Session: 08-03-01: Energy-Related Multidisciplinary I

Paper Number: 94117

94117 - Design and Fabrication of an Atmospheric Water Generator Based on Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle 

Hyper-salinity in Middle East region is increasing exponentially and alarmingly due to the following reasons: (i) Many desalination plants operate along its coast leading to the return of brine waste stream (up to 2.5 times of the seawater salinity) into the Middle East would make it hypersaline, (ii) Its high evaporation rates in the presence of the hot arid nature of its bordering lands. It is time to view the hyper-salinity of Middle East seriously as it causes lots of environmental hazards and its negative influence on desalinated water production rates of existing desalination plants in near future. As there are many largest desalination plants situated in Middle East region, the abovementioned issue may rapidly affect the availability of water for drinking and other purposes. The water generation from atmosphere is an environmentally friendly alternative and a sustainable process to produce pure and fresh water. Atmospheric water generator (AWG) is a device that uses the dehumidification principle to generate potable water out of moisture present in the air. The moisture or humidity present in the air is cooled below the dew point temperature thereby water vapour is condensed into water droplets. The collected water droplets are filtered and re-mineralised to produce fresh and potable drinking water. Therefore, we have designed and fabricated a prototype system for extracting clean drinking water from atmospheric air using the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. An AWG is fabricated by using a second-hand Window Air conditioner of capacity 18000 BTU. The device consists of air filter, compressor, condenser, throttling device and cooling coils. Besides, the device employs the dehumidified cool air to cool the condenser and hence, improves its effectiveness considerably. For two days operation, the system was able to collect 5800 mL. Initially it is made to run for two days starting from 12 Noon, 3rd October 2020 to 12 Noon, 5th October 2020. Again, the AWG is made to run for two days, staring from 12.30 PM, 5th October 2020 to 12 Noon, 7th October 2020. During this run, 4100 mL of water was collected. It is found that the quality of collected water from AWG is in par with that of normal drinking water. Quality of the collected water is assessed by Oakton PC 450 Waterproof Portable Meter with Combination Probe and Calibration. The instantaneous temperature and relative humidity values are represented on psychrometric chart to understand the possibility of water generation and are shown in results and discussions. During the aforementioned trial between 12.30 PM, 5th October 2020 and 12 Noon, 7th October 2020, temperature and relative humidity readings were recorded. As the device operates with a slogan ‘where there is air there is water’, it is suitable everywhere in the world.

Presenting Author: Saad Alshahrani King Khalid University

Presenting Author Biography: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering 2019<br/>Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA<br/>Thesis: “Development and Investigation of a Solar-Biogas Hybrid Micro Gas Turbine<br/>………..For Power Generation”<br/>Advisor: Prof. Abraham Engeda<br/>GPA 3.84/4<br/>- Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering 2014<br/>Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA<br/>Master Research Project: “Flow Analysis of Centrifugal Pump Impeller”<br/>Advisor: Prof. Abraham Engeda<br/>GPA 3.83/4<br/>- Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering 2009<br/>King Khalid University<br/>Saudi Arabia, Abha<br/>GPA 4.22/5

Authors:

Saad Alshahrani King Khalid University