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Global Water Summit scheduled for April
NEWS/IN BRIEF
LiqTech set to participate in ISPT water cluster
D
anish cleantech company LiqTech International Inc is participating in the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) water cluster, with the intention of developing a commercial system that can be applied to oil emulsion challenges in the upstream oil and gas industry. LiqTech says that it is the only membrane supplier to be selected. The current members of this dedicated cluster are Gaz de France, Shell, EBN, Frames, Vito, ISPT and LiqTech. Finn Helmer, CEO, LiqTech, remarked: ‘Being selected to be a part of this small, but distinguished group, is confirmation that the oil and gas industry is considering LiqTech silicon carbide (SiC) membranes as a possible solution to a difficult, existing industry challenge. We are pleased and proud to be selected as the only membrane supplier among several of our known competitors.’ LiqTech says that it decided to participate in this initiative because the group is seeking to develop and commercialise technology that aims to find a solution to a general problem in the industry, and one that represents significant market potential. The close cooperation with oil companies and system integrators is in line with the firm’s strategy. ISPT is described as a cooperation between industry, universities, and knowledge institutions, which aims to speed up innovation processes, making them more efficient. Apart from developing knowledge, the institute aims to develop, demonstrate and apply technology with a special focus on process applications. Breakthrough results are valued for the impact they have on the global process technology envelope – from raw materials to end products.
Contacts: LiqTech International A/s, Industriparken 22C, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark. Tel: +45 4498 6000, www.liqtech.com Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, Groen van Prinstererlaan 37, 3818 JN Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 33 700 9797, www.ispt.eu
Global Water Summit scheduled for April "
W
ater for Growth" is the theme of this year’s Global Water Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Paris, France, on 7–8 April. According to the company behind this event,
March 2014
UK-based Media Analytics Ltd, it reflects the fact that water is not just necessary to facilitate economic expansion, but the productivity gains that can be achieved through new technologies, better operational practices, and inspired leadership mean that water can be an engine of growth in itself, for cities and for businesses. It is an exciting time for the water sector, but also a confusing one, says the firm. “Water for Growth” aims to seek out the opportunities currently emerging in unconventional oil and gas, Africa’s economic renaissance, emerging markets which have long since out-grown their legacy infrastructure, new financial models, and creative approaches to performance in the utility sector. Contact: Media Analytics Ltd, Suite C, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 1XX, UK. Tel: +44 1865 208 054, www.watermeetsmoney.com
Ceramic separator enhances safety and performance of batteries
P
orous Power Technologies Llc (PPT) of Lafayette, Colorado, USA, has launched Symmetrix NC2020, a ceramic battery separator designed to significantly improve thermal stability and safety of large-format lithium-ion batteries. The battery separator is a vital component in the safety, cycle-life and performance equation. PPT, which developed it in partnership with Ahlstrom, says it delivers sizable improvements in all three areas, but particularly safety. Applications include batteries for electric vehicles, flat-cell consumer electronics, utility-grade energy storage, and other high-power or high-energy systems. ‘Symmetrix NC2020 is non-flammable and more resistant to shrinkage than conventional separators. This makes cells more stable when damaged or abused, and can prevent or delay thermal runaway events,’ explained Michael Pender, Managing Director, PPT. John Shelburne, Director, Research and Development, PPT, added: ‘Use of ceramics in separators is not new. However, most manufacturers apply a ceramic coating on conventional polyolefin separators. A coating can impede ion flow through the separator, reducing battery cycle life and performance. Furthermore, it can crack or flake off, potentially contaminating the cell.’ In contrast, Symmetrix NC2020’s ceramic particles are blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer to form a flexible, ceramic-rich microporous membrane. Ions flow freely though
In Brief Toray Membrane Europe appoints new sales director Toray Membrane Europe Ag (TMEu), a subsidiary of Toray Industries Inc, has appointed Peter Küppers as its new sales director. He has taken over from Reinhard Kalbfuss, former vice president of sales, who is going to step into the role of TMEu’s senior consultant on a part-time basis. Küppers has now worked for TMEu for almost seven years. TMEu says that he will introduce new ideas and creativity to the company along with a deep sense of commitment. Japan grants Aquaporin patent The Japanese Patent Office has announced that Danish Cleantech firm Aquaporin A/s will be granted a patent based on the Japanese patent application No. 2011-247702 entitled “Biomimetic water membrane comprising aquaporins used in the production of salinity power” – adding another important step towards the company’s future market entry on the Asian continent (also see page 2). The Japanese patent will add to the list of issued patents covering the use of the Aquaporin Inside membrane technology in salinity power applications. In addition, the invention has been patented in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and China. Hyflux makes changes to its management committee Hyflux Ltd’s board of directors recently announced that Sam Ong, Group Senior EVP and Group Deputy CEO is leaving the group to pursue other interests. It also reports that Wong Lup Wai has been promoted from Group EVP, to Group EVP and Group Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Zhao Ping has been appointed Group Senior Managing Director and CEO, Galaxy NewSpring Pte Ltd. Metawater launches “Smart Field Service” Metawater Co Ltd has launched what it refers to as a “Smart Field Service” in Japan for enhanced water and wastewater infrastructure management. Incorporating AR technology from Fujitsu Ltd, and using smartphones or tablets for inspection work of water and wastewater facilities, this service is intended to simplify inspection work and make it more efficient. It also will be used to gather relevant data covering water and wastewater treatment. Metawater is aiming to introduce the service to 1000 Japanese municipalities by 2017. The company says it will analyse collected information about water and wastewater facilities in order to make maintenance and management of the facilities more efficient, whilst strengthening ties with Fujitsu in the water and wastewater business sector.
