Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for producing potable water, the system comprising:
a windmill (102) having an air extraction unit (104) for extracting moisture from atmospheric air;
a water purification unit (108) adapted to produce potable water by purifying water extracted from the extracted moisture of the atmospheric air;
a flowmeter (112) configured to detect a flow of the water;
an alarming unit (110) in communication with the flowmeter (112), wherein the alarming unit (110) is adapted to generate an alert when an inaccuracy in the flow of the water is detected by the flowmeter (112);
a valve (116) configured in a water conduit (114), wherein the valve (116) adapted to be actuated to stop the flow of water until an initial accuracy of the flow is achieved based on the generated alert; and
a water storage tank (118) adapted to collect the purified water as obtained from the water purification unit (108).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flowmeter (112) is installed inside a purification chamber (120).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow is identified to be inaccurate when a volumetric value of the water passing through/at the water conduit (114) at an instance of time is above a threshold value.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flowmeter (112) is a flow measuring weir.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the windmill (102) comprises an electricity generation unit (200) for generation of electricity by utilizing the atmospheric air.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the windmill (102) may comprise an oxygen extraction unit (204) to extract oxygen from the atmospheric air.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the windmill (102) is adapted to ensure supply of water regardless of a weather situation by harvesting rainwater to provide the potable water in rainy days and by extracting the moisture from the atmospheric air to provide the potable water in dry/low rainfall days.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve (116) is a metal plate adapted to open and/or close to allow and/or stop the flow of water.
9. A method (300) of producing potable water, the method (300) comprising:
extracting moisture from an atmospheric air using an air extraction unit (104);
purifying, using a water purification unit (108), water obtained from the extracted moisture of the atmospheric air to produce the potable drinking water; and
collecting purified water in a water storage tank (118) as obtained from the water purification unit (108).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, the method (300) further comprising a step of:
measuring a flow of the water when the water passes through a water conduit (114) using a flowmeter (112);
triggering an alarming unit (110) on detecting an inaccuracy in the flow of the water to generate an alert; and
actuating a valve (116) to stop the flow of water though the water conduit (114) until an initial accuracy of the flow is achieved based on the generated alert.

Description:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and a method for providing potable water and particularly to a system and a method for providing potable water utilizing a windmill.
Description of Related Art
[002] Potable water is defined as water that is suitable for human consumption (i.e., water that can be used for drinking and/or cooking). The term implies that the water is drinkable as well as safe. Drinkable water means it is free of unpleasant odors, tastes and colors, and is within reasonable limits of temperature.
[003] According to World Health Organization (WHO), in year 2017, 71% of the global population i.e. approximately 5.3 billion people used a safely managed drinking-water service, that is, one located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. 90% of the global population (6.8 billion people) uses at least a basic service. 785 million people lack even a basic drinking-water service, including 144 million people who are dependent on surface water. Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with various pollutants such as urine, feces, and industrial wastes. Contaminated water can transmit diseases such diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Contaminated drinking water is estimated to cause several Lakhs of diarrheal deaths each year.
[004] As forecasted, by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. In least developed countries, 22% of health care facilities have no water service, 21% no sanitation service, and 22% no waste management service.
[005] Rainwater harvesting is an effective method to avoid wastage of water, but it has its own limitations as the rainwater harvesting can be implemented only during rainy seasons. Hence, the conventional systems for rainwater harvesting remain inefficient in low precipitation and/or dry areas. Further, the water harvested with the conventional rainwater harvesting system is mostly unfit for drinking purposes.
[006] In some advance systems as disclosed in prior art, a wind turbine is adapted to generate water through condensation of air. A few known wind turbine-based systems for water harvesting include a compressor for condensation of the air to produce thousands of liters of drinking water each day. However, the process of condensation of the air, itself, needs electricity. In most of such systems to generate electricity solar energy is needed which is also dependent on weather conditions. Further, these systems are not only expensive but also not durable for long term as the condensation process badly damages the blades of the windmill due to which its maintenance costs a lot.
