System and method for producing and/or desalinating water using absorption refrigeration

Abstract

A system and method for producing water from ambient moisture using an absorption chiller is provided. A portion of the chilled water coil is exposed to the air and the system is configured to collect and/or store for later use, water formed from atmospheric moisture condensing on this portion of the chilled water coil.

1 . A system for cooling water, comprising:
 an absorption chiller including a condenser section and an evaporator section;   a chilled water coil including a first section of chilled water coil within said evaporator section and a second section of chilled water coil, in fluid communication with said first section, located outside of said absorption chiller;   a first section of cooling water coil passing through at least said condenser section to remove latent heat from said condenser section;   a second section of cooling water coil, in fluid communication with said first section of cooling water coil, said second section of cooling water coil being disposed adjacent to said second section of said chilled water coil so as to be cooled by said second section of said chilled water coil, such that water exiting said second section of cooling water coil is provided to said first section of cooling water coil at a temperature below ambient air temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a further section of cooling water coil in fluid communication with said first section of cooling water coil, said further section of cooling water coil being exposed to ambient temperature air, to cool the water in further section to ambient air temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an auxiliary cooler, a portion of said auxiliary cooler being located in said condenser section. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an auxiliary cooler, a portion of said auxiliary cooler being placed in thermal communication with refrigerant that is about to enter said evaporator section. 
     
     
         5 . A method of producing water, comprising the steps of:
 providing the system according to  claim 1 ;   collecting water produced by moisture condensing on said chilled water coil.   
     
     
         6 . A system for producing water, comprising:
 an absorption chiller including a condenser section and an evaporator section;   a chilled water coil including a first section of chilled water coil within said evaporator section and a second section of chilled water coil, in fluid communication with said first section, located outside of said absorption chiller;   said second section of chilled water coil being exposed to atmospheric moisture to produce condensation in the form of water, said second section of chilled water coil being configured to permit said water to form and accumulate on said second section of chilled water coil;   a first section of cooling water coil passing through at least said condenser section to remove latent heat from said condenser section; and   a second section of cooling water coil, in fluid communication with said first section of cooling water coil, said second section of cooling water coil being disposed adjacent to said second section of said chilled water coil so as to be cooled by said second section of said chilled water coil, such that water exiting said second section of cooling water coil is provided to said first section of cooling water coil at a temperature below ambient air temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further including a collector for collecting and storing the water formed on said second section of chilled water coil. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further including an auxiliary cooler, a portion of said auxiliary cooler being located in said condenser section. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further including an auxiliary cooler, a portion of said auxiliary cooler being placed in thermal communication with refrigerant that is about to enter said evaporator section. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , additionally including a further section of cooling water coil in fluid communication with said first section of cooling water coil, said further section of cooling water coil being exposed to ambient temperature air, to cool the water exiting from said further section to ambient air temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , further including a desalination system producing a humid air stream proximal to said chilled water coil. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said desalination system includes an evaporative medium for evaporating salt water circulated between a source of salt water and the evaporative medium. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further including a heating device disposed between said source of salt water and said evaporative medium. 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing water, comprising the steps of:
 providing the system of  claim 6 ; and   collecting water condensing on said second section of chilled water coil in said collector.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further including the step of:
 providing a desalination system to produce a humid air stream proximal to said chilled water coil.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said desalination system includes an evaporative medium, a source of salt water and a pump for pumping salt water into the evaporative medium, thus producing the humid air stream. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including the step of warming the salt water before it enters the evaporative medium. 
     
     
         18 . A system for producing water, comprising:
 an absorption chiller including a generator section, a condenser section, an absorber section and an evaporator section;   a hot water coil passing between a hot water source and said generator section;   a cooling water coil, at least a first portion of said cooling water coil passing through said condenser section;   a chilled water coil including a first section of chilled water coil within said evaporator section and a second section of chilled water coil, in fluid communication with said first section, located outside of said absorption chiller; and   said second section of chilled water coil being exposed to atmospheric moisture to produce condensation in the form of water, said second section of chilled water coil being configured to permit said water to form and accumulate on said second section of chilled water coil.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the hot water source includes at least one of a solar hot water heater, a gas hot water heater and an electric hot water heater. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein another portion of said cooling water coil is provided in contact with, or immersion in, water produced by said chilled water coil. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein water in another portion of said cooling water coil is disposed adjacent to said second section of said chilled water coil so as to be cooled by said second section of said chilled water coil, such that water exiting said second section is provided to said first section at a temperature below ambient air temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , additionally comprising a further section of cooling water coil in fluid communication with said first portion of cooling water coil, said further section of cooling water coil being exposed to ambient temperature air, to cool the water in said further section to ambient air temperature.