Present disclosure generally relates to installation for extracting moisture. Particularly relates to an autonomous moisture extractor from the atmospheric air. The autonomous moisture extractor can be installed at locations having hot climate with intense solar radiation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE AND PRIOR ARTS
Existing installation of water seer for condensing moisture from atmospheric air containing a wind turbine drives the air into a special chamber (equalizing tank) buried in the ground, where low temperature water condensers on the chamber walls and accumulates into a sump. The accumulated water from the sump can be obtained using the hose or pump. Condensation of atmospheric moisture occurs due to the temperature difference of the outside air and chamber walls, buried in the ground. One disadvantage of this kind of installation is that, it is not possible to use it in a hot climate with intense solar radiation and maintain an optimal temperature in the condensation chamber, since there is no protection provides for lower ground horizons from warming up.

One kind of autonomous irrigation system condensed moisture based on the temperature difference on the surface and the depth of the earth has been proposed in a Chinese patent, publication no. CN102986499 (hereinafter referred to as the Pat ’499). The Pat ’499 has a three-dimensional structure, wherein the parts above the earth contains a wind turbine, solar panel, air inlet and rain collector, and the parts under the land contains an intake air piping with heat radiation of the refrigeration device, a condensing duct, an exhaust duct, a water container, a capillary body, an insulating tube, a radiator, a condensing chamber, a refrigerating device, a copper block heat conductivity, a central control unit, a water collection box and a water pump. An irrigation system powered by wind and solar energy condenses water using the natural cooling of the earth’s lower horizons and an auxiliary cooling system connected to the control unit. The disadvantages associated with the Pat ’499 are, low intensity in a hot climate due to warming of the lower ground horizon and heating of the heat exchange device at high solar radiation.

Yet another know installation for the isolation of fresh water from atmospheric air has been disclosed in a Russian patent, publication no. RU2157874 (hereinafter referred to as the Pat ’874). The Pat ’874 contains a condensing chamber connected with the intake and discharge of air. The flow of atmospheric air into the condensate chamber is provided by gravity force or by the energy of the sun or wind. A condensing chamber is located under water or in the soil at a depth that does not have seasonal changes in temperature, and the air intake is made in the form of a weather vane. The condensation chamber is thermally insulated from the intake and discharge of air. Condensation in the Pat ’874 occurs due to a difference in temperature on the sea surface and at depth, as well as the pressure of saturated water vapor. The disadvantage of the installation in the Pat ’874 is that the installation provides low efficiency and it is difficult in extracting condensed water from the condensate chamber.

Yet another kind of method and device for extracting moisture is proposed in a Ukrainian patent, publication no. UA 15361 A (hereinafter referred to as The Pat ’361). In the Pat ’361, a method for routing the heated coolant down i.e. in the direction opposite to the direction of natural convection on the reverse thermo-syphon, which is based on use of high pressure saturated water vapor in the warm branch of the circulation loop compared to the vapor pressure in the cold branch is disclosed. The pressure can overcome the forces of natural convection and displace the warm coolant to warm the branches down to the cooler, through the cooler and then the cold coolant along the cold branch to the upper part of the circulation circuit. The disadvantage of this device is the low efficiency of cooling the coolant.

Yet another kind extractor installation is disclosed in Russian patent, publication no. 2648796 (hereinafter referred to as the Pat ’796). The extractor in the Pat ’796 is used for extracting fresh water from atmospheric air. The extractor contains a water reservoir with a dew condenser, input and exhaust vortex generators, each vortex generator is made in the form of truncated cone-shaped hyperboloids of rotation to form a cooled laminarized swirled air to the dew point in spiral vortex-forming channels. Input vortex generators are connected by a duct with a sump pump and cooled to the dew point air into a water tank filled with dew condenser, and exhaust vortex generator takes through connected to the sump duct drained moisture from the air in the environment, and a water tank with the condenser dew placed under the artificial hill above the soil height equal to the depth of the warming of the soil depending on the climatic conditions of a particular locality. The disadvantage of the extractor of the Pat ’796 is that low efficiency of water condensation in a hot climate and under intense solar radiation due to warming of the soil and violation of the thermal insulation of the condensation chamber.

