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Title: Method and apparatus for extracting water from air

Abstract

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 (ideally isothermal to a humidity of 1.0, then adiabatic thereafter). 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.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
873724
Patent Number(s):
6230503
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
method; apparatus; extracting; water; air; provides; liquid; moist; minimal; energy; input; comprises; compressing; conditions; foster; condensation; ideally; isothermal; humidity; adiabatic; thereafter; decompressed; vaporization; condensate; dried; exchanged; fresh; charge; process; repeated; removed; comprise; compression; chamber; variable; internal; volume; intake; allows; exhaust; device; fosters; desired; removal; moist air; internal volume; liquid water; method comprises; energy input; method comprise; minimal energy; liquid condensate; condensate removal; extracting liquid; allows liquid; /62/

Citation Formats

Spletzer, Barry L. Method and apparatus for extracting water from air. United States: N. p., 2001. Web.
Spletzer, Barry L. Method and apparatus for extracting water from air. United States.
Spletzer, Barry L. Mon . "Method and apparatus for extracting water from air". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/873724.
@article{osti_873724,
title = {Method and apparatus for extracting water from air},
author = {Spletzer, Barry L},
abstractNote = {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 (ideally isothermal to a humidity of 1.0, then adiabatic thereafter). 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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001}
}