Device for producing water from ambient air

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for producing water from ambient air comprising a heat pump with a cooling unit and a receiver for collecting the water that formed as condensed water vapour on a cooling surface of the cooling unit. In accordance with the invention the cooling surface is located in a closed space and a water vapour permeable membrane separates the ambient air and the closed space.

1 . Device for producing water from ambient air comprising a heat pump ( 2 ) with a cooling unit ( 23 ) and a receiver ( 22 ) for collecting the water that formed as condensed water vapour on a cooling surface of the cooling unit, characterized in that the cooling surface ( 23 ) is located in a closed space ( 27 ) and a water vapour permeable membrane ( 38 ) separates the ambient air and the closed space. 
     
     
         2 . Device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cooling surface comprises at least part of a wall of the closed space ( 27 ). 
     
     
         3 . Device in accordance with  claim 1  or  2  wherein the closed space includes a pump for transporting water vapour to the cooling surface. 
     
     
         4 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump ( 2 ) comprises a compressor ( 1 ), a condenser ( 6 ) and an evaporator ( 23 ), the evaporator forming the cooling unit and the compressor, condenser and evaporator being connected by piping ( 8 ). 
     
     
         5 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the closed space ( 27 ) is connected to a vacuum pump ( 24 ) for removing air and/or other gasses from the closed space. 
     
     
         6 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the closed space ( 27 ) has insulating walls ( 26 ). 
     
     
         7 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises hollow fibres ( 38 ) and the closed space ( 27 ) connects to the inside ( 37 ) of the hollow fibres. 
     
     
         8 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the membrane ( 38 ) comprises a number of units mounted in exchangeable cassettes ( 10 ). 
     
     
         9 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a canal ( 55 ) guides an airflow ( 4 ) over the membrane ( 10 ) and wherein the canal comprises partitions ( 11 ) to block fluid particles. 
     
     
         10 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a rinsing system ( 9 ,  15 ) cleans the ambient-air side of the membrane ( 10 ). 
     
     
         11 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a ventilator ( 7 ) provides airflow over the membrane ( 10 ). 
     
     
         12 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the condenser ( 6 ) includes a heat exchanger that generates airflow over the membrane ( 10 ). 
     
     
         13 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the condenser ( 6 ) includes a heat exchanger and a ventilator ( 7 ) generates airflow over the membrane ( 10 ) and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a turbine, such as a wind turbine ( 30 ) or a water turbine, drives the compressor ( 1 ). 
     
     
         15 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump ( 2 ) is mounted in the tower ( 31 ) of a wind turbine ( 30 ). 
     
     
         16 . Device in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the tower ( 31 ) has an inlet opening ( 12 ) for the airflow along the membrane ( 10 ) and/or a heat exchanger and wherein the inlet opening rotates with the direction of the wind.