Optimizing relative humidity based on the heat transfer terms of the thermoelectric atmospheric water generator (AWG): Innovative design

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to optimize relative humidity based on the heat transfer terms of thermoelectric atmospheric water generator from moisture in the air. The experimental thermoelectric atmospheric water generator is maintained with a 0.04 × 0.04 m2 thermoelectric cooler that can condense water vapor. The analysis shows that electricity, air mass rate, relative humidity, and incoming air temperature affect the quality and quantity of water produced from the atmosphere. The results show that increasing atmospheric moisture at a constant temperature rises the amount of water produced from the atmosphere. It is concluded that a thermoelectric AWG designed with thermos electric cooling as an electric condenser has excellent potential as a kind of power generation through renewable energy sources from the atmosphere.On the other hand, the conducted tests show that by reducing the temperature of the cooling water, the amount of produced water and the efficiency of the device increase. While the temperature of inlet air is 37 °C, the humidity is 95 %, and the electric current intensity of thermoelectric is 1 A, the amount of generated water reached 96 ml h−1. The amount of water generated for the experimental device equals 82 ml h−1.