SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WATER GENERATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating water from the ambient air.

BACKGROUND

Increased water pollution and limited availability of freshwater resources have become growing reasons for concern and pose major global challenges. Atmospheric water generation (AWG) is a renewable and environmentally friendly technique which has been regarded as one of the promising solutions for mitigating the freshwater scarcity. In contrast to its counterparts, such as solar desalination, which require access to water sources, AWG utilizes the ambient air, and specifically the humidity present in the ambient air, for the generation of clean water therefrom. Specifically, the AWG techniques are based on harvesting water vapor originating from the ambient air and transforming it into liquid water. However, this process typically requires high energy consumption for the phase transformation of water as well as for latent heat removal. For example, PCT application number WO 2019/229749 is directed to atmospheric water generation method, device and system.

Nevertheless, there is a need in the art for efficient systems and methods for generating water from air.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure, according to some embodiments thereof, relate to systems and methods for generating liquid water from ambient air. Specifically, some aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods selectively separating/transferring water vapor present in the ambient air, condensing thereof and precipitating essentially pure liquid water, while advantageously minimizing the energy consumption.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a system for precipitating liquid water from ambient air, advantageously utilizing heat energy transfer of fluids circulated therein for decreasing the energy consumption thereof. Advantageously, according to some embodiments, the system enables reducing energy consumption while increasing the amount of the liquid water generated therein. Advantageously, according to some embodiments, the system is configured to condense out substantially only the water vapor passing through a water vapor selectivity unit, thereby reducing power needs thereof.

Advantageously, according to some embodiments, the system generates substantially pure liquid water, i.e. substantially devoid of air borne contaminations, viruses, bacteria, and the like.

Advantageously, according to some embodiments, the system may be substantially climate independent.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a system for precipitating liquid water from the ambient air, the system includes a water vapor selectivity unit including a water vapor selectivity member, configured to selectively transfer water vapor from the ambient air introduced therein into a first fluid exiting therefrom. According to some embodiments, the selective separation of the water vapor is based on concentration and/or pressure gradient of the water vapor in the water vapor selectivity unit. According to some embodiments, the system further includes a water vapor precipitation unit having a cooling element, a first heat exchanger unit, and optionally a second heat exchanger unit. According to some embodiments, the first fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit enters the first heat exchanger unit for a first cooling thereof, and into the water precipitation unit for a second cooling thereof, such that liquid water is precipitated therefrom. According to some embodiments, following the liquid water precipitation, a second fluid exits the water vapor precipitation unit and may be circulated into the first heat exchanger unit for a first heating thereof, and into the second heat exchanger unit for a second heating thereof, and is circulated back into the water vapor selectivity unit.

According to some embodiments, the first heating and the second heating of the second fluid in the first and the second heat exchanger units, respectively, are performed according to naturally occurring thermal energy gradient, thus advantageously minimizing the external energy consumption of the system. According to some embodiments, the heat transfer processes in the first and the second heat exchanger unit advantageously rely on the thermodynamics of conduction, and/or convection and/or radiation, thereby minimizing the external energy consumption of the system.

According to some embodiments, there is provided herein a system for generating water from ambient air, the system includes a water vapor selectivity unit having a water vapor selectivity member, configured to selectively transfer water vapor from the ambient air introduced therein into a first fluid exiting therefrom, a water precipitation unit, having a cooling element, a first and a second heat exchanger units, wherein the first fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit enters the first heat exchanger unit for a first cooling thereof, and into the water precipitation unit for a second cooling thereof, such that liquid water is precipitated therefrom, and wherein a second fluid exiting from the water precipitation unit is circulated into the first heat exchanger unit for a first heating thereof, and into the second heat exchanger unit for a second heating thereof, and is circulated back into the water vapor selectivity unit. According to some embodiments, the first heat exchanger unit includes a first heat exchanger. According to some embodiments, the second heat exchanger unit includes a second heat exchanger. According to some embodiments, a continuous gradient of water vapor concentration and/or pressure is maintained in the water vapor selectivity unit.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a third fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit, wherein the third fluid is circulated into the second heat exchanging unit and configured to exchange heat between the second the and the second fluids,

According to some embodiments, the third fluid may be subsequently removed from the second heat exchanger unit outside the system. According to some embodiments, the third fluid may be subsequently circulated into a corresponding unit of the system for further energy transfer therefrom/thereto.

According to some embodiments, the specific heat capacity of the first fluid and/or the second fluid is lower than that of the ambient air by at least about 15%.

According to some embodiments, the first fluid and/or the second fluid may include argon. According to some embodiments, the system may include a desiccant unit configured for extracting remnant water vapor from the second fluid.

According to some embodiments, the remnant water vapor extracted at the desiccant unit may be periodically released by heating the desiccant, and wherein the water vapor released from the desiccant unit is recirculated back into the water vapor selectivity unit, thereby increasing a humidity level relative to and of the ambient air introduced therein.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a freezing unit configured for extracting the remnant water vapor from the second fluid.

According to some embodiments, the system may include the desiccant unit and the freezing unit configured for extracting the remnant water vapor from the second fluid.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a water collection unit configured for collecting the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a processing unit configured for processing the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, the processing of the liquid water comprising collecting in reservoirs, containers, bottles, ionizing or otherwise enriching with elements/substances, or any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a non-porous membrane.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a proton exchange membrane including sulphonic groups attached thereto.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of one or more of Nafion, Nafion composites, Aquivion, Flemion and Perfluorosulfonic acid membrane. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of Nafion and/or Nafion composites, or any similar type materials such as, not limited to, Aquivion, Flemion and PFSA D50/125-U.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include a plurality of selective tubes and/or a plurality of sheets configured to selectively separate/transfer water vapor from the ambient air while essentially blocking the transport of bacteria, viruses or other airborne contaminants and/or inert gases.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of selective tubes and/or sheets are arranged in a close packed configuration.

According to some embodiments, the precipitating of water vapor into liquid water in the water precipitation unit may be facilitated by cooling the water vapor to reach a dew point and consequent condensing the water vapor to form the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger are passive.

According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit may be essentially insulated.

According to some embodiments, the system may include one or more of: a pump, an air moving device, a compressor, or any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a control unit, configured to control and regulate the operation of the system.

According to some embodiments, the system may include one or more sensors configured to measure various operating parameters of the system, and/or environmental parameters. According to some embodiments, the operating and/or environmental parameters are selected from: ambient temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, internal temperature in various compartments of the system, air flow speed to and/or within the system, pump level, pump throughput, pressure gradient, cooling level, vacuum levels, water removal rate, volume and/or rate of generated water, daylight time, or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, there is provided herein a method for generating water from ambient air, the method includes introducing ambient air into a water vapor selectivity unit, the water vapor selectivity unit configured to selectively separate/transfer water vapor from the ambient air into a first fluid exiting therefrom, exchanging heat from the first fluid in a first heat exchanger unit, precipitating liquid water from water vapor of the first fluid in a water precipitation unit, exchanging heat in the first heat exchanger unit into a second fluid exiting the water precipitation unit, exchanging heat in a second heat exchanger unit into the second fluid exiting the first heat exchanger unit, circulating the second fluid exiting the second heat exchanger unit back into the water vapor selectivity unit, and exchanging heat in the second heat exchanger from a third fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit into the second fluid.

According to some embodiments, the method may include removing the third fluid from the second heat exchanger unit into a corresponding unit for further energy transfer therefrom/thereto, and/or outside the system.

According to some embodiments, the method may include collecting and/or transporting the liquid water into a reservoir, a container, and/or a bottle.

