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Fluid systems doubles production capacity
News and Views a n d w a s t e w a t e r t r e a t m e n t a s s e t s are s e r i o u s l y c o n s i d e r i n g p r i v a t i s a t i o n of w a s t e w a t e r t r e a t m e n t facilities. If p r i v a t i s e d , t h e s e facilities w o u l d g e n e r a t e a n n u a l r e v e n u e of $1 billion a y e a r a n d a n $ 1 8 billion backlog. A d d i t i o n a l l y , m o r e t h a n $ 3 0 b i l l i o n of a s s e t s a r e e s t i m a t e d a s p r i v a t i s a b l e i n s o m e form." "The i n d u s t r i a l o u t s o u r c i n g m a r k e t for p r o c e s s a n d h i g h - p u r i t y w a t e r a n d w a s t e w a t e r i n the US is e s t i m a t e d to grow a t a rate of 30% a year, b u i l d i n g t o w a r d $ 1 5 b i l l i o n b y t h e y e a r 2005", a d d e d Mr Rooney. For f u r t h e r information, contact: U.S. Filter, 4 6 6 9 S h e p h e r d Trail, PO B o x 560, Rockford, IL 6 1 1 0 5 - 0 5 6 0 , USA. Tel: +1 8 1 5 8 7 7 3 0 4 1 ; f a x : +1 8 1 5 8 7 7 0172.
Pall n o t M e m t e c to m e r g e w i t h Gelman Pall C o r p o r a t i o n h a s a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s s i g n e d a definitive m e r g e r a g r e e m e n t for the a c q u i s i t i o n of G e l m a n S c i e n c e s . T h e c l o s u r e of the m e r g e r is expected to t a k e p l a c e w i t h i n t h r e e to four m o n t h s . Eric Krasnoff, C h a i r m a n a n d Chief Executive Officer of Pall, said, "The j o i n i n g of G e l m a n S c i e n c e s a n d Pall p r o v i d e s e x c e l l e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s for s y n e r g y a n d g r o w t h i n l a b o r a t o r y p r o d u c t s , m e d i c a l devices, pharmaceutical and general industrial markets." G e l m a n h a d p r e v i o u s l y s i g n e d a n a g r e e m e n t to m e r g e with Memtec, w h i c h w a s t e r m i n a t e d b y G e l m a n ' s B o a r d of Directors. G e l m a n ' s B o a r d c o n c l u d e d t h a t the Pall t r a n s a c t i o n w a s m o r e f a v o u r a b l e to G e l m a n ' s s h a r e h o l d e r s t h a n the m e r g e r with Memtec. For f u r t h e r information, contact: Pall Corporation, 2 2 0 0 Northern Boulevard, E a s t Hills, N Y 11548, USA. Tel: +1 5 1 6 4 8 4 5 4 0 0 ; f a x : +1 5 1 6 4 8 4 5228.
m i d - 1 9 9 7 . The S e c u n d a m i n e s provide low-grade coal for c o n v e r s i o n into s y n t h e t i c fuels a n d h i g h - v a l u e c h e m i c a l s . T h e i n s t a l l a t i o n will e m p l o y b o t h electrodialysis a n d reverse o s m o s i s s e p a r a t i o n t e c h n o l o g i e s to remove s a l t s from the m i n e water. C o m m e n t i n g o n the n e w c o n t r a c t , C h a i r m a n a n d CEO of Ionics, A r t h u r L. G o l d s t e i n said, "Ionics is extremely p l e a s e d to be w o r k i n g with Sasol o n this exciting project t h a t h e l p s to solve a p o t e n t i a l local e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o b l e m b y p r e v e n t i n g t h e p u m p i n g of m i n e w a t e r to river s t r e a m s or s t o r a g e d a m s . T h e d e s a l i n a t i o facility will also give Sasol a n a d d i t i o n a l s o u r c e of purified p r o c e s s w a t e r t h a t will r e d u c e overall w a t e r c o n s u m p t i o n a t the Sasol S e c u n d a complex." For f u r t h e r information, contact: Ionics, Inc., PO B o x 9131, W a t e r t o w n , MA 0 2 2 7 2 - 9 1 3 1 , USA. Tel: +1 61 7 9 2 6 2 5 0 0 ; f a x : +1 6 1 7 9 2 6 4304.
