Dropnet
Fog collection and lightweight construction
I. Höhler
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Abstract
Standard fog collectors can be a great help to provide drinking water in isolated areas or those with a low infrastructure. This is proved by the success of several projects, conducted in different countries around the world. Different factors influence the efficiency of fog harvesting. To reach a high yield of collected fog water first suitable locations that show a lot of fog accumulation need to be found. As important as the location is the reliability of the collectors that will be used. They have to be adjustable to the wind direction and resistant against strong winds. They need to be in a good condition and their meshes should be tensed well. The existing systems used for fog harvesting have some weak points. These points have to do with their construction, materials and organizational matters and can lead to a soon ending of a relief project. Fog collectors of the type DropNet could be an alternative. The aim of the concept is to create a lightweight construction that is in first place resistant against very strong winds and that provides the mesh with the required tension. Other important subjects are the transportation of the devices, the set-up and the dealing with different local conditions, like landscape and soil properties. Another important subject is the integration of fog collectors in the environment and the increase of acceptance in the population considering design factors