Newark company’s water harvesting equipment eyed for use at data centers
A Newark, Delaware company named AirJoule unveiled a new "Prime" system that harvests drinkable water from the air using waste heat from data centers. This technology aims to help data centers generate their own water, reducing their reliance on local water grids and addressing environmental concerns. The first unit will be demonstrated in Europe as part of a Net Zero Innovation Hub.
Bryan Barton, president of Newark-based AirJoule, unveiled the company's "Prime" system, a technology designed to utilize waste heat from data centers and other industrial sites to extract potable water from the air. The initial unit, currently showcased at AirJoule's facility in the Delaware Industrial Park, is slated for shipment to Europe to be part of the Net Zero Innovation Hub, which features new data center technologies.
The Prime system, housed within a shipping container, is capable of producing up to 2,000 liters (approximately 528 gallons) of water daily. It employs a metal organic framework (MOF) within chambers to draw water from humid air, a process Barton claims is up to 90% more energy-efficient than traditional dehumidifiers. This innovation is intended to allow data centers to operate independently of municipal water grids, directly addressing concerns about their significant water and electricity consumption.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer and Senator Chris Coons attended the event, commending the new technology for its potential to alleviate environmental worries associated with the rapid expansion of data centers, particularly those supporting AI. Both officials highlighted how local companies like AirJoule, Bloom Energy, and Chemours are developing solutions that can make data center operations more sustainable and efficient globally.