Membrane Technology
5
LiqTech set to participate in ISPT water cluster
D
anish cleantech company LiqTech International Inc is participating in the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) water cluster, with the intention of developing a commercial system that can be applied to oil emulsion challenges in the upstream oil and gas industry. LiqTech says that it is the only membrane supplier to be selected. The current members of this dedicated cluster are Gaz de France, Shell, EBN, Frames, Vito, ISPT and LiqTech. Finn Helmer, CEO, LiqTech, remarked: ‘Being selected to be a part of this small, but distinguished group, is confirmation that the oil and gas industry is considering LiqTech silicon carbide (SiC) membranes as a possible solution to a difficult, existing industry challenge. We are pleased and proud to be selected as the only membrane supplier among several of our known competitors.’ LiqTech says that it decided to participate in this initiative because the group is seeking to develop and commercialise technology that aims to find a solution to a general problem in the industry, and one that represents significant market potential. The close cooperation with oil companies and system integrators is in line with the firm’s strategy. ISPT is described as a cooperation between industry, universities, and knowledge institutions, which aims to speed up innovation processes, making them more efficient. Apart from developing knowledge, the institute aims to develop, demonstrate and apply technology with a special focus on process applications. Breakthrough results are valued for the impact they have on the global process technology envelope – from raw materials to end products.
Contacts: LiqTech International A/s, Industriparken 22C, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark. Tel: +45 4498 6000, www.liqtech.com Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, Groen van Prinstererlaan 37, 3818 JN Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 33 700 9797, www.ispt.eu
Global Water Summit scheduled for April "
W
ater for Growth" is the theme of this year’s Global Water Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Paris, France, on 7–8 April. According to the company behind this event,
March 2014
UK-based Media Analytics Ltd, it reflects the fact that water is not just necessary to facilitate economic expansion, but the productivity gains that can be achieved through new technologies, better operational practices, and inspired leadership mean that water can be an engine of growth in itself, for cities and for businesses. It is an exciting time for the water sector, but also a confusing one, says the firm. “Water for Growth” aims to seek out the opportunities currently emerging in unconventional oil and gas, Africa’s economic renaissance, emerging markets which have long since out-grown their legacy infrastructure, new financial models, and creative approaches to performance in the utility sector. Contact: Media Analytics Ltd, Suite C, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 1XX, UK. Tel: +44 1865 208 054, www.watermeetsmoney.com
Ceramic separator enhances safety and performance of batteries
P
orous Power Technologies Llc (PPT) of Lafayette, Colorado, USA, has launched Symmetrix NC2020, a ceramic battery separator designed to significantly improve thermal stability and safety of large-format lithium-ion batteries. The battery separator is a vital component in the safety, cycle-life and performance equation. PPT, which developed it in partnership with Ahlstrom, says it delivers sizable improvements in all three areas, but particularly safety. Applications include batteries for electric vehicles, flat-cell consumer electronics, utility-grade energy storage, and other high-power or high-energy systems. ‘Symmetrix NC2020 is non-flammable and more resistant to shrinkage than conventional separators. This makes cells more stable when damaged or abused, and can prevent or delay thermal runaway events,’ explained Michael Pender, Managing Director, PPT. John Shelburne, Director, Research and Development, PPT, added: ‘Use of ceramics in separators is not new. However, most manufacturers apply a ceramic coating on conventional polyolefin separators. A coating can impede ion flow through the separator, reducing battery cycle life and performance. Furthermore, it can crack or flake off, potentially contaminating the cell.’ In contrast, Symmetrix NC2020’s ceramic particles are blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer to form a flexible, ceramic-rich microporous membrane. Ions flow freely though
In Brief Toray Membrane Europe appoints new sales director Toray Membrane Europe Ag (TMEu), a subsidiary of Toray Industries Inc, has appointed Peter Küppers as its new sales director. He has taken over from Reinhard Kalbfuss, former vice president of sales, who is going to step into the role of TMEu’s senior consultant on a part-time basis. Küppers has now worked for TMEu for almost seven years. TMEu says that he will introduce new ideas and creativity to the company along with a deep sense of commitment. Japan grants Aquaporin patent The Japanese Patent Office has announced that Danish Cleantech firm Aquaporin A/s will be granted a patent based on the Japanese patent application No. 2011-247702 entitled “Biomimetic water membrane comprising aquaporins used in the production of salinity power” – adding another important step towards the company’s future market entry on the Asian continent (also see page 2). The Japanese patent will add to the list of issued patents covering the use of the Aquaporin Inside membrane technology in salinity power applications. In addition, the invention has been patented in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and China. Hyflux makes changes to its management committee Hyflux Ltd’s board of directors recently announced that Sam Ong, Group Senior EVP and Group Deputy CEO is leaving the group to pursue other interests. It also reports that Wong Lup Wai has been promoted from Group EVP, to Group EVP and Group Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Zhao Ping has been appointed Group Senior Managing Director and CEO, Galaxy NewSpring Pte Ltd. Metawater launches “Smart Field Service” Metawater Co Ltd has launched what it refers to as a “Smart Field Service” in Japan for enhanced water and wastewater infrastructure management. Incorporating AR technology from Fujitsu Ltd, and using smartphones or tablets for inspection work of water and wastewater facilities, this service is intended to simplify inspection work and make it more efficient. It also will be used to gather relevant data covering water and wastewater treatment. Metawater is aiming to introduce the service to 1000 Japanese municipalities by 2017. The company says it will analyse collected information about water and wastewater facilities in order to make maintenance and management of the facilities more efficient, whilst strengthening ties with Fujitsu in the water and wastewater business sector.
Membrane Technology
5