Water. desalination + reuse

RESEARCH | 36 | Desalination & Water Reuse | May-June 2014 Applying thermoresponsive microgels to micro- and ultrafiltration (MF and UF) membranes can allow flow to be influenced by temperature variations, according to new research from RWTH Aachen University and DWI—Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials in Germany. In a paper Temperature-Modulated Water Filtration Using Microgel- Functionalized Hollow-Fiber Membranes published in the journal Angewandte Chemie (16 April 2014 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201400316), the authors describe how they used Pentair X-Flow MF and UF hollow- fiber membranes coated with poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-based microgels. Both inside-out and outside-in filtration in dead-end mode was tested. The researchers monitored the clean-water permeability and stability of the membranes not only as a function of time but also of temperature. Their finding was that the microgel-modified membranes exhibited a reversible thermoresponsive behavior in that both the resistance and the retention increased with decreasing temperature. However, application of the gel did significantly reduce the permeability of the membranes. Heat-responsive gels used to coat MF/UF membranes New desalination process to be researched at Alamagordo Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) Research By: New Mexico State University and General Electric Funding Source: Office of Naval Research and Bureau of Reclamation Research Period: 2013-2015 Beginning in the fall of 2013, research focused on EDR power consumption comparisons with reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Upcoming work will consist of modeling of the EDR electrical field and segmented electrode research. Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Research By: New Mexico State University and General Electric Funding Source: Office of Naval Research and Bureau of Reclamation Research Period: 2013-2015 In addition to power consumption comparisons with EDR, upcoming research will evaluate the hybridization of these technologies with EDR. Solar Distillation Research by: KII, Inc. Funding Source: Reclamation DWPR Grant Research Period: - 2014 KII obtained a grant for research at BGNDRF with a second generation Suns River Solar Still. The second generation unit is a commercial-scale unit that uses a more compact design with double- pane glass and optimized vapor flow pathways. It was developed based on lessons learned from previous testing at BGNDRF of the first generation still (D&WR feature, November-December 2012). Radial Deionization Research by: Danlin Industries Funding Source: Privately Funded Research Period: 2014 Danlin Industries is pilot testing radial deionization, a second generation capacitive deionization technology, using the various brackish waters available at BGNDRF. Brackish water testing will be followed by testing of mine water that will be brought to the facility. Upon completion of these tests, Danlin Industries will proceed with obtaining National Science Foundation (NSF) certification of the technology for potable purposes. ElectroMagnetic Desalination Research By: Syntonix, Inc Funding Source: Privately Funded Research Period: 2014-2015 Syntonix will build a bench scale and pilot scale plant for developing a patent pending technology for desalination of various brackish waters available at BGNDRF. This technology will reduce the total energy needed for desalination using six specific techniques including electric and electromagnetic separation technologies. KNeW Process Research by: Trailblazer Technologies Funding Source: Privately Funded Research Period: 2014 The KNeW Process is an ion exchange process that removes ions from the feed water to produce fertilizer products and clean water. Demonstration pilot testing will be followed by NSF certification of various claims for the technology. Funding drive launches nine DPR research projects Nearly US$ 3 million has already been allocated by the WateReuse Research Foundation to nine high-priority direct potable reuse (DPR) research projects and more new DPR research funding will be announced later this year. Nearly 50 water agencies, consulting firms, and suppliers have pledged almost US$ 6 million to support research to advance DPR as a water supply option in California, according to the Spring/Summer 2014 DPR Initiative Update released by WateReuse. The nine projects are: • WRRF-13-02: Model Public Communication Plan for Advancing DPR Acceptance • WRRF-13-03: Critical Control Point Assessment to Quantify Robustness and Reliability of Multiple Treatment Barriers of DPR Scheme • WRRF-13-12: Evaluation of Source Water Control Options and the Impact of Selected Strategies on DPR • WRRF-13-13: Development of Operation and Maintenance Plan and Training and Certification Framework for Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) Systems • WRF 4536: Blending Requirements for Water from DPR Treatment Facilities • WRF 4508: Assessment of techniques for evaluating and demonstrating safety of DPR product water • WRRF-14-01: Integrated Management of Sensor Data for Real Time Decision Making and Response • WRRF-14-02: Establishing additional log reduction credits for WWTPs • WRRF-14-03, Develop Methodology of comprehensive (fiscal/triple bottom line) analysis of alternative water supply projects compared to DPR As a follow-up to his article published in the May/June 2013 issue of D&WR, Randall Shaw, who heads up the US Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF) in Alamagordo, New Mexico, has sent these notes on ongoing and upcoming research at the facility:

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