Fluid S y s t e m s doubles production capacity F l u i d S y s t e m s h a s j u s t c o m p l e t e d a $4 m i l l i o n e q u i p m e n t i n v e s t m e n t t h a t m o r e t h a n d o u b l e s its e l e m e n t m a n u f a c t u r i n g capacity. The i n v e s t m e n t includes computer-controlled coating and casting e q u i p m e n t t h a t gives, the c o m p a n y c l a i m s , t h e m o s t precise t h i n - f i l m m e m b r a n e p r o d u c t i o n c a p a b i l i t y i n the world. O n e r e s u l t of i m p r o v e m e n t s i n the m a n u f a c t u r i n g p r o c e s s is the c o m p a n y ' s n e w line of P r e m i u m TFC reverse o s m o s i s (RO) e l e m e n t s . T h e y are c l a i m e d to b e the m o s t efficient m e m b r a n e e l e m e n t s o n t h e m a r k e t for r e m o v a l of salt from water. The e l e m e n t s provide 9 9 . 7 % a n d 99.8% m i n i m u m salt r e j e c t i o n for b r a c k i s h
$10.2 million desalination c o n t r a c t for S o u t h Africa Ionics h a s received a $ 1 0 . 2 m i l l i o n c o n t r a c t from the S o u t h A f r i c a n s y n t h e t i c fuels group, Sasol, to b u i l d a desalination plant. T h e s y s t e m , to b e l o c a t e d a t S a s o l ' s S e c u n d a coal m i n e s , e a s t of J o h a n n e s b u r g , will p r o d u c e 1.6 m i l l i o n g a l l o n s of t r e a t e d w a s t e w a t e r p e r day. S t a r t - u p is expected i n
2
Fluid S y s t e m s ' n e w P r e m i u m TFC RO e l e m e n t s are claimed to exhibit the h i g h e s t level o f salt rejection on the market.
Membrane
T e c h n o l o g y No. 7 8
News and Views w a t e r a n d s e a w a t e r t r e a t m e n t , respectively. U n d e r m a n y a p p l i c a t i o n s , b o t h e l e m e n t t y p e s c a n achieve s a l t r e j e c t i o n of 9 9 . 9 % - - w i t h o u t sacrificing flow rates. In m a n y a p p l i c a t i o n s , the n e w e l e m e n t s will d o u b l e t h e salt r e m o v a l efficiency of e x i s t i n g e l e m e n t p r o d u c t s , r e s u l t i n g i n lower o p e r a t i n g costs for t a r g e t u s e r s i n t h e e l e c t r o n i c s a n d power generation industries. The p r e m i u m TFC e l e m e n t s come i n t h r e e models: t h e 8 8 2 2 H R a n d 8 8 2 2 H R - 4 0 0 for b r a c k i s h water, a n d the 2 8 2 2 - S S for s e a w a t e r a p p l i c a t i o n s . All are 8" x 40" formats. For f u r t h e r information, contact: Fluid S y s t e m s , 10054 Old Grove Road, S a n Diego, CA 92131, USA. Tel: +1 619 695 3 8 4 0 ; f a x : +1 619 695 2176
Sulphate removal for ETAP S e r c k B a k e r h a s b e e n a w a r d e d the c o n t r a c t for s u l p h a t e r e m o v a l t e c h n o l o g y for t h e BP E a s t e r n T r o u g h Area Project (ETAP) b y B r o w n a n d Root. T h e scope of s u p p l y calls for 20 3 0 0 b a r r e l s per d a y (134.5 m 3 / h r ) m e m b r a n e s e p a r a t i o n s y s t e m , c a p a b l e of giving p r o d u c t w a t e r with a g u a r a n t e e of 120 mg/1 s u l p h a t e a n d a t a r g e t of 4 0 mg/1 s u l p h a t e , with m e d i a a n d c a r t r i d g e filters u p s t r e a m , i n t e g r a t e d i n a c o m m o n single p o i n t lift m o d u l e . T h e filtered w a t e r will be t r e a t e d i n two s t r e a m s , each t h r o u g h a 2:1 reject stage m e m b r a n e s y s t e m . Serck Baker's m e m b r a n e separation package incorporates Filmtec m e m b r a n e s . For f u r t h e r information, contact: Serck Baker, 380 Bristol Road, Gloucester GL2 5XK, UK. Tel: +44 1452 421561 ;fax: +44 1452 423414.
