H₂O_LL is a new propriety and innovative atmospheric moisture harvesting technology, capable of extracting moisture from the air by an absorption-desorption cycle. The new technology generates year-long pure and safe drinking water supply along with constant low energy requirements at all seasons and in any geographic area and time of the day.

A proof of concept prototype has been built and is currently working at the Technion’s Environmental Technologies Yard, producing water since fall 2019.

The academic spinoff is seeking for a first-round investment.

 The Problem:

According to the WHO (World Health Organization) 785 million people lack even basic access to safe drinking water global-wise, most of them in rural areas. The lack of safe drinking water results in illness, poverty, and impossible conditions and insufficient time to gain elementary education. Existing technologies do not provide a reasonable solution to these basic needs, leaving millions of people with no drinking water, especially in remote communities and isolated regions.

The Solution:

H₂O_LL technology is capable of extracting moisture from the air, even under severe dry conditions. The innovating technology uses brine for passive absorption of the humidity from the air, and as such it is different from current water generators that directly cool the hole airmass. Consequently, in the new technology energy is required only for water vapor desorption and condensation, i.e. safe drinking water production, and not for cooling the airmass.

H₂O_LL can provide stable water supply wherever needed, in particular in remote areas, by extracting moisture from the air at an affordable price, less than the cost of bottle water, and by serving wide geographic areas.

Water generators are the economic solution for remote communities that do not have an operating water infrastructure, and where desalination is not an option (i.e. areas farther than ~100 km from a large body of water). The decentralized water generation solution is a “plug & play” system. Once delivered to the community it will immediately provide safe drinking water.

Market:

Globally, more than 2 billion people use contaminated drinking water sources. By 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-scarce areas. Atmospheric water generators (AWG) is a technology that currently gains momentum as a means to overcome the global water scarcity problem. The high demand for safe drinking water, together with diplomacy and public awareness are promoting this market. With estimated 25.6% CAGR over the next five years, the market value of AWGs is expected to reach US $1.05B in 2025.

Competitors:

All the other market players use “direct air cooling” (DC) technology to generate water from ambient humidity. Yet, application of this technology has a narrow geographical feasibility – mainly the tropical regions. Moreover, water production by DC-AWG is limited to certain time windows (seasons), and the energy requirements varies considerably with the meteorological conditions. Hence, the efficiency of DC-AWG systems is not known a-priori to the client.

Competitive advantage:

The innovative H₂O_LL technology is based on two independent cycles: ambient moisture extraction by a liquid desiccant, and vapor desorption and condensation by a refrigeration cycle. As such, the H₂O_LL technology is a reliable and safe sustainable water source.

H₂O_LL can provide affordable, year-around potable water supply anywhere in the world. The system requires constant and low energy supply, which can be obtained off-grid using renewable sources. Unlike DC-AWG technology, H₂O_LL is not limited to tropical regions nor affected by seasonality. Microbial and viral disinfection is inherent to the technology, hence post production disinfection is not required.

Business Model:

We propose two alternative models: purchase of a system or pay per consumption. In both options, the water price will be lower than the price of the current alternative is the target markets – bottled water or water supply by tankers.

Marketing strategy:

Enter the market via governmental agencies, the private sector, and/or international aid organizations. Sell (and maintain) of systems to private individuals in specific markets via local distributors.

Sales will start in 2022. In 2025, 100 units are expected to be sold for a price of about US $50k each.

 Team:

Ilan Katz, (M.Sc., MBA), CEO

Oded Distel (MBA), VP business development

David Broday, Professor, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel

Eran Friedler, Professor, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel

Khaled Gommed, Dr., Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion, Israel

Partnership, licensing and investment

The team is eager to go forward and supply commercial industrial systems to the water market. We are open for cooperation with either industrial companies with production capabilities and access to the market, especially in developing countries, or with investors who are interested in this technology. 

The required investment is $1.0M, which will be used for 24-month R&D of optimization of the system’s energy consumption and water yield, and for the production of a commercial system.

 Millstones:

A proof of concept prototype has been built, is currently operating at the Technion’s Environmental Technologies Yard, and has demonstrated water production from ambient moisture since fall 2019.