What is "dewvaporation"

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 relative low installment costs and low operation and maintenance requirements.

The process uses air as a carrier gas 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 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. Currently, Altela Inc. (Albuquerque, NM) is manufacturing this technology under the AltelaRain trade name.