A mechanical water still (10) includes an impervious dome-like upper surface (12) and a membrane base (14) that is coupled (26) to the impervious dome-like structure (12) to form, when inflated, a chamber (20). The membrane base (14) supports a water pervaporation process therethrough. A water colle
A mechanical water still (10) includes an impervious dome-like upper surface (12) and a membrane base (14) that is coupled (26) to the impervious dome-like structure (12) to form, when inflated, a chamber (20). The membrane base (14) supports a water pervaporation process therethrough. A water collection well (16) has an opening into which water droplets condensed from the water pervaporation process collect. The water collection well (16) is sited within the membrane base (14) and generally extends outwardly and downwardly from the membrane base (14), as shown in FIG. 1. In use, a contaminated water source (24) is brought into, ideally, complete contact with the membrane base (14), with the water collection well (16) arranged both to act as a heat sink into the water source (24) and to provide stability to the water still (10) when floating and immersed in the water source (24).
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A water still for placement on or in a body of contaminated water for collecting condensed water vapor comprising: a chamber having a substantially impervious upper section and a base coupled to the substantially impervious upper section, the base formed from a membrane
The invention claimed is: 1. A water still for placement on or in a body of contaminated water for collecting condensed water vapor comprising: a chamber having a substantially impervious upper section and a base coupled to the substantially impervious upper section, the base formed from a membrane, said membrane being of a material which performs membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane as a vapor such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; and a water collection well having an opening into which condensed water vapor can collect, the water collection well sited within the base and generally extended outwardly therefrom, wherein the water collection well acts, in use, as a heat sink of the water still. 2. The water still according to claim 1, further including a plurality of condensation trays formed within the chamber. 3. The water still according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of condensation trays cause condensed water vapor to be ferried into the water collection well. 4. The water still according to claim 1, the impervious section having an inner surface on which water vapor condenses, the water still further including a peripheral gully and channel arrangement configured to collect the condensed water vapor formed on the inner surface and arranged to direct the condensed water vapor so formed into the water collection well. 5. The water still according to claim 1, further including a central shaft coupled to the water collection well and extending substantially upward into the chamber, the central shaft acting as at least one of a structural support for the substantially impervious upper section, a condensation surface and a thermal path. 6. The water still according to claim 1, wherein the water collection well includes a plurality of vanes. 7. The water still according to claim 1, wherein the membrane of the base is corrugated to increase surface area. 8. The water still according to claim 1, wherein the water collection well includes an outward-facing lip. 9. The water still according to claim 1, wherein the water collection well includes an internal lip that limits spillage from the water collection well. 10. The water still according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the water collection well is generally sited above a highest nominal base level. 11. The water still according to claim 1, further including guidelines coupling a periphery of the water still to the water collection well. 12. The water still according to claim 1, comprising a mechanically-driven fan within the chamber. 13. The water still according to claim 1, comprising an intersection between the substantially impervious upper section and the base, said intersection being protected by an external buffer. 14. The water still according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir formed from a substantially impervious pouch and the base, the reservoir arranged to receive and store contaminated water. 15. A water still for placement on or in a body of contaminated water for collecting condensed water vapor comprising: a chamber having a substantially impervious upper section and a base coupled to the substantially impervious upper section, the base formed from a membrane, said membrane being of a material which performs membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane as a vapor such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; and a water collection well having an opening into which condensed water vapor can collect, the water collection well sited within the base of the water still and generally extended outwardly therefrom, wherein the base is sloped. 16. The water still according to claim 15, wherein the base includes a drain vent. 17. A water still for placement on or in a body of contaminated water for collecting condensed water vapor comprising: a chamber having a substantially impervious upper section and a base coupled to the substantially impervious upper section, the base formed from a membrane, said membrane being of a material which performs membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane as a vapor such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; and a water collection well having an opening into which condensed water vapor can collect, the water collection well sited within the base of the water still and generally extended outwardly therefrom, wherein the membrane comprises a copolyetherester elastomer with a water vapor transmission rate at least 400 g/m2/24 hr. 18. A water still for placement on or in a body of contaminated water for collecting condensed water vapor comprising: a humidity chamber formed between a substantially impervious section and a non-porous membrane; said membrane being of a material which performs membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane as a vapor such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; a water collection well having an opening into which condensed water vapor can collect, the water collection well sited towards a base of the humidity chamber said still having a buoyancy that allows it to be at least substantially immersed in contaminated water so that said non-porous membrane is beneath the water; and a protective screen juxtaposed the non-porous membrane of the water still. 19. The water still as claimed in claim 18, wherein the substantially impervious section provides side walls and a base for the water still and thereby acts to funnel condensed water vapor into the water collection well. 20. The water still as claimed in claim 18, wherein the non-porous membrane provides a ceiling to the humidity chamber. 21. The water still as claimed in claim 20, wherein the non-porous membrane is inclined. 22. A method of purifying contaminated water, comprising: forming a humidity chamber having a substantially impervious upper surface coupled to a membrane base; said membrane base being of a material for performing membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; providing a water collection well having an opening within the humidity chamber; providing a contaminated water supply juxtaposed the membrane base by placing the humidity chamber on or in a body of contaminated water, thereby forming a vapor pressure gradient thereacross; producing vapor that can be condensed and directed within the humidity chamber; directing water vapor condensed within the humidity chamber into the opening; and sinking heat generated within the humidity chamber through the contaminated water via the water collection well. 23. The method of purifying contaminated water according to claim 22, further comprising channeling water vapor condensed within the humidity chamber away from the membrane base and into the water collection well. 24. The method of purifying contaminated water according to claim 22, further comprising periodically tapping water collected within the water collection well. 25. A method of purifying contaminated water, comprising: forming a humidity chamber having a substantially impervious upper surface coupled to a membrane base; said membrane base being of a material for performing membrane separation by preferentially absorbing water molecules over sodium and chloride ions and transporting said water molecules across said membrane such that in the presence of a humidity differential where said membrane has a high humidity side and a low humidity side, water vapor is released from the low humidity side; providing a water collection well having an opening within the humidity chamber; providing a contaminated water supply juxtaposed the membrane base by placing the humidity chamber on or in a body of contaminated water, thereby forming a vapor pressure gradient thereacross; producing vapor that can be condensed and directed within the humidity chamber; directing water vapor condensed within the humidity chamber into the opening; wherein the membrane base comprises a copolyetherester elastomer with a water vapor transmission rate at least 400 g/m2/24 hr. 26. A method of purifying contaminated water, comprising: forming a humidity chamber having a substantially impervious surface coupled to a non-porous membrane that supports membrane separation by absorption and transport of water across the membrane; providing a water collection well having an opening towards a bottom of the humidity chamber; contacting a contaminated water supply with the non-porous membrane by immersing said chamber in said contaminated water at least substantially, thereby forming a vapor pressure gradient thereacross; directing water vapor condensed within the humidity chamber into the opening under the action of gravity; wherein the step of contacting occurs from above the non-porous membrane.
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