Atmospheric water harvesting: A review of techniques, performance, renewable energy solutions, and feasibility

Abstract

Water scarcity is a major global challenge, with 2.3 billion people living in water-stressed countries and the potential for 700 million people to be displaced by 2030 due to widespread water scarcity. The increasing effects of climate change and overpopulation are exacerbating the problem, particularly in arid and remote regions. One potential solution is the harvesting of atmospheric water, which is estimated to be a vast source of freshwater at 12,900 km3. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the latest research in the field of atmospheric water harvesting systems. The purpose of this review is to present the various types of harvested water, the use of solar energy, the methods of gathering it, and the mathematical models used in the literature. The paper has covered numerous types of atmospheric water harvesting techniques, including harvesting dew and fog. In addition, the paper has also discussed water harvesting technologies that rely on sorbent materials. The primary focus of the paper is to present recent advances in water harvesting systems, such as dehumidifying, condensing, vapor compression refrigeration cycles (VCRCs), thermoelectric coolers (TECs), air conditioning units, fuel cells, and integrated systems. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in atmospheric water harvesting systems. The paper also presents an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of these water harvesting systems. The paper concludes by comparing various approaches to provide accurate descriptive information regarding the amount of water harvested. Additionally, the article proposes suggestions to enhance current water harvesting systems and outlines potential future initiatives.