NOVEL FOG HARVESTING NET FOR WATER COLLECTION IN ARID REGIONS

Abstract

This invention discloses a novel fog harvesting net system designed for efficient and sustainable water collection in arid and semi-arid regions. The system employs a specially engineered, hydrophilic net to passively capture water droplets from fog, channeling collected water into a storage reservoir via a self-cleaning collection trough. The system is designed to be scalable, low-cost, and require minimal maintenance, offering a practical solution for diverse settings. Its modular design allows for customization based on various environmental conditions.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of water harvesting and water management, specifically addressing water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions through the efficient collection of atmospheric water from fog.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water scarcity is a significant global challenge, particularly impacting arid and semi-arid regions where traditional water sources are unreliable or insufficient. These regions often face limitations in rainfall, rivers, and groundwater availability, leading to constraints in agriculture, human consumption, and overall economic development. Existing technologies for water harvesting, such as rainwater collection systems and groundwater extraction, often require substantial infrastructure, energy, and maintenance, making them inaccessible or economically impractical for many communities, especially small-scale farmers and rural populations. These existing methods frequently fail to address the abundant water resource present in fog, a commonly overlooked potential source of freshwater in many drought-prone areas. Conventional methods of fog collection are often inefficient, expensive, and require complex maintenance, limiting their applicability in resource-constrained environments. There's a crucial need for a low-cost, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient fog harvesting system that is easily deployable and maintainable for small-scale farmers and resource-limited communities in water-scarce regions.
Traditional fog harvesting techniques are often limited by several factors. Firstly, the materials used may not be sufficiently effective in capturing fog droplets, leading to low water collection efficiency. Secondly, existing systems frequently lack the structural integrity and robustness required to withstand high wind speeds and other harsh environmental conditions, resulting in damage and reduced lifespan. Thirdly, many traditional methods require significant energy input, making them impractical for use in remote or off-grid locations. Finally, the complexity and cost of maintenance associated with many conventional fog harvesting systems can be prohibitive for many users, including smallholder farmers and those in resource-limited communities.
The lack of access to reliable water sources hinders economic development, agricultural productivity, and food security, particularly in vulnerable populations. Sustainable and affordable water solutions are urgently needed to improve livelihoods, health, and environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. This invention addresses this unmet need by providing a scalable, economical, and environmentally sound method for harvesting water from fog.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
This invention describes a novel fog harvesting net system designed for efficient and sustainable water collection in arid and semi-arid regions. The system utilizes a specially engineered hydrophilic net to capture water droplets from fog, employing a passive mechanism that requires no external energy. The collected water is channeled into a storage reservoir via a self-cleaning collection trough, making it suitable for various applications including irrigation and domestic use. The system is designed to be scalable, easily deployable, and requires minimal maintenance, making it a practical and affordable solution for diverse settings. The modular design allows for customization based on regional fog patterns, topography, and climate conditions, ensuring broad applicability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: This figure is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall design and components of the novel fog harvesting net system. It shows the fog-harvesting net suspended vertically, supported by a frame, with a collection trough at the base leading to storage tanks. The system is shown in an agricultural setting, illustrating its use for irrigation. The image also labels key technical components, such as the mesh material (with hydrophilic coating), the frame, the collection trough, and the storage tanks.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention relates to a fog harvesting system specifically designed for collecting water from fog in arid and semi-arid regions. This system uses a specifically engineered net constructed from a finely woven, hydrophilic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. This material is treated with a special coating to enhance water collection efficiency. The mesh size of the net is optimized to capture the maximum number of fog droplets while allowing wind to pass through without causing excessive drag. The net material is UV-resistant, ensuring long-lasting durability in outdoor conditions, and possesses a superhydrophilic surface for efficient condensation and coalescence of water droplets.
The net is held in place by a supporting frame, constructed of rust-resistant metal or composite materials. The frame features vertical posts and horizontal beams engineered to withstand high wind speeds, and includes adjustable mechanisms to optimize net angle and height based on local wind direction and fog density. A collection trough, or gutter system, is positioned at the base of the net to collect and direct the water into a storage container or distribution channel. This trough features a self-cleaning mechanism to prevent debris buildup.
A water storage system, consisting of a storage container or tank, is connected to the collection trough to store the harvested water. In larger applications, multiple fog nets can be connected to a central collection system, aggregating water from several sources. The storage system can also be integrated with filtration to provide water suitable for drinking or irrigation.
The system's unique features and design ensure eco-friendliness, low cost, and energy efficiency. This makes it ideally suited for remote, off-grid locations, small-scale farmers, and resource-limited communities in water-scarce regions.
, Claims:1. A fog harvesting system comprising a fog-harvesting net, a supporting frame, a collection trough, and a water storage system, wherein said net is constructed of a hydrophilic material selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, and nylon, and is configured to capture water droplets from fog.
2. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said hydrophilic material is treated with a coating to enhance water collection efficiency.
3. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said supporting frame is constructed from a rust-resistant material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and aluminum, and is configured to maintain the vertical orientation of the net.
4. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said collection trough is configured to direct collected water into said water storage system and includes a self-cleaning mechanism.
5. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said water storage system comprises a tank or underground cistern and optionally includes a filtration system.
6. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said net is characterized by a mesh size optimized to capture fog droplets within a range of 10 to 100 micrometers.
7. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said system is deployable in arid or semi-arid regions and is adaptable to various terrains and fog conditions.
8. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said system is modular and scalable to accommodate various sizes and applications.
9. The fog harvesting system, as claimed in Claim1, wherein said system operates passively without requiring external energy sources.
10. A method of harvesting water from fog, comprising: deploying a fog-harvesting net as claimed in claim 1; allowing fog to pass through said net; collecting water droplets captured by said net in a collection trough; and directing said collected water into a water storage system.

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