Design Development and Validation of Peltier Heat Pump-Based AWGs

Ayush Kothari, Arshi Banu P S

Abstract: This work was undertaken in response to the urgent need to develop sustainable and energy-efficient solutions to address global water scarcity. The research is founded on the potential of Peltier-based systems to offer a low-maintenance and compact atmospheric water generation and to determine optimal geometries of the collector units in various climatic conditions. The study presents a comparative analysis of three Peltier heat pump-based Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) designs, each utilizing five parallel-connected Peltier modules with a shared heat sink configuration. In the first configuration, the hot side of the modules has an Aluminium finned plate coated with a solid desiccant. While the system is off, the desiccant soaks up moisture from atmospheric air. Upon being turned on, the Peltier modules transfer heat to the hot side, facilitating the desorption of adsorbed moisture that is further directed to the cold side to be condensed. The second design extends this idea by adding a liquid desiccant in a tank that is embedded with the hot side of the modules. A honeycomb or geometrically structured insert that is partially immersed in the desiccant solution increases the exposed surface for contact of air and the solution. Moisture adsorption takes place when the modules are off and desorption begins as soon as the modules are powered by heating the solution. In both the first and second designs, the released vapor is directed towards the cold side for condensation. The water yield performance of both systems was determined at the same energy input in different dry-bulb temperatures and relative humidity. Furthermore, various desiccant materials were also evaluated to examine how effective they were. This study offers insights for the optimization of AWG systems by emphasizing the advantages and limitations of the two designs in the areas of energy efficiency, water yield, and system complexity, based on environmental conditions and operational requirements.

Keywords: AWG, Peltier Heat Pump, Desiccant, Adsorption, Condensation

How to Cite?: Ayush Kothari, Arshi Banu P S, "Design Development and Validation of Peltier Heat Pump-Based AWGs", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 416-423, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251105210838, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251105210838