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ATMOSPHERIC WATER
GENRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING







THIS REPOR DISCUSSES THE GENERATION TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES OF THE WATER FRON THE
MOISTURE PRESENT IN THE AIR
INTROUCTION
Water has been collected from the air for at least 2,000 years using air wells in Middle Eastern
deserts, and later in Europe. The Incas were able to sustain their culture above the rain line by
collecting dew and channeling it to cisterns for later distribution. Historical records indicate the
use of water-collecting fog fences. These traditional methods have usually been completely
passive, requiring no external energy source other than naturally occurring temperature
variations. In the todays era, the need of water is increasing day by day in a very rapid manner.
There are a number of places where potable water is not available to the humans. Today, it has
become the ultimate need of people to reclaim the water from atmosphere in the most efficient
manner without disturbing the eco-system of the atmosphere.
BACKGROUND
AI R WATER GENERATOR:
An atmospheric water generator (AWG), is a device that extracts water from humid ambient
air. Water vapor in the air is condensed by cooling the air below its dew point, exposing the air
to desiccants, or pressurizing the air.
The extraction of atmospheric water may not be completely free of cost, because significant
input of energy is required to drive some AWG processes, sometimes called "trading oil for
water". Certain traditional AWG methods are completely passive, relying on natural temperature
differences, and requiring no external energy source. Research has also developed AWG
technologies to produce useful yields of water at a reduced (but non-zero) energy cost.
GENERAL PROCESS OF AIR WATER GENERATION
Dehumidification -When approaching the problem of atmospheric water generation it is
clear that the heart of the system is dehumidification, which is the removal of water from a
stream of air. In this application we seek to capture this water and utilize it for drinking
purposes. Three common methods of dehumidification stood out during preliminary
research; a temperature drop below the dew point (refrigeration condensing), pressure
condensing, or a combination of the two.
Refrigeration-This method circulates air over cooling coils connected in a refrigeration cycle
to bring the water in the air below its dew point
Pressure -It is possible to compress humid air so much that it will condense at the ambient
temperature.
Combination -The third alternative is a combination of compression and cooling. When
humid air is pressurized the dew point of the water vapor is increased.
Wet Desiccation -The final design option considered is the most abstract, but has gained
recognition recently a valid design for atmospheric water generation. Wet desiccation is a
process where a brine solution is exposed to humid air in order to absorb water vapor from
that air.

MODERN TECHNOLOGIES
Many atmospheric water generators operate in a manner very similar to that of a dehumidifier:
air is passed over a cooled coil, causing water to condense. The rate of water production depends
on the ambient temperature, humidity, the volume of air passing over the coil, and the machine's
capacity to cool the coil
An alternative available technology uses liquid, or "wet" desiccants such as lithium
chloride or lithium bromide to pull water from the air via hygroscopic processes. A proposed
similar technique combines the use of solid desiccants, such as silica gel and zeolite, with
pressure condensation.
COOLI NG CONDENSATI ON

