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So, a solar powered dehumidifier? At first pass, I would guess that something like this would primarily be useful in places with naturally high humidity, which
by anonporridge 5y ago
So, a solar powered dehumidifier?
At first pass, I would guess that something like this would primarily be useful in places with naturally high humidity, which aren't likely to have a shortage of water in the first place, no?
Maybe the argument is that the natural sources of water are dirty, and extracting from the air is automatically clean and safe to drink, but it still seems like it may be more resource efficient to invest in water treatment, not a fleet of dehumidifiers.
- sbradford26 5y agoIt might have some use in coastal areas where salt water can contaminate wells sometimes. But you are right it might just be worth pursuing something like desalination powered by solar power in those situations.
- outworlder 5y ago> and extracting from the air is automatically clean and safe to drink It isn't, though. Bacteria accumulate. Dehumidifiers are generally very nasty. Although bacteria can then be killed (not sure about their toxins), while other contaminants may not be very easy to get rid of. Almost every place on Earth has humidity above 0%. Which makes it possible to extract water, even if it's very inefficient. People have condensed water successfully in deserts.
- kragen 5y agoBacteriostatic materials aren't rocket science. One of the best dehumidifier materials, copper, is also one of the best bacteriostats. It's just expensive.