Application of Solar Energy for Recovery of Water from Atmospheric Air in Climatic Zones of Saudi Arabia
Ahmed M. Hamed, Ayman A. Aly, El-Shafei B. Zeidan
.
DOI: 10.4236/nr.2011.21002   PDF    HTML     10,605 Downloads   23,879 Views   Citations

Abstract

In the present work, an investigation on the application of solar energy to heat a sandy bed impregnated with calcium chloride for recovery of water from atmospheric air is presented. The study also aimed at evaluating the effects of different parameters on the productivity of the system during regeneration. These parameters include system design characteristics and the climatic conditions. An experimental unit has been designed and installed for this purpose in climatic conditions of Taif area, Saudi Arabia. The experimental unit which has a surface area of 0.5 m2, comprises a solar/desiccant collector unit containing sandy bed impregnated with calcium chloride. The sandy layer impregnated with desiccant is subjected to ambient atmosphere to absorb water vapor in the night. During the sunshine period, the layer is covered with glass layer where desiccant is regenerated and water vapor is condensed on the glass surface. Ambient temperature, bed temperature and temperature of glass surface are recorded. Also, the productivity of the system has been evaluated. Desiccant concentration at start of regeneration is selected on the basis of the climatic data of Al-Hada region, which is located at Taif area, Saudi Arabia. Experimental measurements show that about 1.0 liter per m2 of pure water can be regenerated from the desiccant bed at the climatic conditions of Taif. Liquid desiccant with initial concentration of 30% can be regenerated to a final concentration of about 44%. Desiccant concentration at start of regeneration is selected on the basis of the climatic data of Al-Hada region. The climate of Taif city is dry compared with that for Al-Hada region. This method for extracting water from atmospheric air is more suitable for Al-Hada region especially in the fall and winter.

Share and Cite:

