A novel dual‐utility atmospheric water generation system for simultaneous water generation and space cooling

Abstract Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) systems have emerged as sustainable solutions to address water scarcity by condensing atmospheric moisture. However, the cold, dehumidified exhaust air generated during the condensation process in AWG systems is often released into the ambient environment without any secondary utilization. This study presents a novel dual‐utility AWG system that harnesses the cold exhaust air for simultaneous water generation and cooling of an enclosed space, thereby enhancing overall energy utilization without requiring additional power input. The proposed system integrates the AWG exhaust outlet with a heat exchanger, enabling effective thermal exchange between the cold dehumidified air and the recirculated cold room air. This configuration maintains a sub‐ambient temperature within the enclosed space while the AWG unit continues potable water production. Experimental investigations demonstrated that the integrated system could achieve a temperature at least 10°C lower than the ambient range of 28°C–32°C within a prototype cold room of 22.65 m 3 volume. The system produced 195.73 L/day on day 1, with a corresponding specific energy consumption (SEC) of 0.49 kWh/L. On day 2, the water yield was 92.63 L/day, with an SEC of 1.04 kWh/L. These results validate the system's energy efficiency and dual functionality, showcasing its potential for sustainable cold storage applications in water‐scarce and warm climatic regions.