UTILIZATION OF AC CONDENSATE WATER FOR VERTICAL FARMING AND PLANT GROWTH

Abstract

The invention provides a system for collecting, filtering, and enriching AC condensate water, making it suitable for vertical farming applications in urban settings. The system repurposes condensate water through a multi-stage process including filtration, pH adjustment, and remineralization, allowing for soil-based, hydroponic, and aeroponic integration. This approach supports sustainable agriculture, conserves water, and enhances urban food production, offering an innovative solution to water scarcity and urban farming challenges.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sustainable agriculture and urban farming, particularly to a system that repurposes air conditioner (AC) condensate water for vertical farming. This system collects, filters, and enriches AC condensate water, making it suitable for soil-based, hydroponic, and aeroponic vertical farming applications, thereby addressing urban water conservation challenges and promoting local food production.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water scarcity is a growing global issue, especially in urban areas where agriculture faces increasing challenges due to limited water resources. Vertical farming has emerged as a solution for food production in space-limited urban environments, but it still requires significant water input, which can be expensive and unsustainable. Many buildings in urban areas rely on air conditioning for climate control, and this process produces condensate water as a by-product. Although this water is typically discarded, it represents a potential resource for irrigation if properly filtered and treated.
The quality of AC condensate water is unique: it is essentially distilled, containing no minerals or contaminants typically found in municipal water sources. However, while relatively clean, this water lacks essential nutrients necessary for plant growth and may contain minor contaminants from air particles and AC unit materials. Conventional solutions for vertical farming often depend on treated municipal water, which adds to operational costs and strain on freshwater supplies, especially in water-scarce regions. There is thus a need for an innovative approach that utilizes AC condensate water in an eco-friendly, cost-effective manner to support vertical farming in urban settings.
This invention proposes a complete system that captures AC condensate water, filters it, and re-mineralizes it, making it suitable for various vertical farming applications. By integrating condensate water into urban farming setups, the system maximizes resource efficiency, supports local food production, and reduces reliance on conventional freshwater sources, offering an economical and sustainable solution for urban agriculture.
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.
The invention provides a method to repurpose AC condensate water for vertical farming. The system comprises a collection unit, a filtration and pH adjustment module, a remineralization process, and integration with vertical farming methods, such as soil-based, hydroponic, and aeroponic setups. The filtration unit ensures the water is free from contaminants, and the pH adjustment system optimizes acidity levels for plant growth. Essential nutrients are then added to the water to support healthy plant growth. The system includes automated irrigation and monitoring features, making it scalable and adaptable for urban agriculture.
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: ILLUSTRATES THE COMPONENTS OF THE AC CONDENSATE WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE DIVERTER VALVE AND STORAGE TANK WITH FILTRATION.
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 invention is designed to capture and utilize condensate water from air conditioning units, transforming it into a nutrient-rich solution for vertical farming. The system includes an AC water collection module, a filtration unit, a remineralization stage, and an irrigation system, each component engineered to enhance water conservation and sustainable agriculture in urban environments.
1. AC Water Collection System: The collection system includes a diverter valve that directs condensate water from the AC unit's drain line to a sealed storage container, preventing contamination from external sources. The storage tank is equipped with a mesh filter at the inlet to trap large particles and has an airtight seal to ensure purity. A water level sensor is integrated to monitor the stored water volume, facilitating consistent irrigation.
2. Water Filtration and Treatment: The filtration module is equipped with a sediment filter and an activated carbon filter to remove debris, volatile organic compounds, and other impurities. Following filtration, the pH is adjusted to between 6.0 and 7.0, optimal for plant growth. The system may use sodium bicarbonate to adjust the pH when necessary, ensuring the water is safe and effective for irrigation.
3. Remineralization Process: As AC condensate is devoid of essential minerals, a remineralization stage introduces nutrients critical for plant growth. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphates are added to enrich the water. Users can incorporate hydroponic nutrient solutions or organic additives like compost tea for a fully organic approach. This ensures that the condensate water meets the nutritional requirements of plants, allowing for healthy growth in soil, hydroponic, or aeroponic systems.
4. Vertical Farming Integration and Irrigation: The system supports multiple vertical farming methods. For soil-based systems, a drip irrigation setup delivers water to plant roots, minimizing water wastage. In hydroponic systems, remineralized AC water circulates continuously through plant roots. Aeroponic configurations mist the roots with the treated water, ensuring optimal hydration and nutrient absorption. Automated sensors for moisture, nutrient levels, and pH are incorporated, allowing real-time adjustments and reducing manual intervention.
The modular design of the system makes it adaptable for different scales, from small urban gardens to large commercial farms, providing a sustainable solution for urban agriculture. The invention promotes water conservation, reduces the environmental footprint of food production, and supports food security by enabling year-round crop growth in urban spaces.
, Claims:1. A system for repurposing AC condensate water for vertical farming, comprising a collection unit, filtration module, remineralization process, and irrigation system suitable for soil-based, hydroponic, and aeroponic applications.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the filtration module includes a sediment filter and an activated carbon filter to remove contaminants and purify the water.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a pH adjustment mechanism is integrated to ensure the water is within an optimal range for plant growth, ideally between pH 6.0 and 7.0.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the remineralization process introduces essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphates to enrich the condensate water.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, configured to deliver water to soil-based vertical planters through a drip irrigation method, ensuring efficient water use.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the remineralized water is circulated in hydroponic systems to support nutrient-rich, soil-free plant growth.
7. The system as claimed in Claim 1, adapted for aeroponic systems where plant roots are misted with nutrient-enriched condensate water.
8. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein automated sensors monitor moisture, nutrient levels, and pH, facilitating real-time irrigation adjustments.
9. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the condensate water system is scalable, supporting both small-scale urban gardens and larger commercial vertical farming operations.
10. A water conservation solution as claimed in Claim 1, providing a sustainable, cost-effective approach to urban agriculture by utilizing AC condensate water for vertical farming applications.

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