Innovation in membrane technology for desalination

01 October 2009 

American Water, Vitens, RWB Water Services, University of Twente and WE Consult have launched a project on innovation in desalination technology. The ´Clean Operator´ project is co-funded by subsidiary SenterNovem and aims to reduce the costs, environmental impact and carbon footprint of desalination.

Cleaner operation for cleaner membranes
In the Clean Operator project, the partners will develop new technologies for seawater desalination and the treatment of surface water and waste water using Reverse Osmosis membranes. Worldwide, a total capacity of more than 11 billion m³/year in Reverse Osmosis has been installed and the market is developing fast with over 10% annual growth. Many of these desalination plants suffer from membrane fouling. In some cases the membranes need frequent chemical cleaning, thus increasing operational costs and the emission of waste chemicals and CO₂ to the environment. Clean Operator aims to reduce operational costs through a sustainable operation resulting in cleaner membranes.

Consortium
With a budget of € 1.5-2 million for 2009-2011, the project will deliver operational technology for use in existing and new membrane plants. The fundamental research will be performed by the University of Twente, assisted by Vitens and WE Consult. RWB Water Services and WE Consult will focus on the development of the new technology, while Vitens and American Water will concentrate on applying the technology in their water treatment plants.

American Water is the largest  investor-owned water and wastewater utility in the United States, supplying potable water of excellent quality and wastewater services to more than 15 million people. Vitens is the largest water supply company in the Netherlands, supplying excellent quality drinking water to 5.4 million consumers and businesses. The University of Twente is a leading university on research in membrane filtration with outstanding knowledge in module hydraulics and membrane preparation. RWB Water Services is a Dutch supplier of various types of water treatment equipment for waste water treatment, industrial water supply and potable water supply. WE Consult is a consultancy firm in the Netherlands with a strong profile on innovation and development of new water technology.

Note for the editor
For more information, please contact: Vitens, Corine Willemse on +31(0)88 884 7444 (option 4) or corine.willemse@vitens.nl. Or WE Consult, Peter Wessels, MSc., peter.wessels@we-consult.nl.  Or University of Twente. dr. ir. Antoine Kemperman, T: +31(0)53 489 4956, E: a.j.b.kemperman@utwente.nl.