Large scale dew collection as a source of fresh water supply

Abstract

A scheme for large scale dew collection as a source of freshwater supply is outlined in the present paper. The scheme envisages bringing cold seawater (5°C) from about 500 meters depth and about 5 km from the shore, in 4, 1.22 m diameter plastic pipes. It then passes through a heat exchanger field with an area of 1.29 × 10 5 m 2 (1.39 × 10 6 ft 2) where it condenses 643m 3 of dew over the 24 hour period. The pumping of seawater from the sea and through the field is accomplished by three 200 kW wind machines. Technical and economical feasibility of the scheme is analysed and the possibility of marine culture as a source of food is explored. The present scheme is economically not feasible as compared to a reverse osmosis facility of equivalent capacity.