Water and electricity from air. An amazing idea.

[DrWhat]

This is incredible and so simple. You need to check this out!

Getting water and electricity from a single wind turbine. You know how condensed water drips from under your car from around your air conditioner, well this device uses that same principle to condense the ever-present water vapour in the air, and fill a reservoir. It can produce thousands of litres a week. See link below.

http://www.waterunlimited.com.au/images/press/West_aust-PRESS-large.jpg

http://www.waterunlimited.com.au/presentation.html

(I know, the US army or navy is also working on something like this).

[2012]

Something like this could help the poorest peoples of Earth at least remove the polluted water from their lifestyle. I could also imagine larger units being used to help populate and green deserts. I would imagine the water losst in the atmosphere would be replaced given the properties of evaporation, "filling the void" and heat cycling "cooling" on Earth.

Combine this with an inground polytank and a drip line and you could water a vineyard in the Sahara, for nothing~

[DrWhat]

Exactly, as the air dries the ocean etc evaporates more to compensate.

[lwh]

Indeed it does seem to be a good idea.  I can't help wondering though about the implications of implementing such a technology.  Can't quite put my finger on it, but it's something along the lines of reckless humans accessing yet another precious resource without concern for the consequences to ourselves, other life-forms and the planet itself.  Just how well do we understand the role of this 'air-borne' water?  If we are having trouble accessing water, shouldn't we look at or own demands, rather than automatically looking for another way to satisfy those demands?  It may sound preposterous, but I can imagine humans drinking the oceans dry and turning the earth into another Mars.  Again, I'm positive about the technology, but I'm also wary of the possible implications, known and unknown.

Les.   

[ring_theory]

Indeed it does seem to be a good idea.  I can't help wondering though about the implications of implementing such a technology.  Can't quite put my finger on it, but it's something along the lines of reckless humans accessing yet another precious resource without concern for the consequences to ourselves, other life-forms and the planet itself.  Just how well do we understand the role of this 'air-borne' water?  If we are having trouble accessing water, shouldn't we look at or own demands, rather than automatically looking for another way to satisfy those demands?  It may sound preposterous, but I can imagine humans drinking the oceans dry and turning the earth into another Mars.  Again, I'm positive about the technology, but I'm also wary of the possible implications, known and unknown.

Les.   

great post!! The term "acid rain" was the first thing that came into my mind. the quality of the air is an issue as far as consumption by us. The implacations are many. We allways think negative but it could impact the planet in a good way. it could bring vegitation and other plant life to dry remote area's. better balancing the planets eco system. Just a thought.

If a screen mesh covered the intake and water was allowed to stream over it cooling the air as it enters the device it is liable to extract more water the classical "water cooler" IMHO. any loses due to evaporation would be regained by the system through it's normal function.