Fog_Hive©: 3D fog collection along the coastal Atacama desert

Cristian Suau

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

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Abstract

The provision of drinking water turns out to be one of the great challenges for the future because central water supply systems cannot technically or logistically be implemented. FogHive©'s main aim is stopping desertification by repairing endangered fog oases ecosystems, and harvesting water for drinking and irrigation and fostering potential inhabitation in many arid coasts such as Chile, Peru and others latitudes. FogHive© is resilient to different climatic contexts and can dynamically response to the different and intermittent prevailing wind directions by keeping the screen ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. It is an adaptable and lightweight design with emphasis in optimal frame types, forms, structural and surface sizes, structural and constructional specifications made with aluminium, galvanised steel or timber. FogHive© employs hydrophobic meshes and a deployable space-frame to intersect atmospheric water and then harvest it for drinking and irrigation. FogHive© has been tested throughout climatic simulations in the fog oasis of Alto Patache, Atacama Desert (2010). It also performs like a shading/cooling device and a soil humidifier for greenery or crop. Being a transformable construction, it can easily be transported and installed. Its footprint is hexagonal (6m side) which is resistant against strong winds and ‘aerodynamic’ to the landscape. FogHive© consists of a water-repellent skin facing prevailing winds and a shading device facing the Equator. The water collector, filtering and irrigation network considers local structural materials and techniques. Regarding conventional two-dimensional fog collection, FogHive© upgrades the following aspects: 1. Increasing rate and yield of advection fog by taking into account harvesting rate and climatic parameters; 2. Structural reinforcement of fog collectors through lightweight and deployable space-frames; 3. Reducing installation and maintenance of fog collection; 4. Lowering physical impacts on surrounding.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 28th International PLEA Conference - Opportunities, Limits and Needs
Subtitle of host publicationTowards an environmentally responsible architecture
EditorsJuan Reiser, Cecilia Jiménez, Susana Biondi Antúnez de Mayolo
Place of PublicationLima
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012
Event28th International PLEA Conference OPPORTUNITIES, LIMITS & NEEDS Towards an environmentally responsible architecture - Lima, Peru
Duration: 7 Nov 20129 Nov 2012

Conference

Conference28th International PLEA Conference OPPORTUNITIES, LIMITS & NEEDS Towards an environmentally responsible architecture
Country/TerritoryPeru
CityLima
Period7/11/129/11/12

Keywords

  • 3D fog collector
  • low passive energy technologies
  • water collector

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