Technology that converts air to water in Mumbai

Mumbai: A new technology that uses the refrigeration method to convert water out of air will be showcased across Mumbai, a city facing severe water shortages due to a delayed monsoon and below-average rainfall.

Though the technology has been in the news for a couple of years, this is the first time it is being used on a large scale to garner the awareness of the public.

The technology was demonstrated on Friday outside a shopping mall on a busy street in Tardeo where curious onlookers gathered to have a look at how a box-like machine could capture water vapour and provide a localised source of pure water without any connection to pipes and catch basins.

The inner workings of the machine was put on display like in a classroom so that people could understand the scientific technique behind it.

In a bid to encourage preparedness to combat water scarcity, a month-long campaign has been planned to showcase this unique technology that will convert 120 litres or 500 glasses of clean drinking on a daily average from atmospheric air.

The campaign will be held across 16 strategic locations in Mumbai — in Nariman Point, Worli Sea Face, Priyadarshini Park, Lokhandwala Circle, Yari Road, Evershine Nagar, Thakur Complex, Majiwada, Teen Haath Naka and others.

The air-water generator has been designed and developed by Aquaguard using refrigeration techniques — by using electricity or alternate sources of energy to condense, collect, filter and dispense pure drinking water. The machine works most effectively in warm areas with high humidity.

The air water generator is designed to produce water as per the rated capacity when average temperature is 25-32 Celsius and relative humidity is between 70-75 per cent. The output increases with increase in humidity and vice versa. The large atmospheric water generators in the machine have an inbuilt chiller system to maintain the temperature of the water at 8-13 Celsius — so that the cold temperature ensures no bacterial growth.

Speaking about the initiative, Marzin R Shroff, CEO, Direct Sales, and senior vice president, Marketing, Eureka Forbes Ltd, said, “India is facing an acute water crisis owing to delayed monsoons and subsequent water scarcity. At Eureka Forbes, we have been striving hard to educate consumers about [the] right use of water purification technologies which is the most suitable for their drinking quality.”

Company officials are hoping that this new technology will contribute to solving India’s constant water shortage problems. Water contamination and water scarcity are fast becoming the country’s largest woe. Reports estimate that by 2015, 334 million Indians will lack access to safe drinking water.

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast this year’s monsoon to be the lowest in four years. The National Water Policy of the Government of India, Minister of Water, proclaims that “water which is already a scarce resource, will become even scarcer” and “non-conventional methods of sourcing and utilisation of water need to be practiced.”