Abstract
The decline in freshwater supply is a multifaceted global problem that affects both developing and developed countries. In the MENA region, groundwater reserves are overexploited, leading to a heavy reliance on desalination as a main source of drinkable water. However, desalination requires high capital investment and adequate infrastructure. Lack of proper infrastructure further delays implementation of large-scale desalination plants, posing threats to economic growth, social development, and public health, particularly in developing countries. One potential solution in regions with high humidity and temperatures is atmospheric water generation (AWG), which can be used in addition to conventional desalination methods. This could be a promising solution for poor countries with limited infrastructure facing water scarcity challenges. In this study, an experimental setup utilizing a conventional vapor compression cycle (VCC) is designed, built, and tested to produce drinkable water by removing and collecting moisture from humid air. The setup includes an Aluminum-Copper finned tube condenser and a coil-shaped Copper evaporator placed perpendicular to the airflow direction in a horizontal configuration. A controlled fan is used to drive the airflow throughout the system, with the dehumidified cold air from the evaporator directly cooling the condenser for improved energy recovery. The dew point temperature (DPT), relative humidity (RH), and ambient temperature were monitored during experiments. Results show that this system yields an average of 33 litres/m2 per day where the DPT > 12°C and RH > 55%.
