FLUID-DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF AN AIR-WATER EXTRACTION FIELD

The possibility of extracting water from the air is a possible solution to counter what is the water crisis present in different regions of the world. This study focuses on what is the study of the motion field and subsequent optimization of a water factory located in a desert area. The approach used exploits the use of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations to analyze the momentum, humidity and temperature field, combining this with a spatial optimization process to determine the layout of 16 machines in order to minimize the use of space while ensuring their proper operation. Initially, different physical models are explored in order to validate the reference model (with Outlet parallel to the ground) by varying turbulence patterns, grid settings and values inherent in the turbulence reference quantities. Using CFD simulations based on RANS (Reynolds Average Navier Stokes) models, the various physical fields are analyzed and compared with an article chosen as a reference for the entire study. Three different moisture models are then tested, chosen because they are all valid for the expected range of motion and are then optimized by taking advantage of the settings within the solvers to reduce the computation time required. Next, the AMR (Adaptive Mesh Refinement) method is implemented in order to obtain a computational grid that is accurate enough and not too heavy to allow analysis for validation purposes of a LES (Large Eddy Simulations). This is then compared with the three previously analyzed moisture models and the final model is then chosen for the moisture field analysis. The machine configuration is then varied to obtain an outlet perpendicular to the ground in order to analyze whether it is indeed possible to reduce the longitudinal propagation of the flow. Again, an LES is carried out exploited to validate, in the absence of experimental data, the simulations carried out with RANS. Then, an optimization algorithm is used in order to reduce the space occupied by the machines but without reducing their efficiency. The goal is to determine the optimal arrangement of the sixteen machines in order to reproduce the result over the entire factory. Finally, this thesis presents a study of the motion field and subsequent optimization of a water factory using CFD analysis. The results demonstrate how it is indeed possible to place machines at a negligible distance without affecting their overall efficiency.