[007] Thus, there is a need of a system and a method for providing potable water which can address the aforementioned limitation in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system and a method for producing potable water. A system for producing potable water, the system comprising: a windmill having an air extraction unit for extracting moisture from atmospheric air; a water purification unit adapted to produce potable water by purifying the water extracted from the moisture of the atmospheric air; a flowmeter configured to detect a flow of the water; an alarming unit in communication with the flowmeter, wherein the alarming unit is adapted to generate an alert when an inaccuracy in the flow of the water is detected by the flowmeter; a valve configured in a water conduit, wherein the valve adapted to actuate to stop the flow of water until an initial accuracy of the flow is achieved based on the generated alert; and a water storage tank adapted to collect purified water as obtained from the water purification unit.
[009] A method of producing potable water comprising: extracting moisture from an atmospheric air using an air extraction unit; purifying water, using a water purification unit, obtained from the extracted moisture of atmospheric air to produce the potable drinking water; and collecting the purified water in a water storage tank as obtained from the water purification unit.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of producing potable water that incorporates a mechanism for controlling water overflow. The method comprising: measuring a flow of the water when the water passes through a water conduit using a flowmeter and triggering an alarm on detecting an inaccuracy in the flow of the water and actuating a valve to stop the flow of water through the water conduit until an initial accuracy of the flow is achieved based on the generated alert.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a system and a method for producing potable water regardless of a weather condition such as in rainy days, the system is adapted to harvest the rainwater and in dry and/or low rain fall day, the system is adapted to provide the water by extracting moisture from the air.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application provide a system and a method for producing potable water, which employs a water purification unit for purifying the water as stored in the water storage tank.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application provide a windmill adapted to generate electricity and producing potable water simultaneously. In addition, the system and the method provide a windmill comprising blades having improved life as condensation is not used.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application provide a windmill adapted to extract oxygen by employing an air extraction unit, which can be used in medical and other purposes.
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present application provide a system for producing potable water which incorporates a mechanism for detecting a water flow anomaly and/or a water overflow condition.
[0016] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0017] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system for producing potable water, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts components of a windmill of the system; and
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a method for providing potable water according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0024] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0025] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0026] As referred herein, the terms ‘air’, ‘atmospheric air’ and ‘wind’ may be used interchangeably.
[0027] As referred herein, the terms ‘water’, ‘purified water’, ‘potable water’ and ‘drinking water’ may be used interchangeably.
[0028] As referred herein, the terms ‘energy’ and ‘power’ may be used throughout in the embodiments of the patent application. Generally, power that is generated may be quantified in terms of the potential (or voltage) and current that is produced by the present invention using the relationship set out in below equation-
Power = voltage x current
[0029] As depicted in FIG. 1, embodiments of the present application may provide a system 100 for producing potable water. The system 100 may comprise non-limiting elements such as a windmill 102 and an air extraction unit 104 integrated with the windmill 102.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted for collection of rainwater. The system 100 may include an inverted cone-like structure (not shown) designed on/above the windmill 102 to capture a good volume of the rainwater. Alternatively, the system 100 may include an inflated wall (not shown) for providing a path to the rainwater.
