- Email: [email protected]
‘Syringeless’ filters process samples quickly
NEWS installation. For additional flexibility, the product line also enables users to retrofit the technology in systems that use modules of a comparable size. To simplify membrane cleaning and maintenance the central aeration system (a proprietary feature of the Puron module) and the bottom header have both been redesigned. KMS says that the new aeration system reduces the flow rate during air scouring, which decreases air usage by up to 20%, compared with the original design. A key advantage of the patented Puron system is that it uses a single header with hollow fibres that are fixed only at the bottom. The sealed upper end of each fibre is allowed to float freely. This eliminates the build-up of hair and fibrous materials, which can clog the upper end of membrane fibres in MBR designs that employ both a top and bottom header. Solids and particulate matter, including bacteria, are retained by the membrane and remain on the outside, while permeate is drawn through the membrane to the inside of the fibres. This outside-to-inside approach provides optimal solids management and a high flowrate, while using up to 50% less energy than other MBR systems, claims the company. According to KMS, MBR systems with submerged membrane modules are increasingly used for some of the toughest wastewater applications, including sewage treatment for municipalities and treatment of wastewater for the beverage, textile, food, paper and chemicals industries. By using MBR systems to recycle process water industrial companies can cut wastewater disposal costs and reduce consumption of fresh water. KMS exhibited its 1500-m2 module at this year’s Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), which was held in San Diego, California, USA, on 15–17 October. Contact: Koch Membrane Systems Inc, 850 Main Street, Wilmington, MA 01887-3388, USA. Tel: +1 978 694 7000, www.kochmembrane.com Koch Membrane Systems GmbH, Kackertstrass 10, 52072 Aachen, Germany, Tel: +49 241 413260
‘Syringeless’ filters process samples quickly
U
K-based Whatman Plc says that its Mini-UniPrep ‘syringeless’ filters provide a fast and easy way to remove particulate matter from samples that are being prepared for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.
November 2007
The Mini-UniPrep is a pre-assembled filtration device comprising a chamber and a plunger that contains a membrane. The filter membrane is housed on one end of the plunger. A cap/septum is placed on the other end. By pressing the plunger through the sample in the chamber, positive pressure forces the filtrate into the reservoir of the plunger. Air escapes through vent holes until the evaporation seal is engaged, providing an airtight closure. A wide range of membranes – with pore sizes of 0.2 µm and 0.45 µm – is offered with the Mini-UniPrep, to meet the requirements of most sample preparation applications. Specific filtration media include glass micro-fibre for particulate laden liquids; nylon for aqueous and organic samples in a 3–10 pH range; and polypropylene for general filtration and solvent-based samples. The filtration device is designed to fit into any auto-sampler that can handle 12 x 32 mm vials. A range of filters targeting specific needs – particularly in the pharmaceutical and environmental markets – are available, including products for customers using robotic systems, and ones designed to meet USP specifications for light resistance. Contact: Whatman Plc, Springfield Mill, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2LE, UK. Tel: +44 1622 676670, www.whatman.com Whatman Incorporated, 200 Park Avenue, Suite 210, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA. Tel: +1 973 245 8300
Veolia builds hybrid desalination plant in UAE
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eolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS), through its subsidiary SIDEM (VWS-Sidem), a thermal desalination specialist, has been selected to build a desalination plant in the Emirate of Fujairah, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The project combines two main technologies – multiple effect distillation (MED) and reverse osmosis (RO). This approach will allow optimal use of the electricity generated by the power plant, especially during the winter months. The plant will be located in Qidfa and will produce 590 000 m3 (158 million gallons) per day of desalinated water to meet growing demand and strengthen the region’s development potential. The desalination plant will be linked to a 2000-MW power plant. The facilities to be put in place by VWS’s subsidiary include 12 MED desalination units, each
In Brief Whatman’s Chairman to stand down Whatman Plc, the UK-based supplier of separations technology to the life sciences industry, has announced that Bob Thian, the company’s Chairman, has informed the board that he wishes to stand down from his position at a date to be agreed, but no later than next year’s Annual General Meeting (22 May 2008). Thian has been Chairman of Whatman for five years. He took up his position during November 2002 at a time when the firm’s performance was in decline. He carried out a fundamental restructuring of Whatman’s operations and oversaw the acquisition of Schleicher & Schuell GmbH in Germany at the end of 2004 which expanded the company’s activities into Europe and significantly enhanced its earnings performance. Seprotech agrees to acquire P.J. Hannah Canada’s Seprotech Systems Incorporated, a provider of pre-engineered water and wastewater treatment plants, including membrane-based systems, has entered into a letter of intent to acquire by way of asset purchase the business of P.J. Hannah Equipment Sales Corporation of Surrey, British Columbia. Founded during 1973 P.J. Hannah has had revenues (unaudited) ranging from approximately C$2.0 million to C$3.3 million per year over the past five years. It has experienced substantial growth this year, with 2007 revenues expected to be approximately C$5 million. It manufactures a range of water and wastewater treatment equipment for use in municipalities and by the resource sector. Russian conference focuses on membranes The International Water Association’s (IWA) regional conference ‘Membrane Technologies in Water and Waste Water Treatment’ is scheduled to be held on 2–4 June 2008 in Moscow, Russia. The conference will be part of ECWATECH2008, one of the largest water and wastewater technology exhibitions in Eastern Europe. This year the IWA conference will focus on the latest developments in membrane processes, operation and applications. More information: Web: www.iwamembranes.ru RainMaker receives award US-based steam purification company RASIRC has announced that its RainMaker humidification system (RHS) was selected by the editors of R&D Magazine and associated Micro/Nano newsletter as one of the most innovative products of 2007 in their inaugural ‘Micro/Nano 25 Competition’. The company’s RHS system delivers precise amounts of ultrapure water vapour and simultaneously removes contaminants and dissolved gases. According to Micro/Nano, technologies that are revealed to be the most innovative and groundbreaking, and have the largest impact on a specific industry or society in general are selected for this award.
