Systems for generating water using exogenously generated heat, exogenously generated electricity, and exhaust process fluids and related methods therefor

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating water for an end user are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes and/or controls internal heat sources, as well as external heat, electricity, and/or fluid sources, in response to ambient conditions. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of generating water comprising:
 providing a water generating unit comprising:
 a first endogenous heat source configured to generate heat, 
 a desiccation device coupled the first endogenous heat source, and 
 a condenser coupled to the desiccation device; 
   evaluating whether to use exogenous electricity, exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof to generate water with the water generating unit to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source; and,   making the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof available to the water generating unit to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first endogenous heat source comprises a solar thermal heater, a photovoltaic cell configured to generate electricity, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by a sensor, sensed information; and,   evaluating whether to use exogenous electricity, exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof to generate water based on the sensed information.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating heat with a second endogenous heat source of the water generating unit to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source of the water generating unit.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising making the second endogenous heat source available to one or more regeneration fluids in the water generating unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first endogenous heat source is a solar thermal heater and the second endogenous heat source is an electric heater. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second endogenous heat source is configured to receive electricity generated by a photovoltaic cell, the exogenous electricity, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising using the exogenous electricity, the exogenous heat or a combination thereof to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source when a temperature or heat flow rate of the heat generated by the second endogenous heat source is greater than a temperature or heat flow rate of the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein making the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof available to the water generating unit comprises:
 making the exogenous heat available to a heat exchanger of the water generating unit;   making the exogenous electricity available to a second endogenous heat source of the water generating unit; or, a combination thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating whether to use the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof comprises:
 determining a buy back rate of the exogeneous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source,   determining a temperature of an inverter of an exogenous electricity source,   determining an available electric power of the exogeneous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source,   determining a potential available electric power of the exogenous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source,   determining a desired size of the water generating unit,   determining a desired weight of the water generating unit, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating whether to use the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof to generate water with the water generating unit comprises:
 determining an ambient air temperature at the water generating unit,   determining an ambient air relative humidity at the water generating unit,   determining a temperature of an exhaust process fluid,   determining a relative humidity of an exhaust process fluid,   determining a temperature of the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source,   determining a heat flow rate of the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source,   determining a temperature of heat generated by a second endogenous heat source,   determining a heat flow rate of heat generated by a second endogenous heat source,   determining a temperature of the exogeneous heat received by a heat exchanger,   determining a heat flow rate of the exogeneous heat received by a heat exchanger, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 evaluating whether to use an exhaust process fluid to generate water with the water generating unit,   making the exhaust process fluid available to the desiccation device; and   generating water using the exhaust process fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the evaluating whether to use the exhaust process fluid comprises:
 determining a relative humidity of the exhaust process fluid,   determining a temperature of the exhaust process fluid,   determining an ambient relative humidity at the water generating unit,   determining an ambient air temperature at the water generating unit,   determining a back pressure acting on the exhaust pressure fluid,   determining a flow rate of the exhaust process fluid,   determining a chemistry of the exhaust process fluid,   determining a buy back rate of the exogenous electricity,   determining an available electric power of the exogenous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source,   determining a temperature of the exogenous heat,   determining a heat flow rate of the exogenous heat,   determining a temperature of the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source,   determining a heat flow rate of the exogenous heat source,   determining a temperature of heat generated by a second endogenous heat source,   determining a heat flow rate of heat generated by a second endogenous heat source,   or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein evaluating whether to use the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof to generate water comprises:
 determining an available quantity of stored water;   determining a water use pattern;   determining a weather forecast; or, a combination thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using the exogenous electricity, the exogenous heat or a combination thereof to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source when the water use pattern indicates that there is less water available than the user customarily uses at a relevant increment of time. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using the exogenous electricity, the exogenous heat or a combination thereof to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source when the weather forecast indicates a cloudy condition, an ambient air relative humidity is or will be below a predetermined humidity, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the exogenous electricity, the exogenous heat or a combination thereof to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source when:
 a temperature of an inverter of an exogenous electricity source is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature;   an available electric power of the exogenous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source is greater than a predetermined electric power;   a buy back rate of the exogenous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source is less than or equal to a predetermined buy back rate; or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         18 . A method of generating water comprising:
 circulating a regeneration fluid in a water generating unit from a first endogenous heat source to a desiccation device, to a condenser, and back to the first endogenous heat source;   evaluating whether to use exogenous electricity, exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof to generate water with the water generating unit to supplement or substitute the heat generated by the first endogenous heat source.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising circulating the regeneration fluid to a second endogenous heat source, to a heat exchanger configured to receive exogenous heat, or a combination thereof to provide thermal energy to the regeneration fluid so that the regeneration fluid is heated upon arriving at desiccation device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein evaluating whether to use the exogenous electricity, the exogeneous heat, or a combination thereof comprises:
 determining a buy back rate of the exogeneous electricity generated by an exogenous electricity source,   determining an available quantity of stored water;   determining a water use pattern;   determining a weather forecast; or, a combination thereof.