A New Device Hypothesis for Water Extraction from Air and Basic Air Condition System in Developing Countries

Paolo Maria Congedo, Cristina Baglivo and Giulia Negro
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Paolo Maria Congedo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Cristina Baglivo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Giulia Negro: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: This work proposes a new device for air treatment with dehumidification and water recovery/storage, with possible mitigation of indoor environmental conditions. The system is based on Peltier cells coupled with a horizontal earth-to-air heat exchanger, it is proposed as an easy-to-implement alternative to the heat pumps and air handling units currently used on the market, in terms of cost, ease of installation, and maintenance. The process provides the water collection from the cooling of warm-humid air through a process that leads to condensation and water vapor separation. The airflow generated by a fan splits into two dual flows that lap the two surfaces of the Peltier cells, one flow laps the cold surfaces undergoing sensible, latent cooling with dehumidification; the other flow laps the hot surfaces and heats up. The airflow undergoes thermal pre-treatment through the underground horizontal geothermal pipe that precedes the Peltier cells. In the water storage tank, which also works as a mixing chamber, the two air streams are mixed to regulate the outlet temperature. The system can be stand-alone if equipped with a photovoltaic panel and a micro wind turbine, able to be used in places where electricity is absent. The system, with different configurations, is modeled in the African city Kigali, in Rwanda.

Keywords: Peltier cell; geothermal; water generation; torrid climate; passive cooling; earth-to-air heat exchanger; unconventional air handling units; condensate water; storage; developing countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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