Separation of water from air at high temperature

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around methods for separating water from air at high temperatures, specifically at 75°C, when the air is fully saturated. Participants explore various approaches, including cooling methods, the use of desiccants, and innovative materials inspired by natural phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that cooling the air is necessary to facilitate water separation, while others question this approach and propose alternative methods.
  • Another participant proposes using a desiccant to sequester water from the air.
  • A follow-up inquiry raises the possibility of reusing the separated water in a closed loop system, asking how a desiccant could be utilized in this context.
  • A participant shares insights from a science documentary about how certain insects collect water from the air, mentioning the development of a nano material that mimics this process for water collection in arid environments.
  • There is a repeated question about the necessity of cooling the air, with one participant suggesting that a cold spongy object could absorb water without prior cooling.
  • A participant inquires about the potential use of a venturi scrubber for separating water particles from hot air, expressing uncertainty about the device's operation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of cooling the air for effective water separation, with some advocating for cooling and others proposing alternative methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve the separation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various methods and materials without consensus on their effectiveness or practicality in the given scenario. The discussion includes speculative ideas and references to emerging technologies that may not be readily available.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in environmental engineering, materials science, or innovative water collection methods may find this discussion relevant.

parislad
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
How might one try to separate water from air at high temperature (say, 75degC) - if the gas if fully saturated?
I understand that you should try to cool it down first to do so, but other than putting it though a heat exchanger is there any other approach you can take?
Thanks
 
Science news on Phys.org
One could introduce a material that reacts with and sequesters water (i.e., a desiccant).
 
Hmm..thanks for the reply.
If I'm interested in separating that water and re-using it in a loop (where at the outlet it will once again be a fully saturated gas), how do you think I could here use a desiccant/deliquescent material for the purpose of that separation?

Hope I make sense.
 
Watching ABC1 TV Science Doco [Catalyst] just last week, I will try to sum up:-

By observing the incredible marvels of nature (o:)Praise God), have you noticed how beetles and other insects are always squeaky clean in a dusty, dirty and muddy environment?

Having a close look at the surface of these insects, scientist have learned the principles of how they collect water out of the air, - the water gathers into a bubble and runs off the body of the insect taking all impurities with it.

So now they have developed a nano material which does the same thing, and have seriously proposed this technology as a water collecter in dry deserts - for human use.

You will have to google this if you want to find out more.
 
parislad said:
How might one try to separate water from air at high temperature (say, 75degC) - if the gas if fully saturated?
I understand that you should try to cool it down first to do so, but other than putting it though a heat exchanger is there any other approach you can take?
Thanks

Why would the air be cooled first? Can't you just stick a cold spongy object in the hot, saturated air to suck the water out of it?
 
Fun Value said:
Why would the air be cooled first? Can't you just stick a cold spongy object in the hot, saturated air to suck the water out of it?

I'm just saying that by cooling down the hot saturated gas, more water will condense at a lower temperature.

Oh and thanks for the beetle example, although I'm not sure that kind of recent material technology will be available to me in my problem!
 
Can a venturi scrubber be used to separate water particles from a hot air stream? I don't really know how these devices work but I know they can separate particles from gas.
 

Similar threads

High School Energy transfer water > air in a greenhouse
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
919
Graduate Condensate rate of water for an air conditioning cooling coil
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Undergrad Do refrigerants passing through a venturi act like steam?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Will water of uniform temperature with perfect insulation stratify?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
High School How the temperature of the Earth's surface affects the air pressure above it
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School How Does Ambient Temperature Affect Aquarium Water Temperature?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad Mechanism of action of cooling from fans with misters
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Variation of air temperature with altitude
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
High School Does movement affect H2O freezing temperature?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
7K
Undergrad Resulting temperature of mixed liquids
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K