Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a
reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified
water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified
water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such
as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline
water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water
outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential
passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the
dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts
moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of
the subsystems can be used as a potable water source. When used in
conjunction with a ship, part or all of the reverse osmosis subsystem can
be submersed to a depth sufficient to generate a hydrostatic pressure
that is in turn sufficient to passively operate the reverse osmosis
membrane such that additional pressurizing equipment, such as a pump, is
not needed. Furthermore, the temperature of the water purified by the
reverse osmosis subsystem may be low enough to be used as a condensing
agent for the ambient humid air passing through the dehumidification
subsystem.