Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG)
or
Atmospheric Water Harvester
or
Atmospheric Water Harvester
An Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) or Atmospheric Water Harvester is a electricity-powered device that uses the dehumidification principle to make drinking water out of the moisture in the air. With the amount of renewable water in the earth's atmosphere estimated to be around 12,504 cubic kilometres, there is certainly an unlimited source of water to harvest from.
While AWG can be used virtually anywhere where potable water is needed, it is most applicable in places with higher humidity. The ideal place for this is the band around the equator (40° North Latitude to 40° South Latitude). That also happens to be where most of the people are in the world. Interestingly, this band is also where most of the water shortage problems have been identified.
AWG devices are specified to generate water at relatively moderate temperatures but high relative humidity. They tend to produce more water in places with higher temperatures and humid climates, and less water in colder or drier regions.
Absolutely no conventional or secondary water source is needed in an AWG. The only resource needed for AWG to work is the air with its trapped moisture, as the process mimics how rain is formed. Electricity powers the device, which can be obtained from the main power grid or from clean energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbine, wave converter and more.
The technology is a decentralized system of harvesting of atmospheric water that has not been previously considered as a potable water supply for the masses. It is sustainable, reliable, and produces potable water without massive, complicated installation.
AWG devices work by condensing the water vapor in the air by cooling the air below its dew point, exposing the air to desiccants, or pressurizing the air. The two primary techniques in use are cooling and desiccants.
The water vapor is channeled towards an evaporation system in a sanitary environment before it liquefies and is exposed to pollution. A significant quantity of clean water is produced before it has been exposed to earthly contaminants. This sets AWGs apart from other water systems (municipalities, filtering and bottled water suppliers) that provide drinkable variations of polluted water by removing or neutralizing the hundreds of chemicals, micro-organisms and particulate in ground water.
As a rule of thumb, cooling condensation atmospheric water generators do not work efficiently when the temperature falls below 18.3°C (65°F) or the relative humidity drops below 30%. This means they are relatively inefficient when located inside air-conditioned offices. The cost-effectiveness of an AWG depends on the capacity of the machine, local humidity and temperature conditions and the cost to power the unit.