 
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the cooling means comprises distillation means for distilling gaseous refrigerant from gas comprising gaseous refrigerant and gas evaporated from the fluids. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the distillation means is arranged to condense gas evaporated from the fluid. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the distillation means comprises a riser conduit. 
   
   
       26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the distillation means also comprises cooling fins. 
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising refrigerant vapour return means for returning refrigerant vapour evaporated by the evaporator to the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       28 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the refrigerant vapour return means comprises a port of the evaporator for return of the gaseous refrigerant to the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       29 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the refrigerant vapour return means comprises refrigerant vapour flow rate control means for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant vapour. 
   
   
       30 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the refrigerant vapour flow rate control means is arranged to control the flow rate of refrigerant vapour by comparing the dewpoint of the ambient air with the temperature of the ambient air following its contact with the condensation surface. 
   
   
       31 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the refrigerant vapour flow rate control means is arranged to determine the dewpoint by measuring the temperature at which water condenses from the ambient air onto the condensation surface. 
   
   
       32 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the refrigerant vapour control means is arranged to measure the temperature of the ambient air following its contact with the condensation surface to compare it with the dewpoint. 
   
   
       33 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a diffuser for diffusing refrigerant vapour into the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       34 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising heat absorber means for absorbing heat from the refrigerant and fluid solution following the return of refrigerant vapour to the refrigerant and fluid solution via the refrigerant vapour return means. 
   
   
       35 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 34  wherein the heat absorber means is arranged to store heat to heat the refrigerant and fluid solution. 
   
   
       36 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the heat absorber means is arranged to heat the refrigerant and fluid solution using the stored heat at times of reduced availability of solar energy. 
   
   
       37 . An apparatus for heating comprising:
 heating means for heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive evaporation of the refrigerant from the fluid to produce gaseous refrigerant;   cooling means for cooling the gaseous refrigerant such that the gaseous refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant;   an evaporator arranged for collecting the liquid refrigerant and subsequent evaporation of gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant for return of the gaseous refrigerant to the fluid, the gaseous refrigerant generating heat on contact with the fluid; and   heat drawing means for drawing heat from the fluid following contact of the gaseous refrigerant with the fluid for heating.   
   
   
       38 . An apparatus for cooling comprising:
 heating means for heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive evaporation of the refrigerant from the fluid to produce gaseous refrigerant;   cooling means for cooling the gaseous refrigerant such that the gaseous refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant;   an evaporator having at least one cooling surface for contact with ambient air and being adapted for collecting the liquid refrigerant and subsequent evaporation of refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant for return of the gaseous refrigerant to the fluid, the contact of the refrigerant with the fluid generating heat, and the condensation surface being disposed for being cooled by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensation surface upon evaporation of the refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant;   heat drawing means for drawing heat from the fluid to promote return of further gaseous refrigerant to the fluid; and   directing means for directing the ambient air into contact with the cooled cooling surface for cooling.   
   
   
       39 - 42 . (canceled)