US 11,679,339 B2
High-output atmospheric water generator
Adam Van de Mortel, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Plug Power Inc., Latham, NY (US)
Filed by Plug Power Inc., Latham, NY (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/53,680.
Prior Publication US 2020/0038776 A1, Feb. 6, 2020
Int. Cl. B01D 5/00 (2006.01); E03B 3/28 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 5/0006 (2013.01) [B01D 5/009 (2013.01); B01D 5/0051 (2013.01); E03B 3/28 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising: a first atmospheric water generation circuit comprising: a first condenser configured to condense refrigerant to a liquid state, the first condenser comprising microchannel coils; a first expansion device having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the first condenser and configured to reduce refrigerant pressure and temperature; a first evaporator having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the first expansion device and configured to condense water from air adjacent to the first evaporator by transferring heat from the air to the refrigerant, the first evaporator comprising microchannel coils; a container configured to collect the water condensed by the first evaporator; a first compact screw compressor having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the first evaporator and an outlet coupled to an inlet of the first condenser configured to compress the refrigerant; a first fan for moving the air though the apparatus; a water treatment system coupled to an output of the container to treat water from the container; a pump for pumping water from the container and through the water treatment system; a water line for passaging water from the water treatment system to an output of the apparatus; a subcooling system coupled between the outlet of the first condenser and the inlet of the first expansion device configured to absorb heat from refrigerant flowing from the first condenser to the first expansion device, wherein the subcooling system comprises a refrigerant circuit separate from the refrigerant circuit of the first atmospheric water generation circuit; and a controller, operable for controlling the first fan, the first evaporator, the first compact screw compressor, and the pump of the first atmospheric water generation circuit and controlling the subcooling system, for producing treated water from the air.
 
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compact screw compressor does not require any of an external motor, oil filter, oil reservoir, and oil cooling system to operate.