Air wells collect water from the air, using a structure that can be cooled to facilitate dew formation. They can provide safe drinking water and irrigation, with passive or active designs. The amount collected depends on design and ambient humidity. Air wells can also refer to courtyards inside buildings for ventilation and natural light.
An air well provides a dew point, allowing the water to collect. Variations on such equipment have been used by various human cultures for thousands of years, particularly in arid regions where water resources are limited. Using an air well allows people to collect water from the air, in varying amounts, depending on the humidity levels in the area. The technology can be used to provide safe drinking water and meet irrigation needs.
Several designs are in use, but the basic principle involves building a structure that can be cooled at a point lower than the surrounding area, which facilitates the formation of dew. Some air wells are passive, cooling without the need for energy. They typically include a structure with a high surface area, which promotes heat loss. As air moves through the air shaft, condensation begins to form on the walls. Special materials can be used to trap the dew more effectively and channel it to a collection area.
Other drawings are active. In this type of air well, water or another coolant is circulated through the structure to lower the temperature. This approach to the heat exchanger allows the structure to become much cooler, again promoting dew formation. An example can be seen with air conditioning systems, which can become accidental air wells if not designed and positioned with care. Droplets can begin to accumulate on equipment in high humidity conditions because the air conditioner is much cooler than the surrounding air.
The amount of water collected can depend on a number of factors. One is design, which may or may not be highly efficient. Another is ambient humidity, which can lead to low harvest levels when it is very low due to limited water in the air. Air wells can be installed on crops to provide irrigation or they can take the form of much larger structures to collect water at a central location. They need to be well maintained to operate at peak efficiency and may even include mechanisms for rainwater harvesting.
This term can also be used to refer to an air well. In this sense, an air well is a courtyard inside a building with a related well that provides for the circulation of air and light. This can be important with large or closely spaced buildings, which may otherwise have limited ventilation and natural light at their core. In urban environments, air sinks are a common feature. They can also be used in high security facilities to allow people to leave without compromising safety.
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