DESIGN OBJECTIVES
An PORTABLE WATER PRODUCTION UNIT 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. Unlike a dehumidifier, an PWPU is designed to render the water
potable. PWPU s are useful where pure drinking water is difficult or impossible to obtain, because
there is almost always a small amount of water in the air that can be extracted. The two primary
techniques in use are cooling and desiccants.
The extraction of atmospheric water may not be free of cost, because significant input of energy is
required to drive some PWPU processes. Certain traditional PWPU methods are completely
passive, relying on natural temperature differences, and requiring no external energy source.
Research has also developed PWPU technologies to produce useful yields of water at a reduced (but
non-zero) energy cost.
PWPU extracts pure, safe drinking water straight from the air. Our atmospheric water generators
(PWPUs) are perfect for water stressed or water contaminated areas. They provide a decentralized,
local source of clean potable water without any connection to pipes or catch basins. All they require
is electricity or an alternate source of power to extract, condense, purify and dispense crystal - clear
fresh drinking water
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Requirements
When designing the atmospheric water generator Team 5 identified three requirements they needed
meet to ensure that the final project would effectively fulfill its intended purpose
Potability of Water -Water produced by the design must conform to the World Health
Organization (WHO) drinking water quality standards.
Simplicity of Use -Design must be operable by persons of limited technical experience.
Safety -Design must not pose a hazard to users at any point during its normal operation.
Potability of Water The first requirement is that the water produced is safe to drink.
This requirement is vital because engineers must be sociallyresponsible and take precautions so that
society is not harmed by any products they design. The World Health Organization (WHO) spends
significant time working globally to keep people safe from disease and other illnesses. We worked
hard to follow these standards so the end users are not harmed by the device they made.
Simplicity of Use-The second requirement is that the design is simple for people with limited
technical experienceto use.
Safety In addition to the first two requirements, Team 5 also designed the AWG so that it is not
hazardous to users at any point of its standard operation.This third requirement is similar to the first
in that it seeks to protect the end users and society in general; however, this requirement focuses on
ensuring safety across all aspects of operating the system
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
When starting the project Team 5 developed several goals or objectives that the design will meet.
Flexibility in Power Source -The design should be able to utilize a variety of power
sources, including (but not limited to) solar, wind, and the traditional power grid.1 Liter of Water
Production per Day -The design should produce at least one liter of drinkable water per day.
Maximize Efficiency -The design should maximize the water produced per unit energy.
Minimize Cost -The design should minimize the cost per unit water production for both
capital cost and production cost.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
