Performance investigation on an improved sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting system

Sadek, S. , Li, Chunfeng , Ahmed, Saber A. S. , Deng, Shuai

2026-01-15 APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING 2026   283(卷), null(期), (null页)

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Water scarcity remains a pressing global issue, particularly in arid, semi-arid, and remote regions where conventional water sources are either inaccessible or unsustainable. Sorption-Based Atmospheric Water Harvesting (SBAWH) systems offer a renewable and decentralized approach to freshwater generation by capturing atmospheric moisture using low-grade thermal energy. However, most existing SBAWH systems are hindered by intermittent operation, limited scalability, and suboptimal energy performance. This study presents the design, development, and experimental investigation on an improved, compact, dual-chamber continuous SBAWH system capable of simultaneous adsorption and desorption. The system integrates aluminum finned heat exchanger, electric heater, and forced convection fan, and is designed for continuous operation. System testing under the real climatic conditions of Tianjin, China, demonstrated a daily water productivity of 1.14 kg per kg of silica gel, thermal efficiency of 37 %, and energy consumption of 1.71 kWh/kg of water at 25 degrees C and 70 % relative humidity. Forced convection significantly enhanced heat and mass transfer, reduced cycle time, and improved overall system performance. Economic assessment suggests a production cost about 0.33 USD per liter, supporting the system's viability for off-grid applications. This work advances SBAWH technology by delivering a validated continuous operation strategy, identifying key performance parameters, and demonstrating a costeffective path toward scalable, real-world deployment aligned with global water sustainability goals.