Vishwakarma Government Engineering College Chandkheda
Chemical Engineering Department
Semester-4
Design Engineering 1B (3140005)
Atmospheric Water Generator
Presented By :
230170105017 Om Dubey
230170105032 Het Lukhi
240173105001 Niraj Chavda
Guided By : Sonal B. Prajapati
TABLE OF CONTEXT :-
• Introduction
• Types of atmospheric water generators (AWGs)
• Energy sources of AWGs
• Advantages and Disadvantages of AWGs
• Application of AWGs
• Challenges faced by AWGs
• Future of AWGs
• How AWGs work
• Calculation
• Reference
Introduction
• Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) is a device designed to extract potable
water directly from the humidity present in the air. It operates by cooling the
air below its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into liquid water,
which is then collected and purified for drinking.
• AWGs can utilize various methods, such as condensation, desiccants, or
membranes, and are available in sizes ranging from small household units to
large commercial systems.
Types of atmospheric water generators (AWGs) :-
1. Cooling Condensation-based AWGs: These use refrigeration to cool air below its dew point,
causing moisture to condense into water droplets. This is the most common type and works
similarly to dehumidifiers or air conditioners.
2. Desiccant or Adsorption-based AWGs: These use hygroscopic materials (desiccants) to absorb
moisture from the air. The absorbed water is then released by heating and condensed into liquid
water.
3. Membrane-based AWGs: These use membranes that selectively allow water vapor to pass
through, separating it from air.
Energy sources of AWGs :-
• Electricity from the grid: Most conventional AWGs use electrical power to run compressors
and condensers that cool air to extract water.
• Solar power: Solar panels are widely used to power AWGs, especially in remote or off-grid
areas. Solar energy drives the condenser and filtration system, making the process renewable
and sustainable.
• Wind power: Some AWGs can be powered by wind turbines, providing an ecological energy
source in windy regions.
• Hybrid renewable systems: Combining solar and wind energy can enhance reliability and
autonomy of AWGs in different environmental conditions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of AWGs :-
Advantages :- Disadvantages :-
• Fresh and Pure Water • Limited by Humidity
• Renewable Resource • High Initial Cos
• Eco-Friendly • Regular Maintenance
• Portable and Scalable • Low Water Output
Application of AWGs :-
• Home and Residential Use :- Provide a reliable source of clean drinking water for families,
especially in areas with limited or contaminated water supplies.
• Offices and Commercial Buildings :- Improve water quality for employees and reduce
dependence on bottled water in workplaces.
• Rural Areas :- Supply safe water in locations lacking traditional infrastructure or facing water
scarcity.
• Emergency and Disaster Relief :- Offer immediate access to potable water during natural
disasters or emergencies when regular water sources are disrupted.
Challenges faced by AWGs :-
• Dependence on environmental conditions:- Performance drops in low humidity or low dew point
temperatures; frost formation on cooling coils can reduce efficiency.
• High initial and maintenance costs:- The technology and infrastructure are expensive, limiting
affordability and scalability, particularly in water-scarce regions.
• Limited water production rate:- Many AWGs produce water slowly, insufficient for large-scale
needs like agriculture or entire communities.
• Manual operation and monitoring:- Older systems require constant supervision and manual
adjustments to maintain water quality and output.
• Scalability challenges:- Small portable units exist but scaling up to meet large population demands
remains difficult.
Future of AWGs :-
• Integration with Smart Tech :-
1. AI: Smart AWGs could automatically adjust based on humidity levels, usage patterns, and maintenance needs.
2. Remote Monitoring: Cloud-based systems for managing water production, quality, and service alerts.
• Environmental Impact :-
1. Sustainable Design: New models use eco-friendly materials and minimize environmental disruption.
2. Water-from-Air Farms: Scaled-up systems might be used to support agriculture in arid regions.
• Improved Efficiency & Lower Costs :-
1. Energy Efficiency: Newer models are using solar or hybrid energy sources to reduce operational costs and carbon
footprint..
2. Cost Reduction: As the technology matures, manufacturing costs are expected to drop, making AWGs more
accessible to households and communities.
How AWGs work :-
• Air Intake: The device draws in ambient air using a fan.
• Cooling and Condensation: The air is passed over cooling coils or a heat exchanger, which cools
the air below its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into liquid water droplets similar to
how dew forms naturally.
• Water Collection: The condensed water droplets are collected in a storage tank.
• Filtration and Purification: The collected water goes through multi-stage filtration and ultraviolet
(UV) disinfection to remove impurities and ensure it is safe for drinking.
• Storage and Dispensing: The purified water is stored in a sterile tank and can be dispensed as
needed.
.
Current Company’s for AWG
Calculation
1. Dew Point (Air)=Dew Point (°C) = T –((100 – RH) / 5
2. Absolute Humidity (AH):- AH = RH × Saturation AH at given Temp
3. Efficiency of AWG:- Efficiency = Water Produced (liters) / Energy Used (kWh)
4. Humidity Removed :- Humidity Removed = Inlet AH – Outlet AH
5. Refrigerant Dew Point:- Refer to P-T Chart for refrigerant used
Example
• If T = 30°C, RH = 70% → Dew Point = 24°C
• At 30°C, Saturation AH ≈ 30.4 g/m³, RH = 70% → AH = 21.28 g/m³
• 20 liters collected, 10 kWh used → 2 liters per kWh
• Inlet AH = 21.28 g/m³, Outlet AH = 10 g/m³ → Humidity Removed =
11.28 g/m³
• For R-134a at 150 psi → Dew Point ≈ 40°C
References
• Raveesh, G., R. Goyal, and S. K. Tyagi. “Advances in atmospheric water generation
technologies.” Energy Conversion and Management 239 (2021): 114226.
• Shafeian, Nafise, A. A. Ranjbar, and Tahereh B. Gorji. “Progress in atmospheric
water generation systems: A review.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
161 (2022): 112325.
• Nikkhah, Hasan, et al. “A comprehensive review on atmospheric water harvesting
technologies: From thermodynamic concepts to mechanism and process
development.” Journal of Water Process Engineering 53 (2023): 103728.
• Wang, Menglu, et al. “Towards a better understanding of atmospheric water
harvesting (AWH) technology.” Water Research 250 (2024): 121052.