Yet another kind of installation for extracting fresh water from sea-based atmospheric air is disclosed in Russian patent, publication no. 2686224 (hereinafter referred to as the Pat ’224). The installation in the Pat ’224 contains a vertical-axial wind turbine, a condensation chamber with an exhaust air duct to divert the drained air to the environment, a water collector with condensed moisture with a pipeline going to the consumer, equipped with heat pipes with a capillary structure and a refrigerant inside them, the upper part of the heat pipe with an evaporation area located in the condensing chamber and attached to them are plates for cooling atmospheric air to dew point and the condensation of moisture by boiling in the evaporator zone of heat pipes of the refrigerant, and the lower part of the heat pipes buried in the soil on the seabed at a lower temperature relative to the entering condensing chamber atmospheric air. The disadvantage of the installation in the Pat ’224 is the installation is binding to reservoirs and inability to install on land, as well as the complexity and cost of installing heat pipes on the sea floor.

Yet another device disclosing a geothermal exchanger is disclosed in a Canadian patent, publication no. CA2802077A1 (hereinafter referred to as the Pat ’077). The geothermal exchanger includes a capillary-type heat pipe for preventing icing on a road/bridge. The geothermal exchanger of the Pat ’077 includes a heat exchange part disposed adjacent to the ground so as to absorb heat from the ground or discharge heat to the ground; and a capillary-type heat pipe for transferring heat, in which a working fluid is injected, one side of the heat pipe for transferring heat being disposed adjacent to the heat exchange part so as to transfer heat, and the other side thereof being buried underground. When the surface of the ground is warmer than below the ground, the heat pipe for transferring heat transfers heat from the heat exchange part to below the ground, thereby storing the heat. When the ground surface is cooler than below the ground, the heat pipe for transferring heat transfers the heat from below the ground to the heat exchange part. Thus, natural energy from the ground may be accumulated underground in the form of thermal energy so as to increase the available heat in the earth. However, the heat pipes in the Pat ’077 is in coil form and forms a continuous loop, which cannot be applicable for the installations for extracting moisture.

Problems faced in the state of art are that the devices for condensation of atmospheric moisture use different methods to ensure optimal parameters for reaching the dew point in the working chamber. For thermal insulation of the condensation chamber, various thermal insulation materials are used or the chamber is buried in the ground below the heating level. In regions with a hot climate with intense solar radiation, it is difficult to ensure effective operation of the heat exchanger for moisture condensation due to the warming of the soil to great depths, which means that for heat exchange with the lower horizon of the soil with a lower temperature, it becomes necessary to bury the heat exchanger to great depths, and there are large costs for installation work. Constant temperature zone - the Ground level, the temperature of which is equal to the average annual temperature of the area. The depth of the zone of constant temperatures in different areas varies from the first meters to 20-30 m.

The present invention is directed to overcome one or more problems as set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In an embodiment, an autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor is provided. The extractor comprising a vertical-axial wind turbine for forcing a swirling air flow through an air duct connected to the vertical-axial wind turbine; a condensation chamber connected to the air duct, the condensation chamber comprising a pipeline for extracting condensed water and a duct for air exhaust; a heat exchanger comprising a first portion having a first evaporation zone, a second portion having a first condensation zone, and a third portion in between the first evaporation zone and the first condensation zone, wherein the first portion having the first evaporation zone is accommodated inside the first condensation zone and the second portion having the first condensation zone and the third portion are buried in soil; a first set of plates connected to the first portion of the heat exchangers having the first evaporation zone; a second set of plates connected to the second portion of the heat exchanges having the first condensation zone; one or more heat pipes buried in the soil and disposed around the heat exchanger, the heat pipes comprising a first portion having a second evaporation zone, a second portion having a second condensation zone and a third portion in between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second evaporation zone is at an upper portion of the soil and the second condensation zone is at a lower portion of the soil; a third set of plates connected to the first portion of the heat pipes having the second evaporation zone; and a fourth set of plates connected to the second portion of the heat pipes having the second condensation zone; wherein the third set of plates are adapted to transfer heat from the upper portion of the soil to the lower portion of the soil through the heat pipes and the fourth set of plates, thereby preventing heating of a top layer of the soil forming a protective top layer of the soil for effective moisture extraction from the air.