According to some embodiments, the method may include processing of the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, the method may include enriching the ambient air introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit with water vapor.

According to some embodiments, the method may include periodically reversing a fluid flow direction, wherein the reversing may include: heating at least a portion of a desiccant unit; exchanging heat from the second fluid exiting the desiccant unit into the first fluid exiting the water vapor precipitation unit; extracting humidity from the second fluid exiting the second heat exchanger, thereby obtaining liquid water and the first fluid; and circulating back the first fluid exiting the water vapor precipitation unit into the water vapor selectivity unit as dried air (i.e. substantially stripped of humidity).

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of the above advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, governs. As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures, makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how some embodiments may be practiced. The figures are for the purpose of illustrative description and no attempt is made to show structural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure. For the sake of clarity, some objects depicted in the figures are not drawn to scale. Moreover, two different objects in the same figure may be drawn to different scales. In particular, the scale of some objects may be greatly exaggerated as compared to other objects in the same figure.

In block diagrams and flowcharts, optional elements/components and optional stages may be included within dashed boxes.

In the figures:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments;

FIG. IB schematically illustrates a perspective side view of an aerodynamic structure of a water vapor selectivity unit, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1C schematically illustrates a perspective side view of a metal frame of the aerodynamic structure, according to some embodiments; FIGs. 1D-1E schematically illustrate a perspective side view of an assemblable aerodynamic structure prior to assembling thereof, and a side view after assembling thereof, according to some embodiments; and

FIGs. 1F-1G schematically illustrate a perspective side view of an assemblable aerodynamic structure prior to assembling thereof, and a side view after assembling thereof, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air having a first flow direction, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates a block diagram of the system of FIG. 2B having a reversed flow direction, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a method for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles, uses and implementations of the teachings herein may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and figures. Upon perusal of the description and figures present herein, one skilled in the art will be able to implement the teachings herein without undue effort or experimentation. In the figures, same reference numerals refer to same parts throughout.

In the following description, various aspects of the invention will be described. For the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without specific details being presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the invention. According to some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods allows continuously and selectively to separate/transfer water vapor from fluid, such as but not limited to, ambient air, and precipitate the separated water vapor, thereby generating liquid water therefrom. According to some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods advantageously utilize the thermal energy of fluids circulated in the system for heat transporting therebetween. Hence, reducing the amount of the external energy required for the precipitation and increasing the efficiency thereof.

As used herein, the terms “generating water” and “precipitating water” may interchangeably be used herein. The terms relate to precipitation of liquid water from specifically separated water vapor from the ambient air by the methods, devices and systems disclosed herein. It is understood that the precipitated liquid water may be further processed, e.g., collected in reservoirs, containers, bottles, ionized or otherwise enriched with elements/substances, and the like, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “water vapor” relates to the gaseous phase of water.

As used herein, the terms “atmospheric air” and “ambient air” may interchangeably be used herein.

As used herein, the term “room temperature” related to the temperature in the environment in which the disclosed systems and devices operate.

As used herein, the term “condensation” relates to the change of the physical state of the water vapor (i.e. gaseous state of water) into the liquid state (i.e. liquid water/droplets of water). In some embodiments, condensation is the reverse of vaporization, where the liquid turns to gas phase.

In the description and claims of the application, the words “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

As used herein, the term “about” may be used to specify a value of a quantity or parameter (e.g., the length of an element) to within a continuous range of values in the neighborhood of (and including) a given (stated) value. According to some embodiments, “about” may specify the value of a parameter to be between 80 % and 120 % of the given value. For example, the statement “the length of the element is equal to about 1 m” is equivalent to the statement “the length of the element is between 0.8 m and 1.2 m”. According to some embodiments, “about” may specify the value of a parameter to be between 90 % and 110 % of the given value. According to some embodiments, “about” may specify the value of a parameter to be between 95 % and 105 % of the given value.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the terms “essentially”, “approximately”, and “about” may be interchangeable.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the term “ambient air” may refer to any type of external air source introduced into a disclosed herein system. According to some embodiments, the term “ambient air” may refer to a humidity -enriched source of air, as elaborated in greater detail elsewhere herein. According to some embodiments, the term “ambient air” may refer to naturally present air (e.g., in outdoors environment, indoors, and the like). According to some embodiments, the term “ambient air” may refer to any type of fluid including water vapor (humidity) therein.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the terms “air moving device” and “aerodynamic structure” may be interchangeable.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, the system 100 advantageously utilizes fluids passing therethrough not only as a water vapor source but also as energy sources, thereby minimizing the energy consumption for the liquid water generation process.

According to some embodiments, the system 100 includes a water vapor selectivity unit 110, a first heat exchanger unit 120, a second heat exchanger unit 130, and a water precipitation unit 140.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity unit 110, the first heat exchanger unit 120, and the second heat exchanger unit 130 are in a fluid communication, such that a first fluid (marked as “Fluid la”) and a second fluid (marked as “Fluid 2b” and “Fluid 2c”, as further detailed herein) are circulated therebetween. According to some embodiments and as further detailed herein, the first heat exchanger unit 120 is a fluid communication with the water precipitation unit 140. According to some embodiments and as further detailed herein, the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is in a fluid communication with the second heat exchanger 130. It may be understood by one skilled in the art that the fluid communication may be direct or indirect. Put differently, it may be understood by one skilled in the art that system 100 may include one or more additional units, modules, and/or additional elements.

According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, an external air source, such as but not limited to, ambient air is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, the introduction of the ambient air may be facilitated by using air moving devices, such as, but not limited to, fans, blowers, pumps, and the like, or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the air moving devices may include an aerodynamic structure, e.g., as elaborated further in Figs. 1B-1G.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is configured to selectively separate/transfer water vapor from the ambient air into a first fluid (marked as “Fluid la”) exiting therefrom.

According to some embodiments, the ambient air introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is a hot wet air. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is equal to the ambient temperature, and hence may vary. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is in the approximate range of 28-38°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is in the approximate range of 20-45°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 in the approximate range of 22-45°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 in the approximate range of 15-45°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the ambient air is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110 in the approximate range of 0-55°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity unit 110 includes a water vapor selectivity member (not shown) configured for selectively separating/transferring water liquid from ambient air introduced therein into a first fluid la exiting therefrom. According to some embodiments, water vapor selectivity member advantageously having high water permeability, while maintaining high impermeability to bacteria, viruses, and any other air-borne contaminants and/or inert gases. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a porous membrane. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a semi-porous membrane. As a nonlimiting example, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a ceramic membrane. As yet another non-limiting example, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a laminar membrane. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of a non-porous membrane. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of Nafion or Nafion composites. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include a membrane impregnated with Nafion, or any type of substantially similar materials. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may be made of or include one or more of: Aquivion, Flemion and Perfluorosulfonic acid (PF SA) ion exchange membrane, such as PFSA D50/125-U. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may be made of or include any type of a proton exchange membrane, wherein the exchange membrane is substantially based on a general Nafion copolymer structure and sulphonic groups attached thereto.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of carbon or carbon derivatives, such as graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the like, or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include or be made of 2- dimensional material membranes (2DMMs). Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member may include various configurations, such as a planar configuration (e.g., one or more sheets), tubular configuration (e.g., one or more of tubes), and the like, or any combination thereof. As a non-limiting example, the water vapor selectivity member includes one or more Nafion sheets, one or more Flemion sheets, and the like. As another non-limiting example, the water vapor selectivity unit includes one or more Nafion tubes, one or more Flemion tubes, one or more Aquivion tubes, and the like. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member (e.g., made of Nafion) having the tubular configuration may increase the mechanical strength and stability thereof. According to some embodiments, the configuration of the plurality of tubes significantly increases the surface area to volume ratio thereof, rendering the water vapor separation process highly efficient. According to some embodiments, in a scenario wherein a first water vapor selectivity unit includes a plurality of parallel sheet membranes and a second water vapor selectivity unit includes a plurality of tubular membranes, the efficiency of water vapor separation/transport is higher in the second water vapor selectivity unit, due to the following reasons: (i) surface to volume ratio is two times greater in the second system (i.e. contact area between the plurality of membranes and the ambient air passing therethrough is 2 times greater) (ii) the average diffusion length required for a water vapor molecule to travel in order to reach a selective membrane is 1.5 times shorter in the second system. Put differently, when comparing two units with a given volume of an ambient air introduced therein, the water vapor separation/transport efficiency of the second unit is 3 times greater than that of the first unit, due to the utilization of the tubular configuration of the selective membrane. Further, according to some embodiments, the abovementioned reasons affecting the water vapor separation/transport advantageously allow calculating and predicting the water generation volume and rate as a function of the surface area of the selective membrane, ambient air, time, temperature and humidity.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity member advantageously possesses high water permeability, selectivity, and high impermeability to other various gases and/or contaminants. As a non-limiting example, the water vapor selectivity member made of Nafion will essentially/substantially not transfer bacteria, viruses, and any other air-borne contaminants, from the water vapor selectivity unit into the water precipitation unit.

