초록 ▼

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for extracting water from atmospheric air. The method according to an embodiment of the invention does not depend on day and night temperature differentials and can operate at lower temperatures than were possible before. The present invention ma

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for extracting water from atmospheric air. The method according to an embodiment of the invention does not depend on day and night temperature differentials and can operate at lower temperatures than were possible before. The present invention makes it possible to extract water vapors from the atmospheric air in relatively simple, inexpensive industrial plants or in smaller portable devices. The method according to the present invention includes: (a) causing ambient air to be drawn across a sorbent material (6) which is disposed in an enclosure (1) having a first area containing the sorbent material (6) and a second area containing condenser (13); (b) hermetically sealing the enclosure (1) from the atmosphere, after the sorbent material (6) has been fully saturated with water vapor; (c) causing desorption of the water from the sorbent material (6) by heating it, raising thereby the enclosure (1) internal pressure; (d) creating a partial vacuum in the enclosure (1) and a pressure differential between the first and second area, by venting residual air and an amount of water vapor from the enclosure (1), so that water vapor flows from the first area to the condenser (13); and (e) collecting the water which condenses on the condenser.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of extracting water from atmoshperic air, comprising:(a) causing ambient air to be drawn across a sorbent material (6) adapted to absorb or absorb water vapor, the sorbent material (6) being disposed in an enclosure (1) comprising a first area containing the sorbent material and a second

1. A method of extracting water from atmoshperic air, comprising:(a) causing ambient air to be drawn across a sorbent material (6) adapted to absorb or absorb water vapor, the sorbent material (6) being disposed in an enclosure (1) comprising a first area containing the sorbent material and a second area containing a condenser (13); (b) hermetically sealing the enclosure (1) from the atmosphere, after the sorbent material has been fully saturated with water vapor; (c) causing desorption of water vapor from the sorbent material (6) by heating the sorbent material (6), raising thereby the internal pressure of the enclosure (1); (d) creating a partial vacuum in the enclosure (1) and a pressure differential between the first area and the second area, by venting residual air and an amount of water vapor from the enclosure (1), so that water vapor flows from the first area to the condenser (13) in the second area; and (e) collecting the water which condenses on the condenser (13).