Design and development of Air to Water Generator for the Village in Kerala, India

Wayanad, a district in India's southwestern state of Kerala is known for its forest cover, has been impacted by changing precipitation patterns, decreased annual rainfall, and water shortfall. The water crisis's impact on society and the economy are extensively discussed. The various alternatives to provide access to water were evaluated to determine their cost-effectiveness. The human-centered design approach was used to identify the actual problems with active participation from the community. Subsequently, solutions were co-designed with the indigenous population, keeping in mind their cultural and socio-economic conditions. A laboratory-scale prototype air-to-water generation system was fabricated and tested based on the design parameters. The prototype works on the dehumidification principle, extracting moisture from the air. The village's high humidity, viability and environmental friendliness, ease of government approval, and ability to provide distinct units for each house or group of locations contributed to the plan's selection. We quantified and analyzed the effects of process parameters such as relative humidity, ambient temperature, operating time, and water quality. Finally, test results were discussed in terms of the system's impact on meeting the water requirements of the community.