A. Hamed, A. Aly and E. Zeidan, "Application of Solar Energy for Recovery of Water from Atmospheric Air in Climatic Zones of Saudi Arabia," Natural Resources, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2011, pp. 8-17. doi: 10.4236/nr.2011.21002.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] A. M. Hamed, “Absorption-Regeneration Cycle for Production of Water from Air-theoretical Approach,” Re newable Energy, Vol. 19, No. 4, 2000, pp. 625-635. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(99)00068-3
[2] V. E. Obrezkova, “Hydro-energy,” Energoatomezdat, Moscow, 1988.
[3] F. M. Al Zawad, “Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources in Saudi Arabia,” The 3rd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments and the 1st Arab Water Fo-rum, 16-19 November 2008.
[4] M. A. Al-Sohlawi, “Sea-water Desalination in Saudi Arabia: Economic Review and Demand Projections,” Desalination, Vol. 123, No. 2-3, 1999, pp. 143-147. doi:10.1016/S0011-9164(99)00067-3
[5] M. S. Aljohani, “Nuclear Desalination Competitiveness in the Western Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Desalination, Vol. 164, No. 3, 2004, pp. 213-223. doi:10.1016/S0011-9164(04)00190-0
[6] V. V. Tygarinov, “An Equipment for Collecting Water from Air,” Patent No. 69751, Russia, 1947.
[7] M. Kobayashi, “A Method of Ob-taining Water in Arid Land,” Solar Energy, Vol. 7, 1963, pp. 93-99. doi:10.1016/0038-092X(63)90034-3
[8] I. EL-Sharkawy, “Production of Water by Extraction of Atmospheric Moisture Using Solar Energy,” M.Sc. Thesis, Mansoura University, Egypt, 2000.
[9] A. Sultan, “Absorption/Regeneration Non-conventional System for Water Extraction from Atmos-pheric Air,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 29, No. 9, 2004, pp. 1515-1535. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(03)00020-X
[10] R. C. Hall, “Pro-duction of Water from the Atmosphere by Absorption with Subsequent Recovery in a Solar Still,” Solar Energy, Vol. 10, No.1, 1966, pp. 42-45. doi:10.1016/0038-092X(66)90071-5
[11] H. Sofrata, “Non-conventional System for Water Collection,” In: Proceed-ings of Solar Desalination Workshop, SERI, Denver, Colorado, 1981, pp. 71-87.
[12] Y. Alayli, N. E. Hadji and J. Leblond J., “A New Process for the Extraction of Water from Air,” De-salination, Vol. 67, pp. 227-229.
[13] A. M. Hamed, “Non-conventional Method for Collecting Water from Air Us-ing Solar Energy,” PhD Thesis, Russian Academy of Science, 1993.
[14] H. I. Abualhamayel, P. Gandhidasan, “A Method of Obtaining Fresh Water from the Humid Atmosphere,” Desali-nation, Vol. 113, 1997, pp. 5 l-63.
[15] H. E. Gad, A. M. Hamed and I. EL-Sharkawy, “Application of a Solar Desic-cant/Collector System for Water Recovery from Atmospheric Air,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 22, No. 4, 2001, pp. 451-556. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(00)00112-9
[16] A. M. Hamed, “Experimental Investigation on the Natural Absorption on the Surface of Sandy Layer Impregnated with Liquid Desiccant,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 28, 2003, pp. 1587-1596. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(03)00005-3
[17] A. E. Kabeel, “Ap-plication of Sandy Bed Solar Collector System for Water Ex-traction from Air,” International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 30, 2006, pp. 381-394. doi:10.1002/er.1155
[18] U. Bardi, “Fresh Water Production by Means of Solar Concentration: the AQUASOLIS Project,” Desalination, Vol. 220, No. 1-3, 2008, pp. 588-591. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2007.04.059
[19] N. P. Clarke and C. Calif, “Atmospheric Water Extractor and Method,” United States Patent 5233843, 10 August 1993.
[20] A. E. Kabeel, “Water Production from Air Using Multi-shelves Solar Glass Pyramid System,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2007, pp. 157-72. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2006.01.015
[21] YU. I. aristov, M. M. Tokarev, L. G. Gordeeva, V. N. Snytnikov and V. N. Parmon, “New Composite Sorbents for Solar-driven Technology of Fresh Water Production from the Atmosphere,” Solar Energy, Vol. 66, No.2, 1999, pp. 165-168. doi:10.1016/S0038-092X(98)00110-8
[22] G. Ji, R. Z. Wang and L. X. Li, “New Composite Adsorbent for Solar-Driven Fresh Water Production from the Atmosphere,” Desalination, Vol. 212, No. 1-3, 2007, pp. 176-182. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2006.10.008
[23] A. M. Hamed, “Paramet-ric Study of the Adsorption Desorption System Producing Wa-ter from Ambient Air,” International Journal of Renewable Energy Engineering, Vol. 2, 2000, pp. 244-252.
[24] A. Khalil, “Dehumidifiation of Atmospheric Air as a Potential Source of Fresh Water in the Uae,” Desalination, Vol. 93, 1993, pp. 587-596. doi:10.1016/0011-9164(93)80133-8
[25] B. A. Habeebullah, “Potential Use of Evaporator Coils For Water Extraction in Hot and Humid Areas,” Desalination, Vol. 237, 2009, pp. 330-345. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2008.01.025
[26] A. F. G. Jacobs, B. G. Heusinkveld and S. M. Berkowicz, “Passive Dew Collection in a Grassland Area,” The Netherlands Atmospheric Research, Vol. 87, No. 3-4, 2008, pp. 377-385. doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2007.06.007
[27] D. Beysensa, O. Clusc, M. Miletac, I. Milimoukc, M. Musellic, and V.S. Niko-layeva, “Collecting Dew as a Water Source on Small Islands: the Dew Equipment for Water Project in Bis?Evo (Croatia),” Energy, Vol. 32, No. 6, 2007, pp. 1032-1037. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2006.09.021
[28] P. Gandhidasan and H.I. Abualhamayel, “Modeling and Testing of a Dew Collection System,” Desalination, Vol. 180, 2005, pp. 47-51. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2004.11.085
[29] G. A. Al-hassan, “Fog Water Collection Evaluation in Asir Region-Saudi Arabia,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 23, No. 13, 2009, pp. 2805-2813. doi:10.1007/s11269-009-9410-9
[30] R. V. Wahlgren, “At-mospheric Water Vapour Processor Designs for Potable Water Production: a Review,” Water Resources Management, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2001, pp 1-22.

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.