Upon request from Drinkable Air Technologies for equipment evaluation, a performance test was conducted at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center from June to August 2011. The major goal of the company is to improve the environment using new technologies at affordable prices.

The objective of the study is to perform equipment performance test on the machine with respect to quantity and quality of water produced and electric usage in terms of KWH consumed.

The equipment was placed on level concrete blocks and was connected to 220 volts electrical box and meter to measure the electric usage (KWH) for water production. Volume of water produced and KWH consumed was measured at different intervals (5 min, one hour, 12 hours and 24 hours). Daily hourly temperature and relative humidity were obtained from the Southern University weather station located approximately 300 ft away from the equipment. Water was collected in a graduated cylinder and 5-gallon containers. For water quality analysis, filtered and unfiltered water was collected and is being analyzed in a laboratory. Hence, this report does not include the results of water quality analysis.

Water production varied from 1.98 to 4.45 gal/hr and the average electric usage per hour was 6 KWH. Clouds and rain significantly influenced the temperature, humidity and water production.

The advantage of this study is an opportunity to conduct further research that could integrate the unit with solar panels or wind turbine to harvest water for drinking as well as for watering gardens. This way of atmospheric water harvesting has great potential for wide agricultural use. For example, using solar panels and the machine can grow plants with no need of rainfall.

Dr. Yemane Ghebreiyessus, professor, plant and soil sciences; Roosevelt Payne, research associate; and Mila Berhane, senior research associate, SU Ag Center, conducted the evaluation.

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