In a cooling condensation type atmospheric water generator,
compressor circulates refrigerant through a condenser and then an evaporator coil which cools
the air surrounding it. This lowers the air temperature to its dew poict, causing water to
Condense. A controlled-speed fan pushes filtered air over the coil. The resulting water is then
passed into a holding tank with purification and filtration system to help keep the water pure and
reduce the risk posed by viruses and bacteria which may be collected from the ambient air on the
evaporator coil by the condensing water.
WET DESI CCATI ON
One form of wet desiccant water generation involves the use of salt in a
concentrated brine solution to absorb the ambient humidity. These systems then extract the water
from the solution and purify it for consumption. A variation of this technology has been
developed to be more environmentally friendly, primarily through the use of passive solar energy
and gravity. Brine is streamed down the outside of towers, where it absorbs water from the air.
(SEE FIGURE)
APPLIED TECHONOLIES FOR GENERATION OF POTABLE WATER FROM AIR
EWA TECHNOLOGY
One square kilometer of atmospheric air contains, in most regions around the globe, 10,000 to
30,000 m 3 of pure water. The extraction of water from air (EWA) patented technology, based
on the extraction of air humidity into water stream, was developed for large-scale water supply,
up to 1,000 mVd. Such as desalination, using the unlimited free source of salty water, the EWA
technology makes use of air humidity. The EWA technology could serve as an alternative
solution for water supply, where neither salty water, nor infrastructure is available. The EWA
technology extracts the air humidity by a three stage process: absorption of humidity on a solid
desiccant, desorption of the water to vapor at moderate heat (65-85C) and condensation with
passive condenser connected to a heat pump. The moderate heating enables the utilization of
environmentally friendly and low cost heat energy, such as solar or waste heat. The combination
of moderate heat, passive condenser and heat pump allows producing water with low energy
consumption of 100-150 kcal/1. The EWA technology is based on a multi-cycle regime, each
cycle lasts about 90 min with absorption/desorption ratio of 2:1. The EWA technology is made
of modular cassettes enabling a design of a device for any required capacity -- up to 1,000 mVd.
The EWA technology could be operated at ambient temperature range between 5-45C and at
relative humidity of 20% and more, while at relative humidity of 60% the system achieves its
maximal capacity. The EWA technology may provide a reasonable solution for water supply in
dry regions, including South Mediterranean countries, as well as countries suffering from
polluted water, including tropical countries, and far from the seashores where long-pipe systems
are not available, the EWA technology would present the excellent solution for fresh water.

AWVP TECHNOLOGY

Atmospheric water vapour processing (AWVP),is a relatively unknown option for smaller scale,
locally managed water supplies. The water resources community needs to have an understanding
of AWVP and be involved in its development. Atmospheric water vapour processing (AWVP)
technology is reviewed. These processors are machines which extract water molecules from the
atmosphere, ultimately causing a phase change from vapour to liquid. Three classes of machines
have been proposed. The machines either cool a surface below the dew point of the ambient air,
concentrate water vapour through use of solid or liquid desiccants, or induce and control
convection in a tower structure. Patented devices vary in scale and potable water output from
small units suitable for one person's daily needs to structures as large as multi-story oce buildings
capable of supplying drinking water to an urban neighborhood. (SEE FIGURE)

APPLICATION OF AIR WATER GENERATION TECHNOLOGY IN PAKISTAN

The technology of water generation is not familiar in Pakistan rather there are some places of
Northern side of Pakistan where this technology is being used.(like Swat)

The main cause of the non-usage of this technology is the cost. In the current scenario of
Pakistan where there are the situations as in Tharparkar, it is the ultimate need of people to
generator potable water from atmosphere. There are some cheaper air water generators that can
be made at home at a low cost.


CONCLUSION
Atmospheric water generators are very efficient way of getting pure water. They are Cost
effective - costs less than $.10 per gallon to operate it takes less than 18 months to recover the
cost of purchase. (Based on cost savings . . . compared to that of a conventional 5 gallon water
cooler),Convenient - No bottles to carry and store,Green friendly
o Does not contribute to the plastic bottle landfill crisis.
o Does not waste water.
o Very efficient use of power. With less moisture in the air, your air-conditioning
electrical consumption will be lowered. as less energy is needed to cool the
environment and Can be run on solar power


Wet Desiccation

AWPA technology

























ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR



DIY ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR


REFERENCES

https://www.google.com.pk/search?q=atmospheric+water+generator&rlz=1c2chfx_enpk
568pk568&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=x&ei=lfrhu-
wkl8_zsgblnod4bq&ved=0cayq_auoaq&biw=1366&bih=642#imgdii=_

review paper atmospheric water vapour processor designs for potable water production: a
review roland v. wahlgren* atmoswater research, 2116 grand boulevard, north vancouver,
bc, v7l 3y7, canada (first received october 1998; accepted in revised form april 2000)

atmospheric water generation technologiesfor potable water production. a
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presentation
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techniques-and-technologies.html