US Patent 11890566 Atmospheric aerosol coalescer

An atmospheric aerosol coalescer (AAC) is a device for collecting water from cooling tower plumes, fog. The AAC may include tapered spiral tube body with a helix shaped skin for atmospheric aerosol to pass through. Micro-droplets of water in air, as in cooling tower plumes, fog, separate inside the AAC due to large density difference and centrifugal forces inside the spiral tube. 3-100-micron diameter water micro-droplets may grow to 1000-4000 micron drops by coalescence on the internal walls of the AAC. Big drops detach to a drain at its base and fall through a spout to a collection pond. A number of AAC arrays may be supported by a net or an inflated pad. The net or inflated pad may be lifted by a tethered aerostat.