In an embodiment, the heat exchanger is an elongated tube comprising a refrigerant.

In an embodiment, the heat pipes are elongated tubes comprising a refrigerant.
In an embodiment, the first portion of the heat pipes having the second evaporation zone is installed at a depth ranging from about 0.3 meter to about 0.8 meter, preferably 0.5 meter from the top layer of the soil.

In an embodiment, the heat pipes are buried at a distance ranging from about 1.5 meters to about 3.5 meters, preferably 2 meters from the heat exchanger.

In an embodiment, the condensation chamber is enclosed in a bulk hill feature.

In an embodiment, the vertical-axial wind turbine is disposed on a top surface of the bulk hill and connected to the condensation chamber through the air duct.

In an embodiment, the bulk hill is a mass of sand or heat rejecting material.

In an embodiment, the third portion of the heat pipes is buried to a relatively larger depth when compared with the third portion of the heat exchanger from the top layer of the soil.

In an embodiment, the heat pipes and the heat exchangers are buried vertically in the soil or at an angle with respect to the top layer of the soil.

In an embodiment, the heat pipes at the upper portion of the soil are provided exterior to the bulk hill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
One purpose and need of the present invention is to increase efficiency of extraction of atmospheric moisture in a hot climate and high solar radiation to ensure optimal temperature in a condensation chamber of an autonomous moisture extractor and optimal achievement of dew point.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The term “autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor” is interchangeably used in the disclosure with a term “extractor”. It is to be understood that the terms “autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor” and “extractor” are relating to same apparatus, and the term “extractor” is used for brevity. The extractor (100) illustrated in the FIG. 1 comprises a vertical-axial wind turbine (102) made in a form of a vortex wind turbine for forming and injecting a swirling air flow through an air duct (104) to a condensation chamber (106). That is to say, the vortex wind turbine of the vertical-axial wind turbine (102) forces the swirling air flow through the air duct (104) connected to the vertical-axial wind turbine to the condensation chamber (106) of the extractor (100).

The condensation chamber (106) of the extractor (100) is connected to the air duct (104) extending from the vertical-axial wind turbine (102). In the illustrated embodiment, the condensation chamber (106) is a closed enclosure made of a heat resistant material known in the art. The condensation chamber (106) in the illustrated embodiment is mounted onto a soil surface (108). The terms “soil surface” and “ground surface” are interchangeably used in the present disclosure. It may be understood that a bottom portion (not shown) of the condensation chamber (106) may also be placed inside the soil surface (108).

In the illustrated embodiment, the condensation chamber (106) is enclosed in a bulk hill (110) feature (also shown in FIG. 2). The bulk hill (110) can be made of a mass of sand or a heat rejecting material (not shown) known in the art. Thus, the bulk hill (110) provides a thermal insulation from the heat and radiation for the condensation chamber (106). In the illustrated FIG. 1, the vertical-axial wind turbine (102) of the extractor (100) is disposed on a top surface (112) of the bulk hill (110) and connected to condensation chamber (106) through the air duct (104). Thus, the atmospheric air is able to come in contact with the vertical-axial wind turbine (102) and thereby the atmospheric air is forced into the condensation chamber (106).