Ballard fuel c e l l s for V o l k s w a g e n and Volvo B a l l a r d Power S y s t e m s h a s s e c u r e d c o n t r a c t s totalling U S S 8 5 0 0 0 0 from c a r m a n u f a c t u r e r s Volkswagen a n d Volvo for t h e s u p p l y of fuel cells, test e q u i p m e n t a n d r e l a t e d s u p p o r t services. T h e fuel ceils will b e u s e d b y Volkswagen a n d Volvo i n t h e i r j o i n t r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t p r o g r a m m e to develop fuel cell p o w e r e d p a s s e n g e r a n d c o m m e r c i a l vehicles. B a l l a r d F u e l Cells a r e c u r r e n t l y b e i n g u s e d b y leading international companies including D a i m l e r - B e n z , G e n e r a l Motors, H i t a c h i a n d H o n d a to develop z e r o - e m i s s i o n vehicles a n d c l e a n s t a t i o n a r y electric p o w e r p l a n t s .
M e m b r a n e T e c h n o l o g y No. 78
For f u r t h e r information, contact: BaUard Power S y s t e m s Inc, 9000 Glenlyon P a r k w a y , Burnaby, BC, V5J 5 J 9 Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0 9 0 0 ; f a x : +1 604 412 4700.
Increased surface area, h i g h flow RO f r o m D o w T h e Dow C h e m i c a l C o m p a n y c l a i m s t h a t its n e w reverse o s m o s i s e l e m e n t c a n p r o d u c e a n o m i n a l flow r a t e a s high a s 11 5 0 0 g a l l o n s p e r d a y (GPD), for a feed p r e s s u r e of 150 psi, a t a salt r e j e c t i o n g r e a t e r t h a n 99%. "While s t a n d a r d e i g h t - i n c h RO e l e m e n t s are r a t e d to provide specified flow a n d salt r e j e c t i o n a t 2 2 5 psi, Dow's p r o p r i e t a r y m e m b r a n e m a t e r i a l allows u s to deliver high flow, at 99% s a l t rejection, with only m o d e r a t e o p e r a t i n g p r e s s u r e of 150 psi. T h i s m e a n s t h a t b o t h capital costs a n d s y s t e m o p e r a t i n g costs c a n b e lower, " e x p l a i n e d M a r v i n Bourelle, global m a r k e t i n g m a n a g e r for Dow's liquid separation business. T h e n e w Filmtec B W 3 0 L E - 4 4 0 e l e m e n t c o n t a i n s 10% m o r e active s t a n d a r d s u r f a c e a r e a - - 4 4 0 s q u a r e feet - - i n a s t a n d a r d f o r t y - i n c h long e l e m e n t . "While it's theoretically p o s s i b l e to achieve 11 5 0 0 GPD with a 4 0 0 s q u a r e foot e l e m e n t , Mr Bourelle said. " o p e r a t i n g a t a h i g h e r flux elevates t h e r i s k of fouling. With this n e w 4 4 0 s q u a r e foot e l e m e n t , we c a n realistically achieve h i g h e r flow, a t full salt rejection, while m a i n t a i n i n g a c o n s e r v a t i v e d e s i g n t h a t d o e s n ' t p u s h the limits of the m e m b r a n e . " For f u r t h e r information, contact: The Dow Chemical Company, Liquid Separation Products, PO B o x 1206, Midland, MI 48641-1206, USA. Tel: +1 517 636 9086; fax: +1 517 832 1465.
