Basic Necessities to Everyone

www.sawayra.org

ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR

2017
An atmospheric water generator works by cooling the air around us so the
Water vapor in it can be condensed. Solar power is used to operate the condenser,
And increase air flow rate.

Project Lead Email Address

Saad Mirza, Mechanical NED sdmirza77@gmail.com
Members
Mahnoor Qayyum, Electrical NED mahnoor1908leo@gmail.com
Muhammad Mehdi, Mechanical NED mehndirajani92@gmail.com
Raphea Siddiqui, Electrical NED raphea@outlook.com
Project Mentor
Amar Shahzad
 Table of Content

1-Problem Statement…………………………………………………………………………...2
2-Objective……………………………………………………………………………………..2
3-Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………2
A-Elective Measures…………………………………………………………………………..2
4-Flow Chart……………………………………………………………………………………2
5-Internal Design……………………………………………………………………………….3
6-Procurement………………………………………………………………………………….3
7-Brief Description of Equipment……………………………………………………………...3
A- Solar Panel………………………………………………………………………………….3
A1- Mechanical Characteristics………………………………………………………………..3
A2- Electrical Characteristics………………………………………………………………….4
B- Inverter……………………………………………………………………………………..4
C- Rechargeable Battery………………………………………………………………………4
D- Dehumidifier……………………………………………………………………………….4
8- Weather Station Data………………………………………………………………………..5
A- For Karachi…………………………………………………………………………………5
B- Solar Tracking Calculations……………………………………………………………......5
9- PV System Sizing……………………………………………………………………………5
A- Calculation as per Load Wattage…………………………………………………………...5
B- Synopsis…………………………………………………………………………………….6
10-Installation…………………………………………………………………………………..7
A- Pilot Phase………………………………………………………………………………….7
11-Excel Sheets………………………………………………………………………………….
A- Overview…………………………………………………………………………………….
B- Test Plan……………………………………………………………………………………..
C- Liters per Day Sample Sheet………………………………………………………………...
12-Test Results…………………………………………………………………………………7
A- Panel Outcome……………………………………………………………………………..7
B- Condensate Rate……………………………………………………………………………7
13-Troubleshoot………………………………………………………………………………...8
14-Excel Sheet…………………………………………………………………………………...
A- Revision of Quotation……………………………………………………………………….
B- Cost Analysis………………………………………………………………………………...
15-Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………..8
1
1-Problem Statement:
In countries; highlighting Pakistan, lack of water leads to severe hardships and death every year due to uneasy
access to groundwater, ponds or lakes especially in desserts and barren lands.

2-Objective:
To extract water from the humid environment or atmospheric moisture by the process of condensation,
powered by renewable energy source and put to use for drinking purpose.

3-Abstract:
To devise a sustainable solution for water deprived areas, the design of Atmospheric Water Generator is based
on PV system to generate electricity. The conversion of DC power obtained from solar panels to AC power
takes place by a pure sine wave inverter built in charge controller, which later be fed into the AC powered
Dehumidifier; the device associated with refrigeration process used to generate water through moisture. For
inverter, the only important step followed here is to range it twice the load wattage if the load is dependent on
compressor so that it handles the relative surge. Moreover, backup is provided to the load by the usage of
rechargeable batteries which withstand the reduction of power production at night and during cloudy weather,
thus the charging and discharging of batteries will be examined by the charge controller. In last, dehumidifier
will be connected as a load.

A- Elective Measures:
 High Relative Humidity
 Peak sunshine hours

4-Flow Chart:

2
5-Internal Design:

6-Procurements:
 Solar Panels
 Inverter with built-in Charge Controller
 Batteries
 Dehumidifier

7-Brief Description of Equipment:

A- Solar Panels:
 Quantity 5
 Model: NS-150S6-12

A1- Mechanical Characteristics:

 Solar cell Mono-Crystalline156*156mm
 No. of cells 36 (4×9)
 Dimensions 1480mm*673mm*35mm
 Weight 12kg
 Front glass 3.2mm tempered glass
 Frame Anodized aluminum alloy
 Junction box PV-LH0808
 Connector Plug and socket
 Output cables PV 4.0mm2, 0.9m

3
A2-Electrical Characteristics:
 Maximum Power at STC 150W
 Optimum Operating Voltage 17.8V
 Optimum Operating Current (Imp) 8.427A
 Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.38V
 Short-Circuit Current (Isc) 9.057A
 Solar Cell Efficiency (%) 17.7
 Solar Module Efficiency (%) 15.06
 Operating Temperature -40 to 85°C

