As we move further into the 21st century, intensifying climate change is causing water to become a scarce resource in many parts of the world. Persistent drought, lack of rain, and dwindling aquifers are projected to become the norm in places such as California. While water conservation efforts in California have been commendable (up to 30% reduction by the general population in 2015), they will be insufficient as the state continues into its fifth year of drought. In order to offset the dangerously low levels of water in California, alternative solutions must be found. This water collector design can provide enough water for survival in areas that receive over 50% humidity at night.
Feasibility and Necessity
How much water is actually in the air?
Temp (C) | Temp (F) | Saturated Vapor Pressure (mmHg) | Saturated Vapor Density (g/m3) | Gal Water per 20ft cube of air @ 85% Humidity |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 32 | 4.58 | 4.85 | .25 |
5 | 41 | 6.54 | 6.8 | .35 |
10 | 50 | 9.21 | 9.4 | .48 |
11 | 51.8 | 9.84 | 10.01 | .51 |
12 | 53.6 | 10.52 | 10.66 | .54 |
13 | 55.4 | 11.23 | 11.35 | .58 |
14 | 57.2 | 11.99 | 12.07 | .62 |
15 | 59 | 12.79 | 12.83 | .65 |
20 | 68 | 17.54 | 17.3 | .88 |
25 | 77 | 23.76 | 23 | 1.17 |
30 | 86 | 31.8 | 30.4 | 1.55 |
37 | 98.6 | 47.07 | 44 | 2.24 |
40 | 104 | 55.3 | 51.1 | 2.61 |
Let's calculate the amount of water in the air in metropolitan Los Angeles (33,954 sq mi) on an average summer night. Converting to sq ft, gives us just shy of a trillion square feet (33,954 x 52802 = 946,583,193,600 sq ft). To get the number of 20x20x20 cubes covering the city, we divide by 400, i.e. 20x20ft sections (946,583,193,600 / 400 = 2,366,457,984). Given the above chart, as well as this chart of Los Angeles' average nightly humidity, and this chart of Los Angeles' average nightly temperature, we can roughly calculate that there is well over 1.5 billion gallons of water in the air above Los Angeles up to 20 feet off the ground (this is a highly conservative estimate, as there is far more than 20ft of air above the ground). Even if just 2% of this water is collected, that would be sufficient for every single one of metropolitan Los Angeles' 18 million people to have 2 gallons of water a day, a minimal amount for survival.
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