[0031] Further, the windmill 102 may comprise a turbine (not shown) that may further comprise turbine blades (not shown). The rainwater may fall on the turbine blades, and flow of water may cause a rotation of turbine blades, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to produce water by extracting moisture from an atmospheric air. The air may comprise water vapor and/or humidity which may be extracted by the air extraction unit 104. The air extraction unit 104 may be adapted to dehumidify the air to convert the moisture of the air into water. The air extraction unit 104 may comprise a humidity collector 106. The extracted moisture of the atmospheric air may be collected in the humidity collector 106, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the air extraction unit 104 may be provided to supplement and/or replace rainwater in days of no and/or low rainfall in order to ensure the daily production of a minimum required quantity of water.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the air extraction unit 104 may be adapted to produce water by extracting the moisture from the air without condensing the moisture. Further, the production of water from the atmospheric air may be performed by evolving a vapor absorption phenomenon by using a liquid desiccant such as, but not limited to, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride, or alike. Alternatively, the air extraction unit 104 may comprise a tilted structure (not shown) with an absorbent film to absorb the moisture from the atmospheric air. Further, the water may be collected by applying a suitable pressure and/or a temperature, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a water purification unit 108. The water purification unit 108 may produce potable water by purifying the water extracted from the moisture of the air. In another embodiment of the present invention, the water purification unit 108 may also be adapted to purify the rainwater as captured by the windmill 102.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water purification unit 108 may be a sediment filter that may be adapted to capture and remove particulate matter such as, dirt and debris from the water. In another embodiment of the present invention, the water purification unit 108 may include a membrane (not shown) for conducting an osmosis process to purify the water. In some embodiments of the present invention, the water purification unit 108 may include an Ultraviolet (UV) module (not shown) and/or an Ultra Filtration (UF) module (not shown) for removing harmful bacteria and virus thereby yielding pure potable water. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the water purification unit 108 may include other techniques and systems for purifying the water.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may further comprise an alarming unit 110 and a flowmeter 112. The flowmeter 112 may be provided to measure a volumetric flow rate of the water passing through a water conduit 114. The alarming unit 110 may be configured to be in communication with the flowmeter 112, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The alarming unit 110 may be configured to generate an alert when a water flow anomaly is detected by the flowmeter 112, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the alarming unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a buzzer, a speaker, a vibrator, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light, a blinking light, and so forth. The alarming unit 110 may be adapted to generate an audio alert and/or a visual alert. In some embodiments of the present invention, the alarming unit 110 may be configured to send textual alerts and/or other form of alarm signals to an authorized person and/or a group.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water flow anomaly may be a condition of inaccurate water flow such as a no/low water flow, an irregularity in water flow and/or a water overflow. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the volumetric flow rate of water may be a volumetric value of the water passing through/to the water conduit 114 at an instance of time. The water overflow may be detected when the volumetric value of the water passing through/to the water conduit 114 at an instance of time is above a threshold value.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a processor (not shown) and a non-transitory storage medium (not shown) may be disposed within the flowmeter 112. In another embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be disposed outside the flowmeter 112 and may be adapted to be in communication with the flowmeter 112. The processor may execute instructions stored in the non-transitory storage medium.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be configured to compare the volumetric flow rate of the water with the threshold value. The threshold value may be pre-stored in the non-transitory storage medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, the threshold value may be pre-set in accordance with a capacity of a water storage tank 118. Additionally, it may be contemplated that the processor may be configured to determine a mathematical relationship between a volume of water required to fill the water storage tank 118 and a volume of water collected in the water storage tank 118. Based on that, in an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may calculate and set the threshold value of the volumetric flow rate.
[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the threshold value may be set in accordance with a water carrying capacity of the water conduit 114.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may comprise, or alternatively may be in communication with, a clock (not shown) to compute an information such as a time and/or a frequency of the water flow anomaly as detected by the flowmeter 112. Further, the processor may be adapted to facilitate the computed information to the authorized person and/or the group by means of a communication device (not shown).
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flowmeter 112 may be provided inside a purification chamber 120. The purification chamber 120 may be a closed chamber that may be configured to collect the water obtained from the moisture of the atmospheric air. Further, the water purification unit 108 may be installed in the purification chamber 120 for purifying the collected water.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flowmeter 112 may be a flow measuring weir. The flow measuring weir may be a structure designed in the purification chamber 120 over which the water may flow and the volumetric flow rate may be calculated. In an embodiment of the present invention, on increasing the flow of the water, a pressure drop through the flow measuring weir may increase. When the pressure of the water is obstructed by the flow measuring weir, it may cause a velocity of the flow to change slightly, which may cause a slight increase in the pressure. When the water exits the flow measuring weir, the pressure of the water may decrease slightly. This small amount of pressure difference may be used to calculate the flow of the water.
