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US 10,589,217 B2Granted
Water reclamation using graphene oxide films
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorMark Raizen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for generating liquid water from water vapor present in the atmosphere through use of selectively permeable films that permit water to pass through but that block other liquids and gases, such as atmospheric gases. The systems, devices, and methods employ condensation techniques in which only the water that is passed through the selectively permeable film is cooled, as compared to other atmospheric water generation systems, which cool water and other gases that enter with the water.
Claims20
A system for atmospheric water reclamation, comprising:
- an enclosure defining an internal volume, wherein the enclosure prevents gases from permeating into or out of the internal volume, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure is a liquid water permeable region that allows water molecules to permeate into or out of the internal volume, and wherein the liquid water permeable region comprises:
- an interlocking layer structure including a system of nano-capillaries, wherein liquid water is permitted to pass from a first surface of the interlocking layer structure to a second surface of the interlocking layer structure through the system of nano-capillaries, and wherein gases are incapable of passing through the system of nano-capillaries;
- a heat transfer surface positioned within the internal volume, wherein the heat transfer surface is configured to remove heat from within the internal volume such that water vapor present within the internal volume condenses on the heat transfer surface to form condensed liquid water;
- a reservoir positioned within the internal volume to collect the condensed liquid water;
- and
- a fan or blower for directing air from an atmosphere external to the enclosure towards the liquid water permeable region, or a fan or blower within the internal volume for circulating gases within the internal volume over an internal surface of the liquid water permeable region or over the heat transfer surface.
3 more elements
A method for atmospheric water reclamation, comprising:
- providing an enclosure surrounding an internal volume, wherein the enclosure prevents gases from permeating into or out of the internal volume, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure is a liquid water permeable region that allows water molecules to permeate into or out of the internal volume, and wherein the liquid water permeable region comprises:
- an interlocking layer structure including a system of nano-capillaries, wherein liquid water is permitted to pass from a first surface of the interlocking layer structure to a second surface of the interlocking layer structure through the system of nano-capillaries, and wherein gases are incapable of passing through the system of nano-capillaries;
- cooling a heat transfer surface positioned within the internal volume to remove heat from gases within the internal volume such that water vapor present in the gases within the internal volume condenses on the heat transfer surface to form condensed liquid water;
- collecting the condensed liquid water in a reservoir within the internal volume;
- and
- directing air from an atmosphere external to the enclosure towards the liquid water permeable region using a fan or blower external to the enclosure or circulating gases within the internal volume over an internal surface of the liquid water permeable region or over the heat transfer surface using a fan or blower within the internal volume.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing an enclosure for surrounding an internal volume;
- creating a liquid water permeable region within a wall of the enclosure, wherein the liquid water permeable region allows water molecules to permeate into or out of the internal volume, wherein the enclosure and the liquid water permeable region together prevents gas molecules and gas atoms from permeating into or out of the internal volume, and wherein the liquid water permeable region comprises:
- an interlocking layer structure including a system of nano-capillaries, wherein liquid water is permitted to pass from a first surface of the interlocking layer structure to a second surface of the interlocking layer structure through the system of nano-capillaries, and wherein gases are incapable of passing through the system of nano-capillaries;
- and
- positioning a fan or blower for directing air from an atmosphere external to the enclosure towards the liquid water permeable region or positioning a fan or blower within the internal volume for circulating gases within the internal volume over an internal surface of the liquid water permeable region.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.