The condensation chamber (106) is further provided with a pipeline (114) at the bottom portion of the condensation chamber (106). The pipeline (114) is used for extracting condensed water. The pipeline (114) can be further connected to a reservoir (not shown) for collecting the extracted water or for supplying the water from the pipeline (114) directly to consumer utilities like, an industry or an agricultural land. The condensation chamber (106) is further provided with a duct (116) to divert the air to exhaust or to drain the air out from the condensation chamber (106) to the environment. In the illustrated embodiment, the duct (116) of the condensation chamber (106) may be provided at one of side walls (118) and may be oriented upwards with respect to the soil surface (108). The condensation chamber (106) further encloses a heat exchanger (120) for extraction of moisture from the swirling atmospheric air.

The heat exchanger (120) in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is an elongated tube having closed and sealed ends (122, 124) and a central channel (126) for accommodating refrigerant (not shown) inside the central passage (126). The central passage (126) may accommodate the refrigerant known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger (120) is a reverse convection heat exchanger with a capillary structure. The heat exchanger (120) includes a first portion (128) having a first evaporation zone (130). The first portion (128) having the first evaporation zone (130) is accommodated inside the condensation chamber (106). The first portion (128) is connected with a first set of plates (132) having the first evaporation zone (130).

The heat exchanger (120) further includes a second portion (134) having a first condensation zone (136). The second portion (134) of the heat exchanger (120) is further connected to a second set of plates (138). The heat exchanger (120) further includes a third portion (140) in between the first evaporation zone (130) and the first condensation zone (136). The second portion (134) of the heat exchanger (120) having the first condensation zone (136) and the third portion (140) of the heat exchanger (120) are buried in soil (142). The second portion (134) and the third portion (140) of the heat exchanger (120) are surrounded by one or more heat pipes (144) buried in the soil (142).

The heat pipes (144) are elongated tubes comprising a refrigerant (not shown) known in the art. The heat pipes (144) include a first portion (146) having a second evaporation zone (148), a second portion (150) having a second condensation zone (152) and a third portion (154) in between the first portion (146) and the second portion (150). The second evaporation zone (148) is at an upper portion (156) of soil (142) and the second condensation zone (152) is at a lower portion (158) of the soil (142).

The extractor (100) further includes a third set of plates (160) (also shown in FIG. 2) connected to the first portion (146) of the heat pipes (144) having the second evaporation zone (148) and a fourth set of plates (162) connected to the second portion (150) of the heat pipes (144) having the second condensation zone (152). The third set of plates (160) are adapted to transfer heat from the upper portion (156) of the soil (142) to the lower portion (158) of the soil (142) through the heat pipes (144) and the fourth set of plates (162), thereby preventing heating of a top layer (164) of the soil (142) forming a protective device for protecting the top layer (164) of the soil (142) for effective moisture extraction from the air.

In an embodiment, the first portion (146) of the heat pipes (144) having the second evaporation zone (148) is installed at a depth (D1) ranging from about 0.3 meter to about 0.8 meter, preferably 0.5 meter from the top layer (164) of the soil (142). The heat pipes (144) are buried at a distance (D2) ranging from about 1.5 meters to about 3.5 meters, preferably 2 meters from the heat exchanger (120). The third portion (154) of the heat pipes (144) is buried to a relatively larger depth when compared with the third portion (140) of the heat exchanger (120) from the top layer (164) of the soil (144). In an embodiment, the heat pipes (144) and the heat exchangers (120) are buried vertically in the soil (142), and the heat pipes (144) at the upper portion (156) of the soil (142) are provided exterior to the bulk hill (110).

