How to Make Water from Thin Air

November 5th, 2008 by Amiel Blajchman

EWA Technologies Group has developed a new technology that harnesses the natural humidity in the air, and converts that moisture into drinking water. The process works in three stages: Adsorption of water from the air (getting the water out of the air); desorption of the water (releasing the water out of the containing material); and condensation of the drinking water.

The first, and probably most critical phase is that of removing the ambient moisture from the air. This is accomplished by using a desiccant material (something that will attract moisture). Since this process actually releases heat, very minimal electricity consumption is required. Basically, all that’s needed is something to keep the air flowing.

Releasing the water entails a combination of wind drying, heating and negative pressure (a vacuum). Using this combination of techniques requires only moderate heat (about 60º C).

Finally, since the steam is at a very low pressure, it begins to spontaneously condense. Using the heat recovery unit cools the steam further and prevents heat loss, allowing the reuse of up to 80% of inputted energy.

What does all that mean? Under some circumstances, water production is about US $0.50 per cubic meter of water. And that’s worth drinking to.

Image Credit: The World of Water by Snap® via Flickr’s Media Commons









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