Massive Scale Rainwater Harvesting and Redistribution

Abstract

A high-altitude, modular, robust rainwater harvesting construction is deigned, which is made of strong, lightweight building-block composite materials, for relatively rapid assembly and disassembly. Multiple modular rainwater harvesting constructions can be configured to build a modular, scalable, mobile rainwater collection system for harvesting rainwater at high altitudes and at massive scales. The captured potential energy of harvested rainwater at high altitudes provides the energy required for redistribution of rainwater from regions with high precipitation rate to regions with low precipitation rate. The rainwater harvesting system can be used for onshore and offshore rainwater harvesting, using different proposed configuration to connect the rainwater harvesting modules to the ground or to the sea floor.

1 . A modular, high-altitude, and scalable Rainwater Harvesting System comprising:
 a. At least one high-altitude Rainwater Harvesting Module   b. Wherein each Rainwater Harvesting Module is modular and made of other building-blocks   c. Wherein each building-block is made of strong, lightweight construction material   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-structure of the construction material is honeycomb. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material of construction includes lignin and recycled plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material of construction includes other durable, strong materials, including but not limited to metals; metal foils; unreinforced polymers, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylic resins, styrene resins, polyurethanes, polysulfones, and combinations thereof; reinforced polymers, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylic resins, styrene resins, polyurethanes, polysulfones, and combinations thereof, containing mineral filler, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nanomaterials, ceramics and combinations thereof; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the building-blocks of a rainwater harvesting module are connected together via spring-loaded connections to provide a flexible structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a self-supported tower is used to provide structural support for the rainwater harvesting module 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a guyed tower is used to provide structural support for the rainwater harvesting module 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claims 1 ,  6 , and  7 , wherein the self-supported tower or guyed tower are built of modular sections connected via spring-loaded connections. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rainwater harvesting module, is made of, or is coated with, light weight, flexible photovoltaic material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein energy extraction involves the use of turbines to convert the rainwater kinetic energy to electricity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rainwater harvesting modules are connected to the ground for onshore rainwater harvesting. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rainwater harvesting modules are supported by lighter-than-water crafts and are tethered to the sea floor for offshore rainwater harvesting. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claims 1 ,  11 , and  12 , wherein rainwater harvesting modules are used as platforms and foundations for high altitude wind energy convertors for wind power harvesting.