AirJoule Technologies, which is developing a technology to extract clean water from heated air in industrial facilities such as data centers, has raised $15 million in funding from new and existing investors led by US energy equipment maker GE Vernova.
AirJoule’s patented technology is said to effectively dehumidify air and produce clean, PFAS-free distilled water. The resulting water can then be used for a variety of purposes. Unlike other similar systems, AirJoule’s solution eliminates the need for harmful refrigerants. The units can be used in any environmental conditions.
Image source: AirJoule
The AirJoule system works by passing air through metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and collecting water vapor into a vacuum compressor (VSC) where it condenses. The output is pure water. Internal heat is recovered, which ensures high energy efficiency. According to the developer, the AirJoule A1000 unit can generate from 1,000 to 3,000 liters of water per day, depending on operating conditions. Energy consumption is less than 160 Wh/L using waste heat, which is available at most industrial sites.
The funds raised will be used to accelerate the commercialization of AirJoule installations. Access to clean water is becoming one of the main concerns for data center operators against the backdrop of the rapid development of AI. AirJoule technology will partially meet these needs. Deliveries of systems to selected customers will begin this year.