This project demonstrates the WaHa Vaporator® prototype, an energy-efficient dehumidifier with the potential to control humidity, improve air quality, and reduce mold issues in facilities, while harvesting water to reduce site consumption. The WaHa Vaporator can be installed as a standalone unit in a room (indoor air dehumidifier) or integrated with the existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (outdoor air dehumidifier) to manage latent loads, lower energy costs and improve comfort in occupied spaces and sensitive equipment storage. This project will include performance evaluation and optimization at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) under controlled conditions, followed by a field demonstration to test performance under real-world conditions. NLR’s testing will generate performance curves to benchmark WaHa Vaporator’s efficiency and performance compared to conventional dehumidification technologies available on the market. Field demonstrations will measure pre- and post-installation energy use, temperature, and humidity to quantify savings and air quality improvements. This retrofit solution facilitates resilience by reducing energy use, controlling humidity in critical spaces, and by harvesting water with a tested design for seamless infrastructure integration.

The WaHa dehumidification system is an advanced, high-efficiency solid desiccant-based solution that combines Metal-Organic Framework adsorbents with an optimized heat pump system to achieve high moisture removal performance.

This innovative technology demonstrates multiple advantages over other dehumidification options, including

• enhanced adsorption capacity at low relative humidity (RH) levels (20-30% RH),
• low-temperature regeneration (50-60°C), and
• continuous dry air delivery through alternating modular beds, while producing potable water as a by-product.

The system achieves an energy consumption of 0.24 kWh/L through latent heat recovery, resulting in about 70-88% energy savings over conventional desiccant wheel or refrigerant-based systems. The WaHa system prototype with a production capacity of 24 L/day has successfully completed rigorous field testing as a water harvesting unit in arid conditions, including 150 days of continuous operation in extreme desert conditions (Abu Dhabi) and validation in cold regions (Sweden), achieving Technology Readiness Level of 7. Currently being scaled to a 200 L/day demonstration unit for 2025-2026 deployment, the WaHa system processes 1,200 cubic feet per minute of air while removing about 200 liters of moisture daily at standard conditions (80°F, 60% RH). This offers installations a reliable, energy-efficient solution for critical humidity control applications with integrated water recovery capabilities. Its military-grade durability, combined with breakthrough efficiency and scalable modular design, makes it particularly suitable for sensitive equipment environments and operational facilities where precise environmental control is paramount.

The WaHa system may provide a cost-effective retrofit solution with minimal installation requirements, designed to efficiently manage latent loads. Projections indicate energy savings of more than 64% and a payback period of less than five years, based upon local weather conditions. Beyond energy savings, the system promises operational benefits, such as preventing mold damage, protecting sensitive materials, and improving occupant comfort, thus enhancing mission readiness. Also, its water co-production could increase water resilience in arid regions by reducing external water dependence. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)