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Atmospheric Water Harvesting for Ultrapure Water Generation in Arid Regions: Technologies, Challenges, and Energy–Cost Optimization Pathways
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DOI：10.1002/wat2.70086.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) provides a decentralized means of producing water without reliance on conventional sources such as rivers, lakes, or aquifers. While traditionally applied in humanitarian and drinking water contexts, the high quality of AWH-derived water also makes it attractive for industrial and ultrapure water (UPW) applications, where reducing water footprints is increasingly critical. This review examines three primary AWH technologies with emphasis on their energy requirements, water quality, and potential for integration into industrial systems. Fog harvesting is the lowest-energy option but is restricted to regions with persistent fog and yields limited volumes. Dew-point condensation systems are commercially available, supported by cost models, and perform best in high-humidity environments. Desiccant-based systems, though still emerging, are adaptable across climates and especially promising for arid or low-humidity regions. Their energy demand can be significantly reduced by coupling sorbent regeneration with industrial waste heat. For industries such as semiconductors manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, beverage production, and energy, both water quality and energy use are central constraints. Compared to municipal tap water, which requires extensive desalting and chemical treatment for UPW, AWH-derived water is nearly salt-free, lowering pretreatment energy demands and cost. Significant challenges remain for AWH energy efficiency to reach an ambitious United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) target of 42 kWh/m3 (~$2/m3), but advances in sorbent materials, hybrid system designs, automation, and waste energy recovery provide realistic pathways. This review outlines a roadmap for AWH to evolve into a viable, scalable, and sustainable supplemental source of UPW, particularly in water-stressed industrial regions.
Keywords:
atmospheric water harvesting
desiccant water generator
dew-point condensation
energy
metal–organic frameworks
ultrapure water
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