US water and wastewater utility installs Microtox monitor

NEWS multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company – have worked together to commercialise an eco-friendly washing machine that uses ultrafiltration (UF) technology. The machine is designed and built using the Dow Purinze UF module which, according to the companies, reduces water consumption by more than 30% whilst improving water quality by removing common bacteria. Wenwei Li, the R & D director for the Haier Casarte eco-friendly washing machine, said: ‘The improved water quality of this machine delivers exceptional cleaning performance. The Purinze UF module removes as much as 99% of common bacteria during washing, which significantly improves hygiene and brings healthier clothes to the users. Because of the excellent filtration performance, water consumption is reduced by more than 30% – another significant breakthrough in washing machines, addressing water scarcity issues and resonating well with a more and more sustainable consumer lifestyle.’ It is an industry first to apply UF technology to washing machines, says DW & PS. The Purinze module runs continuously during washing and, based on testing performed by Casarte, can last as long as the lifetime of the machine. Composed of porous hollow fibres, about 20–30 nm in diameter, the module enables water molecules to pass through whilst blocking bacteria and mites. As a result, as much as 99% of common bacteria and mites, as well as other dirt and contaminants, are removed from the water and discharged from the washing machine. ‘This successful application speaks to our commitment to providing innovative products and technologies that address world challenges, such as the need for hygiene in a water-stressed world,’ said Cedella Beazley, Filtration Business Unit Director, DW & PS. The “washing machine project” falls under the strategic collaboration between Dow and Haier that began in 2010 to provide innovative and differentiated products for consumers. In the past few years the companies have collaborated in diversified formats in the area of residential water purification, including using Dow Filmtec reverse osmosis components in Haier’s high-end residential water purification products (see Membrane Technology, May 2014, pages 2–3). ‘The close collaboration between Haier and Dow enables us to conduct cross-business activities to create innovative products,’ commented Snehal Desai, Global Business Director, DW & PS. 6

Membrane Technology

‘In today’s increasingly competitive market, a successful business is defined not only by how good its products are, but also by how well it collaborates with customers to respond to the needs of the value chain.’ Contacts: The Dow Chemical Co, Dow Water & Process Solutions, Customer Information Center, PO Box 1206, Midland, MI 48642-1206, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 9086, www.dowwaterandprocess.com, www.dow.com Haier Group, 1 Haier Road, Hi-Tech Zone, Qingdao, 266101, China. Tel: +86 532 889 39999, www.haier.net

Ramad filter efficiently removes corrosion particles from natural gas

U

S filtration, separation and purification company Pall Corp has developed a particle filter designed for use on natural gas transmission pipelines. According to Pall’s Fuels & Chemicals Group, which provides filtration and separation technologies for the oil and gas exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals and polymer manufacturing industries, Ramad black powder filters are engineered to remove liquid aerosols and fine particle contaminants generated in natural gas transmission pipelines, thus protecting plant and process equipment from damage and reduced throughput. Housed in a single vessel, the equipment incorporates a proprietary cyclonic separator module to remove solid and liquid contaminants larger than 10 μm, followed by cartridge filters to capture particles measuring 0.3 μm. ‘Natural gas producers require filters that can withstand the demanding applications of the industry, and they also need to protect their process equipment,’ said Vic Maurtua, Vice President, Pall Energy. ‘End-users will benefit from the Pall Ramad filter’s high performance, simple operation and operator-friendly maintenance routines, in addition to reduced capital costs.’

Contact: Pall Corp, 25 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050, USA. Tel: +1 516 484 5400, www.pall.com/main/fuels-and-chemicals/oil-andgas-47119.page

US water and wastewater utility installs Microtox monitor

U

K-based Modern Water Plc, which specialises in membrane technology and develops systems for monitoring the quality of water, recently launched an updated continuous toxicity monitor that uses its Microtox technology. According to the company, demand for this monitor has been high with the first unit being installed just after its launch at one of Aqua America Inc’s water treatment plants in Pennsylvania, USA. The Microtox continuous toxicity monitor (CTM) is unique as it is the only on-line toxicity monitor that is capable of truly continuous monitoring, claims Modern Water. Other online toxicity monitors, says the firm, take intermittent samples, which only provide one test result every 15–30 minutes. The Microtox CTM is a site-based, broad range monitor that continuously measures the chemical toxicity of several thousand chemicals in any water source, and is able to give an instant indication of the water quality. It requires a low level of skill for both operation and maintenance, and has a fourweek, autonomous operating cycle. Aqua America Inc is a water and wastewater utility company with operating subsidiaries that serve approximately 3 million residents in eight states across the USA. It is currently pilot testing the Microtox CTM at the source water intake at one of its sites. The unit will protect water at this site by providing an early warning of any deliberate or accidental contamination events. In addition, it can be configured for wastewater and other drinking-water applications. Neil Townend, Managing Director, Monitoring Division, Modern Water, said: ‘We are delighted to have installed our first new Microtox continuous toxicity monitor at one of Aqua America’s sites. Our new system is a significant step forward for toxicity monitoring and provides the customer with the potential for real-time and truly continuous monitoring.’

Contacts: Modern Water Plc, Bramley House, The Guildway, Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford GU3 1LR, UK. Tel: +44 1483 696 000, www.modernwater.com Modern Water Inc, 15 Read’s Way, Suite 100, New Castle, DE 19720, USA. Tel: +1 302 669 6900 Aqua America Inc, 762 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3489, USA. Tel: +1 610 5278000, www.aquaamerica.com

April 2015