Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting device
A water-harvesting system can operate with a material that can take up and release water with minimum energy requirements and powered by low-grade energy sources, such as sunlight, in order to potentially allow its deployment into households, especially those located in sunny regions. A water-harvesting method and system can include vapor adsorption using a porous metal-organic framework. In certain embodiments, the porous metal-organic framework can include metal-organic framework in ambient air with low relative humidity, typical of the levels found in most dry regions of the world.
1. A water-harvesting system comprising:
an adsorbent layer including a material and a porous binder, wherein the material is infiltrated in the binder; and
a condenser adjacent to the adsorbent layer.
2. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the binder includes copper.
3. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a heatsink.
4. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a coating on the adsorbent layer.
5. The water-harvesting system of claim 4 , wherein the coating is optically transparent and thermally insulating.
6. The water-harvesting system of claim 4 , wherein the coating is an aerogel.
7. The water-harvesting system of claim 4 , wherein the coating is absorptive for solar irradiation.
8. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure containing the adsorbent layer and the condenser.
9. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the material is a silica gel, a zeolite, a carbon fiber, a hydroscopic salt, or combinations thereof.
10. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the system is powered by solar irradiance, waste or biomass.
11. The water-harvesting system of claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent layer includes a plurality of stacks.
12. A method of water-harvesting comprising:
adsorbing water from ambient atmosphere using a water-harvesting system comprising:
an adsorbent layer including a material and a porous binder, wherein the material is infiltrated in the binder; and
a condenser adjacent to the adsorbent layer;
applying energy to the water-harvesting system to desorb vapor; and
collecting water with the condenser.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising dissipating heat from the condenser through a heat sink.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the heat sink is a passive heat sink.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the material is a silica gel, a zeolite, a carbon fiber, a hydroscopic salt, or combinations thereof.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein applying energy includes supplying solar irradiance.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adsorbent layer includes a plurality of stacks.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the energy is supplied by combustion of waste or biomass.
19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising an enclosure containing the adsorbent layer and the condenser.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the enclosure is opened during dark periods for water adsorption and the enclosure is closed during light periods for water production.
21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vapor diffuses from the adsorbent layer to the condenser following a concentration gradient.
22. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vapor diffuses from the adsorbent layer to the condenser through buoyancy-assisted transport.
23. The method of claim 12 , wherein the condenser is maintained at ambient temperature.
24. The method of claim 12 , wherein the ambient atmosphere has a relative humidity of less than 30%.