[Kylon]

Water may be as hard to get as energy and food, but with dehumidifiers couldn't we simply extract water out of the air? It would provide a source of water that would only run out if the water in the air ran out, which with higher temperatures doesn't seem likely. What seems more likely is all the water will go from the land and go into the air. But if we used dehumidifiers we could extract the water out of the air, and then use it for drinking, farming, bathing, ect...

I think it would be cheaper than a well, and it may take just as much power (due to the fact you have to carry the water up many many feet to get it).

What do you think?

[azreal60]

Not a bad IDEA, but I have no idea as to the scalability or usability in area's where the humidity isn't as high. If it's that humid, likely you have lakes and streams anyway. If it's that dry, likely this won't help.

[gnm]

Yup, de-humidifiers are basically unknown here (NM) and SINGLE DIGIT humidity is not at all uncommon. It would be like squeezing blood from a stone...

-G

[Jack]

Why not just freeze air, then let the gasses evaporate and keep the solid water ice? Even the driest air has some water, so you could always produce water.

Scalability wouldn't be a problem, either. Just build more devices. Perhaps we should outsource them to China to keep costs down.



It's fortunate I have my present attitude about humanity. Otherwise, I would weep for mankind, and the looming tragedy -
a tragedy that could have been avoided. But a tragedy still being
pursued with single-minded devotion.

[JoeW]

I was watching TV one night and the show was about the massive energy required (and pollution generated) for desalination in places where freshwater is scarce, but saltwater is available.

Someone designed a system that pumps seawater through pipes (thereby cooling the pipes) and then onto a big mesh-like-material or something to that effect, where it atomizes, and the prevailing winds coming off of the ocean carry the moisture to the cool pipes, where the water condenses and is then collected in a huge reservoir below. They never said what the energy source was for the pump, but I suppose a wind turbine could be used (and would make sense, because the whole system is already wind-depedent). The thing already exists somewhere. I think it's called an aquitheatre or something to that effect because there is a theatre built into the large area that separates the mesh material and the cold pipes. Pretty cool.

It also didn't say what happens to all the minerals left behind when the water evaporates, but I suppose the mesh would have to be cleaned from time to time, unless the minerals just crystallize to the point that they get so heavy they fall off.

[smallpoxgirl]

Yeah. The obvious problem with most dehumidifiers is the terrific amount of energy required to run them. Would make a heck of a lot more sense to use composting toilets and stop wasting 5 gallons of clean drinking water every time we need to take a poop.

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')eah. The obvious problem with most dehumidifiers is the terrific amount of energy required to run them. Would make a heck of a lot more sense to use composting toilets and stop wasting 5 gallons of clean drinking water every time we need to take a poop.

[JoeW]

I don't think it has to be energy-intensive to gather humidity from the air. My lawn does it every night this time of year.

[gnm]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeW', 'I') don't think it has to be energy-intensive to gather humidity from the air. My lawn does it every night this time of year.

[eric_b]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')eah. The obvious problem with most dehumidifiers is the terrific amount of energy required to run them. Would make a heck of a lot more sense to use composting toilets and stop wasting 5 gallons of clean drinking water every time we need to take a poop.

[snowshoegal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', '
')
Speaking of, I wonder if any graywater toilets exist.

[emersonbiggins]

Thanks for the link, SSG.

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'I')t's fortunate I have my present attitude about humanity. Otherwise, I would weep for mankind.

[perdition79]

Dehumidifiers are expensive. Think cheap: construct solar stills, lots of them.

[shakespear1]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'Speaking of, I wonder if any graywater toilets exist. It would make sense to use bathwater or laundry')

The Japanese have done this. I do not know how extensively they use this idea, but there was a report of it being done in Japan.

How about using rainwater as a source of water for the toilet in areas where you have enough of this. When available you would use this water, when not the regular source.

In winter it could be melted snow.

[PeakOiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('perdition79', 'D')ehumidifiers are expensive. Think cheap: construct solar stills, lots of them.

[AlCzervik]

This thread reminded me of this gem.

Addressing Climate Crisis, Bush Calls For Development Of National Air Conditioner.
The Onion.