From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, the ingenious solutions of a revolutionary technology that converts humidity into an essential resource

For over a decade, SEAS SA, Société de l'Eau Aérienne Suisse, has made sustainability its core mission, developing cutting-edge solutions to respond to one of the most pressing problems of our century: la shortage of water.

The engineering and strategic development company based in the Canton of Ticino – with assembly plants in Italy, the United Arab Emirates and offices in the United States – stands out for its patented ability to produce high-quality water, by directly capturing and transforming the humidity present in the atmosphere. Recently, the multinational company, a technological leader in industrial and B2B Air-to-Water systems, announced the installation of new systems capable of producing water from air also in the United States of America, the Maldives and Spain.

A revolutionary method that, by filtering "nothing else" other than atmospheric humidity, aims to guarantee access to a fundamental good - such as water - anywhere in the world. I use a year, agricultural ed paintingThe countless applications of the system – from supplying greenhouses to distillation for pharmaceutical use to the enrichment of mineral salts for food use – are not limited to satisfying the increasingly demanding requests of customers in a personalized manner but reach even those countries afflicted by serious economic and social problems, to provide them with primary supply solutions, based on technological innovation.

A “magic box” that guarantees constant production at reduced energy costs

Thanks to years of research and development, and to a staff of highly qualified technical experts, SEAS has developed and installed its own systems for capturing and purifying water from the air with integrated thermal tri-generation and energy saving. The latter, by exploiting the thermal energy produced, provide high energy savings such as to allow a quick return on investment and the elimination of the cost of water.

As explained by the engineer Rinaldo Bravo, General Manager SEAS SA, the technology used, although based on traditional dehumidification principles, has been enhanced to produce significant quantities of water at reduced energy costs.

"Our machines They are capable of producing from 30 litres up to 10.000 litres of water per day, with energy consumption varying between 0,26 and 0,28 kWh per litre, at temperatures of 30°C and with 70 per cent humidity.".

Furthermore, the machines – or “magic boxes”, as Bravo defines them – do not limit themselves to producing water: the air used in the dehumidification process is released at a lower temperature than the incoming air, thus allowing for a reduction in costs.

"In the case of our 2.500 litre per day machines, we release 8.000 cubic meters of fresh, dry air that can be used to reduce the costs of air conditioning systems, with energy savings that can reach 30-40 percent".

This methodology is therefore different from other more energy-intensive solutions and allows to operate effectively in extreme conditions, such as in deserts, ensuring constant production even at low humidity levels or high temperatures. And this is why, thanks to a wide range of skills in multiple fields and sectors, SEAS has become a point of reference for those seeking efficient solutions in the concrete management of water resources.

AWA Modula: the new systems to generate healthy and clean water wherever it is needed

Solutions AWA Module of SEAS are finding application in various corners of the world, adapting to different needs and environments. The water produced by these machines can, for example, be enriched with mineral salts for food use. However, it can also be used for agricultural purposes (such as greenhouses and livestock), or distilled for pharmaceutical, hospital and industrial use.

Among the new installations, the project stands out Maui, in Hawaii. Made in collaboration with the US NAVY, the United States Navy, it ensures up to 50 liters per day of high quality drinking water for the local community. Or again, in California The company has installed the 250-litre and 500-litre SEAS machines on pick-ups, enabling the supply of drinking water in areas where it is scarce, absent or unusable due to pollution.

And, since in the hospitality sector, instead, interest in “plastic free” solutions is growing", thanks to the AWA Modula system many accommodation facilities have drinking water for guests and staff. An example is the guest house Villa Rosa in Maldives, where the AWA Modula system, installed outside and connected to the kitchen, provides quality water to visitors, reducing the use of bottles. The Hotel Levante in Formentera benefits from this technology, which allows you to offer drinking water to customers.

Even at the city level there is a growing attention towards sustainability. Just think that the city of Granadain Spain, has recently installed an Air-to-Water system. The aim is to provide high-quality water to both staff and guests of the municipality, thus helping to reduce the environmental impact. One of the most interesting aspects of the SEAS technology is in fact its ability to integrate into existing building systems, offering the aforementioned benefits also in terms of energy savings.

From European needs to water solutions for many countries in difficulty

Climate change, pollution and the growing attention towards water resources are opening up more and more opportunities in the old continent. In other words, the collective sensibility is changing. Countries like France, Spain and Switzerland are showing a growing interest in SEAS solutions, especially for industrial uses. Obviously, without depleting the aquifers. After all, one of the most fascinating aspects of this technology is that it allows for total optimization of resources.

As he further states Rinaldo Bravo, by integrating these machines into building or manufacturing systems, it is possible to produce drinking water at zero cost:

"Companies in European countries are also interested in the idea of ​​an economic return. In some contexts, water can be produced practically for free.. We make a machine that we call 'horizontal', which consumes electricity, but also produces water, gives fresh air and heats water. At the beginning, it was much more complex in Europe. Now less so, given that the culture is changing and there is more and more talk of sustainability and Green Building".

However, while the demands on production infrastructures are increasing, millions of people around the world do not have regular access to clean drinking water. This is why SEAS, while continuing to develop the AWA Modula range, has been collaborating with the HumaCoo Foundation for years. This is an NGO committed to providing solutions in countries such as Mozambique , Namibia. By installing its machines even in remote areas, the company provides a reliable source of water where access to this resource is limited. Clean and safe water that – through high-tech and quality treatments – promises to remain so over time.

Partnership, research and “customization” of the plant: an efficiency in development

SEAS's strength also lies in its collaborations with academies, institutions and industries.

"For years, the company has collaborated with the University Campus of Pavia and SUPSI, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland. In addition to important research institutes, such as the University of Zurich”, says Bravo.

These partnerships are essential for the development of new materials and to further optimize the efficiency of the devices.

"In the future, we will see the release of new products that will bring further improvements in the field of water production from air"

engineer Bravo always adds.

SEAS's innovative vision is itself in constant evolution. In fact, the company has now entered the Green Building Council and is in line with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. These are factors that confirm its role in promoting the construction of sustainable buildings. Furthermore, thanks to the On Greening platform, designers can now insert SEAS machine data directly into their prospectuses. All this makes it easier to integrate the company's solutions into new green buildings.

There was no shortage of initial difficulties in making their system known, which “captures” humidity, filters it, subjects it to an antibacterial treatment and then mineralises it. But the growing sensitivity towards the value of water is opening up more and more possibilities to “customize” the method based on the recipient's needs, while maintaining efficiency, energy “saving” and environmental sustainability as objectives.

“We are a small solution, but we can significantly contribute to solving water problems,”

concludes engineer Bravo,

Presentation of the activities of the Swiss company SEAS

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