RICHMOND, VA, Apr. 27, 2009 -- SUEZ Environnement affiliate Infilco Degremont Inc. and GEA Process Engineering Inc. have agreed to merge their proprietary technologies to develop system solutions for zero-liquid discharge applications for the US and Canadian markets.
Infilco Degremont's industrial water and wastewater treatment expertise for physical-chemical clarification and water softening, coupled with reverse osmosis technology provided by another Suez Environnement affiliate, WPT - Anderson Water Systems Inc. to remove both suspended and dissolved solids, will provide the necessary pretreatment solution for GEA's evaporator-crystallizer sub-system expertise. Using this technology, the concentrated reject from reverse osmosis is evaporated until the dissolved solids supersaturate and begin to form solid crystals. The slurry of crystals is then dewatered and the resulting filtrate recycled completely within the system. The result is a true, zero-liquid discharge to the environment.
The new system will incorporate Infilco Degremont's DensaDeg® high-rate clarifier/thickener, recognized for outstanding removal of suspended solids, heavy metals and other contaminants. With the DensaDeg and GEA evaporator-crystallizer technology found in hundreds of installations in the U.S. and abroad, the Infilco Degremont -- GEA team enhances their respective positions as premier providers of water and wastewater treatment solutions.
"Industries and communities alike are having an increasingly difficult time meeting ever more stringent regulations that require single digit parts per trillion effluent concentrations. Simply eliminating the discharge altogether is a compelling solution." said Shyam Bhan, CEO of Degremont North America.
On behalf of GEA Process Engineering Inc., President Steve Kaplan said "We chose to team with Infilco Degremont not only because of their extensive North American and global presence, but also because their corporate culture and ethics very closely mirrored our own."
Infilco Degremont Inc., is the equipment subsidiary of Degrémont, the water treatment specialist within SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.
Established in 1974, GEA Process Engineering Inc. is a full-service engineering company offering systems and solutions for liquid and powder processing.
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