AcquaTap portable water generator
Category
Consumer electronicsIoT products
SERVICES
Industrial Design
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Firmware development
Prototyping
2021-2022
THE CHALLENGE
Significant differences in climatic conditions, the need to regulate water generation processes, and high mobility during movements require new solutions and products that put people first.
According to the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, about 55% of the world’s population faces a shortage of clean fresh water. The need for water is relevant both for private country houses and for entire regions of the world.
The Opportunity
Exaeris Water Innovations has partnered with AJProTech to create AcquaTap — an atmospheric water generator that provides a constant and reliable source of water by condensing moist air.
Our experience in the development of Internet of Things devices and consumer electronics, has allowed the development of equipment with high water generation performance, optimization capabilities and mobility of movement. Implementation of the project by the AJProTech team brought innovative solutions for air intake and air filtration, as well as the obtaining and mineralization of safe drinking water for life in one device.
THE SOLUTION
The innovative and patented Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technologies utilized in our device will ensure you always have a supply of clean drinking water on hand. AcquaTap combines the unique capabilities of water generation and mineralization thanks to the built-in mineralizer, as well as a wide functionality of controlling humidity, temperature, water quantity, and power indicators of the device’s operation.
This product can easily solve water shortage issues almost anywhere in the world and will allow you to spend your time comfortably, where there is no source of clean drinking water. With its heavy-duty construction and adjustability, the device will provide stable operation even in harsh climatic conditions.
Our approach
The team started by looking at how the project could be economically beneficial. We analyzed data, calculated key metrics, and identified the basic requirements for the project. During the Feasibility study process, the AJProTech team highlighted the most significant aspects of the water generation product:
- It can be used in a car and is powered by the vehicle’s onboard electrical system.
- It produces the required amount of water efficiently.
- It utilizes the well-known Peltier module technology for water generation.
After extensive functional testing during the Proof of Concept (PoC) phase, the product development advanced to the next stage: Engineering Validation Testing (EVT). A fully functional prototype was created to verify that the product meets all design and engineering requirements. Through comprehensive analysis and validation in a controlled development environment, all design and engineering flaws were identified and resolved, resulting in a final product ready for use.
Industrial design
At the beginning of the project, the client had some initial ideas for the industrial design, which the AJProTech team refined and successfully integrated into the product.
Thus, AcquaTap has a maximally ergonomic housing with a pronounced geometry and style that succinctly matches the functions of the device. The multi-tier, grid and filter design, as well as the presence of LCD display with adjustment buttons emphasize the innovation and attractiveness of the product.
Proof of Concept (PoC)
In the initial stage of development we need to test our ideas. Early prototypes may look rough, but that’s okay — the goal is to prove the concept works.
For this project, we tested different fan types, power levels, and fan placements around the Peltier elements. We also tried various insulation methods and air intake speeds to find the best setup for efficient thermal management.
Mechanical design
The AcquaTap portable water generator is a high-tech device designed to produce water in various conditions. The device is made in multi-level housing, weighing no more than 91.5 pounds. It has a complex design for manufacturing and assembly, with both an inner and outer casing.
The inner case made of high-strength plastic contains the fans, wires, and other electronics, as well as the water mineralizer and bottom filters. An installed aluminum profile frame provides the necessary rigidity and strength for the system, to which the outer enclosure walls and external supports for adjusting the height of the generator are attached. The outer casing includes top and side covers with filters, boards, and electronics.
- Leak-proof: The bottom water collection tray prevents water leakage even when the unit is tilted.
- Temperature differential: Peltier modules cool the heat sinks, causing the air passing through them to condense at the dew point. Thanks to their special design and low surface roughness, the ribbed heat sinks do not accumulate moisture and promote efficient condensate runoff.
- Safety and simplicity: Dust filters can be easily replaced and cleaned.
Electrical design
In the process of creating the device, AJProTech engineers tested various models of fans, temperature and humidity sensors, selected the necessary number of copper and aluminum heat sinks, and made custom boards for optimal operation of the entire device. AcquaTap includes four types of PCBAs: a backplane, an interface board, a sensor board, and a TEC controller.
The device is designed to operate in high-humidity environments. For added safety and efficient operation, it also features emergency shutdown buttons and built-in fuses.
Portability
A 1800 W power supply makes the water generator mobile and easy to use.
Speed
20 fans are used for air intake with speeds up to 3100 rpm.
Convenience
3.5” touch screen and setting buttons are provided on the outer casing for control and display of information.
Prototyping
The AcquaTap project progressed through two major development iterations. The initial prototype took considerable time to build and served as a foundation for system validation. However, early tests showed low water output, caused by insufficient airflow and limited cooling efficiency. This insight guided the second iteration, where we re-engineered the airflow dynamics and increased the radiator surface area. With optimized ventilation and thermal performance, the system achieved the desired water production rates, confirming the effectiveness of the revised design.
Thermal system design
We engineered a compact and efficient cooling system based on Peltier thermoelectric technology. The system draws in ambient air and routes it through a thermally optimized cold chamber. Inside, the air is cooled below the dew point, triggering condensation for effective moisture removal and temperature control.
The cooling process is powered by Peltier elements, delivering precise thermal regulation in a compact form factor. Our team also developed custom-designed heat sinks that strike the perfect balance between lightweight construction and maximum heat dissipation. With an increased surface area, the heat sinks not only enhance cooling performance but also serve as efficient condensation surfaces, ensuring optimal system efficiency.
Let’s talk about your project
Firmware development
To ensure efficient operation, our team developed firmware that manages data between components and adjusts performance based on humidity. The main functions are controlled through a simple, user-friendly interface.
The wide range of features and easy customization allows developers, researchers and our customers to achieve long and trouble-free operation of the portable water generator. The unit’s LCD screen displays:
- Relative performance of the entire system in percentages from 0% to 100%;
- The level of water generated;
- Relative humidity value in %;
- Ambient temperature with the possibility of selecting the required unit of measurement (Celsius or Fahrenheit);
- Speed of cold and hot fans in RPM (revolution per minute);
- Total power in watts;
- Current and voltage for each channel.
Testing and validation
AJProTech’s engineering team carefully tested the portable water generator in different humidity and climate conditions. This was done using high-precision tools like a moisture meter, digital anemometer, thermometer, infrared temperature reader, temperature sensor, controller, and computer. During testing, the team made sure the device met reliability standards and passed all required tests.
AcquaTap bringup
HOW IT WORKS
AcquaTap technology is a unique combination of patented inventions and commercial ideas, allowing safe drinking water to be produced from humid air through a condensation process. The use of mineralizer and special filters achieves an optimal standard of water, corresponding to pH and TDS levels, as well as containing the necessary calcium and magnesium.
The result in just a few steps:
01.
Air Intake – The device draws in atmospheric air.
02.
Filtration – A specialized filter purifies the incoming air.
03.
Condensation – The air is cooled to the condensation point, causing water droplets to form and collect in the reservoir.
04.
Mineralization – The water is enhanced with minerals for improved taste.
05.
Smart Control – The entire process is precisely managed by an automated electronic system.
Impact
The project was supported by colleagues of a technology startup from the USA, working with them to create a portable water generator. The use of electronic technologies, laws of physics, and quality materials led to the extraction of clean drinking water from atmospheric vapor.
