Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

Water scarcity is one of the burning issues of today’s world. Though water covers more

than two third (about 70%) of the Earth’s surface but still fresh water which can be used

for drinking and carrying out everyday chores remains scarce (only about 2.5%). The

acute problem of water shortage, is mainly faced by the countries with long coastlines

and the island nations, which do not have adequate fresh water sources like rivers and

ponds. This chapter explains how the global water challenge is the motivation to find

new sources of drinking water. The Earth’s atmosphere holds enormous amounts of

water in the form of vapor which could serve for that purpose. Various technologies

already exist, and are described here, that make use of the atmospheric water vapor as

freshwater source. Yet, for active cooling technologies, humidity harvesting is an energy

intensive application, as water vapor is embedded in ambient air. Therefore a method is

introduced that uses water vapor selective membranes to concentrate the water vapor

prior to the cooling process. [NITR2015]

Billions of people’s access to basic drinking water and sanitation services since 2000

don’t provide safe water and sanitation. Numerous homes, healthcare facilities and

schools still lack soap and water for hand washing, putting people, especially young

children’s health at risk. Around 361,000 children under five years old die due to

diarrhea yearly. Poor sanitation and contaminated water are linked to transmission of

various diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.[ABS2017]

MCU-Based Water Generator and Filtering Device

In the Philippines, 91 percent of its estimated 100.7 million population have access to

basic water services, however, access is highly inequitable across the country, with

regional basic water services access ranging from 62 percent to 100 percent.[ABS2017]

“Safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities are essential to health and wellness

in the communities. Safe water and sanitation is especially linked to young children’s

nutrition and ability to stay healthy and focused in school. Diseases caused by unsafe or

unhygienic practices decrease children’s chances to successful school completion and

healthy growth,” said United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Philippines

Representative Lotta Sylwander.

Around six million Filipinos still practice open defecation and 20 million lack access to

basic sanitation facilities, while 75 million have basic sanitation service at a national

level.[ABS2017]

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1.1 Statement of the Problem
The lack of safe drinking water and sanitation is the single largest cause of illness

in the world today. With the increasing water pollution and global warming, the

conventional sources of pure water is fast depleting and increasingly proving

inadequate to feed the needs of the vast global population. Also, due to their

inherently fixed nature, the water generated from traditional sources such as rivers,

lakes and grounds need to be transported over long distance before final

consumption. This increase cost and requires immense amount of energy.

1.1.1 Specific Problems

 Lack of safe drinking water causing serious illness to the people.

Contaminated water can cause many types of diarrheal diseases,

including Cholera, and other serious illness such as guinea worm disease,

Typhoid, and Dysentery.

 Costly electricity that makes people unwilling to use electrical

devices to filter and cleanse water.

Electricity today is very expensive and adding a machine that consumes

electricity will become additional problem to the people.

 Scarce and expensive water for consumption and daily use which

adds up to daily living expenses.

Water used to be free for all to use, but because of the constantly

changing world and water bodies pollution, water now a days that has

quality most likely comes with a costly price tag.

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1.2 Current State of Technology

1.2.1 Local Study

o Ecomana Pilots Ultrapure Water Technology in the Philippines

This in-home system bypasses the need to rely on unsafe surface and

groundwater processes: it captures humidity and excess moisture directly

from the air and uses a patented multi-filtration system to provide an

affordable and reliable ultraclean water source. The system works with a

baseline 30% humidity (average year-round humidity in Philippines is

optimal 77%). People can store 12L and produce 30L of water a day for 3

pesos/liter. That means saving money, time and energy not having to go to

refill stations, supermarkets or convenience stores. [PHTI2018]

Economa uses a filtering system for pure, safe drinking water. It involves

different water sources for filtration. The project also includes the use of a

filtering system much smaller in scale since water harvested from humidity

can already be potable.

o Rainwater Harvesting

The prospects and challenges facing eight small water impounding projects

(SWIPs) in Talugtog, Nueva Ecija, an upland municipality located in Central

Luzon, Philippines were evaluated using rapid appraisal and documentation

of projects, interview of farmers and local officials, and a review of related

studies undertaken on the same project sites. It aims to evaluate improvement

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 and innovation in the future implementation of SWIPs as rainwater

harvesting facilities. The site was selected because of its location; it has no

major irrigation systems and relies only on local rainwater storage facilities.

