Design, preliminary testing and construction of a novel water collection system using PCM for water scarce regions in Africa

Safe water supply is a crucial and growing concern in many African regions, with desalination and water transportation being costly and energy intensive. The project this paper is based on, aims to provide a sustainable solution for water scarcity in Ethiopia, Sudan, and other sub-Saharan African countries with similar climates. This paper presents the methodology and results of a series of preliminary experiments conducted on a novel water collection system that combines Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and absorbent technologies. The system uses PCM for passive cooling of atmospheric air during the day and takes advantage of the absorbent material's capability to capture and release water vapour from ambient air. One set of experiments focus on the absorbent material and evaluates its characteristics. A second set of experiments focus on evaluating the system's condensing side performance under various operating conditions. Preliminary Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis supports the experimental findings. Through these experiments, the study aims to identify the optimal operating conditions for the water collection system and develop a comprehensive understanding of its performance characteristics. The water collection system has potential applications as a stand-alone unit or in groups, providing clean water for daily use and additional benefits. This paper discusses the challenges and innovative features of the system, offering a promising solution for water scarcity in remote African communities.