B- Inverter:
 Model: Axpert KS Off-Grid Inverter
 Rated Power 1000VA / 800W
 Voltage 230 V AC
 Selectable Voltage Range 170-280 VAC (For Personal Computers)
 90-280 V AC (For Home Appliances)
 Frequency Range 50 Hz/60 Hz (Auto sensing)
 Surge Power 2000VA
 Efficiency (Peak) 90%
 Maximum PV Array Open Circuit Voltage 50VDC
 Standby Power Consumption 1 W
 Maximum Solar Charge Current 50A
 Maximum AC Charge Current 20 A
 Maximum Charge Current 50 A
 Battery Voltage 12 VDC
 Floating Charge Voltage 13.5 VDC
 Overcharge Protection 15.5 VDC
 Humidity 5% to 95% Relative Humidity (Non-condensing)
 Operating Temperature 0°C - 55°C
 Storage Temperature -15°C - 60°C

C- Rechargeable Battery:
 Quantity: 2
 Model: 6-CNF 100, 12V Gel Battery
 Nominal voltage: 12V
 Capacity: 100Ah @10hr to 10.6
 Weight: 29.5kg
 Internal resistance; 2.86mΩ
 Temperature ranges: -20°C to 45°C
 Max charging current: 20Ah
 Charge Voltage: 14.2V
 Recover performance: recharge to 95%

D- Dehumidifier:
 Model: BL-830E, Belin China
 Moisture removed: 30L/Day
 Test Conditions: 30°C, 80%RH
 Rated Power: 330W
 Max Power: 396W
4
  Rated Current: 1.5A
 Max Current: 1.8A
 Energy Consumption/24hr: 7.92KWh
 Energy Factor: 3.8L/KWh
 Motor: AC Induction motor
 Voltage/cycle: 220V/50Hz

8-Weather Station Data:

A- For Karachi:
  Summer Winter Spring and fall
Latitude 24.933⁰ 24.933⁰ 24.933⁰
Longitude 67.112⁰ 67.112⁰ 67.112⁰
Altitude (asml) 40m 40m 40m

B- Solar Tracking Calculations:

 Summer: (Latitude x 1.05)–24.3°=01.879°
 Winter: (Latitude x 0.98)–2.3° =22.134°
 Spring and Fall: (Latitude x 0.89)+24° =46.191°

9-PV System Sizing:

A- Calculations as per load wattage:
 Power Consumption:
330*5= 1650Wh
On considering 30% energy lost in the system; total solar energy needed: 1650 * 1.3 =2145Wh/day
Total power of panel capacity: total watt hour/ total hours of effective sunlight
2145/3.5= 612.85Watt

No. of Solar Panels needed:

612.85Watt/150Watt= 4.086
Therefore, on keeping margin, 5 solar panels are to be used.

 Inverter sizing:
Since, Load power= 330Watt
On considering safety purpose, Inverter with 25% wattage will be used
Therefore, 330*(25/100) = 82.5Watt

 Battery sizing:
Since, load having 1650Wh, battery capacity will be:
1650/ (12) = 286.45Ah
On considering 15% battery losses;
286.45/0.85= 137.5Ah losses
For improved battery life, considering 50% Depth of Discharge:
Hence, required battery capacity is137.5/0.5= 275Ah
So, on taking 12V, 100Ah battery:
5
275Ah/100Ah= 2.75
Therefore, on approximations: 3 Batteries are needed

 Charge controller:
Current Ratings= Panel Power/ System voltage= 150/12 = 12.5 Amp
Hence; on keeping margin, 20Amp, 12V will be used with the inverter 800W (twice the wattage of load)
As we know that:
 Axpert KS 1KVA, PWM Inverter is limited on voltage handlings, thus as per given in the brochure
solar panels will be given parallel connection.
 Rechargeable battery backup system will also be given parallel connection, therefore total voltage will
remain 12V while the capacity will become twice.
100Ah+100Ah= 200Ah
Since, a solar panel featured 17.8V, 8.427A, 150W
Now, Voltage= 17.8V
Total current= 8.427* 5=42.135A
Total Power Output= 750W
Charge Controller Input:
Voltage= 17.8V
Current= 42.135A
Power= 17.8V * 42.135A= 750.003Watt
Charge Controller Output:
Voltage= 12V dc
Current= 42.135A
Power= 12V * 42.135A= 505.62Watt
Since, inverter is 90% efficient;
Therefore, 505.62Watt * (90/100) = 455.058Watt

Power Losses can be calculated as:

Loss= Input power – Output power
Loss=750.003 – 505.62= 244.383Watt

Battery Charging Current and charging time:

Battery Ah/Charging Current:
Since, 40Ah/200Ah = 0.2 * 100 = 20%
Therefore, charging current should be 20% of Ah ratings of batteries
Now, Charging Current= 200 * 0.2 = 40Ah
Charging Time= 200Ah/ 40A= 5hr
On considering 40% battery losses;
40% of battery capacity= 200 * (40/100) = 80Ah
Therefore, 200+80= 280Ah
Now, charging time of battery= 280Ah/40A= 7hr

B- Synopsis:
 As per load wattage, 5*150= 750W of Solar panels is required.
 Two 100Ah, 12V batteries are provided with parallel connection.
 A hybrid 1KVA/800W inverter with built-in charge controller of 20Amp is categorically selected.