Results indicated that these clusters of SWIPs offer multiple benefits in terms

of supplemental irrigation, inland fish production, and water for domestic

purposes and livestock production. Previous studies also identified their

benefits at the farm and community levels as conserved rainwater through

storage in SWIPs is translated into more economic uses. However, some

SWIPs are confronted with various challenges; deterioration of structural

facilities, inactive farmer associations, unabated watershed degradation, and

threats of climate change. These are seriously affecting the overall

performance of SWIPs. [ISWCR2013]

This study is about harvesting water from rain – as one of the conventional

ways to harness water from the atmosphere – and used as an alternative

water source for farmers or other uses involving water. The project also

targets wide range of users because water isn’t only used entirely for

drinking.

o DA promotes water-saving technologies

MANILA, Philippines – Water-saving technologies are being promoted by

the Department of Agriculture (DA) to improve water use, particularly in

rain-fed agriculture. “Low-cost and small-scale options in water-harvesting

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 are necessary for small rural communities that rely heavily on manual and

animal power for water,” Bureau of Agricultural Research director

Nicomedes P. Eleazar said during the 2015 Annual Rice Forum. “We also

need to develop new approaches in agricultural water management, in

particular cost-recovery and cost-effective approaches,” he added. The forum

is an annual activity sponsored by ARF, a regional non-profit organization

established to support research, educational, and advocacy efforts that

promote awareness and public appreciation of rice’s role within the diverse

cultures of Asia. [RUDY2015]

The Department of Agriculture promotes “Low-cost and small-scale options

in water-harvesting” that can be readily available for rural areas or those

with limited electricity source. The project is battery-operated. Recharging

them can be possible through different systems and not limited to AC outlet

recharge, or it can be directly powered by renewable energy source.

o LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR WATER ACCESS IN THE

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines are made up of around 7,000 islands – which means that

water is never far away. But finding fresh water for drinking and domestic

use was a real struggle for many poor communities even before Typhoon

Haiyan in 2013. In the remote coastal barangay (district) of Tagalag in

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 Marabut town, Samar province fetching water every day was a very time-

consuming task for everybody. This is when huge debris-filled waves of

water speeding inland wash away houses, roads and water-supply systems.

The serious risk is that the sewage system contaminates water supply and

puts people of risk of stomach upsets or even cholera. Following disasters,

Caritas raises awareness among people of all ages about avoiding flood

waters. Working hand-in-hand with members of the community, a level two

piped-water system has been installed in the barangay to supply water to 185

households. [CARI2013]

Water contamination is a major problem that all of us face. It affects people

of all ages. The system uses simple water filtration process to eliminate

unwanted microscopic contaminants, and pH level reader to make sure that

the water is at the right pH level before human consumption.

o Transforming Water-Scarce Cities into Water-Secure Cities through

Collaboration

Cities house a growing number of the world’s population, and current

estimates show that the future of humanity looks ever more urban. The

demand for water grows by the day: a 50 percent increase in urban water

demands is anticipated within the next 30 years. Hence, the need for securing

an inclusive and sustainable water supply for cities is fairly obvious.

Historically, a reliable source of safe water is intricately linked with inclusive

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 economic growth, public health, and political stability. Given the key role

played by water, it is imperative to ensure that water availability keeps up

with the escalating water demands of expanding urban populations.

However, urban water scarcity remains a common reality. Many cities,

regions, and countries around the world are faced with a trifecta of pressures:

rapid urban population growth, economic expansion, and competing

demands. These forces of change are tightening the availability of water

resources in areas where tackling water scarcity is already a critical

challenge. In addition, other factors such as pollution, suboptimal water

management practices, and climate change are also negatively impacting the

health of urban water systems. The task of securing and orchestrating a water

supply for urban areas in water scarce regions is clearly no easy feat.

[TWB2017]

As the air around cities become polluted, the water produced can be as

harmful as inhaling it. The project has air filters so that it filters air before

the device transform humidity into water. Then goes to the water filter to

eliminate illness-causing bacteria for the potability of water.

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 1.2.2 Foreign Study

o A Project on Atmospheric Water Generator with the Concept of Peltier

Effect

In 2014, the problem of water scarcity is also observed in other places of the

world due to lack of rainfall. However, in highly humid areas such as places

close to the sea, water can be obtained by condensing the water vapor present

in air. The system consists of cooling elements, heat exchange unit and air

circulation unit. A solar cell panel unit with a relevant high current output

drives the cooling elements through a controlling circuit. Atmospheric Water

Generator is a device that can convert atmospheric moisture directly into

usable and even drinkable water. It is such a device which uses the principle

of latent heat to convert molecules of water vapor into water droplets. It has

been introduced a bit before, though it is not very common in India and some

other countries. It has a great application standing on such age of technology

where we all are running behind renewable sources. [IJACR2014]

The water production of the Peltier module needs to be open for passing

humid air for more effective conversion into water. It was also indicated that

the project is operated by a solar cell panel, while the proposed project will

be by batteries.

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 o Designing an Atmospheric Water Generation System

Since 2014, Vena Water has been building atmospheric water generation

(AWG) systems in an attempt to take clean water distribution off the grid.

