Method and apparatus for extracting water from air

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874299

Spletzer, Barry L ^[1]; Callow, Diane Schafer ^[1]; Marron, Lisa C ^[1]; Salton, Jonathan R ^[1]

---

1. Albuquerque, NM

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extracting liquid water from moist air using minimal energy input. The method comprises compressing moist air under conditions that foster the condensation of liquid water. The air can be decompressed under conditions that do not foster the vaporization of the condensate. The decompressed, dried air can be exchanged for a fresh charge of moist air and the process repeated. The liquid condensate can be removed for use. The apparatus can comprise a compression chamber having a variable internal volume. An intake port allows moist air into the compression chamber. An exhaust port allows dried air out of the compression chamber. A condensation device fosters condensation at the desired conditions. A condensate removal port allows liquid water to be removed.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6360549
• OSTI ID: 874299
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
extracting
water
air
provides
liquid
moist
minimal
energy
input
compressing
conditions
foster
condensation
decompressed
vaporization
condensate
dried
exchanged
fresh
charge
process
repeated
removed
compression
chamber
variable
internal
volume
intake
allows
exhaust
device
fosters
removal
energy input
moist air
/62/