A high-speed, single-stage, motor-driven blower designed to move water vapor includes an axial flow compressor and a rotating assembly supported by gas foil bearings and driven by a brushless permanent magnet synchronous motor utilizing a remotely mounted variable frequency drive. The blower is immersed in a water vapor flow for operation. Accordingly, the blower comprises an outer blower housing and an inner blower housing defining an annular cavity therebetween, wherein the inner blower housing is held within the outer blower housing by seals, and contains and protects the motor components and the bearings against water damage and contamination. A cooling flow may be leaked through the inner blower housing to cool the internal operational components of the blower and to capture heat therefrom, which can be added to the water vapor flow moving through the blower.