According to some embodiments, wherein the water vapor selectivity member made of Nafion having the planar configuration, system 100 may be advantageously designed and manufactured at a wide variety of sizes, e.g., having the optimal configuration for the desired outcome (e.g., allowing optimizing the flow rates, volumes, and the like). According to some embodiments, the planar configuration may include one or more essentially parallel sheets (e.g., Nafion and/or Nafion composites sheets). According to some embodiments, the high commercial availability of Nafion sheets having various sizes advantageously allows a wide variety of system designs, thereby decreasing the resistance to fluid flow therethrough. According to some embodiments, the number of the one or more sheets depends, among others, on the desired dimensions of the system 100, the desired volume of the precipitated liquid water, air flow dynamics, resistance, fluid flow speed and volume, complexity level, packaging, production costs, and the like or any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the selective separation of the water vapor molecules from the ambient air performed in the water vapor selectivity unit 110, and specifically by a water vapor selectivity member thereof, may include, without wishing to be bound to any theory or mechanism, diffusion of the water vapor molecules across the water vapor selectivity member. According to some embodiments, the selective separation of the water vapor from the ambient air may include three main steps: (i) attaching the water vapor to a first surface of the water vapor selectivity member, (ii) diffusing of the water vapor molecules therethrough (pervaporation), and (iii) dissociating/releasing the water vapor molecules from a second (i.e. opposing) surface thereof. According to some embodiments, the selective separation of the water vapor is continuous. According to some embodiments, the selective separation requires concentration and/or pressure gradient of water vapor molecules across the water vapor selectivity member. According to some embodiments, the gradient is continuous. According to some embodiments, the gradient is maintained by continuously removing the selectively separated water vapor molecules from the water vapor selectivity unit 210 while continuously introducing ambient air (the source of the water vapor molecules) therein.

According to some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid la existing the water vapor selectivity unit 110 is approximately equal to the temperature of the ambient air. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid la existing the water vapor selectivity unit 110 and the ambient air temperature may differ. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the first fluid and the ambient air is approximately less than about 5 °C. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the first fluid la and the ambient air is approximately less than about 10°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the first fluid la and the ambient air is approximately less than about 15°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the first fluid la and the ambient air may depend, among others, fluid flow speed, ambient conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity level, and the like), design of the system 200, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the first fluid la exiting the water vapor selectivity unit 110 enters the first heat exchanger unit 120 for a first cooling thereof. According to some embodiments, the first heat exchanger unit 120 includes a first heat exchanger 122. According to some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 122 is configured to exchange heat between the first fluid la and a second fluid 2a exiting the water precipitation unit 140, as further detailed herein.

According to some embodiments, the heat transfer in the first heat exchanger unit 120 corresponds to the naturally occurring heat flow direction — from a fluid having the higher temperature to a fluid having the lower temperature, thus advantageously minimizing the energy consumption of the system 100. According to some embodiments, the heat flow direction in the first heat exchanger unit 120 is from the first fluid la to the second fluid 2a entering therein. Put differently, in some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid la entering the first heat exchanger unit 120 is decreased, while the temperature of the second fluid 2a is increased. According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, the first fluid la upon exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 is referred to as a first fluid lb (marked as “Fluid lb”), and the second fluid 2a upon exiting therefrom is referred to as a second fluid 2b (marked as “Fluid 2b”).

According to some embodiments, the first fluid lb exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 may be a warm wet fluid. According to some embodiments, the first fluid lb having a lower temperature than the first fluid la exiting the water vapor selectivity unit 110 by about 5-25°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid lb is in the approximate range of 10-20°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid lb is in the approximate range of 8- 18°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature the first fluid lb is about 12°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

It may be understood by one skilled in the art that the composition, and specifically the humidity level (i.e. water vapor concentration) of fluids entering and exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 essentially does not change. Put differently, the humidity level (i.e. water vapor concentration) of the first fluid la entering the first heat exchanger unit 120 is essentially similar and/or identical to the humidity level of the first fluid lb exiting thereof, while the relative humidity level is increased (e.g., towards 100%). Similarly, the humidity level (i.e. water vapor concentration) of a second fluid 2a (i.e. having lower humidity level than the first fluid la/lb) entering the first heat exchanger unit 120 a second fluid 2b exiting therefrom are essentially similar/identical.

According to some embodiments, the first fluid lb exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 enters the water precipitation unit 140. According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit 140 includes one or more cooling elements 142 configured for cooling the first fluid lb, thereby condensing the water vapor therefrom and precipitating liquid water/droplets. According to some embodiments, the first fluid lb advantageously undergoes cooling in the first heat exchanger unit 120, thereby reducing the amount of energy required for cooling thereof and condensing out liquid water in the water precipitation unit 140.

According to some embodiments, the condensation process is continuous. According to some embodiments, removing the water vapor molecules from the first fluid lb in the water precipitation unit 140, while introducing ambient air into the water vapor selectivity unit 110, allows maintaining the water vapor gradient, thereby driving the liquid water generation process.

According to some embodiments, precipitation of liquid water droplets in the water precipitation unit 140 occurs by achieving condensation conditions — cooling the water vapor until a dew point is reached, i.e. relative humidity (RH) of 100%. It may be understood by one skilled in the art that thermodynamic driving force is required to overcome the activation barrier for initiating the condensation process, hence it is required to cool the second fluid below the dew point. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid lb entering the water precipitation unit 140 is lower than that of the ambient air, thereby advantageously reducing the energy required to reach the dew point conditions.

According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit 140 is essentially insulated. According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit 140 may include one or more compressors (not shown), configured to increase the pressure therein. According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit 140 may include one or more condensers. According to some embodiments, the condensation conditions (i.e. dew point) for the precipitation of the liquid water may be achieved by compression.

According to some embodiments, the dew point conditions in the water precipitation unit may be reached by combining cooling and compressing of the water vapor molecules, subsequently condensing the water vapor into the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, the water precipitation unit 140 may include one or more vacuum pumps, configured for creating vacuum therein.