Leveraging atmospheric physics, Vena’s AWG system generates water by

using a multi-tiered system that operates above ground, below ground and at

ground level. At the center of the Vena system is a disk that stretches out

across the ground. Beneath this disk lies a condensing well dug into the earth

below. Finally, the Vena AWG utilizes a thermal tower that juts up from the

center of its central disk. As sunlight heats the air inside the thermal tower,

the rising gas acts as an ambient pump, pulling cooler air into the AWG

system. Once trapped inside the machine, the ambient air is diverted to the

systems’ subterranean channels, where it’s cooled to the point that it

becomes a moisture-saturated fog. Finally, once that fog has been seeded, the

moisture rich air travels to the condensing chamber at the base of the system,

where the fog transforms itself into liquid water as it further cools.

[KYLE2016]

Vena’s Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) is designed to be portable and

can be placed anywhere available. It has various designs depending on the

location of their device. In relation to this study, the design must also be

portable so that wherever humid air is more present, the device can be

placed on and generate more water.

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 o Water Production from Air Conditioning Systems

An increase in water consumption sustainability can be achieved by means of

a smart use of condensed water coming from HVAC system chillers. In the

current paper, a preliminary study regarding an integrated HVAC system is

presented, which combines air conditioning and water extraction from air. Its

design was particularly focused on the optimization between the two said

effects, also taking energy efficiency into account. The system behavior is

analyzed, taking into account real climatic conditions and in particular those

of the Arab Emirates coast. The study of the suitable climatic conditions for

this application are outlined. Preliminary calculations show that the water

extracted from air, by condensation, can support up to almost half of the

needs of the case of study represented by a modern hotel. [MDPI2017]

The system works in two purposes: as an air conditioning unit, and as a

water generating device; as the device chill the place with the aircon, it also

collects the water it generates.

The proposed system can somehow act only as dehumidifier since it can be

so small compared to the cooling capability of a regular air conditioning

unit.

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 o GENAQ Atmospheric Water Generator

The factory is located at P.I. Los Santos Bulevar de los Santos 34. 14900

Lucena, SPAIN. Since 2008, GENAQ have been investing in the research,

development and industrialization of atmospheric water generators, offering

the market a variety of water generation units as well as customized

developments for specific needs. As a result of this development, the 3rd

generation of GENAQ water generators is already in operation all over the

world (US, Africa, South America, Middle East,…) [www.genaq.com/about]

Genaq water generating machines are produced in industrial-grade

manufacturing process. These manufacturing strategies greatly influenced the

systematic procedures to other related studies. The proposed project aims to

create a water generator in an easier, simpler, and much cheaper way by

using project-based materials such as simple water containers, and simple

electrical modules and components.

o Peltier module for refrigeration and heating using embedded system

The Peltier module has ceramic plates in hot and cold junctions. The design

used aluminum plate for maximum contact to the electrode or ceramic plate

of the module. If the contacting point leaves any small gap,then the peltier

module wrap. To remove this gapping problem, usage of a heat sink

compound is necessary. [KSAG.2015]

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 The study elaborates the importance of heat sink contacting the surface of the

cold and hot sides of peltier module. This is what the design has taken for

consideration. The project will use heat sink and heat sink compound, which

were originally used on computer processors, for the prototype.

1.2.3 Client

This project aims to help people where access in drinking water is hard to

obtain. The researchers want to help or to develop a machine that can produce

drinking water for the people who don’t have access it, and useable water for

people who live in rural areas where sanitation with the use of water is not

available. People from underdeveloped areas get their water supply from

rivers , deep wells and rain water. For example, especially in mountainous

areas, time devoted to water carrying limits opportunities for women, often

responsible for household water use and sanitation. In the Philippines, 91

percent of its estimated 100.7 million population have access to basic water

services, however, access is highly inequitable across the country, with

regional basic water services access ranging from 62 percent to 100 percent.

Safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities are essential for the health

and wellness in the communities. Safe water and sanitation is especially

linked to young children’s nutrition and ability to stay healthy and focused in

school. Diseases caused by unsafe or unhygienic practices decrease children’s

chances to successful school completion and healthy growth.

MCU-Based Water Generator and Filtering Device 1-13

 Around 361,000 children under five years old die due to diarrhea yearly. Poor

sanitation and contaminated water are linked to transmission of various

diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. This

project is not limited to human use, it can also help animals, and plants.

Anyone and anything that consumes water can be a beneficiary of this

project.

 Summary

The project’s aim is to be able to provide potable, drinking water by the use of simple

device capable of harvesting water particles from humid air. Its main objective is to

cut the purchase of distilled drinking water and to generate water even on deserted

places or places where water is scarce. The project’s target clients are households

that experience water scarcity especially safe drinking water.