Denitrogenated air r e d u c e s diving risks The u s e of hollow fibre m e m b r a n e s to p r o d u c e e n r i c h e d air (nitrox) for r e c r e a t i o n a l diving could m a k e t r a d i t i o n a l p r e p a r a t i o n m e t h o d s obsolete. Higher p e r c e n t a g e s of oxygen m i x t u r e s for s p o r t diving are c u r r e n t l y p r e p a r e d u s i n g e n r i c h m e n t t e c h n i q u e s - p a r t i a l p r e s s u r e mixing, c o n t i n u o u s b l e n d i n g a n d p r e s s u r e s w i n g a b s o r p t i o n (PSA). While p a r t i a l p r e s s u r e m i x i n g is the s i m p l e s t m e t h o d of o b t a i n i n g nitrox, the r i s k of oxygen c o m i n g i n t o
3
Pall n o t M e m t e c to m e r g e w i t h Gelman Pall C o r p o r a t i o n h a s a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s s i g n e d a definitive m e r g e r a g r e e m e n t for the a c q u i s i t i o n of G e l m a n S c i e n c e s . T h e c l o s u r e of the m e r g e r is expected to t a k e p l a c e w i t h i n t h r e e to four m o n t h s . Eric Krasnoff, C h a i r m a n a n d Chief Executive Officer of Pall, said, "The j o i n i n g of G e l m a n S c i e n c e s a n d Pall p r o v i d e s e x c e l l e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s for s y n e r g y a n d g r o w t h i n l a b o r a t o r y p r o d u c t s , m e d i c a l devices, pharmaceutical and general industrial markets." G e l m a n h a d p r e v i o u s l y s i g n e d a n a g r e e m e n t to m e r g e with Memtec, w h i c h w a s t e r m i n a t e d b y G e l m a n ' s B o a r d of Directors. G e l m a n ' s B o a r d c o n c l u d e d t h a t the Pall t r a n s a c t i o n w a s m o r e f a v o u r a b l e to G e l m a n ' s s h a r e h o l d e r s t h a n the m e r g e r with Memtec. For f u r t h e r information, contact: Pall Corporation, 2 2 0 0 Northern Boulevard, E a s t Hills, N Y 11548, USA. Tel: +1 5 1 6 4 8 4 5 4 0 0 ; f a x : +1 5 1 6 4 8 4 5228.
m i d - 1 9 9 7 . The S e c u n d a m i n e s provide low-grade coal for c o n v e r s i o n into s y n t h e t i c fuels a n d h i g h - v a l u e c h e m i c a l s . T h e i n s t a l l a t i o n will e m p l o y b o t h electrodialysis a n d reverse o s m o s i s s e p a r a t i o n t e c h n o l o g i e s to remove s a l t s from the m i n e water. C o m m e n t i n g o n the n e w c o n t r a c t , C h a i r m a n a n d CEO of Ionics, A r t h u r L. G o l d s t e i n said, "Ionics is extremely p l e a s e d to be w o r k i n g with Sasol o n this exciting project t h a t h e l p s to solve a p o t e n t i a l local e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o b l e m b y p r e v e n t i n g t h e p u m p i n g of m i n e w a t e r to river s t r e a m s or s t o r a g e d a m s . T h e d e s a l i n a t i o facility will also give Sasol a n a d d i t i o n a l s o u r c e of purified p r o c e s s w a t e r t h a t will r e d u c e overall w a t e r c o n s u m p t i o n a t the Sasol S e c u n d a complex." For f u r t h e r information, contact: Ionics, Inc., PO B o x 9131, W a t e r t o w n , MA 0 2 2 7 2 - 9 1 3 1 , USA. Tel: +1 61 7 9 2 6 2 5 0 0 ; f a x : +1 6 1 7 9 2 6 4304.