According to some embodiments, the one or more cooling elements 142 include or made of heat conducting materials. According to some embodiments, the one or more cooling elements 142 may include a cooling surface. According to some embodiments, the cooling surface includes an outer hydrophobic layer, coating, or surface to facilitate the release of liquid water droplets forming thereon. According to some embodiments, the cooling surface may be vertically positioned, thereby utilizing gravity to facilitate the release of the liquid water droplets therefrom. According to some embodiments, the cooling surface may include one or more islands and/or conical protrusions/inclusions made of hydrophilic materials. According to some embodiments, the one or more islands advantageously increase the number of liquid water nucleation sites, which, in turn, increases the nucleation rate and promotes the precipitation of liquid water droplets.

According to some embodiments, upon precipitation of the liquid water, the humidity level of the first fluid lb is decreased, hence a fluid exiting the precipitation unit 140 is referred to as a second fluid 2a. According to some embodiments, the second fluid 2a is essentially stripped of humidity — having remnant water vapor concentration. According to some embodiments, the second fluid 2a exiting the water precipitation unit 140 may include about or less than 7 mBar of partial water vapor pressure. According to some embodiments, the second fluid 2a exiting the water precipitation unit 140 may include about or less than 6 mBar of partial water vapor pressure. According to some embodiments, the second fluid 2a exiting the water precipitation unit 140 may include about or less than 5 mBar of partial water vapor pressure. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2a exiting the water precipitation unit 140 is in the approximate range of 0-4°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2a is in the approximate range of 0-3°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2a is in the approximate range of 0-2°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2a is in the approximate range of 1-2°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2a is in the approximate range of 1-3°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2a is in the approximate range of 1-4°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, the second fluid 2a is circulated into the first heat exchange unit 120 for a first heating thereof. Put differently, according to some embodiments, the first heat exchanger unit 120 includes the first fluid la having a higher temperature than the second fluid 2a. According to some embodiments, the heat exchange is passive, i.e., occurs according to the natural heat flow direction — from a higher to a lower temperature, thereby advantageously reducing the energy consumption. Additionally, or alternatively, the first heat exchange unit 120 may include an actively performed heat exchange therein.

According to some embodiments, a second fluid 2b exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 may be a warm fluid having a temperature of about 5- 15°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2b is in the approximate range of 10-20°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature of second fluid 2b is in the approximate range of 8-12°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, the second fluid 2b exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 is circulated into the second heat exchanger unit 130 for a second heating thereof. According to some embodiments, the second heat exchanger unit 130 is configured to exchange heat between the second fluid 2b exiting the first heat exchanger unit 120 and a third fluid 3a exiting the water vapor selectivity unit 110 following the separation of water vapor molecules therefrom. According to some embodiments, the third fluid 3a is essentially a dry air (i.e. stripped of humidity). According to some embodiments, the temperature of the third fluid 3a is approximately equal to that of the ambient air temperature. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the third fluid 3a and the ambient air is less than about 5 °C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, the heat transport in the second heat exchanger unit 130 corresponds to the naturally occurring heat flow direction — from a fluid having the higher temperature to a fluid having the lower temperature, thus advantageously minimizing the energy consumption of the system 100. According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, the second fluid 2b upon exiting the second heat exchanger unit 130 is referred to as a second fluid 2c, and the third fluid 3a after exiting therefrom is referred to as a third fluid 3b.

According to some embodiments, following the heat exchange in the second heat exchanger unit 130, the second fluid 2c is circulated back into the water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, selectively separated water vapor molecules are transferred from the ambient air into the second fluid 2c of very low humidity in the water vapor selectivity unit 110, such that the first fluid la (carrying high humidity level separated from the ambient air) exiting therefrom. Thereby, continuing the circulating of the fluids and the continuous liquid water precipitation in system 100.

According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2c may be essentially similar to the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the system 100. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the second fluid 2c and the ambient air is about or less than 5°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature difference between the second fluid 2c and the ambient air is about or less than 10°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2c is defined by the operating conditions of the fluid circulating loop/path.

According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2c may be lower than that of the ambient air. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the second fluid 2c may be lower that of the ambient air by approximately 1-15°C. As a non-limiting example, in a scenario wherein the ambient air introduced into the system 100 is characterized by a temperature of about 27°C and a relative humidity of about 50%, hence a water vapor pressure thereof is about 18mBar. Thus, heating the second fluid 2c until the temperature of about 20°C is reached is sufficient, because at about 20°C the water vapor saturation thereof is about 24mBar, which is greater than the ambient water vapor pressure. Put differently, the vapor pressure of 18mBar at 20°C corresponds to the relative humidity of 75%, i.e. non-condensing and hence not limiting any of the ambient water vapor pressure from crossing the membrane, thereby allowing efficient collection of water vapor therefrom.

According to some embodiments, the humidity level (i.e. water vapor concentration) of fluids entering and exiting the second heat exchanger unit 130 essentially does not change.

According to some embodiments, a third fluid 3b exits from the second heat exchanger unit 130 upon cooling of the third fluid 3a. According to some embodiments, the third fluid 3b is removed outside from the system 100.

According to some embodiments, the third fluid 3b may be further circulated through the system 200 to facilitate heat exchange through the relevant units thereof. As a non-limiting example, the third fluid 3b may be utilized for heat removal from the water precipitation unit 140. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid 3b may be utilized for melting ice forming in a freezing unit (e.g. a freezing unit 360 from Fig. 3, as further detailed.

According to some embodiments, the temperature of the third fluid 3a entering the second heat exchanger unit 130 may be approximately similar to the temperature of the ambient air. According to some embodiments, the temperature of the third fluid 3a entering the second heat exchanger unit 130 may be lower than that of the ambient air by about 0-5°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more air moving devices, pumps, fans, blowers, and the like, or any combination thereof, such as, but not limited to, a first pump/fan/blower (hereinafter “pump”) 102 and a second pump 104. According to some embodiments, first pump 102 and/or second pump 104 may include an aerodynamic structure, such as, but not limited to, as depicted in Figs. 1B-1G. According to some embodiments, the direction of fluid flow (i.e., polarity) of first pump 102 and/or of second pump 104 may be periodically reversed, as elaborated in greater detail in Fig. 2B.

According to some embodiments, the first pump 102 is in fluid communication with the second heat exchanger unit 130 and the water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, the first pump 102 is configured to facilitate the delivery of the second fluid 2c from the second heat exchanger unit 130 into the water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1A, the second pump 104 is in a fluid communication with the second heat exchanger unit 130. According to some embodiments, the second pump 104 is configured to facilitate the removal of the third fluid 3b outside the system 100. It may be understood by one skilled in the art than any unit of system 100 may be in a fluid communication with one or more pumps, fans, blowers and the like to facilitate a fluid flow therebetween.

