Large flood control pumps installed at New Orleans’ London Avenue Canal following Hurricane Katrina performed as planned to prevent flooding during Hurricane Gustav.
This was the first-ever attempt under actual storm conditions to synchronize the massive floodgate structures and new pumps installed at the mouths of three New Orleans outfall canals following Katrina.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials indicated that two different kinds of temporary pumps installed at the floodgates of the London Avenue and 17th Street canals ran without failing during the approximate 24-hour period that Gustav pounded the New Orleans area.
Pumps at the site included eight 68" x 72" SAFV Mixed Flow Pumps from Patterson Pump Co.
The synchronizing process, which quickly removed water from the closed canals, allowed the New Oarleans Sewage and Water Board to crank up its own pumps and remove water even faster from city streets.
Company, Universities Plan Membrane Research
Dow Water Solutions has reached a multi-year joint development partnership with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and University of Texas at Austin (UT). Under the agreement, the company will collaborate with Virginia Tech and UT on the research and development of oxidation-resistant reverse osmosis membranes.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with an industry leader such as Dow Water Solutions,” said Dr. Benny Freeman, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. “It’s an exciting alliance bringing together the vast engineering knowledge of our universities with Dow’s existing industry expertise, resulting in breakthrough membrane chemistry.”
Dr. James McGrath, Professor of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, added, “This partnership is a positive step forward for the advancement of science. Through innovation, research and hard work, our joint development will present endless opportunities to deploy advanced membrane technologies, meaning greater water purification and management to the world.”
This joint partnership will tackle one of the toughest technical challenges in the water desalination industry, developing oxidation-resistant, or chlorine-resistant, reverse osmosis membranes that will simplify the water treatment process and convert highly-contaminated waters into potable water sources.
“Over the past five years, we’ve invested significantly in innovation to provide sustainable water in a more efficient and cost-effective manner,” said David Klanecky, global director of research and development, Dow Water Solutions. “This joint partnership is yet another example of how we strategically collaborate and combine our expertise with that of innovative leaders to drive growth and bring solutions to our customers around the world.” WW