Fluid S y s t e m s doubles production capacity F l u i d S y s t e m s h a s j u s t c o m p l e t e d a $4 m i l l i o n e q u i p m e n t i n v e s t m e n t t h a t m o r e t h a n d o u b l e s its e l e m e n t m a n u f a c t u r i n g capacity. The i n v e s t m e n t includes computer-controlled coating and casting e q u i p m e n t t h a t gives, the c o m p a n y c l a i m s , t h e m o s t precise t h i n - f i l m m e m b r a n e p r o d u c t i o n c a p a b i l i t y i n the world. O n e r e s u l t of i m p r o v e m e n t s i n the m a n u f a c t u r i n g p r o c e s s is the c o m p a n y ' s n e w line of P r e m i u m TFC reverse o s m o s i s (RO) e l e m e n t s . T h e y are c l a i m e d to b e the m o s t efficient m e m b r a n e e l e m e n t s o n t h e m a r k e t for r e m o v a l of salt from water. The e l e m e n t s provide 9 9 . 7 % a n d 99.8% m i n i m u m salt r e j e c t i o n for b r a c k i s h
$10.2 million desalination c o n t r a c t for S o u t h Africa Ionics h a s received a $ 1 0 . 2 m i l l i o n c o n t r a c t from the S o u t h A f r i c a n s y n t h e t i c fuels group, Sasol, to b u i l d a desalination plant. T h e s y s t e m , to b e l o c a t e d a t S a s o l ' s S e c u n d a coal m i n e s , e a s t of J o h a n n e s b u r g , will p r o d u c e 1.6 m i l l i o n g a l l o n s of t r e a t e d w a s t e w a t e r p e r day. S t a r t - u p is expected i n
2
Fluid S y s t e m s ' n e w P r e m i u m TFC RO e l e m e n t s are claimed to exhibit the h i g h e s t level o f salt rejection on the market.
Membrane
T e c h n o l o g y No. 7 8
News and Views w a t e r a n d s e a w a t e r t r e a t m e n t , respectively. U n d e r m a n y a p p l i c a t i o n s , b o t h e l e m e n t t y p e s c a n achieve s a l t r e j e c t i o n of 9 9 . 9 % - - w i t h o u t sacrificing flow rates. In m a n y a p p l i c a t i o n s , the n e w e l e m e n t s will d o u b l e t h e salt r e m o v a l efficiency of e x i s t i n g e l e m e n t p r o d u c t s , r e s u l t i n g i n lower o p e r a t i n g costs for t a r g e t u s e r s i n t h e e l e c t r o n i c s a n d power generation industries. The p r e m i u m TFC e l e m e n t s come i n t h r e e models: t h e 8 8 2 2 H R a n d 8 8 2 2 H R - 4 0 0 for b r a c k i s h water, a n d the 2 8 2 2 - S S for s e a w a t e r a p p l i c a t i o n s . All are 8" x 40" formats. For f u r t h e r information, contact: Fluid S y s t e m s , 10054 Old Grove Road, S a n Diego, CA 92131, USA. Tel: +1 619 695 3 8 4 0 ; f a x : +1 619 695 2176
Sulphate removal for ETAP S e r c k B a k e r h a s b e e n a w a r d e d the c o n t r a c t for s u l p h a t e r e m o v a l t e c h n o l o g y for t h e BP E a s t e r n T r o u g h Area Project (ETAP) b y B r o w n a n d Root. T h e scope of s u p p l y calls for 20 3 0 0 b a r r e l s per d a y (134.5 m 3 / h r ) m e m b r a n e s e p a r a t i o n s y s t e m , c a p a b l e of giving p r o d u c t w a t e r with a g u a r a n t e e of 120 mg/1 s u l p h a t e a n d a t a r g e t of 4 0 mg/1 s u l p h a t e , with m e d i a a n d c a r t r i d g e filters u p s t r e a m , i n t e g r a t e d i n a c o m m o n single p o i n t lift m o d u l e . T h e filtered w a t e r will be t r e a t e d i n two s t r e a m s , each t h r o u g h a 2:1 reject stage m e m b r a n e s y s t e m . Serck Baker's m e m b r a n e separation package incorporates Filmtec m e m b r a n e s . For f u r t h e r information, contact: Serck Baker, 380 Bristol Road, Gloucester GL2 5XK, UK. Tel: +44 1452 421561 ;fax: +44 1452 423414.