According to some embodiments, system 100 may include air moving devices configured to facilitate and enhance fluid flow through system 100. According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Fig. 1A, an external air source (e.g., ambient air) is introduced into the water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, the introduction of the ambient air may be facilitated by using air moving devices, such as, but not limited to, fans, blowers, pumps, and the like, or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the air moving devices may include an aerodynamic structure, e.g., as elaborated in Figs. 1B-1G

According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Fig. IB, system 100 may include an aerodynamic structure 112. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 may be in fluid communication with any unit of system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 may be in fluid communication with water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 may be positioned, among others, at an entrance and/or at an output of water vapor selectivity unit 110.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to facilitate and enhance the external air source (e.g. the ambient air) flow and/or any other fluid flow in system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to increase a ratio of the ambient air flow to power consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of system 100. Put differently, in some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 may facilitate increasing the air flow feed, thereby providing more water vapor per time into water vapor selectivity unit 110.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to reduce the resistance to the ambient air flow therethrough. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to increase the fluid capacity, e.g., the air capacity flowing through water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to facilitate guiding the ambient air into cavities between the plurality of selective tubes and/or sheets of the water vapor selectivity member. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to reduce resistance to the fluid flow (e.g., air flow) passing through cavities between the plurality of selective sheets and/or tubes of water vapor selectivity unit 110.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 112 includes a first frame 114, a second frame 116 and a plurality of fins 118. According to some embodiments, first frame 112 is configured to be attached to any unit type of system 100. According to some embodiments, first frame 112 may be attached to water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, first frame 114 may be detachably attached to water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, first frame 114 may be integrally formed within water vapor selectivity unit 110.

According to some embodiments, second frame 116 is configured to retain/attach plurality of fins 118 to facilitate installing thereof. According to some embodiments, second frame 116 is attached to first frame 114. According to some embodiments, a plurality of bolts 115 may be inserted into a corresponding plurality of grooves 113 to allow attaching/assembling second frame 116 to first frame 114. According to some embodiments, plurality of bolts 115 may refer to any suitable type of connecting means and/or connecting mechanism, such as, but not limited to, bolts, screws, and the like, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, in some embodiments, first frame 114 and second frame 116 may be integrally formed.

According to some embodiments, plurality of fins 118 of aerodynamic structure 112 is configured to facilitate and/or enhance fluid flow, such as the ambient air flow through water vapor selectivity unit 110. According to some embodiments, plurality of fins 118 is configured to facilitate guiding of the external air source, such as the ambient air, into the cavities of the plurality of selective tubes and/or sheets of the water vapor selectivity member.

According to some embodiments, plurality of fins 118 may have a curved structure, as schematically depicted in Fig. IB. According to some embodiments, the curved structure of plurality of fins 118 is configured to facilitate the aerodynamic characteristics thereof. According to some embodiments, the curved structure may facilitate the aerodynamic characteristics by minimizing and/or preventing air flow separation at high flow rates.

According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Fig. 1C, aerodynamic structure 112 may include a metal frame 111. According to some embodiments, metal frame 111 is configured to retain the position of the plurality of selective tubes and/or sheets of water vapor selectivity unit 110, thereby minimizing/preventing displacing thereof. According to some embodiments, metal frame 111 is configured to prevent joining and/or collapsing the plurality of membranes tubes/sheets due to the fast flow therethrough, thereby facilitating the aerodynamic characteristics thereof.

According to some embodiments, and as depicted on Fig. 1C, metal frame 111 includes a plurality of horizontal plates Ill-la, 111-lb, 111-lc and 111-ld and a plurality of vertical plates lll-2a, lll-2b, lll-2c configured to be attached to water vapor selectivity member. According to some embodiments, metal frame 111 may include various geometric forms/shapes configured to retain the position of the water vapor selectivity member. According to some embodiments, metal frame 111 may be made of or include one or more metals, one or more ceramic materials, one or more polymers, or any combination thereof.

Reference is made to Figs. 1D-1E, which show a schematic illustration of a perspective side view of an assemblable aerodynamic structure 170 prior to assembling thereof, and of a side view thereof following the assembling, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 170 may be positioned at an entrance and/or exit of any unit type of unit of system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 170 is configured to reduce the resistance to fluid flow therethrough, thereby increasing fluid flow feed. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 170 may be configured to increase the ratio of fluid flow to power consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 170 may be positioned at the entrance and/or exit of water precipitation unit 140.

According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Figs. 1D-1E, aerodynamic structure 170 includes a fluid exit bracket 172, a funnel 174, and a fan 176. According to some embodiments, a plurality of screws 175 may be inserted into a corresponding plurality of slots 173 to attach funnel 174 to fluid exit bracket 172. According to some embodiments, plurality of screws 175 may refer to any type of attaching means and/or attaching mechanism, such as, screws, bolts, snap-fit mechanism, and the like. According to some embodiments, plurality of screws 175 may include a plurality of teeth (e.g., mounted on air exit bracket 172, or mounted on funnel 174) and corresponding plurality of slots 173, thereby allowing coupling air exit bracket 172 with funnel 174. According to some embodiments, the plurality of teeth may be asymmetrically positioned. According to some embodiments, the plurality of teeth may differ in, among others, size, structure, orientation, and the like, such that of the plurality of teeth may be inserted into each of the plurality of slots 173, allowing coupling at a preferred orientation only.

According to some embodiments, and as schematically depicted in Fig. IE, a fluid flow direction through aerodynamic structure 170 is marked by an arrow F. According to some embodiments, fluid flowing therethrough flows from air exit bracket 172 and into fan 176. According to some embodiments, the fluid flow direction through aerodynamic structure 170 may be reversable.

Reference is made to Figs. 1F-1G, which show a schematic illustration of a perspective side view of an assemblable aerodynamic structure 180 prior to assembling thereof, and of a side view after assembling thereof, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 may be substantially similar to aerodynamic structure 170 of Figs. ID- IE.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 may be positioned at an entrance and/or output of any unit type of unit of system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 is configured to reduce the resistance to fluid flow therethrough, thereby increasing fluid flow feed. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 may be configured to increase the ratio of fluid flow to power consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of system 100. According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 may be positioned, among others, at the entrance and/or output of water precipitation unit 140.

According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Figs. 1F-1G, aerodynamic structure 180 includes a fluid exit bracket 182, a funnel 184, a fan 186, and a condenser 188. According to some embodiments, a plurality of screws (not shown) may be inserted into a corresponding plurality of slots 183 to attach funnel 184 to fluid exit bracket 182. According to some embodiments, the plurality of screws may refer to any type of attaching means and/or attaching mechanism, such as, screws, bolts, teeth, snap-fit mechanism, and the like. According to some embodiments, the plurality of screws may include a plurality of teeth (e.g., mounted on air exit bracket 182, or mounted on funnel 184) and corresponding plurality of slots 183, thereby allowing coupling air exit bracket 182 with condenser 188 and funnel 184. According to some embodiments, the plurality of teeth may be asymmetrically positioned. According to some embodiments, the plurality of teeth may differ in, among others, size, structure, orientation, and the like, such that of the plurality of teeth may be inserted into each of the plurality of slots 173, allowing coupling at a preferred orientation only.

According to some embodiments, funnel 184 may include one or more openings 185. According to some embodiments, one or more openings 185 are adapted to receive one or more sensors (not shown) therein. According to some embodiments, the one more sensors are configured to measure or sense environmental or operating parameters of the system 100. According to some embodiments, the one or more sensors may include, among others, pressure sensors, internal temperate sensors in various units, relative humidity sensors, air/fluid flow speed and/rate, pump level, vacuum levels, liquid water removal rates, volume of the precipitated liquid water, or any combination thereof. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, aerodynamic structure 180 may be positioned prior to fluid entering water precipitation unit 140, to facilitate cooling thereof. In some embodiments, utilizing condenser 188 in aerodynamic structure 180 may increase the cooling efficiency.