6
10-Installation:
Date: May24, 2017

A- Pilot Phase:
Brief Description:
5 Solar panels “150W mono crystalline” were given parallel connection to one another on the roof of “Solar
Energy Lab” at NED University of Engineering and Technology. The output of solar panels through the
“Hager MC 263A, C63, 6000, 3” circuit breaker is given to the inverter by the usage of “H&H 7mm 2 220/440
V” flexible cables.
As per prescription by Solar and Electrical Technologies (Select.pk), the provided Simtek Inverter is
categorically pure sine waved, having similar characteristics as “Axpert KS 1KVA, 12V, 50A” Inverter which
convert DC power generation to AC power and maintain maximum yield without dropping the peak of
voltage.
Two 100Ah Ritar Batteries were given parallel connection inputted to the Simtek Inverter passing by the
“Hager MC 263A, C63, 6000, 3” circuit breaker. The size of cables provided from batteries to inverter is
“H&H 7mm2 220/440 V” (similar to the wire gauge incoming from panels to the inverter).
The Earth wire of the PV system is laid underground for safety purpose.

12-Test Results:
A- Panel Outcome
June15, 2017; running the load on PV system following results was obtained:
As per weather station data: temperature 33°C, Humidity 64%, wind 29km/hr.
Concerning manufacturer ratings, the maximum voltage is 18.2V while on testing the system for first time,
18Volt was measured at 10:45am using clamp meter. The load remained in operation for tentative 1 hour and
10 minutes, which resulted in the generation of 370ml water. Indicated RH on dehumidifier was 54%.

B- Condensation Data BL-830E Dehumidifier

Jul-17
Time Humidity Power Condensate(L
Date Temp
Duration % avg Source )
1015 -
7/5/2017 70% 30 C Solar 0.12
1050
1300 -
7/12/2017 70% 31 C Grid 0.48
1545
0900 -
7/13/2017 75% 29 C Solar 0.135
0945
1130 –
7/18/2017 75% 33 C Grid 3
1345
1330 –
7/19/2017 60% 35 C Grid 1.5
1600
0930 –
7/20/2017 68% 33 C Grid 5
1530

7
13-Troubleshoots:
As per test plan, all major equipment of the subject project with the inclusion of circuit breakers, wire gauges
and accessories are being tested.

In early Feb, 2017; dehumidifier was being tested on grid power by using Power Analyzer. At the start of the
particular equipment; input voltage 236.9V, current drawn 1245mA, frequency 50Hz and real power drawn
295.1W were inspected at relative humidity 49% and temperature 24°C. When the compressor kicked off,
tentative 20 minutes later; examined parameters were 228.4V, 1371mA, 50Hz and 313.13W real power along
with the relative humidity 48-52% and temperature 24-26°C. Compressor got shut off within an hour due to
less humid air and low temperature. Noise level without compressor and with compressor was not detected.
In late Feb, 2017; tripping of compressor took place due to low humid environment than that of the set point
humidity. Later, in order to increase the level of humidity synthetically, steam was provided near to the
compressor which in turn increased the temperature beyond limit and appeared to be the false alternative.
Hence, selection of the above said equipment needs to be modified for the low temperature ranges along with
high relative humidity.

Moreover, in the mid of July 2017; during a bright sunny day, measured parameters were quite less than the
expected results as per given manufacturer ratings and operating efficiency of the panels failed to be proven.
The measured currents were 0.9-1.2A from panels individually, summing up to 4-5Amperes whereas; the
voltage 12.8V was measured close to the manufacturer ratings.

Initially batteries took tentative 12-18 hours to get charged, thus running the load on PV system batteries got
drained and frequent tripping of the system was inspected. Precisely, charge of batteries along with the depth
of discharging has not been observed yet due unfriendly digital display interface of the Simtek Inverter.

The suspected causes can be the unsupportive selection of circuit breakers, the cable sizing of batteries which
should be twice than that coming from the solar panels to the inverter or disintegration.

15-Conclusion:
Hence, after the completion of Market survey, theoretical load calculations and PV System sizing, pilot
installation of the subject project is made done in Solar Energy Lab, NED by the courtesy of Solar and
Electrical Technologies. Objective has been achieved along with the test plan which is under consideration for
accurate outcome after troubleshoots.