Atmospheric water generation systems and methods utilizing membrane-based water extraction

A method of extracting water from atmospheric air, the method comprising:

• intersecting an atmospheric air stream with a desiccant in an absorber to extract water vapor from the atmospheric air stream and to absorb in the desiccant the water vapor extracted from the atmospheric air, wherein the desiccant flows along a closed desiccant circulation loop;
• flowing the desiccant along the closed desiccant circulation loop from the absorber into a desiccant inlet of a housing;
• heating the desiccant within the housing, after absorbing water vapor;
• and
• passing the desiccant along a first side of a porous membrane within a membrane-based water extraction device within the housing to extract water from the desiccant for collection within a permeate water flow path flowing on an opposite second side of the porous membrane, wherein the porous membrane permits water vapor to pass through the porous membrane from the desiccant to the permeate water flow path via at least one of a metal organic framework or a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

An atmospheric water generation system comprising:

• an absorber configured to intersect an atmospheric air stream with a desiccant flowing along a closed desiccant circulation loop to extract water vapor from the atmospheric air stream and to absorb into the desiccant the water vapor extracted from the atmospheric air stream;
• a housing comprising at least one membrane-based water extraction device configured to extract water from the desiccant for collection within a permeate water flow path, wherein the at least one membrane-based water extraction device comprises:
• a housing supporting a porous membrane separating a desiccant flow path from the permeate water flow path, wherein the porous membrane permits water vapor to pass through the porous membrane from the desiccant flow path to the permeate water flow path;
• within the housing comprising the at least one membrane-based water extraction device, at least one heating mechanism to raise a temperature of the desiccant prior to entering the at least one membrane-based water extraction device, wherein:
• the at least one heating mechanism is a heat exchanger;
• a portion of the desiccant flow path upstream of the at least one membrane-based water extraction device flows on a first side of the heat exchanger;
• a portion of the desiccant flow path downstream of the at least one membrane-based water extraction device flows on an opposite second side of the heat exchanger;
• and
• a portion of the closed desiccant circulation loop extends from the absorber to a desiccant inlet of the housing;
• and
• at least one cooling mechanism configured to cool liquid water before the liquid water flows into the at least one membrane-based water extraction device.