An improved solar water distillation system including: a flow system for collecting one or more condensate streams from an input treatment liquid; and an input treatment liquid separator within the flow system adapted to collect excess input treatment liquid from the flow system separate from the one or more condensate streams. The treatment liquid is maintained separate to the condensate streams to substantially minimise cross-contamination of the one or more condensate streams.

A portable drinking water generator includes a micro gas pump, a micro condenser module, and a micro liquid pump. The portable drinking water generator utilizes the micro gas pump to draw air and transmit the purified air to the micro condenser module. The water in the air is condensed into liquid water by the micro condenser module. Afterwards, the liquid water is collected and transported to a water purification module by the micro liquid pump. The liquid water is filtered by the water purification module and becomes drinkable drinking water. Therefore, the portable drinking water generator can achieve generating drinking water.

A method and apparatus for separating a separation component from a gas stream. One exemplary method includes: flowing the gas stream across a process surface of a compliant composite heat transfer wall, wherein: the gas stream has an initial concentration of the separation component, and the gas stream has a gas temperature; flowing a cooling fluid across a cooling surface of the wall, wherein: the cooling fluid has a fluid temperature, and the fluid temperature is less than the gas temperature; and producing an output gas stream, wherein: the output gas stream has an output concentration of the separation component, and the output concentration is less than the initial concentration. Another exemplary method includes separating at least a portion of the separation component from the gas stream by: accumulating the portion proximate the process surface; and delaminating the portion from the process surface with a flow of the gas stream.

Systems and methods for recuperative heat exchange are described herein. Recuperative heat exchange assemblies can comprise longitudinally extending heat exchange plates defining alternating hot-side layers and cooling layers. Furthermore, water generation systems and related methods of generating water from air are disclosed herein. Water generation systems and related methods can comprise a sorption unit comprising a hygroscopic material to capture water vapor from ambient air, a thermal unit to heat the hygroscopic material and transfer water vapor released therefrom to a regeneration fluid, and a recuperative heat exchange assembly to drive condensation of water vapor from the regeneration gas to produce liquid water. Disclosed water generation systems and related methods may include a valve assembly having a slide plate movable transversely to a flow channel axis between a plurality of positions.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

An apparatus and system for producing fresh water from moisture-laden air. The apparatus has a frame supporting a plurality of condensation panels that each have a panel body defining a pair of condensation surfaces that will contact the moisture-laden air. A panel support mechanism supports each of the condensation panels in spaced apart relation to each other so each condensation surface contacts moisture-laden air. A flow channel inside the panel body defines a flow path for a cooling fluid that cools the condensation surfaces so the moisture-laden air will produce condensate thereon that collects as fresh water. The system includes a plurality of apparatuses, a chilling mechanism to cool the cooled fluid, inlet and discharge lines connecting the chilling mechanism and apparatuses, pumps to pressurize the cooled fluid, fans to move the moisture-laden air and water collecting surfaces to collect the fresh water.

The present disclosure describes an apparatus that may be used to generate desalinated water from a supply of untreated water using a photovoltaic cell. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is partially enclosed to form an evaporation chamber. The front surface of the photovoltaic cell is exposed to sunlight or another light source. This exposure results in power generation by the photovoltaic cell and also heats the air in the evaporation chamber. Untreated water is subsequently introduced into the evaporation chamber. Upon contacting the heated air and the front surface of the photovoltaic cell, a portion of the untreated water evaporates to generate water vapor. The water vapor is then removed from the evaporation chamber and transported to a condensation chamber. The water vapor is cooled in the condensation chamber to yield desalinated water.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

A solar-powered system including a chamber that is bordered by an evaporation layer and a condensation layer; and a photothermal layer located over the evaporation layer so that sun rays incident on the photothermal layer are transformed into heat and the heat is supplied to the evaporation layer for evaporating water. The sun rays incident on the photothermal layer do not pass through the condensation layer prior to arriving at the photothermal layer.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.