MEMBJuly.qxd
7/12/02
12:17 PM
Page 3
NEWS removes bacteria, some of which cannot be killed by using chlorine. Norit is working closely with Ionics, the US-based separations technology company. In the Minneapolis project, Norit is supplying the UF technology and the X-Flow membranes to Ionics, which is supplying the complete membrane system to the city.
For more information, contact: Millipore Corp, 80 Ashby Road, Bedford, MA 01730-2271, USA. Tel: +1 781 533 6000, Fax: +1 781 533 3110.
For more information, contact: Norit Nederland BV, PO Box 105, 3800 AC Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 33 464 8911, Fax: +31 33 461 7429, Email
[email protected].
Sales revenue for the Sartorius Group rose by 10.6% to 111.5 million for its first quarter of fiscal 2002, compared with 100.8 million which it reported for the equivalent period of 2001. The company, which is based in Goettingen, Germany, says that the exceptionally high growth in the Biotechnology Division was especially encouraging. According to the group, the most important figure under growth and liquidity – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization – increased by 7.8% to 5.7 million in the first quarter, from 5.3 million posted a year earlier. After its investing activities peaked, net cash flow also improved substantially. For the current financial year, the group’s executive board expects to achieve double-digit sales growth. Full-year sales revenue for the Biotechnology Division is likely to surpass that of the Mechatronics Division for the first time.
Filters speed up validation studies Millipore Corp of Bedford, Massachusetts, USA, has launched the OptiScale-25, a 25mm diameter filter that is designed for area determination, small-scale applications and validation studies where feedstock requirements are minimal. With an active filtration area of 3.5 cm2, these small devices, which use the company’s Viresolve membranes, are also useful as an evaluation tool for impurity studies, protein passage studies and virus validation. The low hold up volume and linearly scalable performance of the device provides an integral, small-scale platform that does not require a membrane disc assembly or venting. Users simply pressure wet the device with buffer, or water, and begin testing. The membrane-based Viresolve family of virus-removal filters is ideal for monoclonal antibody processing. Millipore claims that Viresolve NFP capsules and cartridges are designed to remove (greater than 4 logs) Parvovirus 6–10 times faster than other comparable filters. Designed to retain endogenous retroviruses, Viresolve NFR is based on a unique, asymmetric, void-free membrane for higher flow rates and fast operation. Both filters yield 98% protein recovery. Available with Viresolve NFP and NFR membranes, the OptiScale-25 validation kit includes three devices with three different membrane types. This allows setups for nine separate tests.
Sales revenue at Sartorius rises
For more information, contact: Sartorius AG, Weender Landstrasse 94108, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany. Tel: +49 551 3080, Fax: +49 551 308 289.
Dow launches seawater RO element The Liquid Separations business of the Dow Chemical Co has introduced the Filmtec SW30HR-320 high rejection seawater reverse osmosis (RO) element. The element is designed for systems that are used to purify sea water sources, such as open intakes, where there is a very high potential for membrane fouling. Conservatively rated at 99.6% salt rejection under FilmTec’s standard test
conditions, the element delivers the highest quality potable water, claims the company that is based in Midland, Michigan, USA. This product was developed to replace Dow’s existing Filmtec SW30HR-8040 element, and the company has made improvements to the design, allowing for greater productivity or lower operating pressures, depending on specific system needs. Dow considered the need for ongoing cleaning during the design of the new product. The SW30HR320 element incorporates features that provide maximum efficiency and effective cleaning of scale, organic compounds and biofilm. These features include a thick feed spacer and a greater number of shorter membrane leaves (reducing the overall effect of fouling). Thicker feed spacers have been proven to reduce pressure drop and cleaning frequency in many plants around the world, says Dow. The Filmtec elements are produced by an automated process at Dow’s production facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. For more information, contact: Dow Chemical Co, Liquid Separations, Customer Information Center, PO Box 1206, Midland, MI 48642-1206, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 0986, Fax: +1 989 832 1465.
Module separates air from refrigerants Israeli company Carbon Membranes Ltd (CML) has developed a gas separation module that separates air from commonly used refrigerants. The company says that the device represents a significant step forwards in a worldwide effort to eliminate the unnecessary emission of a range of gases. It says that limiting the emission of refrigerants, whether these are traditional ozone-depleting substances or their substitutes, is a key part of environmental protection. In the course of normal use, such gases become contaminated with air, reducing their cooling capability. Accepted practice allows air
In Brief RO produces water for troops in Afghanistan Dehydration is a big problem for US-led coalition troops stationed in the southern desert flats of Afghanistan. In this country’s drought-plagued southern regions, water is a commodity that is very precious. A Canadian airforce water and environmental technician, Sergeant Mark Pennie, arrived in Afghanistan during February 2002 to supply pure drinking water for the 800 men of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group. He set up what is considered to be one of the most advanced water purification systems in South Asia – a C$1-million Canadianmade reverse osmosis (RO) purifying unit that supplies about 5000 litres (1300 gallons) of pure water an hour. Using huge rubber containers, appropriately called ‘bladders,’ Pennie has enough water on stock for three days. Hydranautics appoints management staff Three new employees have joined US-based Hydranautics’ management team. Randy Truby joins the company as its new vice president of operations. He brings with him over 30 years of experience in the reverse osmosis industry. Hydranautics has also appointed Gibran Mursalin as its new proposal/project manager, who will manage projects from the initial proposal phase through to order placement and shipment. Eileen Pack recently joined the company as the new customer service manager. She has replaced Maya Jhawar who filled the new position of Hydranautics’ global planning manager. Hyflux attains ISO 9001:2000 certification Hyflux has announced that it has attained ISO 9001:2000 certification for ‘Manufacturing of Membrane Products for Filtration’. It says that this award marks another milestone in the group’s journey towards organizational excellence as a world-class company.
3 Membrane Technology July 2002