Working:
Incoming wind flow, starting at a speed for example of 2-3 m / s, through the vortex wind turbine is converted into a swirling flow, which is pumped through the air duct (104) into the condensation chamber (106). The atmospheric air is cooled to a dew point in the condensation chamber (106) and condensed when it comes into contact with the first set of plates (132) fixed to the heat exchanger (120) with the first evaporation zone (130) due to the boiling of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger (120). After receiving fresh water from the atmospheric air pumped into the condensation chamber (106), the duct (116) diverts the air drained of moisture to the environment. The resulting water from the condensation chamber (106) flows through the pipeline (114) to the consumer. When boiling, the refrigerant evaporates and moves down to the first condensation zone (136) in the second portion (134) of the heat exchanger (120). In the first condensation zone (136) of the heat exchanger (120) buried in the ground to a depth below annual heating, the refrigerant vapours are cooled and condensed, then the liquid refrigerant rises to the first evaporation zone (130) of the heat exchanger (120), which is located inside the condensation chamber (106) along the capillary structure. Then the cycle repeats. The refrigerant is selected in such a way that the boiling point coincides with the temperature of the condensation chamber (106), and condensation temperature is equal to the ground/soil temperature below the annual heating.

The heat pipes (144) with reverse convection of the extractor (100) form the protective device for preventing the lower ground horizons from warming up. The heat pipes (144) are buried every two meters around a lower part having the second portion (134) and the third portion (140) of the heat exchanger (120) in the ground to a depth below the level of the belt of constant earth temperature, depending on the climate. An upper part having the first portion (146) of the heat pipes (144) having the second evaporation zone (148) with the third set of plates (160) (also shown in FIG. 2) are installed in the top / upper layer (162) of the soil (142) to a depth of 0.5 m, and a lower part having the second portion (150) and the third portion (154) of the heat pipes (144) with the second condensing zone (152) is buried in the soil (142) to a depth below the level of heating of the soil (142) depending on the climate and the distance from the heat exchanger (120). As a result of the operation of the heat pipes (144), an upper protective layer is formed on the ground surface around the bulk hill (110) (also shown in FIG. 2) and optimal conditions for condensation of the refrigerant in the area of the lower part of the heat exchanger (120) is obtained, which prevents heating of the lower ground horizons.

In an exemplary embodiment, depending on the length of the heat pipe (144) and the type of heat carrier and the climate zone, the heat pipes (144) can be installed at an angle with respect to the ground surface.

Advantages:
The disclosed autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor with a protective device against warming up the lower soil horizons in a hot climate with intense solar radiation that warms the soil.

The heat pipes buried in the ground around the extractor with the possibility of forming a protective top layer of soil prevents warming of the lower horizon of the soil and increases the level of the belt of constant ground temperature, which allows burying heat exchange devices for moisture condensation to a lower depth and reduce cost of installation work for installing the extractor.

It is possible in conditions of hot climate and intense solar radiation to increase the efficiency of water extraction from the air due to the difference in temperatures of the upper and lower ground horizons and a protective device containing heat pipes that prevent heating of the lower ground horizons, which increase the level of the belt of constant earth temperature and thus ensure optimal achievement of the dew point in the condensing chamber of the extractor, reducing the cost of installation work for installing the extractor, reducing the metal content of the structure and increasing the efficiency of the extractor.

Industrial applicability:
A novel feature of the autonomous atmospheric extractor is to provide a protective device against heating of lower ground horizons, including heat pipes with reverse convection buried in the ground. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor contains the protective device against warming up the lower ground horizons, containing heat pipes with reverse convection, buried in the ground.

The presence of a protective device against ground heating, containing heat pipes buried in the ground to the depth of the ground heating level, depending on the climate zone around the lower part of the heat exchanger, which is buried in the ground to a depth below the belt of the constant earth temperature, depending on the climate zone.

The disclosed extractor finds its potential application for extracting water/moisture from atmospheric air in places having hot climate and intense solar radiation. Thus, the water supply of settlements and agricultural objects can be made without the use of electric energy.

