Electricity Bill 'Half Price' Air Conditioner Released... Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology Transfers Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) is transferring technology for dehumidification cooling systems and dry air systems using MOF dehumidifiers to domestic small and medium-sized enterprises. KRICT held a related agreement ceremony with Aol Korea Co., Ltd. on the 8th.

MOF dehumidifiers are moisture adsorbents with countless nano-sized tiny pores. MOF refers to metal-organic framework hybrid nanoporous materials formed by coordinate bonding between metal cations and organic carboxylate anions. This dehumidifier has the characteristic of absorbing, releasing, and storing moisture in the air like a heart circulating blood.

Using MOF dehumidifiers enables dehumidification, cooling, and dry air production with minimal electricity. Compared to conventional silica gel dehumidifiers, it reduces power consumption by more than 50% while improving dehumidification performance by over 55%. Air conditioners using MOF dehumidifiers have the advantage of not requiring an outdoor unit, unlike conventional air conditioners using silica gel, zeolite, activated alumina, etc.

Dr. Jongsan Jang of KRICT stated, "The technology of KRICT is a MOF dehumidifier technology that can utilize solar heat and low-temperature waste heat, applicable to cooling without the need for an outdoor unit and manufacturing dry air for air dryers, effectively responding to greenhouse gas reduction and environmental issues."

KRICT's MOF dehumidifier technology has obtained multiple U.S. patents and was included in the top 100 excellent national R&D achievements by the Ministry of Science and ICT last year.

Baek Jaehyun, CEO of Aol Korea Co., Ltd., said, "We confirmed the possibility of domestic replacement of moisture dehumidifiers, which are currently fully imported, with KRICT's MOF dehumidifier and the potential for various business developments," adding, "We expect to lead the domestic market by applying it to next-generation dehumidification cooling and dry air manufacturing systems and to enter overseas markets in the near future."

Aol Korea Co., Ltd. plans to commercialize in the first half of next year by developing housing and zero-energy building integrated ventilation systems and dehumidification cooling systems equipped with KRICT's MOF dehumidifier rotors.