Ballard fuel c e l l s for V o l k s w a g e n and Volvo B a l l a r d Power S y s t e m s h a s s e c u r e d c o n t r a c t s totalling U S S 8 5 0 0 0 0 from c a r m a n u f a c t u r e r s Volkswagen a n d Volvo for t h e s u p p l y of fuel cells, test e q u i p m e n t a n d r e l a t e d s u p p o r t services. T h e fuel ceils will b e u s e d b y Volkswagen a n d Volvo i n t h e i r j o i n t r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t p r o g r a m m e to develop fuel cell p o w e r e d p a s s e n g e r a n d c o m m e r c i a l vehicles. B a l l a r d F u e l Cells a r e c u r r e n t l y b e i n g u s e d b y leading international companies including D a i m l e r - B e n z , G e n e r a l Motors, H i t a c h i a n d H o n d a to develop z e r o - e m i s s i o n vehicles a n d c l e a n s t a t i o n a r y electric p o w e r p l a n t s .
M e m b r a n e T e c h n o l o g y No. 78
For f u r t h e r information, contact: BaUard Power S y s t e m s Inc, 9000 Glenlyon P a r k w a y , Burnaby, BC, V5J 5 J 9 Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0 9 0 0 ; f a x : +1 604 412 4700.
Increased surface area, h i g h flow RO f r o m D o w T h e Dow C h e m i c a l C o m p a n y c l a i m s t h a t its n e w reverse o s m o s i s e l e m e n t c a n p r o d u c e a n o m i n a l flow r a t e a s high a s 11 5 0 0 g a l l o n s p e r d a y (GPD), for a feed p r e s s u r e of 150 psi, a t a salt r e j e c t i o n g r e a t e r t h a n 99%. "While s t a n d a r d e i g h t - i n c h RO e l e m e n t s are r a t e d to provide specified flow a n d salt r e j e c t i o n a t 2 2 5 psi, Dow's p r o p r i e t a r y m e m b r a n e m a t e r i a l allows u s to deliver high flow, at 99% s a l t rejection, with only m o d e r a t e o p e r a t i n g p r e s s u r e of 150 psi. T h i s m e a n s t h a t b o t h capital costs a n d s y s t e m o p e r a t i n g costs c a n b e lower, " e x p l a i n e d M a r v i n Bourelle, global m a r k e t i n g m a n a g e r for Dow's liquid separation business. T h e n e w Filmtec B W 3 0 L E - 4 4 0 e l e m e n t c o n t a i n s 10% m o r e active s t a n d a r d s u r f a c e a r e a - - 4 4 0 s q u a r e feet - - i n a s t a n d a r d f o r t y - i n c h long e l e m e n t . "While it's theoretically p o s s i b l e to achieve 11 5 0 0 GPD with a 4 0 0 s q u a r e foot e l e m e n t , Mr Bourelle said. " o p e r a t i n g a t a h i g h e r flux elevates t h e r i s k of fouling. With this n e w 4 4 0 s q u a r e foot e l e m e n t , we c a n realistically achieve h i g h e r flow, a t full salt rejection, while m a i n t a i n i n g a c o n s e r v a t i v e d e s i g n t h a t d o e s n ' t p u s h the limits of the m e m b r a n e . " For f u r t h e r information, contact: The Dow Chemical Company, Liquid Separation Products, PO B o x 1206, Midland, MI 48641-1206, USA. Tel: +1 517 636 9086; fax: +1 517 832 1465.
Denitrogenated air r e d u c e s diving risks The u s e of hollow fibre m e m b r a n e s to p r o d u c e e n r i c h e d air (nitrox) for r e c r e a t i o n a l diving could m a k e t r a d i t i o n a l p r e p a r a t i o n m e t h o d s obsolete. Higher p e r c e n t a g e s of oxygen m i x t u r e s for s p o r t diving are c u r r e n t l y p r e p a r e d u s i n g e n r i c h m e n t t e c h n i q u e s - p a r t i a l p r e s s u r e mixing, c o n t i n u o u s b l e n d i n g a n d p r e s s u r e s w i n g a b s o r p t i o n (PSA). While p a r t i a l p r e s s u r e m i x i n g is the s i m p l e s t m e t h o d of o b t a i n i n g nitrox, the r i s k of oxygen c o m i n g i n t o
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