According to some embodiments, and as schematically depicted in Fig. 1G, a fluid flow direction through aerodynamic structure 180 is marked by an arrow F. According to some embodiments, fluid flowing therethrough flows from air exit bracket 182 and into fan 186. According to some embodiments, the fluid flow direction through aerodynamic structure 180 may be reversable. According to some embodiments, the fluid flow direction through aerodynamic structure 180 may be periodically reversed, as elaborated in greater detail elsewhere herein. According to some embodiments, system 100 may include a water collection unit (not shown) configured to collect the precipitated liquid water. According to some embodiments, the water collection unit may include a container/reservoir. According to some embodiments, the container/reservoir may include an open/close mechanism, such as but not limited to, a tap, a valve, and the like, configured to retain/deliver the liquid water upon request. According to some embodiments, the container/reservoir may be integrally formed or detachably associated with the system 100. According to some embodiments, the water collection unit may include, among others, a pump to facilitate the liquid water delivery.

According to some embodiments, the precipitated liquid water is essentially pure water. According to some embodiments, the precipitated liquid water may be further processed. According to some embodiments, the further processing may include, among others, delivering the liquid water into bottles, reservoirs, and the like, ionizing or otherwise enriching the precipitation water, and the like or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, ionizing or otherwise enriching the precipitation water may include, among others, adding chemicals that make the water more palatable or/and healthier for human needs. As a non-limiting example, adding chemicals may include adding magnesium ions to the precipitated water.

According to some embodiments, the system 100 may include a control unit (not shown) configured to control and regulate the operating parameters of system 100. According to some embodiments, the parameters include, among others, ambient temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, internal temperature in various units/compartments of the system, fluid flow speed to and/or within the system, pump level, pump throughput, pressure gradient, cooling level, vacuum levels, water removal rate, volume and/or rate of generated water, daylight time, heat exchange rate/duration, cooling duration in the water precipitation unit 140, regulation of temperature and pressure conditions in the water precipitation unit 140 and/or in the water vapor selectivity unit 110, liquid water removal/delivery rate, and the like or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the control unit is a remote-control unit.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is manually operated.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is automatically operated, taking into consideration the environmental parameters, thereby allowing efficient liquid water generation.

According to some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more sensors configured to measure or sense environmental or operating parameters of the system 100. According to some embodiments, the one or more sensors may include, among others, pressure sensors, internal temperate sensors in various units, relative humidity, air/fluid flow speed, pump level, vacuum levels, liquid water removal rates, volume of the precipitated liquid water, or any combination thereof. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments and as depicted in Fig. 1, the system 100 allows a closed circulation path of fluids (e.g., the first and the second fluids) therethrough.

According to some embodiments, fluids (i.e. the first, the second and the third fluids, collectively referred to as “fluids”) passing through the system 100 comprise ambient air having various temperatures and various humidity levels, as previously elaborated. Put differently, according to some embodiments ambient air is utilized for carrying and transferring the water vapor molecules across the system 100.

According to some embodiments, the fluids passing through the system 100 comprise one or more types of fluids. According to some embodiments, the one or more types of fluids may include ambient air, other gases, such as but not limited to noble gases, liquids, and the like or any combination thereof. According to some embodiments, the one or more types of fluids may include fluids (gases or liquids) with lower specific heat capacity than that of an ambient air (i.e. lower than about 1 J/gK). As a non-limiting example, the fluids circulated in the system 100 may include argon, having a specific heat capacify of about 0.52 J/gK, thereby advantageously improving the efficiency of the first and the second heat exchangers 122 and 132, and the water precipitation unit 140 respectively, by minimizing the energy required for heating and cooling of the fluids passing and circulating in the system 100. It may be understood by one skilled in the art that the one or more types of fluids essentially do not absorb water vapor molecules and/or negatively affect the precipitation of the liquid water.

According to some embodiments, argon may be circulated in a closed-loop path in the system 100. According to some embodiments, the closed loop path may include the water vapor selectivity unit 110, the first heat exchanger unit 120, the second heat exchanger unit 130, the water precipitation unit 140, and optionally, any one of additional units of the system 100.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2A-2B, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 200 for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, system 200 may be identical, similar of different from the previously disclosed system 100.

According to some embodiments, the following components depicted in Figs. 2A- 2B 202, 204, 210, 220, 222, 230, 232, 240, 242, Fluid la', Fluid lb', Fluid 2a', Fluid 2b', Fluid 2c', Fluid 3a', and Fluid 3b' correspond to and may have the same structure, configuration and/or composition as the previously described components 102, 104, 110, 120, 122, 130, 132, 140, 142, Fluid la, Fluid lb, Fluid 2a, Fluid 2b, Fluid 2c, Fluid 3a, and Fluid 3b' in Fig 1A.

According to some embodiments, a water vapor precipitation unit 240 is configured to precipitate water vapor molecules into liquid water by condensing thereof. Hence, in some embodiments, the condensation is achieved by cooling a first fluid lb' until dew point is reached. According to some embodiments, remnant amounts of water vapor may be present following the water precipitation. According to some embodiments, cooling to about 0°C leads to presence of about 5-8 mBar of remnant water vapor. Put differently, in some embodiments a second fluid 2a' exiting the water precipitation unit 240 may include remnants of humidity (i.e. water vapor), e.g. about 6mBar of water vapor. In addition, in some embodiments, wherein the system 200 operates in dry environments, such as desert, the ambient air introduced into the system 200 may initially include about relatively low concentrations of humidity.

According to some embodiments, system 200 includes a desiccant unit 250 in fluid communication with a first heat exchanger unit 220 and a second heat exchanger unit 230. According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 is configured to extract the remnant water vapor from a second fluid 2b' exiting the first heat exchanger unit 220. According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may be in fluid communication with various units of system 200, thereby extracting humidity from various fluids circulated in system 200. According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may include a water sorption media/desiccant (such as, but not limited to, a zeolite, a molecular sieve, and the like) having a high affinity for water vapor molecules.

According to some embodiments, the sorption media/desiccant may be in liquid and/or solid states. According to some embodiments, when the sorption media/desiccant is saturated with water vapor molecules, the water vapor molecules are extracted therefrom for further liquid water generation (e.g. by precipitating the water vapor in the water vapor precipitation unit 240). According to some embodiments, saturated sorption media/desiccant may be transferred or otherwise associated with a heat exchanger unit configured to heat the saturated sorption media/desiccant, thereby facilitating the removal of the water vapor therefrom. According to some embodiments, the water vapor removal may be performed or enhanced by increasing the pressure of the sorption media/desiccant.

According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may be, among others, in the form of a wheel. According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may include a first region (not shown) comprising the desiccant enclosed in and in fluid path with the circulated air loop used for collecting the remnant water vapor. According to some embodiments, the remnant water captured by desiccant unit 250 may refer to remaining humidity levels of about 30% or lower, of about 20% or lower, and the like. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may include a second region (not shown), the second region may be positioned outside the circulated air loop. According to some embodiments, the second region of desiccant unit 250 is configured to receive an external source of fluid, such as but not limited to, the ambient air, and/or the dried air (i.e., fluid that already been passed through water vapor selectivity unit 210). According to some embodiments, the second region of desiccant unit 250 may be configured to receive fluid 2c' exiting water vapor selectivity unit 210. According to some embodiments, in the second region of desiccant unit 250 the desiccant may be heated in order to release the captured water vapor therein, thereby allowing the released and captured water vapor to be driven back towards water vapor selectivity unit 110, and consequently feeding water vapor selectivity unit 110 with an external air source having higher humidity than the ambient air. Put differently, in some embodiments, humidity- enriched ambient air may be introduced into water vapor selectivity unit 210. According to some embodiments, the second region of desiccant unit 250 may be periodically operated. Put differently, in some embodiments, the second region may periodically receive the external air source (e.g., the humidity-enriched ambient air) and then be periodically heated to release and collect the saturated water absorbed in the first region of desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, the periodic operation is based, at least in part, on the level of the desiccant saturation, and/or on the level of the external air source humidity (e.g., ambient air humidity and/or enriched ambient air humidity), thereby increasing the efficiency. As a non-limiting example, when the ambient air is high in humidity (e.g., having about 60% or more of humidity therein due to environmental reasons), it may not be required to heat the desiccant and consequently remove the collected water content to enrich the ambient air feed; however, when the ambient humidity is low (e.g., about 40% or less, about 45% or less, of humidity levels), releasing the collected desiccant humidity increases the efficiency of system 200, due to using external air source having higher humidity levels than the ambient air (i.e., the naturally present ambient air).

