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Systems Design
Technical specifications and detailed design information for all WaterDAO atmospheric water collection systems.
🌱
TIER 1
DIY Sandwich Filter Net
Multi-layer mesh that captures fog/dew AND filters water simultaneously. No electricity. Anyone can build with local materials.
Cost
~$50
Daily Yield
5-20 L/day
Power Required
None
Best For
Rural, outdoor space
Layer Structure
Layer 1: 40% Shade Cloth$5-8
Purpose: Fog capture + debris
Replace: 2-3 years
Layer 2: Mosquito Netting$3-5
Purpose: Particle filter
Replace: 1-2 years
Layer 3: Cotton Fabric$4-8
Purpose: Bacterial filter
Replace: 6-12 months
Layer 4: Activated Charcoal$5-10
Purpose: Chemical removal
Replace: 3-6 months
Layer 5: Cotton Fabric$4-8
Purpose: Inner barrier
Replace: 6-12 months
Layer 6: Fine Mesh$3-5
Purpose: Structure
Replace: 1-2 years
Performance by Humidity
High Humidity (>70%)
10-20 L/day
Moderate (40-70%)
5-10 L/day
Low Humidity (<40%)
2-5 L/day
Filtration Performance
Particles/Debris
95%+
Bacteria
80-90%
Chemicals
70-80%
TDS Reduction
40-50%
Size & Setup
2m × 2m panel, 15° tilt
💧
TIER 2
Zeolite Absorption Box
Uses zeolite molecular sieves to absorb moisture even at 15% humidity. Solar-regenerated. Compact enough for windowsills.
Cost
$120-180
Daily Yield
0.5-2 L/day
Power Required
None
Best For
Dry climates, compact
Two-Phase Operation
🌙 ABSORPTION PHASE (8-12 hours)
- •Open air vents
- •Zeolite absorbs moisture from air
- •Works even at 15% humidity!
- •Crystals become saturated
- •Indicator changes: 🔵 Blue → 🔴 Pink
☀️ EXTRACTION PHASE (4-6 hours)
- •Close air vents
- •Place in sun (or use small heater)
- •Heat releases water from zeolite
- •Water condenses into bottle
- •Zeolite regenerates: 🔴 Pink → 🔵 Blue
Materials & Components
Zeolite Crystals
Molecular sieve 13X (2kg)
$15-25
Extraction Chamber
Aluminum + black coating
$10-15
Housing
Plastic or wood box
$8-12
Collection Bottle
Glass (2L)
$3-5
Vents/Mesh
Stainless steel
$5-8
Performance Specifications
operating Humidity
15-90% (works in deserts!)
daily Yield
0.5-2 L/day
absorption Per Cycle
200-300ml
regeneration Cycles
1000+
lifespan
5-10 years
dimensions
30cm × 20cm × 15cm
weight
~3kg
🪟
TIER 3
Window Harvester
Mounts in window opening. Outdoor side cools passively at night (radiative cooling). Indoor side collects clean water. Modern aesthetic.
Cost
$250-350
Daily Yield
1-5 L/day
Power Required
None
Best For
Apartments, urban
How It Works: Radiative Cooling
🌙 AT NIGHT
- •Aluminum fins radiate heat to cold sky (infrared radiation)
- •Fins get 5-15°C below ambient!
- •Cold surface reaches DEW POINT
- •Water vapor condenses on copper mesh
- •Droplets form → grow → drip down
💧 COLLECTION
- •Gravity pulls water down angled surfaces
- •Funnel channels through window frame
- •Clean water collects in indoor tank
- •POWER REQUIRED: ZERO (pure physics!)
Materials & Components
Radiative Fins
Anodized aluminum (20 fins)
$25-35
Condensation Mesh
Copper mesh (antimicrobial)
$15-25
Insulation
Aerogel sheet (3mm)
$20-30
Collection Funnel
Stainless steel
$10-15
Storage Tank
Clear food-grade plastic (5L)
$8-12
Frame/Housing
Powder-coated aluminum
$30-45
Performance Specifications
high Humidity
3-5 L/day
moderate
1-3 L/day
low
0.5-1 L/day
cooling Effect
5-15°C below ambient
operating Range
30-95% humidity
tank Capacity
5 liters
dimensions
40cm × 60cm × 15cm
🌿
TIER 4
Vertical Garden Harvester
Disguised as decorative plant wall. Hidden water collection behind real plants. Beautiful home decor that secretly produces clean water.
Cost
$450-650
Daily Yield
3-10 L/day
Power Required
None
Best For
Design-conscious
Symbiotic Water-Plant Cycle
🌿
Plants transpire
💨
Adds humidity around system
💧
System collects water
🚿
Drip irrigation waters plants
🌿
Plants grow healthy
🔁
CYCLE REPEATS
BONUS:
Plants also purify air! 🌬️
Materials & Components
Cooling Plates (6×)
Anodized aluminum + PCM
$60-80
Hydrophilic Mesh (6 layers)
Copper mesh
$40-60
Plant Pockets (18×)
Felt fabric
$15-25
Frame
Powder-coated steel
$40-60
Collection System
Stainless channels
$20-30
Storage Tank
20L food-grade
$15-25
Performance Specifications
daily Yield
3-10 L/day
plant Capacity
18 plants
tank Size
20 liters
dimensions
1m × 1.5m × 20cm
weight Empty
~15kg
weight Full
~45kg
🏺
TIER 5
Ceramic Tower
Inspired by ancient Persian Yakhchal (ice houses). Museum-quality ceramic sculpture that produces water using evaporative cooling and phase-change materials.
Cost
$800-1,200
Daily Yield
2-8 L/day
Power Required
None
Best For
Luxury, collectors
How It Works
- 1️⃣Ceramic Honeycomb - Thousands of channels with 50m² surface area
- 2️⃣Evaporative Cooling - Porous ceramic gets 5-10°C colder
- 3️⃣PCM Core - Phase-change material absorbs cold at night
- 4️⃣Extended Collection - PCM releases cold during day
- 5️⃣Hydrophilic Glaze - Water films down to basin
- 6️⃣Natural Convection - Cold tower creates passive airflow
Aesthetic Options
🔷 Traditional Persian
Blue tilework patterns, Isfahan motifs
Target: Cultural enthusiasts
⚪ Minimalist White
Clean modern lines, matte finish
Target: Contemporary homes
🟤 Terracotta Natural
Earth tones, organic texture
Target: Eco-conscious
🎨 Custom Artisan
Hand-painted unique designs
Target: Collectors
Materials & Components
Ceramic Honeycomb
Custom-fired clay (3kg)
$80-120
Hydrophilic Glaze
Special ceramic coating
$30-50
PCM Core
Paraffin wax (2kg)
$20-30
Outer Shell
Glazed decorative ceramic
$60-90
Collection Basin
Ceramic bowl (10L)
$25-40
Stand
Wooden base
$20-30
Performance Specifications
daily Yield
2-8 L/day
cooling Effect
5-10°C below ambient
basin Capacity
10 liters
dimensions
40cm dia × 1m height
weight
~25kg