Dewvaporation information

Dewvaporation is a novel desalination technology developed at Arizona State University (Tempe) as an energy efficient tool for freshwater procurement and saline waste stream management. The system has relatively low installation costs and low operation and maintenance requirements.^[1]

The process uses air as a carrier gas^[2] that transfers water vapor from ascending evaporative channels to adjacent, descending dew-forming channels. Heat flowing through the barrier allows the evaporative energy requirement to be fully satisfied by the heat released by condensation on the dew forming side. A small pressure difference^[3] is held so that the condensing cooler air is kept on the cool side.

Near atmospheric operation permits corrosion free and scale-resistant polypropylene construction, and also allows the use of low-grade heat to drive the process.

The process is proprietary, developed by Dr. James R. Beckman.^[4] Currently, Altela Inc. (Albuquerque, NM) is manufacturing this technology under the AltelaRain trade name.

^ Research results from 2000 by the US Bureau of Reclamation
^ Hamieh, Bassem M.; Beckman, James R.; Ybarra, Michael D. (November 20, 2001). "Brackish and seawater desalination using a 20 ft2 dewvaporation tower". Desalination. 140 (3): 217–226. doi:10.1016/S0011-9164(01)00371-X – via ScienceDirect.
^ Less than 1 PSI according to the patent application from 2008
^ James R. Beckman USPTO Patent application number: 7,431,805 James R. Beckman 2008 Method and apparatus for simultaneous heat and mass transfer utilizing a carrier-gas at various absolute pressures. As listed in the patent, the invention was a follow up on an earlier filing from 2003, and earlier work from 1989 published in conjunction with Walter F. Albers. The development was partially funded by the US government.

[1] Research results from 2000 by the US Bureau of Reclamation

[2] Hamieh, Bassem M.; Beckman, James R.; Ybarra, Michael D. (November 20, 2001). "Brackish and seawater desalination using a 20 ft2 dewvaporation tower". Desalination. 140 (3): 217–226. doi:10.1016/S0011-9164(01)00371-X – via ScienceDirect.

[3] Less than 1 PSI according to the patent application from 2008

[4] James R. Beckman USPTO Patent application number: 7,431,805 James R. Beckman 2008 Method and apparatus for simultaneous heat and mass transfer utilizing a carrier-gas at various absolute pressures. As listed in the patent, the invention was a follow up on an earlier filing from 2003, and earlier work from 1989 published in conjunction with Walter F. Albers. The development was partially funded by the US government.