List of reference numerals and characters:
100: Autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor
102: Vertical-axial wind turbine
104: Air duct
106: Condensation chamber
108: Soil surface
110: Bulk hill
112: Top surface of bulk hill
114: Pipeline
116: Duct
118: Side wall
120: Heat exchanger
122: Sealed end of heat exchanger
124: Sealed end of heat exchanger
126: Central channel
128: First portion of heat exchanger
130: First evaporation zone
132: First set of plates
134: Second portion of heat exchanger
136: First condensation zone
138: Second set of plates
140: Third portion of heat exchanger
142: Soil
144: Heat pipes
146: First portion of heat pipes
148: Second evaporation zone
150: Second portion of heat pipes
152: Second condensation zone
154: Third portion of heat pipes
156: Upper portion of soil
158: Lower portion of soil
160: Third set of plates
162: Fourth set of plates
164: Top layer of soil
D1: Depth
D2: Distance

Claims:We Claim:
1. An autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) comprising:
a vertical-axial wind turbine (102) for forcing a swirling air flow through an air duct (104) connected to the vertical-axial wind turbine (102);
a condensation chamber (106) connected to the air duct (104), the condensation chamber (106) comprising a pipeline (114) for extracting condensed water and a duct (116) for air exhaust;
a heat exchanger (120) comprising a first portion (128) having a first evaporation zone (130), a second portion (134) having a first condensation zone (136), and a third portion (140) in between the first evaporation zone (130) and the first condensation zone (136), wherein the first portion (128) having the first evaporation zone (130) is accommodated inside the first condensation zone (136) and the second portion (134) having the first condensation zone (136) and the third portion (140) are buried in soil (142);
a first set of plates (132) connected to the first portion (128) of the heat exchangers (120) having the first evaporation zone (130);
a second set of plates (138) connected to the second portion (134) of the heat exchanges (120) having the first condensation zone (136);
characterized by
one or more heat pipes (144) buried in the soil (142) and disposed around the heat exchanger (120), the heat pipes (144) comprising a first portion (146) having a second evaporation zone (148), a second portion (150) having a second condensation zone (152) and a third portion (154) in between the first portion (146) and the second portion (150), wherein the second evaporation zone (148) is at an upper portion (156) of the soil (142) and the second condensation zone (152) is at a lower portion (158) of the soil (142);
a third set of plates (160) connected to the first portion (146) of the heat pipes (144) having the second evaporation zone (148); and
a fourth set of plates (162) connected to the second portion (150) of the heat pipes (144) having the second condensation zone (152);
wherein the third set of plates (160) are adapted to transfer heat from the upper portion (156) of the soil (142) to the lower portion (158) of the soil (142) through the heat pipes (144) and the fourth set of plates (162), thereby preventing heating of a top layer (164) of the soil (142) forming a protective top layer of the soil (142) for effective moisture extraction from the air.

2. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (120) is an elongated tube comprising a refrigerant.

3. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pipes (144) are elongated tubes comprising a refrigerant.

4. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (146) of the heat pipes (144) having the second evaporation zone (148) is installed at a depth (D1) ranging from about 0.3 meter to about 0.8 meter, preferably 0.5 meter from the top layer (164) of the soil (142).

5. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pipes (144) are buried at a distance (D2) ranging from about 1.5 meters to about 3.5 meters, preferably 2 meters from the heat exchanger (120).

6. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condensation chamber (106) is enclosed in a bulk hill (110) feature.

7. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the vertical-axial wind turbine (102) is disposed on a top surface (112) of the bulk hill (110) and connected to the condensation chamber (106) through the air duct (104).

8. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the bulk hill (110) is a mass of sand or heat rejecting material.

9. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third portion (154) of the heat pipes (144) is buried to a relatively larger depth when compared with the third portion (140) of the heat exchanger (120) from the top layer (164) of the soil (142).

10. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pipes (144) and the heat exchangers (120) are buried vertically in the soil (142) or at an angle with respect to the top layer (164) of the soil (142).

11. The autonomous atmospheric moisture extractor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pipes (144) at the upper portion (156) of the soil (142) are provided exterior to the bulk hill (110).