National Research Development Corporation

Technology offer

Thermoelectric Solar Dehumidifier

The technology offers a simple and novel design
of a Thermoelectric Solar Dehumidifier (TSD),
which is powered by solar energy. The
Thermoelectric Solar Dehumidifier harness the
atmospheric humidity and convert it for utilization
as drinking water, using thermoelectric
technology, employing the Peltier modules
powered by solar cells. This unit is cost effective
and shall have a very long life. The volumetric
output is expected to be greater than 200ml/hour.
One of the major challenges in India is to provide
drinking water, both in terms of adequacy and quality on sustainable basis to the remote rural
population residing in coastal region. Despite availability of abundant of sea water in the
coastal region of India the rural population is solely dependent on the expensive Reverse
Osmosis or other commercial sources for drinking water. Another challenge is to meet the
drinking water demand of a regular household of urban and rural localities.
There is an urgent need to find alternative methods other than Reverse Osmosis plants to
generate water in order to meet the drinking water demand and requirement in remote
coastal areas as well of a regular household of urban and rural localities.
India has a very large coastline
but still people face water
scarcity. Till now there are few
methods by which water from
sea can be used to provide
drinking water to the people.
This
Thermoelectric
Solar
Dehumidifier (TSD) aims to
solve this problem and is a
novel concept for condensing
water on the Peltier devices.
In coastal areas the relative
humidity is quite high (around
70-80%). So, the air in coastal
areas can be used to meet the
water needs of people by using
a dehumidifier unit. Further the
solar insolation is quite high in

Typical Design of a Thermoelectric Solar Dehumidifier

these areas round the year. This can be used to provide necessary power to the dehumidifier
unit. Thus drinking water can be obtained from the atmosphere by harnessing solar energy.
Such a device is also called as Atmospheric Water Generator.
The problem of fresh water, for human consumption, is becoming more and more important
globally where climatic changes are affecting the availability of natural resources, specifically
water. The present technology has a great application and solution for the water problem.
The key element of solar based fresh water production is the integration of solar energy with
specific water production technology, i.e., condensing water on the Peltier devices.
Specification

Yield: >200ml/hour @90% humidity, 35 deg. C

Power requirement: ~75W (12V/6A)
Compatible to operate with Solar panels, DC and AC Power Supply
Weight: 5 Kg (max)

Market Potential

The Thermoelectric Solar Dehumidifier (TSD) can generate enough amount of water to
meet the drinking water requirements of a regular household.
Addresses the need of safe drinking water in remote areas
Responds to the impending scarcity of potable water in certain areas due to the effects
of global warming and natural disasters.
It can also replace or supplement the currently available water devices in the market
Facilitate drinking water in remote areas where conventional electricity supply or
power is limited or unavailable.

For Further Details Please Contact:

Dr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava
Deputy Manager
National Research Development Corporation (NRDC)
(An Enterprise of DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre,
Kailash Colony Extension,
New Delhi: 110048
EPABX
: +91-11-29240401-07 Extn. 321
Phone
: +91-11-29240699
Fax
: +91-11-29242409-10
Mobile
: +91-11-9818995833
E-mail
: asrivastava@nrdc.in; asrivastava.nrdc@gmail.com
Website : http://www.nrdcindia.com