[pib] Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG)

Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Indigenization of technology & developing new technology

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Working of the AWG

Mains level: Utility of the AWG in light of depleting water resources

A Navratna PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has unveiled the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG).
It can be used to provide drinking water in community centres and public places.

Atmospheric Water Generator

The AWG is being manufactured by BEL in collaboration with CSIR-IICT and MAITHRI, a start-up company based in Hyderabad.
It employs a novel technology to extract water from the humidity present in the atmosphere and purify it.
It uses heat exchange for condensing the atmospheric moisture to produce pure, safe and clean potable water.
It comes with a Mineralization Unit, which is used to add minerals which are required to make the water potable.
The AWG is configurable in static and mobile (vehicular) versions and is available in 30 litres/day, 100 litres/day, 500 litres/day and 1,000 litres/day capacities.