FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a condensation monitoring apparatus and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a condensation measurement apparatus for measuring condensation of atmospheric airflow.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Water scarcity is a global problem and relates to a lack of fresh water resources in order to sufficiently meet the demand for water in a specific area. In arid areas, technologies are being considered which will aid the production of freshwater. One such technology is atmospheric water generation (AWG) system. AWG systems replicate the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which permits it to make water continuously, even in low humidity. Many such systems are being deployed around the world. Compared to other freshwater production methods, AWG systems are relatively less effective. However, in certain circumstances, AWG systems are the only viable option and, as such, any increase in efficiency is highly desirable. The efficiency of such a system may be increased by selecting an appropriate type of AWG system as some types of AWG systems are more effective than others depending on the conditions at the installation site. The efficiency of an AWG system is also influenced by the orientation of the system (direction and tilt). One of the problems with installing AWG systems is that the optimal orientation of the system must be found through trial and error. Where the AWG system is large, it may be very difficult or impossible to change the orientation after installation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a condensation measurement apparatus which, at least partially, alleviates the problems associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a condensation measurement apparatus comprising:

- a plurality of condensation inducing elements which induces the formation of condensate on a relatively colder part of the element; - each element including an enclosed condensate guiding portion which is in fluid contact with the colder part of the element and collects and guides condensate from the colder part of the element towards a nozzle;

- the nozzle being shaped and sized to induce formation and release of condensate droplets from the nozzle;

- at least one image capturing device for capturing images of droplets released from the nozzles;

- an image processor associated with the device for processing and analysing the images captured by the image capturing device to estimate the shape and size of droplets released by each nozzle and consequently and calculating the volume of condensate released from each nozzle.

The apparatus may include a hollow base wherein the condensation inducing elements extend from the base and the nozzles of each element are located within the base. The base may be cylindrical. The apparatus may include four condensation inducing elements arranged such that the colder portion of the elements face radially outwardly and are arranged at 90° intervals relative to each other.

The apparatus may include eight condensation inducing elements arranged such that the colder portion of the elements face radially outwardly and are arranged at 45° intervals relative to each other.

The condensation inducing elements may include thermoelectric coolers.

The thermoelectric cooler may have a hot side and a cold side according to the Peltier effect and the cold side forms part the colder part of the element. The colder part of the element may include a plate which is thermally connected to the cold side. The plate may be a glass plate.

The plate may lead into the condensate guiding portion such that condensate formed on the plate is guided toward the nozzle.

The thermoelectric cooler may include a heat sink on the hot side of the cooler. The heatsink may have a cooling fan for cooling the heatsink. The guiding portion may be a tapered rectangular channel.

The guiding portion may have an integral frame for attaching a thermoelectric cooler to the frame.

The angle of the frame may be adjustable. The guiding portion may be coated with a superhydrophobic coating.

The apparatus may include a stand for supporting and elevating the apparatus. The stand may be a pole which is attached to the base of the apparatus on one side and may be driven into the ground at the other end.

The image capturing device may be a digital camera. The apparatus may include one or more light sources to provide illumination for the camera. The light sources may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED may be positioned such that each LED illuminates at least part of a nozzle.

The camera may be mounted on and facing into the hollow base. The camera may be mounted at an angle of 22.5° relative to any one of the elements and aimed towards the central axis of the apparatus. The image processor may use machine learning to estimate the shape and size of droplets and calculating the volume of condensate released from each nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic upper perspective view of a condensation measurement apparatus;

Figure 2 is a is a schematic lower perspective view of the condensation measurement apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the condensation measurement apparatus of figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic bottom view of the condensation measurement apparatus of figures 1 to 3; and

Figure 5 is a schematic lower perspective view of a condensation measurement apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings in which like features are indicated by like numerals, a condensation measurement apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 includes a plurality of condensation inducing elements 2. The condensation inducing elements have a colder part 3 which induces formation of condensate thereon. In the current example, the apparatus 1 has four condensation inducing elements arranged such that the colder portions 3 face radially outwardly and are arranged at 90° intervals relative to adjacent elements 2. In use, this allows the apparatus 1 to be oriented such that each element 2 faces one of the cardinal directions.

