Dec. 9, 2003 -- The latest in membrane technologies for the industrial water market will be one of the many topics discussed at the annual Industrial Water Conference, set for Dec. 9-11, in Las Vegas, NV.
Membrane processes, including reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF) are continuing to penetrate the water treatment marketplace. However, users must understand the capabilities, limitations and requirements of these technologies to derive the maximum benefits.
A session entitled Membrane Technology Applications and Case Studies will presents results of the successful application of UF as pretreatment to RO for use in producing makeup water for power plants. A case study of RO membrane fouling experience in treatment of secondary waste for use as power plant makeup water is also covered. A third case study will discuss the assessment of pretreatment requirements for RO systems used to produce power plant makeup water.
In a separate session on Demineralization Process Reliability & Performance, Gabor Bercsi and Csaba Kovacs of Sinergy Ltd. will discuss the use of membrane technologies in a large-scale water treatment plant for a chemical processing facility.
Ultrafiltration (UF) has been widely applied in the area of potable water production as a barrier to pathogens and viruses. However, more recent acceptance has been gained in the pretreatment of surface water and biologically treated municipal effluent prior to Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems for make-up to power plants.
Merrilee Galloway of Ionics will discuss the results of a pilot study that examined the use of secondary treated municipal effluent as make-up water for a power plant. The report will discuss the benefits of using UF as a pretreatment to RO systems on both surface water and secondary treated municipal effluent by exploring data from scale installations as well as pilot test sites.
Kenneth Langr, Senior Specialty Engineer with Xcel Energy, will discuss the design, installation and operation of an RO pretreatment system for the demineralizer at Xcel Energy's Riverside Plant. Obstacles to a low cost installation which would reduce regenerant chemical usage included feedwater with greater than 21 grains per gallon hardness, greater than 40 ppm manganese, water appropriation requirements and permitting issues.
Despite the challenges, the system was installed with a total cost of approximately 80% of the original budget and performance has meet all expectations. Current RO recovery rates are 74-75 percent, with permeate flows variable from between 75% and 130% of design flow.
The Industrial Water Conference will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will be co-located with Power-Gen International. Power-Gen is the largest conference & exhibition serving the electric power industry in the US. The show is expected to draw 20,000 attendees and 1200 exhibiting companies.
Attendees at the Industrial Water Conference will receive a free pass to walk the Power-Gen exhibit floor.
One area of the huge exhibit floor has been set aside as the "Water Pavilion." The Pavilion will feature more than 40 companies that specialize in a wide-array of water-related equipment and technologies for the electric power industry. Other companies that feature water-related equipment will be scattered throughout the exhibit area.
To learn more about the Industrial Water Conference, visit the conference website at www.industrialwaterconference.com, or call toll-free at 1-888-299-8057. Additional information on Power-Gen may be obtained by visiting www.powergen.com.
