4 ms·
This is really interesting! As someone who lives in the desert, I would want one of these. But nothing comes for free - it seems like the output would be depe
by cbanek 7y ago
This is really interesting! As someone who lives in the desert, I would want one of these.
But nothing comes for free - it seems like the output would be dependent on the humidity level of the air. If everyone was running these, would it be as effective? My gut says yes, just due to how much airmass there is, and even the heat from the ground should provide some mixing. But I am not sure of the napkin calculation, which I'm sure they've done.
Also at higher temperatures, the air can hold _more_ water vapor. This is why humidity is relative to the maximum amount of water the air can hold.
The CO2 capture potential is also really impressive.
[edit: got it backward as to temp vs holding capacity, doh.]
- laurencerowe 7y agoIt's the other way around, at lower temperatures the air can hold less water vapor. That's why you see condensation forming on cold things.
- cbanek 7y agoDoh, you're totally right. Although still, in the desert, there isn't much water in the air even if it's really hot. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/moisture-holding-capacity-air-d_281.html https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/moisture-holding-capacity...
- quickthrower2 7y agoEasy to get confused because humidity % tends to be higher at a lower temperature (morning dew for example).
- elevenoh 7y agoWhy is this?
- grzm 7y agoSay you have a given amount of water vapor in the air. Relative humidity as a percentage reflects the amount of water vapor in the air compared with the maximum amount of water vapor the air could hold at that temperature (and pressure). The amount of water vapor the air can hold depends on the temperature, with higher temperatures able to carry more water vapor. As the temperature goes down, the amount of water vapor stays the same while the amount the air can carry decreases, so the relative humidity goes up. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity
- newnewpdro 7y agoI believe it's simply a matter of colder air increasing in density so there's less space for the water vapor. When the air heats up, it expands and can hold more vapor in the increased volume.
- mnw21cam 7y agoThere's more water vapour in the air in the middle of the Sahara desert than there is in the air in the middle of Greenland while it's actually snowing.