AirJoule Technologies has embarked on an innovative three-year partnership with the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to develop advanced systems designed to convert air into potable water for military personnel deployed in various environments. This collaboration aims to leverage ERDC’s expertise in tactical generator waste heat recovery and AirJoule’s advanced technology for extracting moisture from the atmosphere.
The integrated system will address challenges related to water scarcity, particularly in situations where traditional sources like surface water or groundwater are either unavailable or compromised due to contamination.
“This agreement between ERDC and AirJoule Technologies marks a significant step forward for integrating our AirJoule technology platform into real-life use cases to benefit the US military,” remarked Matt Jore, the Chief Executive Officer of AirJoule Technologies. This partnership seeks not only to innovate but to provide reliable solutions for the water supply needs of military operations under challenging conditions.
ERDC is known for its extensive research in civil and military engineering, with a focus on water resources and environmental sciences. The center supports various national agencies, including the US Army and the Department of Defense. Insights gleaned from this collaboration could potentially lead to the development of future systems that ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply in resource-constrained environments.
The technology developed by AirJoule uses a sorbent-based process powered by waste heat to extract water from the air. The process involves air passing through contactors, which are coated with a specialized material that absorbs moisture. Once the material reaches saturation, the chamber is sealed and subjected to a vacuum. Heat is then applied to release the captured vapor, resulting in the condensation of distilled water.
This dual-chamber system allows one chamber to release vapor while the other continues to collect moisture, making the process efficient by reusing heat. Weighing approximately 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds), the unit has the capability to produce up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of clean water daily from the surrounding air.
As the military navigates increasingly complex operational environments, this project represents a crucial advancement towards sustainable resource management, potentially transforming how water supply challenges are addressed in military and humanitarian efforts alike.