 Situation / Background

The Earth is surrounded by more than 70% of water but only a small percentage of

that is drinkable. Humans face the shortage of water supply in some rural areas.

Some may have to transport water for hours from one point to another.

 Problem / Challenges

Hydrogen is one of the components of water. And it is present in the atmosphere

mixed with air. But people cannot drink bare air. Output of the project must be

checked for output of hydrogen ion concentration.

MCU-Based Water Generator and Filtering Device 1-14

  Approach / Methods

Interviews, surveys, and research. Researchers have been made to determine which

process makes the conversion of air to water faster yet less expensive.

The developers conducted a simple survey and interviewed ten (10) households in a

compound as a representation for the number of population in an area. That would be

a total of thirty (30) households, for the researchers interviewed ten (10) per area of

problem. It aims to find out how much drinkable water a household with the average

of 5 members can consume in a given period. This also indicates the sources of water

the client have.

 Result / Solution

Research showed that there is a vast numbers of methods to harness water from air.

Ancient methods suggests that air can be converted to water at the form of moist,

dew, or vapor, in the process of condensation or precipitation. These techniques can

be observed in modern system such as of those air conditioning units.

Survey showed that majority of households still lacks the access to clean drinking

water. Which proves that the main target of the project are those people living in

areas where water is scarce.

It is also visible in the results that cutting the use of purchased water can minimize the

clients’ daily costs. It may not completely replace as the main source of water but it

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 can help minimize the cost and assure client that the water produced in the device is

pure and safe.

 Conclusion

Due to increasing pollution of everyday human activity, the portion of remaining

drinkable water starts to deplete. Water pollution can now be treated in modern

techniques and machines. But these machine also produce another pollution as it

uses and emits chemicals which can be harmful to everyone.

The team created a project that doesn’t just dehumidify the air, it also converts it into

water and no more filtration process and chemicals are needed. By the use of simple

electrical components that replicate the process of dehumidification and condensation

of air, the developer came up to a device capable of producing water out of thin air.

Since the device is made up of less expensive components, it can be easily

reproduced and distributed to people. The device can be operated by anyone even

those who have limited technical knowledge for it only have the same difficulty as

rice cooker or washing machine.

This machine can be operated by battery or directly to AC outlet. Using the device

with the battery can make it more efficient and can be used even at the desert areas.

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1.3 Objectives

1.3.1 General Objectives

The goal of this design project is to design and prototype and atmospheric water

generator, a device which produces drinkable water from humid air. Special

emphasis is given to energy efficiency and compatibility with renewable energy

sources. The aim of the project is to create a portable device to lessen (if not meet)

the water requirements of a regular household. The device will first condense

water present in the atmosphere and then purify it so that in can be used for

drinking.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

 Water produced by the design must conform to the World Health

Organization (WHO) drinking water quality standard pH level.

The first requirement is that the water produced is safe to drink. The

World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a standard pH level of 4.5

to 7.5 for safe drinking water.

 The device created by the developers must use little to no electricity

The device must produce water without using too much to no electricity,

or else the purpose of creating the project to help people gain access to

water without paying the hefty price tag will be defeated.

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  The device must collect atmospheric water vapor to help provide an

inexpensive water source.

The water generator machine should produce at least one (1) liter of

drinkable or useable water per day.

1.4 Scope and Limitations

1.4.1 Scopes

 Peltier module

This electrical component is the one responsible for making water from

air. The thermo-electrical capability of it produces freezing temperature,

which, when connected to aluminium heat sink, accumulates vapor from

humid air around it.

 Arduino Mega 2560

This device controls the functions of electrical components by executing

the inputted programs such as auto-off and on, valve control, battery level

monitoring, etc.

 Electrically-operated Valve

This device controls the flow of water from one tank to another. It

automatically shuts off when one tank is full to avoid spilling of water.

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  Water containers

Acts as water tanks for water storage.

 Water Level sensor

Used to monitor the water level as it fills up the tank.

 PH level sensor for Arduino

This gives a reliably accurate PH level reading for the potability of water.

 16 x 2 LCD display

Shows the battery level and the pH level.

 12 Volts Battery

The device is portable. It can be operable even without the stable source

of electricity.

 Solar Panels

The part of the device that makes it autonomous on power generation,

making it an efficient and self-sustaining device.

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 1.4.2 Limitations

 Limited amount of water produced.

Due to change of humidity in the air, the device cannot replace entirely

the source of everyday water consumption of the client. It can only lessen

the cost of purchased drinkable water.

 Area.

Humidity is less present in areas on high altitude or elevation. In relation,

water production of the device might decrease.

 Environment Temperature Dependent.

The device works well on hot areas like the dessert or the tropics, when

placed on cold areas, the device still produces water, but in significantly

less amounts.

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