US 11,814,820 B2
Systems and methods for generating water from air
Cody Friesen, Scottsdale, AZ (US); Michael Robinson, Scottsdale, AZ (US); Kamil Salloum, Scottsdale, AZ (US); and Jonathan Goldberg, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Assigned to SOURCE GLOBAL, PBC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by Source Global, PBC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/578,854.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/274,753, filed on Nov. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/170,366, filed on Apr. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/139,216, filed on Jan. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0228351 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B01D 53/04 (2006.01); B01D 53/26 (2006.01); E03B 3/28 (2006.01); B01D 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC E03B 3/28 (2013.01) [B01D 5/0051 (2013.01); B01D 5/0075 (2013.01); B01D 53/0438 (2013.01); B01D 53/0446 (2013.01); B01D 53/0454 (2013.01); B01D 53/261 (2013.01); B01D 53/265 (2013.01); B01D 2257/80 (2013.01); B01D 2259/4009 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for generating liquid water from a process gas comprising:
a solar thermal unit configured to absorb thermal energy, the solar thermal unit comprising a top cover opposite a regeneration inlet port, a regeneration outlet port, a process inlet port and a process outlet port;
the solar thermal unit being configured to, during a loading operational mode, capture water vapor from the process gas flowing in a process flow path from the process inlet port, through the solar thermal unit, and to the process outlet port;
the solar thermal unit being further configured to, during a release operational mode, transfer heat and water vapor to a working gas flowing in a regeneration flow path from the regeneration inlet port, through the solar thermal unit, and to the regeneration outlet port;
a lower housing assembly comprising:
a condenser configured to condense water vapor from the working gas flowing in the regeneration fluid path through the condenser to produce liquid water during the release operational mode; and
a controller configured to operate the system between the loading operational mode and the release operational mode;
wherein the regeneration flow path flows through the solar thermal unit and the condenser in a closed-loop regeneration flow path during the release operational mode.
 
13. A method for operating a system for generating liquid water from air comprising:
flowing a process gas, during a loading operational mode to a process inlet port of a solar thermal unit, through a process flow path of the solar thermal unit and to a process outlet port of the solar thermal unit;
wherein the solar thermal unit captures water vapor from the process gas upon flowing therethrough;
transitioning from the loading operational mode to a release operational mode;
sealing the process inlet port and the process outlet port of the solar thermal unit during the release operational mode;
flowing a working gas, during the release operational mode, to a regeneration inlet port of the solar thermal unit, through a regeneration flow path of the solar thermal unit and to a regeneration outlet port of the solar thermal unit; wherein the working gas accumulates heat and water vapor from the solar thermal unit upon flowing therethrough;
flowing the working gas from the regeneration outlet port of the solar thermal unit through the solar thermal unit and a condenser in a closed-loop regeneration flow path during the release operational mode; and
condensing, via the condenser, water vapor from the working gas to produce liquid water.