Water. desalination + reuse

BUSINESS coRpoRate chaNges leading technologies. Together with our knowledge of specific market demand in China, this partnership is another example of how L&L is leveraging its business strengths with partners to expand our footprint in the clean energy business." REfINaNcINg 'REdUcES coStS' foR MElBoURNE dESalINatIoN plaNt Suez Environnement has drawn a line under its financial situation relative to the Victorian Desalination Plant in Melbourne, Australia, after operator Aquasure, 21% owned by Suez, concluded a refinancing agreement worth Aus$ 3.7 billion (US$ 3.55 billion). Suez says that the deal has achieved "a significant reduction" in financial costs and proves the confidence of the banks in the asset. It describes the deal as leading to "a satisfactory resolution on the legal issues related to the desalination plant construction", putting an end to outstanding claims. The Melbourne facility, which is currently in standby mode, entered into a 27-year operational contract in December 2012, and Suez says that its cumulated revenue will reach € 800 million. However, the water minister for the state of Victoria, Peter Walsh, stated in January 2013 that he was making it a personal goal never to order water from the plant that he says is costing Victorians almost Aus$ 2 million (US$ 1.9 million) a day. This project is the world's largest public-private desalination plant with a capacity of 450,000 m3/d. ERI to coopERatE wIth KoREaNS oN pRo foR ENERgy Energy Recovery Inc announced on 15 October 2013 that it has signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Seoul-based global company GS Engineering & Construction Corporation (GS E&C Corp) which is a part of Korean conglomerate GS Group, to advance osmotic power generation significantly using ERI's PX Pressure Exchanger® technology. A pilot program is already underway, and it is anticipated that a unit will be operational in 2014 at GS E&C Corp's research and development center in Korea. The process of pressure-retarded osmosis is created by juxtaposing seawater with freshwater, where the resulting osmotic power serves as both a renewable and consistent source of electricity. While still the in the early stages, the best estimates of global production potential of osmotic power exceed 1,600 tWh, or the equivalent of half of Europe's entire energy demand, says ERI. aptwatER BUyS REMaININg SEpRo ShaRES fRoM SojItz California-based APTwater Rochem® has acquired the remaining shares of Sepro Membranes from its previous joint-venture partner Sojitz Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. Sepro specializes in the development and manufacture of high performance ultrafiltration, microfiltration and nanofiltration membranes and modules serving the water, food processing, mining, dairy and automotive industries. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed "Sepro Membranes are core to our strategy going forward, and we are excited about the prospects for growing the business," said John Kaestle, APTwater CEO. "Additive to strong technology | 12 | Desalination & Water Reuse | November-December 2013 and manufacturing capabilities, we are acquiring a capable and committed staff and we expect to invest in capital expansions over the next two years to expand Sepro's capabilities and new products." Michael Froud, chief growth officer for APTwater added, "Sepro's development in the area of 'functionalized membranes' is opening very promising new markets for our systems, modules and membranes to solve unique and challenging problems in the area of 'difficult to treat' waters and process fluids." h2o INNovatIoN RaISES MoRE capItal INvEStMENt H2O Innovation Inc announced on 30 September 2013 that it had completed a non-brokered private placement of approximately Can$ 1.978 million (US$ 1.915 million) with a group of private investors and shares for debts for an amount of approximately Can$ 157,000 (US$ 152,000). The company will use the proceeds of the offering to partially reimburse its long-term debt and to support its working capital. "We believe that the company has now reached more stability in its business model and its overall operations; thus, we want to solidify our balance sheet in reducing our long-term debt by approximately Can$ 1.15 million (US$ 1.11 million), which will also significantly reduce our interest expenses over the current fiscal year and improve our profitability", stated Frédéric Dugré, president and CEO of H2O Innovation Inc. Stw joINS hfEIS dEvElopER to taRgEt dESalINatIoN STW Resources Holding Corp of Texas, USA, announced on 18 September 2013 a mutual strategic relationship with Coloradobased Tat-Tech Inc to remediate oil sands waste, brackish groundwater and seawater via the construction and operation of proprietary systems developed by Tat-Tech. STW Resources is now building a demonstration unit to perform pilot tests for customers. Tat-Tech's High Frequency Electro Induction System utilizes elemental frequencies that result in the production of electricity for on-site consumption, with the excess generation converted into AC power and transmitted via power line infrastructure to end-consumers. Simultaneously, the system processes saline laden waters to recover fresh water that meets potable standards. Each containerized cell has the capability to process approximately 1 million gallons (3,785 m3) of influent, with an average 80% recovery of fresh water and generation of 1 MW of electricity or approximately 24,000 kWh/d. "I have observed the efficacy of this technology when Tat-Tech processed some seawater in its lab system," STW CEO Stanley Weiner said. "We had the effluent tested at a certified third-party laboratory and the resulting analyses confirmed that the process works. "With the ability to process salt water into potable water and the extra benefit of producing electricity, this technology will have worldwide implications." "STW is implementing a marketing plan to commercialize this technology," said Lee Maddox, STW Chief Operating Officer, "We are also in discussions with potential industry partners to codevelop the technology for various applications internationally."

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