In alternative embodiments, the apparatus 1 may include eight condensation inducing elements which are arranged at 45° intervals relative to adjacent elements 2. The colder part 3 is cooled by a thermoelectric cooler 7 which produces a hot side and a cold side according to the Peltier effect and the cold side forms part the colder part 3 of the element 2 through an intermediate glass plate. The glass plate is thermally connected to the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler 7, through thermal paste or a functionally similar compound, and enables easy formation of condensate on the colder part 3 to allow accumulated condensate to coalesce into droplets which may move under gravity towards the condensate guiding portion 4. Alternatively, instead of glass, the plate may be made of any material which is suitable to the condensation being measured. The hot side of the thermoelectric cooler 7 includes a heatsink 8 and a fan 9 to cool the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler 7 and allow the thermoelectric cooler to operate more efficiently.

Each condensation inducing element 2 includes an enclosed guiding portion 4 which is in fluid contact with the colder part 3 which collects and guides condensate which forms on the colder part and guides the condensate towards a nozzle 5. The nozzle is shaped and sized to induce and encourage the formation of droplets which a re released from the nozzle 5 as a result of gravitational pull on the droplets. The guiding portion 4 is in the form of a tapered rectangular channel which tapers from a wider rectangular opening toward the narrower nozzle 5 and the inside of the guide 4 may be coated with a superhydrophobic coating to ease the movement of condensate through the guiding portion 4.

The thermoelectric coolers 7 may be mounted on a frame 14 which extends from the body of the guiding portion 4. The angle of the frame 14 may be adjustable.

The condensation inducing elements 2 are mounted on a cylindrical hollow base 10 such that the nozzles 5 protrude into the hollow base 10 and bodies of the guiding portion 4 protrude upwardly from the base towards the colder part 3 and thermoelectric coolers

7. The base may include a lower cover 11 which has a plurality of apertures through the cover to allow condensate from the nozzles 5 to fall through the apertures. The cover may have an integrally formed stand 12 which allows the apparatus 1 to be secured to the ground and the height of the apparatus 1 to be adjusted relative to the ground. The apparatus 1 includes an image capturing device in the form of a digital camera 6 which captures sequential images. The camera 6 is mounted such that the lens of the camera 6 protrudes into the hollow base 10. The camera is aimed in the direction of an opposing nozzle 5 and oriented at an angle of 22.5° relative to a central axis of the apparatus as shown in figure 4. This allows the images captured to view each nozzle separately in the image such and for opposing or adjacent nozzles 5 to not obscure the view of the camera toward each nozzle. The apparatus includes light sources 13 to provide illumination for the camera 6 inside the hollow base 10. The light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs) and are positioned and oriented such that each LED illuminates at least part of one of the nozzles 5.

The apparatus includes an image processor which is connected to the camera for processing and analysing the images captured by the camera. The image processor estimates the shape and size of droplets which are released from each nozzle and calculates the volume of each droplet. The volume of the droplets released from each nozzle is recorded over time to obtain average and temporal data of condensation for each cardinal direction. The image processor may also make use of machine learning to estimate the shape and size of droplets and calculating the volume of condensate released from each nozzle 5. In use, the apparatus will be installed in a site where condensation measurements are needed, such as a prospective site for an atmospheric water generation (AWG) system . The apparatus will typically be secured through the ground through the stand 12 and the condensation inducing elements 2 are arranged along the four cardinal directions (North, East, South and West). When the device is activated, the thermoelectric coolers 7 will cool the colder part 3 and condensate will form on the colder parts 3. The formed condensate will flow through the guiding portion 4 in be released as droplets through the nozzles 5. The camera captures images of the droplets and the image processor estimates the volume of condensate formed for each of the cardinal directions. The orientation and height of the apparatus 1 as well as the angle of the frame may be adjusted and the process repeated. The volume of condensate is recorded over time for the cardinal directions provides valuable condensation data.

It is envisaged that the invention will provide a condensation measurement apparatus which provides valuable condensation data for researchers. Such data may be used, for example, to properly orientate and position AWG systems. The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. For example, instead of having four condensation inducing elements, the apparatus may include eight elements arranged at forty-five-degree angles relevant to adjacent elements or any other number relevant to the directional condensation measurements being made. Further, instead of having a cylindrical base, the base may be rectangular or octagonal.