How to Make Water from Thin Air
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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November 5th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
In related news, researchers at Stumbleon University have developed a revolutionary device which they claim will result in significant reductions in energy consumption by the transportation sector. They’re calling this game-changing device “the wheel”, and have created a startup company to license the technology for commercialization. Researchers believe this new technology may one day render the horse obsolete.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I’m a little confused… why not wait until it rains, fills up the reservoirs, and get water from the reservoirs?
November 15th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Well, i immagine this tecnology (wich isn’t new, since the concept has been utilised in arid countries agriculture for millenias) is a possibility for usage in arid countries, where it doesn’t rain (or doesn’t rain enough). Passat winds are generally transporting humidity from the desert belts to the poles, so extracting water from air in arid regions is a viable method, since water costs ammount to even 6 $/m³ in some regions.
I seriously doubt the costs beeing 0,5 $/m³ in this reagions though, since the output of the device will be significantly lower, wich may skyrocket the cubic price.
Reminds me a little of Frank Herberts Dune Wind Traps
February 9th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Water will be the next commodity. in areas where water is in short supply like these arid regions, supply and demand will make the price of water very hight. The way you get water whether it be from the air or from the sky or from the ground doesn’t have to be efficient just cost effective. I think someday we will be investing in water futures like we do in oil.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:43 am
Being the inventor, just want to correct, $0.5/cubic meter is based on available heat source (solar, waste/residual heat, biomass etc.). By investing conventional fuel the water cost is $1.5-2. We also integrating Gasification technology, integrated with the water plant, that make it possible to use organic waste as energy source – this makes the water even cheaper. For additional question please apply to ewatech@bezeqint.net.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
wow! this sucks! anyone can do that im not saying it doesnt take skill but i want to know how to make my own water from 2 hdrogens and 1 oxygen. i know how but i dont know the steps to do it. its possible but i just need a physics lab to do it. 1st you have 1 oxygen and 2 hydrogens compressed and you also need a spark, no matter what it is a ligher a rock or anything you need a natural park not made from gas.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
P.S. its not that anyone can do this but you should try to make your OWN WATER out of 2 HYDROGENS and 1 OXYGEN.