Method Found to Supply Water to Northern Regions at a Fraction of the Cost

Scientists at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) have tested an autonomous unit designed to supply fresh water to remote oil and gas facilities. The system relies on technology that extracts atmospheric moisture using a composite sorption material developed at the university.

According to the researchers' calculations, the unit will be particularly effective in regions with humid climates, such as the Caspian Shelf and Sakhalin. In Eastern Siberia, it could be used on a seasonal basis.

Field tests confirmed that the unit achieved a specific yield of 13.2 liters of water per square meter of active surface area over an eight-hour cycle. This figure is approximately two to three times higher than the best published performance metrics for passive systems operating on similar principles, and up to 4.5 times higher than results from comparable units tested outdoors. A scaled-up module with a surface area of ​​1 m² could potentially provide up to 40 liters of water per day under favorable climatic conditions.

Currently, supplying fresh water to remote oil platforms on the Caspian Shelf, as well as to drilling sites and rotational worker camps on Sakhalin and in Eastern Siberia, requires regular ship or helicopter transport and is significantly more expensive than on the mainland. Consequently, oil platforms often rely on desalination systems that discharge concentrated brine into the sea, harming local ecosystems.

"The new technology enables the production of fresh water without generating brine waste, making it environmentally safe. Its main advantage is the unit's complete autonomy: it requires neither fuel nor electric generators—only sunlight and air." "This is particularly important for remote areas that lack access to power grids," said Dmitry Repin, a researcher at the Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry at Gubkin University.

The system is based on a composite material made of microfibrillated cellulose, a product of pulp and paper mills. Scientists modified the material with polystyrene and impregnated it with hygroscopic salts—specifically lithium or calcium chlorides—which absorb moisture from the air. The porous structure of the composite matrix securely retains the salts, preventing them from leaching into the condensate.

To provide additional protection against brine contamination, the researchers designed the system's condensation and drainage unit so that the condensate does not come into contact with the sorbent material. This also reduces the risk of component contamination during repeated use.

The device operates on a cyclical basis: at night, the composite material actively absorbs moisture from the air, while during the day, it heats up under sunlight and releases the stored water as vapor. The composite's porous structure facilitates water vapor absorption, and a photothermal layer promotes the release of stored moisture under solar radiation. The vapor condenses on a cooled surface and then flows by gravity into a collection container.

"High productivity is achieved by separating the heating and condensation zones. A lens concentrates solar radiation onto the sorbent cartridge, heating it to 85–120°C, which triggers intense vapor release. The vapor moves to the cold zone of the condenser, where it turns into water and flows into the container," the scientist explained.

The device is ready for pilot-scale testing at oil and gas facilities. A patent has been obtained for the invention. During the previous stage of the research project, scientists developed and tested a system for extracting water from the air in hot regions, specifically in Crimea. The next stage involves creating higher-capacity equipment powered by solar panels, featuring an automatic tracking system that follows the sun's movement. This will enable the technology to be deployed in a wider range of regions.