A small home/office unit AWGAtmospheric water generator (AWG), WaterMaker (WM), Air to Water Harvest (A2WH) or Water Air Extraction Device (WAED) is a machine that produces pure drinking water from the humidity of the surrounding air. An AWG operates in a manner very similar to that of a refrigerative dehumidifier: air is passed through a cooled coil, causing water to condense. The amount of water that can be produced depends on the humidity, the volume of air passing through the coils, and the size of the machine.

The device is targeted for situations where pure drinking water is otherwise difficult to obtain, such as in developing countries, rural areas, and military or emergency operations.

Principle of operation

Basic operating principle of an AWGAn AWG uses refrigeration techniques optimized to condense water from air. Blower driven air is drawn into the system through an electrostatic filter. In the machine's exterior housing, a compressor circulates refrigerant through a coil array located in the path of the air providing a temperature differential between the air and coil surface, resulting in condensation.

The condensation is funneled into a holding tank. A level switch in the holding tank controls the water making cycle. Water is pump circulated in an ozone generating UV light chamber to kill bacteria and then through high and low density charcoal filters to remove solids and oxygenates. It is finally collected back in the holding tank. The water filtration cycle is both flow and time controlled. Water is dispensed by tap valve diversion.

Considerations:

• Is a Homeland Secure Water and Air Source
• Needs no water source.
• Can Generates from 5 to millions of gallons of Pure Drinking Water or just Dew Water a Day.
• Is designed for maximum cost efficiency.
• Contains no harmful minerals or chemicals.
• Can be powered by Any alternative Sustainable Power Source.
• Great for Solar.
• Cleans the Air.
• The Larger Atmospheric River Systems Help with Atmospheric River Over-flowing
  "The Current Global Atmospheric Problems-to much Water Due to Global Warming" Says Aqua Physicist at TeraLab, U.S.A.

A wide range of atmospheric generators are available, from a home/office unit producing 28 litres a day, to 120 litres and even millions of Gallons per day.

Details
Machines can be powered by solar energyThe cost effectiveness of an atmospheric water generator depends on the capacity of the machine as well as on humidity and temperature conditions.

The cost of producing 1 litre of water will typically range from $US0.03 (85-100% RH) to $US0.06 (40-50% RH).

Alternative methods
The below listed methods are not AWGs but other alternative methods of water making.

Several companies, such as Sciperio and AquaSciences, are using the desiccant lithium chloride to pull water from the air, after which the water must be boiled off and distilled.
Another company, LexCarb, is involved in making a machine that extracts water from car exhausts. Although the machine is in a prototype stage with a lot of problems with water quality, it is another non-conventional means of water making.