Harvist Atmospheric Water Generator System for the Ag Hub Sustainability Center

Think of a world where you walk 50 miles, every day, to the nearest source of water that is either compromised or quickly dissipating. This is not a future forecast or a waiting dystopia. According to the World Health Organization, this describes the life of over 2.1 billion people today and is projected to grow to 3.9 billion by 2050 [1]. Usable water is quickly becoming the single greatest fading resource on our planet. Ismail Serageldin said that "the wars of the twenty-first century will be fought over water." Currently, the battlefront for this complex problem is being solved in several ways. While there are many ways to produce water, the atmosphere is an abundant source of it. With over 37.5 million-billion gallons of water vapor, the Earth's atmosphere has the capacity to cover the entire surface of the planet with one inch of rain, if condensed [2]. The purpose of this study is to analyze and design an atmospheric water generator (AWG) for a specific site in Houston, Texas. In this region, humidity averages around 74% annually, with plenty of rainfall year around [28]. While these factors are not the only contributors to water yield, it allows for experimentation in hybrid water yielding methods. By employing fog collection, dew point condensation, and rainwater harvesting, enough water can be provided as needed. The site under analysis is the Ag Hub sustainability center, which is a community centered, eco-education facility. However, the Ag Hub is forecasted to operate under a water deficit. A design process was carried out to conceptualize the Härvist device, a novel, hybrid AWG capable of efficient water yield. This study concludes by analyzing the efficiencies of Härvist, its return on investment, documentation to install and maintain, and its ability to help provide the water supply the Ag Hub needs. By applying a hybrid water production strategy, Härvist can not only help the Ag Hub become "net-zero" in water usage but take a step forward in water production for other similar sites.