Japanese tech firm to make water out of thin air in Egypt

Photo credit: Mizuha

A Tokyo-based water technology firm that has patented a device that can convert atmospheric water vapour into drinking water has signed an agreement with an Egyptian military-controlled firm Helwan Metal Hardware to mass-produce it in Egypt. The device KuSui (Japanese for ‘air’ and ‘water’) uses a heat exchange system to generate up to 18 litres of water out of thin air. It weighs 60Kgs and can work in a room temperature between 10-35 Degree Celsius.  The carbon filters installed in the cooler also sterilise the water. Under the agreement, KuSui is to be manufactured jointly in Egypt and will have a total capacity of 1,000 litres potable water. More than 70% of the components will be sourced locally. It is slated for sale domestically and the company has plans to export to other markets across the Middle East and Africa. The device has already received the approval of the Egyptian health authorities.

Egypt depends on the River Nile for nearly all its water needs. However, with a growing population it cannot rely solely on the Nile to satisfy demand, particularly for irrigation. From 1960 to 2020, the population expanded from 27m to over 100m, drastically reducing the per capita water supply. As the population surged, so did the demand for freshwater, with agriculture consuming four-fifths of the total supply. The recent push to reclaim desert land for agriculture has further intensified water demands. With the population projected to reach 160m by 2050, Egypt is confronting escalating pressures to secure adequate food and freshwater. Projections indicate its annual water supply could fall below 500m³ per person by 2025, situation hydrologists classify as ‘absolute scarcity’.

Mizuha first signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Military Production (MoMP) to research and develop a prototype that could work in local conditions. With KuSui now set to enter mass production, the water shortage in Egypt could become a thing of the past.

 

References

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‘Egypt developing 'KuSui' device to generate water from air with Japanese technology’, Ahram Online, 05 April 2023

‘Military production min., Japan's MIZUHA company sign deal’, Egypt State Information Service, 17 May 2023

‘Climate change in Egypt: Opportunities and obstacles’, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 26 October 2023

‘Egypt is struggling with water scarcity and shrinking arable land. Is soilless farming the answer?’, Euronews, 24 November 2023

‘Military production: Helwan Metal Equipment Company, Japanese Mizuha sign manufacturing contract’, Egypt State Information Service, 25 February 2024

‘Egypt to manufacture ‘KuSui’ device to generate water from air with Japanese technology’, Ahram Online, 25 February 2024

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‘From water vapor to drinking water’, Mizuha, Accessed 25 March 2024