According to some embodiments, the periodic operation may be based, among others, on sensors, such as a weight sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like, or a combination thereof, to increase the efficiency. According to some embodiments, the periodic operation may be based, among others, on calculations predicting the periodic operation times/rate. Alternatively, or additionally, the periodic operation may be performed at predefined time ranges. According to some embodiments, the second region of desiccant unit 250 may be heated for, among others, about 1-5 minutes approximately every 1 hour, approximately every 2 hours, approximately every 3 hours, approximately every 4 hours, approximately every 5 hours, approximately every 6 hours, approximately every 8 hours, approximately every 10 hours, approximately every 15 hours, approximately every 20 hours, and the like. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the second region of desiccant unit 250 may be periodically heated for about 1-5 minutes, for about 2-4 minutes, for about 1-10 minutes, for about 5-10 minutes, and the like. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Fig. 2B, a polarity of a pump 202 may be reversable. According to some embodiments, the polarity of pump 202 may be periodically reversed. According to some embodiments, the polarity of pump 202 may be periodically reversed when the desiccant of desiccant unit 250 is substantially full. According to some embodiments, and as depicted in Fig. 2B, reversing the polarity of pump 202 leads to reversing the direction of the fluid circulating loop/path of system 200.

According to some embodiments, and as marked in Fig. 2B, when the polarity of pump 202 is reversed, a fluid 2c' exiting water vapor selectivity unit 210 flows into pump 202, enters a second heat exchanger unit 230 and into desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, when the polarity of pump 202 is reversed, desiccant unit 250 may be at least partially heated, to facilitate releasing and collecting the humidity captured in desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 may be heated by a heating element 252. According to some embodiments, heating element 252 may be periodically connected and disconnected to desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, heating element 252 may periodically heat desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, reversing the polarity of pump 202 may activate heating element 252, thereby heating desiccant unit 250. According to some embodiments, reversing back the polarity of pump 202 to the first flow direction (i.e. the flow directed depicted in Fig. 2A) may disconnect or otherwise cease heating of heating element 252.

According to some embodiments, a fluid 2b' exiting the heated desiccant unit 250 enters a first heat exchanger unit 220. According to some embodiments, when the polarity of pump 202 is reversed, fluid 2b' is cooled in first heat exchanger unit 220 prior to entering water vapor precipitation unit 240. According to some embodiments, fluid 2b' entering water vapor precipitation unit 240 undergoes further cooling and/or condensation, thereby condensing out the humidity therefrom. According to some embodiments, the humidity condensed out from fluid 2b' may originate from the remnant humidity collected by desiccant unit 250 and/or the humidity originating from water vapor selectivity unit 210 from the ambient air. According to some embodiments, fluid lb' exiting water vapor precipitation unit 240 is configured to cool fluid 2b' in first heat exchanger unit 220. According to some embodiments, fluid la' exiting first heat exchanger unit 220 is circulated back into water vapor selectivity unit 210 to collect humidity originating from the external air source (e.g., the ambient air).

According to some embodiments, the reversed flow direction may be reversed back to a first flow direction (as depicted in Fig. 2A) upon removing at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90 % or more of the humidity from desiccant unit 250. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, in the first flow direction, the heating of desiccant unit 250 is ceased.

In some embodiments, when desiccant unit 250 is added to AWG system 200, advantageously substantially all of the ambient air humidity may be used by system 200. Furthermore, in some embodiments, since the desiccant captured water eventually passes through water vapor selectivity unit 210, the water retrieved from the water vapor captured in desiccant unit 250 is advantageously pure, i.e., substantially devoid of bacteria, viruses, particles and the like. Consequently, in some embodiments, the disclosed herein system design of system 200 advantageously enables consuming less energy due to adapting operation thereof to ambient air having various levels of humidity — high levels of humidity (e.g., about 70% or higher) as well as low levels of humidity (e.g., about 40% and lower, about 30% or lower).

According to some embodiments, desiccant unit 250 allows extracting of the water vapor remnants, thus allowing further dehumidification of the second fluid 2b' before circulating back into a water vapor selectivity unit 210. Hence, advantageously, increasing the gradient between the water vapor concentration across the water vapor selectivity unit 210, which, in turn, leads to increasing the efficiency of the selective water vapor separation.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 300 for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, system 200 may be identical, similar of different from the previously disclosed system 100 and system 200.

According to some embodiments, the following components depicted in Fig. 3 302, 304, 310, 320, 322, 330, 332, 340, 342, Fluid la", Fluid lb", Fluid 2a", Fluid 2b", Fluid 2c", Fluid 3a", and Fluid 3b" correspond to and may have the same structure, configuration and/or composition as the previously described components 102, 104, 110, 120, 122, 130, 132, 140, 142, Fluid la, Fluid lb, Fluid 2a, Fluid 2b, Fluid 2c, Fluid 3a, and Fluid 3b' in Fig 1A and/or in Fig. 2A.

According to some embodiments, system 300 includes a freezing unit 360 configured to freeze the remnant humidity present in a second fluid 2a" following the precipitation of liquid water in a water precipitation unit 340. According to some embodiments, the freezing unit 360 is in a fluid communication with the water precipitation unit 340 and with a first heat exchanger unit 320.

According to some embodiments, the freezing unit 360 may further reduce the temperature of the second fluid 2a" exiting the water precipitation unit 340. According to some embodiments, the temperature in the freezing unit 360 may be below 0°C, to promote freezing of the remnant water vapor by. According to some embodiments, the temperature in the freezing unit 360 may be below -5°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature in the freezing unit 360 may be below -10°C. Each possibility is a separate embodiment.

According to some embodiments, the freezing unit 360 includes a freezing vessel (not shown), such as but not limited to, a plate, stage, wheel, and the like, or any combination thereof, configured to promote a nucleation of ice thereon. In some embodiments the freezing vessel parts are coated with an ant-ice coating. According to some embodiments, the anti-ice coating may include NANOMYTE SuperAi designed for preventing ice buildup on sub-zero cold surfaces, promoting the easy falling off ice therefrom. According to some embodiments, the freezing vessel may include a cavity adapted for collecting the ice. According to some embodiments, the freezing vessel is in a form of or includes a rotating element, configured to facilitate thawing and dethawing of the ice formed thereon. Put differently, rotating towards a cooler region facilitates ice formation thereon, while further rotation towards a relatively warmer region facilitates ice thawing. Thus, advantageously, allowing liquid water generation originating from the remnant water vapor.

According to some embodiments, removing the remnant water vapor advantageously increases the efficiency of the system 300. According to some embodiments, the remnant water vapor removal results in circulation back of the second fluid, wherein the second fluid is essentially a dry fluid (i.e. stripped of humidity), into the water vapor selectivity unit 310 of a drier fluid. Consequently, increasing the water vapor gradient in the water vapor selectivity unit 310 (i.e. gradient between the ambient air and the second fluid, e.g., water vapor concentration and/or pressure gradient), and thus facilitating the water generation process.

