http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/10-interesting-ways-to-harvest-water-from-air/

10 interesting ways to harvest water from air

Every life form present on this blue planet needs water for survival. That’s the reason we see environmentalists over the world encouraging individuals to save every drop, as those precious drops might be what someone is desperately in need for. Since many potable water sources are contaminated, there are some designers who’re looking toward humid air to quench the thirst of millions. Here are some of the best devices that harvest fresh water from thin air:

• Max Water:

An Australian inventor has developed a device that is capable of harvesting unlimited water from air. Powered by wind, the device uses the same source for water as well. Dubbed Max Water, the system according to the inventor would even harvest significant amounts of water using air with low humidity. A four-meter square device could extract an average 7,500 liters of water a day.

• Watermill:

Developed by Element Four, the Watermill generates and then filters water so that what comes out of it is fit for consumption. The company promises that their device will be able to generate about 3.2 gallons of fresh drinking water a day in ideal conditions that should be enough for a family of six.

• Ersa:

The Ersa by industrial designer Scott Norrie is designed as a standalone, sustainable product that uses solar energy to create water from air. The design also uses the onboard solar panels to power handheld devices and trickle-charge a vehicle’s battery.

• EcoloBlue:

The EcoloBlue Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) provides you with up to 7 gallons of clean water each day, provided the air around you is humid. The company developing the product states that it works best at 50 percent humidity, but can also work in humidity levels as low as 30 percent. If, however, the air isn’t humid enough, you can always hook it up to a tap water source so your drinking water is still filtered. The EcoloBlue costs $1,350 and the average operating cost stands at just 20 cents for every gallon of clean water.

• RainCloud C-15:

Cleanworld Ltd. has developed the RainCloud system, which is a dehumidifier with a built-in water purification system. The device harvests potable water from humid air and can also heat or cool the water for you to either have a nice chilled glass of water or a cup of tea.

• Dew Drop:

Industrial designer Jacky Wu has designed the Dew Drop device that extracts water from thin air for plants. The Dew Drop works on the principles of condensation. All the user has to do is to plant the artificial leaf in the same pot as the plant and connect it to a wall plug. Water condenses on the leaf and is fed to the plants.

• DropNet:

Industrial design student at Germany’s Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Imke Hoehler, has created a system that harvests potable water from thin air and mist. Dubbed the DropNet, the water-collecting system can harvest up to 20 liters of clean water each day, and an array of several structures could supply a whole village with potable water.

• Groasis Waterboxx:

Created by Dutch entrepreneur Pieter Hoff, the Groasis Waterboxx can produce fresh water even in the driest places on earth. Inspired by bird poop, the device is modeled after the way excrement protects seeds that birds have digested, providing humidity and shelter from the elements so that they can grow. The 20-inch by 10-inch box surrounds the young plant and at night an insulation plate allows it to harvest water through condensation.

• Solar-powered system to generate potable water:

Research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB believe that at an average 64 percent humidity, a cubic meter of air carries about 11.5ml of water, which if extracted can solve the problems of billions of people living in rural areas. The system makes use of hygroscopic brine that absorbs moisture. When this solution is made to run down a tower-shaped unit, it sucks up water from the air, which is then fed into a tank where vacuum prevails. Solar energy then heats up the solution converting water to vapor, which is then condensed and collected.

• Water Building Resort:

This may not be the portable water-producing device that you are looking for, but this beautiful conceptual resort is designed to answer similar issues. Conceived by Orlando de Urrutia, the Water Building Resort will make use of the best in technology to generate solar electricity, water from air and will also make sea water potable.