[0046] Alternatively, the flowmeter 112 may be a mechanical water flowmeter. In another embodiment of the present invention, the flowmeter 112 may be an ultrasonic flowmeter. In further embodiments of the present invention, the flowmeter 112 may be a vortex volumetric flowmeter, a magnetic flowmeter or any other type of flowmeter 112 which may be incorporated to measure the flow of water, now known in technology or later developed.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a valve 116 that may be installed in the water conduit 114 to avoid the condition of the water overflow. In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve 116 may be a metal plate that may be actuated to stop the flow of water though the water conduit 114 until an initial accuracy of the flow is achieved. In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve 116 may be installed in an inlet (not shown) of the water conduit 114 and may be adapted to be open and/or close to allow and/or stop the flow of water to the water conduit 114.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, there may be a number of sub-conduits (122a….122n) (herein referred as sub-conduits 122a-122n) for passing the water obtained from the moisture of the atmospheric air. As shown in the figure, the water conduit 114 may be connected with the sub-conduits 122a-122n to enable a passage of the water obtained from different sources such as the rainwater and/or the water extracted from the moisture of the air through the air extraction unit 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flowmeter 112 may be installed in any and/or each of the sub-conduits 122a-122n for detecting the flow of the water in the respective sub-conduits 122a-122n.
[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank 118 may be adapted to store the purified water as obtained from the water purification unit 108. The water storage tank 118 may be arranged underground to collect the purified water, in an embodiment of the present invention. The water storage tank 118, the water conduit 114 and the sub-conduits 122a-122n may be made of rust-proof material such as stainless steel, other iron alloy or alike.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the windmill 102 of the system 100 may comprise an electricity generation unit 200. The electricity generation unit 200 may comprise a generator 202. The generator 202 may be adapted to receive a mechanical/rotation power from the turbine blades. The turbine blades may capture wind energy and may rotate to convert the wind energy into a mechanical energy by spinning the generator 202. The generator 202 further may convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy. In an embodiment of the present invention, auxiliary energy sources, such as solar panels, power generating units, gas turbines may be incorporated for providing electricity in periods of low wind flow.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical energy as produced by the electricity generation unit 200 may be, completely or partially used by the elements for the production of the potable water. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical energy may be utilized for purposes other than the production of the potable water such as for powering streetlamps and for domestic and/or industrial purposes.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to extract oxygen using an oxygen extraction unit 204. In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen extraction unit 204 may incorporate a mechanism of fractional distillation for separation of oxygen from the atmospheric air. Using this mechanism, oxygen may be separated from other components in the air such as dust particles, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. The extracted oxygen may be collected in an oxygen tank (not shown) which may be used for medical and/or industrial purposes. Alternatively, the embodiments of the present invention may employ other methods for extractions of oxygen from the atmospheric air which may be known or later developed. Further, the windmill 102 comprises the air extraction unit 104 that may be adapted to dehumidify the air to convert the moisture of the air into water, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] A parallel production of electricity due to the conversion of mechanical rotations of the turbine blades and as well as the production of oxygen and the potable water improves the wind energy utilization. In an embodiment of the present invention, the windmill 102 may be adapted to use the wind energy and the solar power, in combination and/or in alternation.
[0054] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the windmill 102 may be installed in open places such as ground, mountains, hills, roads and alike for mass production of the potable water. Alternatively, on lower scale, the windmill 102 may be designed with suitable dimensions to be installed in societies, small localities, and terraces, public places like parks and so forth.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for producing the potable water, according to embodiments of the present invention. The method 300 may comprise steps such as at step 302, the windmill 102 may extract the moisture from the atmospheric air using the air extraction unit 104.
[0056] At step 304, the water purification unit 108 may purify the collected water to produce the potable water.
[0057] At step 306, the flowmeter 112 may measure the flow of water passing through the water conduit 114.
[0058] Further, at step 308, the alarming unit 110 may be triggered to generate an alert when the water overflow condition may be detected by the flowmeter 112.
[0059] At step 310, the valve 116 may be actuated to stop the flow of the water though the water conduit until the initial accuracy of the flow is achieved. The accuracy of the flow may be achieved by regulating the rainwater falling on the windmill 102 and/or by regulating the water extracted by the air extraction unit 104. Once, the flow may be set below the threshold value, the valve 116 may be opened to pass the water through the water conduit 114 and the water may be collected in the water storage tank 118.
[0060] At step 312, the water storage tank 118 may collect the purified water which may be further used for drinking and/or other purposes.
[0061] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0062] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0063] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.