Successful test of Atmospheric Water Harvester at Aberdeen Test Center

The Aberdeen Test Center at the U.S. Army Proving Grounds (MD) successfully tested an MDS test-bed prototype of the Atmospheric Water Harvester (AWH) in February 2007.  Water production depends on air temperature and humidity. During the test, the prototype produced water at a rate of 14 gallons per day at 80 °F and 60% relative humidity and 23 gallons per day at 80 °F and 85% relative humidity. Water produced by the AWH system is essentially distilled water, and competitive in price to bottled water, which is largely processed tap water. 

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The AWH is designed to create high-quality, potable water directly from humid air. It is envisaged as producing emergency quantities of water and put distributed water production into the hands of individuals and families. This is in contrast to the present system for disaster relief where supplies must be distributed. New requirements for individuals and families to be able to fend for themselves for at least 72 hours after a disaster that disrupts the water supply mean that people have to either store water from time to time or have a source of their own.

The AWH will be able to produce potable water where water is not available, such as after natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons or earthquakes. The AWH can also be used by the military for expeditionary activity where conditions are suitable.

MDS is currently designing a lightweight production prototype of the AWH and anticipates that a commercial AWH will be on the market in less than one year.