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Siemens launches chemical-free water deionizer
May 13, 2009 - by Lisa Sibley, Cleantech Group
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A subsidiary of Germany’s Siemens launched a new, high-purity water treatment system today that has the potential to replace chemically regenerated mixed-bed deionization systems.
Warrendale, Pa.-based Siemens Water Technologies' new Vantage VNX system is intended for the power, microelectronics and industrial markets.
The modular skidded system use reverse osmosis to produce 50 to 900 gallons per minute of deionized water. Reverse osmosis uses pressure or heat to force water through a semipermeable membrane (see Largest desalination plant in Western world gets go-ahead).
Reverse osmosis is the dominant water purification form in the cleantech sector, but it’s criticized because of its large energy requirement and infrastructure cost. Companies including Cambridge, Mass.-based Oasys are tackling the energy load required (see Oasys develops energy-efficient osmosis for desalination).
The Vantage system incorporates Siemens' Ionpure continuous electrodeionization (CEDI) technology, which uses high-flow modules. According to Siemens, CEDI is a chemical-free process for deionization. It uses selective ion exchange membranes, conductive resins and electricity to remove ions from water. The VNX modules are also stackable, saving floor space.
Being chemical free, the system prevents the need for expensive acid and caustic regeneration chemicals or the inconvenience of exchangeable deionized tanks. It also offers continuous operation and product water quality.
Siemens did not disclose the system's price.
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Comments
Chemical free water de-ioniser
Submitted on May 15th, 2009 by H.S.Gopala Krishna Murthy (not verified)The subject title is mis-leading. After all reverse osmosis is known for decades and huge plants for purification of water are in place throughout the world. Further, there are advantages and disadvantages for both ion-exchange resin systems and RO systems. Decision on using RO over ion-exchange resin systems depends on the quality of the water to be treated and the cost benefit analysis. When ultrapure water is required, even though RO is used as a pretreatment process, the final high purity can be achieved only using mixed bed ion-exchange resin columns.
RO systems do need chemicals to keep the membranes in good working condition. In fact, this cost is substantial and next only the electrical energy required for operating the RO systems.
If Siemens have made any innovations in their RO systems over and above what is presently known, they could perhaps high-light such information rather than making this misleading announcement.
H.S.Gopala Krishna Murthy
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