Membrane Technology
3
‘Syringeless’ filters process samples quickly
U
K-based Whatman Plc says that its Mini-UniPrep ‘syringeless’ filters provide a fast and easy way to remove particulate matter from samples that are being prepared for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.
November 2007
The Mini-UniPrep is a pre-assembled filtration device comprising a chamber and a plunger that contains a membrane. The filter membrane is housed on one end of the plunger. A cap/septum is placed on the other end. By pressing the plunger through the sample in the chamber, positive pressure forces the filtrate into the reservoir of the plunger. Air escapes through vent holes until the evaporation seal is engaged, providing an airtight closure. A wide range of membranes – with pore sizes of 0.2 µm and 0.45 µm – is offered with the Mini-UniPrep, to meet the requirements of most sample preparation applications. Specific filtration media include glass micro-fibre for particulate laden liquids; nylon for aqueous and organic samples in a 3–10 pH range; and polypropylene for general filtration and solvent-based samples. The filtration device is designed to fit into any auto-sampler that can handle 12 x 32 mm vials. A range of filters targeting specific needs – particularly in the pharmaceutical and environmental markets – are available, including products for customers using robotic systems, and ones designed to meet USP specifications for light resistance. Contact: Whatman Plc, Springfield Mill, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2LE, UK. Tel: +44 1622 676670, www.whatman.com Whatman Incorporated, 200 Park Avenue, Suite 210, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA. Tel: +1 973 245 8300
Veolia builds hybrid desalination plant in UAE
V
eolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS), through its subsidiary SIDEM (VWS-Sidem), a thermal desalination specialist, has been selected to build a desalination plant in the Emirate of Fujairah, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The project combines two main technologies – multiple effect distillation (MED) and reverse osmosis (RO). This approach will allow optimal use of the electricity generated by the power plant, especially during the winter months. The plant will be located in Qidfa and will produce 590 000 m3 (158 million gallons) per day of desalinated water to meet growing demand and strengthen the region’s development potential. The desalination plant will be linked to a 2000-MW power plant. The facilities to be put in place by VWS’s subsidiary include 12 MED desalination units, each
In Brief Whatman’s Chairman to stand down Whatman Plc, the UK-based supplier of separations technology to the life sciences industry, has announced that Bob Thian, the company’s Chairman, has informed the board that he wishes to stand down from his position at a date to be agreed, but no later than next year’s Annual General Meeting (22 May 2008). Thian has been Chairman of Whatman for five years. He took up his position during November 2002 at a time when the firm’s performance was in decline. He carried out a fundamental restructuring of Whatman’s operations and oversaw the acquisition of Schleicher & Schuell GmbH in Germany at the end of 2004 which expanded the company’s activities into Europe and significantly enhanced its earnings performance. Seprotech agrees to acquire P.J. Hannah Canada’s Seprotech Systems Incorporated, a provider of pre-engineered water and wastewater treatment plants, including membrane-based systems, has entered into a letter of intent to acquire by way of asset purchase the business of P.J. Hannah Equipment Sales Corporation of Surrey, British Columbia. Founded during 1973 P.J. Hannah has had revenues (unaudited) ranging from approximately C$2.0 million to C$3.3 million per year over the past five years. It has experienced substantial growth this year, with 2007 revenues expected to be approximately C$5 million. It manufactures a range of water and wastewater treatment equipment for use in municipalities and by the resource sector. Russian conference focuses on membranes The International Water Association’s (IWA) regional conference ‘Membrane Technologies in Water and Waste Water Treatment’ is scheduled to be held on 2–4 June 2008 in Moscow, Russia. The conference will be part of ECWATECH2008, one of the largest water and wastewater technology exhibitions in Eastern Europe. This year the IWA conference will focus on the latest developments in membrane processes, operation and applications. More information: Web: www.iwamembranes.ru RainMaker receives award US-based steam purification company RASIRC has announced that its RainMaker humidification system (RHS) was selected by the editors of R&D Magazine and associated Micro/Nano newsletter as one of the most innovative products of 2007 in their inaugural ‘Micro/Nano 25 Competition’. The company’s RHS system delivers precise amounts of ultrapure water vapour and simultaneously removes contaminants and dissolved gases. According to Micro/Nano, technologies that are revealed to be the most innovative and groundbreaking, and have the largest impact on a specific industry or society in general are selected for this award.
Membrane Technology
3