Apparatus and method to recover and dispense potable water

Abstract

An apparatus and system to produce purified drinking water from humid air is provided. The apparatus includes an air purification device such as a HEPA filter to remove air-borne particulate and biological containments. A method to provide purified drinking water from humid air using a stand along apparatus is provided. The apparatus can also dehumidify, improve air-quality and provide air-conditioning.

1 . An apparatus to recover and dispense potable water comprising: a housing including an inlet to intake ambient air, an air purification unit substantially covering said inlet, an evaporator device configured to extract water vapor from ambient air and condense the water vapor into liquid water, wherein said device includes an evaporating surface having corrugated shaped fins of between 5-8 fins per cm; a fan positioned to facilitate movement of air across said evaporator device to condense water; a drainage pan positioned to receive water generated by the evaporator device in fluid communication with a reservoir configured to hold condensed water; and at least one water purification unit positioned to purify the condensed water; a fluid line to transport water to a dispensing device to dispense potable water. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said drain pan positioned in at least a 5 degree angle from the evaporator device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said evaporating surface has between 6-7 fins per cm. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said evaporating surface has a face area from 7 to 35.6 sq/ft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said air purification unit is a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said air purification unit is an electrostatic filter 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said HEPA filter is between 2.5 to 11 cm in thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pre-filter in fluid communication with the drainage pan, said pre-filter including a particulate screen for removing particles larger than a predetermined size from water passing through the pre-filter. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fluid line is positioned to chill the water. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further said fluid line is positioned to heat the water. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said water purification unit is an activated carbon filter, configured to reduce environmental contaminants. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said water purification unit is an ultraviolet light treatment filter source, operable to reduce biological contaminants. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said water purification unit is an ozonator, configured to purify water by releasing ozone into the water. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said reservoir further comprising a platform to facilitate mixing of ozone with the water. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of outlet ports substantially covered by shutters. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a condenser coil and a fan positioned to expel cold air from said outlet ports. 2   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said fan is configured to operate at a first speed to provide air-conditioning and a second speed to provide water. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fan is configured to operate at a first speed to provide air-conditioning and a second speed to provide water. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus included an outdoor condensing coil, and at least, one indoor evaporating coil, wherein said outdoor unit and at least one indoor evaporating coil are connected via flexible refrigerant hoses and releasable couplings. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second reservoir configured to hold water and a second purification unit. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an agitation device positioned to agitate said evaporator device. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a computer operated controller to activate said apparatus based on water level sensor in said first reservoir. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a computer operated controller to activate said apparatus based on water level sensor in said second reservoir. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second evaporator device. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus to purify water comprising: a pump to move water thorough said apparatus, a water reservoir positioned to receive unpurified water, an ozonator connected to said reservoir to provide ozone via a dispenser to said reservoir; at least one water purification unit positioned downstream from said water reservoir, including an in-line UVC element, sedimentation filter, and carbon block filter. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a platform positioned in said reservoir to facilitate mixing. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said ozone dispenser is substantially near the side of the storage reservoir to facilitate mixing. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising as dust filter positioned to remove dust. 
     
     
         29 . A system to provide air-conditioning to a structure and recover and dispense potable water comprising: at least one housing including an inlet to intake ambient air, an air purification unit substantially covering said inlet, an evaporator device configured to extract water vapor from ambient air and condense the water vapor into liquid water, wherein said device includes an evaporating surface having corrugated shaped fins of between 5-8 fins per cm, wherein said evaporator device is in fluid communication with a condensing coil; a fan positioned to facilitate movement of air across said evaporator device to condense water; at least one reservoir configured to hold condensed water; and at least one water purification unit positioned to purify the condensed water; and a dispensing device to dispense potable water, and a fan positioned to expel cold air from outlet ports, wherein at least one housing is attached to a dwelling. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  further comprising: a conduit system to provide conditioned air to said dwelling, wherein said conduit includes a shutter configured to actuate in an open or closed position based on a sensor reading. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29  wherein said condensing coil is located outside of said dwelling and is connected to said at least one housing via a flexible refrigerant hose. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28  wherein said at least one housing is located in different rooms of the dwelling to provide cool air in each room. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29  wherein said condensing coil is located inside said housing. 
     
     
         34 . A method to recover potable water and cool air comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a housing including an inlet to intake ambient air, an air purification unit substantially covering said inlet, an evaporator device configured to extract water vapor from ambient air and condense the water vapor into liquid water, wherein said device includes an evaporation surface having corrugated shaped fins of between 5-8 fins per cm; a fan positioned to facilitate movement of air across said evaporator device to condense water; a reservoir configured to hold condensed water; and at least one water purification unit positioned to purify the condensed water; and a dispensing device to dispense potable water and air-conditioning coil and a fan positioned to expel cold air from said outlet ports; and
 operating said fan at one speed to facilitate the extraction of water from ambient air and at a second speed to expel cold air from a plurality of outlet ports in said housing, wherein about 26.5 liters of potable water is produced in 18 hours of operation.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising the step of adding the potable water to biodegradable bottles. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising the step of adding the potable water to recyclable bottles.