Desiccant cartridge for water recovery device

摘要

A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A media material absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. The configuration of the media material enables maximal water extraction and is dynamically configurable. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.

主权项

1. A water recovery device comprising:
a desiccant stack including a chamber defining an airflow path therein, the desiccant stack including a plurality of desiccant trays, each desiccant tray including a desiccant media cartridge and an amount of liquid desiccant placed within the desiccant tray and absorbed by a media material of the media cartridge, the desiccant media cartridge having a media material, the media material being placed in a configuration having a plurality of folded sections and a plurality of gaps between the folded sections, the media material being oriented such that an airstream flowing through the chamber flows substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the folded sections of the media material; a condenser communicating with the desiccant stack; and a heat exchanger communicating with the desiccant stack for providing heat to the desiccant stack; wherein the water recovery device is operated in a charge cycle for circulating ambient air through the chamber to remove water vapor by the liquid desiccant and retaining water vapor in the chamber, the water recovery device being further operated in an extraction cycle to remove the retained water vapor within the chamber, the condenser providing a cooling source to condense the water vapor and thereby produce an amount of water condensate.