Abstract

This addendum introduces a critical architectural extension of the ALLFROMAIR® system: the integration of passive radiative cooling directly into the electrode structure. Analysis of the original wire-forest configuration demonstrated that the Modified Kelvin–Thomson (MKT) effect at operational field strengths (E ≈ 1.67 MV/m) produces a bulk vapour-pressure reduction of approximately 7.2 × 10⁻⁶ (0.00072 %) — insufficient as the sole condensation driving force in sub-saturated air. The solution presented here is to supply a temperature gradient through passive infrared radiative cooling of the electrode surface, requiring no moving parts and consuming no electrical energy.

Calculations demonstrate that a SiO₂/HfO₂ selective radiative coating on an aluminium substrate achieves 11–22 °C surface sub-cooling under clear-night conditions. Combined with the wire-forest geometry and MKT nucleation enhancement, the hybrid system yields an energy-budget-consistent water output of 2.7–4.2 L/m²/day across 9 of the 10 climate classes analysed. Desert daytime conditions remain the sole exception. The Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) is 34–53 kWh/m³ under active EC-fan operation and falls to ~0.003–0.004 kWh/m³ under wind-driven passive operation (fan eliminated, only HVDC leakage and pulsed vibration consume electrical energy).

Revision Note (v2)

Two corrections have been applied relative to v1:

  • SEC unit error. The v1 table reported values in the range 0.026–0.052 kWh/m³. The correct SEC at 6 W/m² fan power and 2.7–4.2 L/m²/day yield is 34–53 kWh/m³ (v1 values were off by a factor of 1000). For reference, conventional compressor AWG operates at 350–800 kWh/m³.
  • Yield over-estimation in dry climates. The v1 realistic yields for Mediterranean (4.11), Semi-Arid (4.32) and Desert Night (5.47) L/m²/day exceeded the available radiative cooling power budget (P_rad × 86 400 / L_v). The v2 yields are capped at the energy-budget limit P_rad × 0.03526 L/m²/day per W/m², giving Mediterranean 3.53, Semi-Arid 3.74, Desert Night 4.20 L/m²/day. Yields in humid climates were already within budget and are retained essentially unchanged.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Download

Share

COinS