The Times of India 13.08.2012
Water from thin air for students of Chennai schools
CHENNAI: Soon, thousands of students from 60 Chennai schools will get drinking water from thin air. Chennai Corporation is working to set up Atmospheric Moisture Extractors (AME) in 60 schools, which convert atmospheric vapour into pure drinking water.
Corporation sources said the machines take in air and cools it to the
point where water vapour condenses. This water is collected and passed
through micron-activated carbon and ultraviolet filters. And the machine
lets out cool and purified drinking water. The civic body had recently
installed an experimental project along with a private firm, Akash
Ganga, to provide drinking water at its Chennai School in Saidapet.
A senior corporation official said: “We wanted to ensure the quality of
drinking water in schools. So we are planning to install atmosphere
moisture extractors at en estimated cost of Rs 67.32 lakh in 60
schools.” If found successful, the machines would be set up other
schools too, he said. However, the machine need continuous supply of
electricity. It consumes around 0.4 units of power to produce one litre
of clean water. The machines will be installed at a cost Rs 98,000 each
and can produce up to 120 litres a day.