According to some embodiments, system 300 may optionally include a desiccant unit (not shown). According to some embodiments, the desiccant unit of system 300 may be identical or similar to desiccant unit 250 of system 200 (as depicted in Fig. 2A). Put differently, in some embodiments, system 300 may include the desiccant unit and freezing unit 360. In some embodiments, freezing unit 360 may be followed by the desiccant unit. According to some embodiments, the desiccant unit may extract and collect the remnant water vapor that was neither removed nor condensed out in the previous units of system 300. According to some embodiments, the desiccant unit may be periodically repositioned (e.g., rotated, displaced, and the like) to allow heating the desiccant unit and thereby removing and collecting the water vapor therefrom, and periodically directed back into a position allowing collecting the remnant water vapor again, thereby allowing water separation and consequent condensation to pure water after passing through water vapor selectivity unit 310. According to some embodiments, the polarity of the desiccant unit may be periodically reversed, thereby allowing fluid flow in an opposite direction. According to some embodiments, the polarity of the desiccant unit may be periodically reversed without re-positioning the desiccant unit.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which schematically illustrates a flowchart 400 of a method for precipitating water from atmospheric/ambient air, according to some embodiments. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps as outlined below may not necessarily be carried out in the indicated order. The order of at least some of the steps may be changed or be carried out simultaneously, as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In step 402, ambient/atmospheric air is introduced into a water vapor selectivity unit of a system.

According to some embodiments, the ambient/atmospheric air feed into the water vapor selectivity unit may be enhanced by utilizing air moving devices, such as but not limited to, fans, blowers, pumps, and the like, or any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the water vapor selectivity unit includes a water vapor selectivity member configured to selectively separate water vapor molecules from the ambient air into a first fluid exiting therefrom. According to some embodiments, a third fluid (essentially stripped of the water vapor molecules) may exit the water vapor selectivity unit.

According to some embodiments, the first fluid may include ambient air (and the selectively separated water vapor molecules). According to some embodiments, the first fluid may include one or more fluids (liquids/gases) configured for carrying the selectively separated vapor molecules. According to some embodiments, the first fluid may include one or more components having a specific heat capacity lower than that of the ambient air, thereby increasing the efficiency of the heat transport in the first and second heat exchanger units.

In step 404, the first fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit is cooled in a first heat exchanger unit. According to some embodiments, the cooling of the first fluid advantageously occurs according to the spontaneously/naturally occurring heat flow — from a higher temperature to a lower temperature. According to some embodiments, the heat flow occurs via one or more heat transport mechanisms, selected from conduction, convention and radiation.

As a non-limiting example, the temperature of the first fluid exiting the first heat exchanger may be about 10-15°C.

In step 406, liquid water is precipitated in a water precipitation unit from the water vapor molecules present in the first fluid.

According to some embodiments, the precipitation of the liquid water is performed by achieving dew point conditions. According to some embodiments, the precipitation of the liquid water occurs by condensation of the water vapor molecules. In some embodiments, the liquid water formation is achieved by compression. According to some embodiments, the precipitation of the liquid water is achieved by combining cooling and compressing the water vapor molecules.

According to some embodiments, upon the liquid water precipitation, a second fluid (e.g. the first fluid after essentially dehumidifying thereof) exits from the water precipitation unit. As a non-limiting example, the temperature of the second fluid exiting the water precipitation unit may be about 1-5°C.

In step 408, the second fluid exiting the water precipitation unit is circulated into the first heat exchanger for a first heating thereof.

According to some embodiments, the heat flow direction in the first heat exchanger unit is from the first to the second fluid. As a non-limiting example, the temperature of the second fluid exiting the first heat exchanger may be in the approximate range of 10- 15 °C. In step 410, which is an optional step according to some embodiments, the second fluid is circulated into a second heat exchanger unit for a second heating thereof.

According to some embodiments, the heat flow direction in the second heat exchanger unit is from the third fluid into the second fluid.

In step 412, the second fluid is circulated back into the water selectivity unit. According to some embodiments, the selectively separated water vapor molecules (from the ambient air) are transferred into the second fluid, such that the first fluid (carrying the water vapor molecules) exits therefrom. According to some embodiment, the third fluid (essentially stripped of humidity) exits the water vapor selectivity unit.

In step 414, the third fluid exiting the water vapor selectivity unit is cooled in the second heat exchanger unit. Put differently, a thermal energy is transferred from the third fluid to the second fluid. According to some embodiments, the second heat exchanger unit may be passive (i.e. wherein the thermal energy transfer occurs according to the spontaneous energy transfer direction).

In step 416, which is an optional step according to some embodiments, the third fluid exiting the second heat exchanger unit may be removed from the system Alternatively or additionally, the third fluid exiting the second heat exchanger may be further utilized in one or more corresponding units thereof. As a non-limiting example, the third fluid may be utilized in removing heat from the water precipitation unit. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid may be utilized in heat transfer in a freezing unit. According to some embodiments, the system may include one or more pumps to facilitate the flow/circulation of the third fluid.

According to some embodiments, the method may include removing/collecting remnant water vapor from the second fluid. According to some embodiments, the remnant water vapor removal/collection may include freezing thereof in a freezing unit.

According to some embodiments, the method may include removing/collecting remnant water vapor from the second fluid in desiccant unit configured for extracting thereof. According to some embodiments, the remnant water vapor may be periodically collected in the desiccant unit and periodically released therefrom by heating. According to some embodiments, the method may include displacing a region of the desiccant unit to allow heating thereof and allow enriching the ambient air introduced into the system. According to some embodiments, the displacing may include, among others, rotating.

According to some embodiments, the method may include periodically reversing the polarity of the desiccant unit. Put differently, in some embodiments, the method may include periodically reversing a fluid flow direction. According to some embodiments, the fluid flow direction may be reversed by reversing the polarity of an air moving device (e.g., an aerodynamic structure). According to some embodiments, reversing the polarity of the desiccant unit may include heating at least a portion of the desiccant unit. According to some embodiments, reversing the polarity may include exchanging heat from the second fluid exiting the desiccant unit into the first fluid exiting the water vapor precipitation unit (i.e., cooling the second fluid and heating the first fluid in the second heat exchanger). According to some embodiments, reversing the polarity may include extracting humidity from the second fluid exiting the second heat exchanger, thereby obtaining liquid water extracted therefrom and the first fluid (substantially stripped of humidity), and recirculating back the first fluid exiting the water vapor precipitation unit into the water vapor selectivity unit.

According to some embodiments, the method may further include collecting the liquid water in a water collection unit.

According to some embodiments, the method may further include processing the liquid water. According to some embodiments, the processing may include, among others, collecting in reservoirs, containers, bottles, ionizing or otherwise enriching with elements/substances, or any combination thereof.

In the description and claims of the application, the words “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, governs. As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. No feature described in the context of an embodiment is to be considered an essential feature of that embodiment, unless explicitly specified as such.

Although stages of methods according to some embodiments may be described in a specific sequence, methods of the disclosure may include some or all of the described stages carried out in a different order. A method of the disclosure may include a few of the stages described or all of the stages described. No particular stage in a disclosed method is to be considered an essential stage of that method, unless explicitly specified as such.

Although the disclosure is described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations that are apparent to those skilled in the art may exist. Accordingly, the disclosure embraces all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth herein. Other embodiments may be practiced, and an embodiment may be carried out in various ways.

The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptive purpose and should not be regarded as limiting. Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the disclosure. Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.