CSIR to develop drinking water from air

Tarnaka: CSIR-IICT and Maithri Aquatech signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of an indigenous atmospheric water generator. Most of the drinking water comes from the underground aquifers which are subject to contamination by nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, micro-organisms and industrial contaminants such as lead and mercury.

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) is a perennial, plentiful, clean, eco-friendly and most abundant source of fresh water in the planet that uses heat exchange for condensing moisture from atmosphere. AWG offers a permanent solution to both problems, that of quantity as well as quality. Every litre of water extracted from AWG conserves an average of at least two litres of water from surface or ground sources.

Imported units are highly expensive and also consume a large amount of energy for producing water from humid air. An imported unit of 1,000 lit/day capacity would cost Rs 8 to 10 lakhs and the operating expenses would amount to Rs 2 to 4 per litre of water generated. An MoU has been signed for the development of a low cost indigenous AWG with improved design of critical parts like compressor, condenser and evaporator with the system to be operated on solar power to minimize operating costs.

The project also involves development of a flow process for online remineralization of the water to potable quality in terms of total dissolved solids (TDS) through fortification with essential salts. CSIR-IICT’s indigenous ultrafiltration technology would be applied for clarification and disinfection of the water for drinking purpose whereas specific resin columns would be incorporated for producing pharma and medical grade water.