Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
39
GE Water Provides Portfolio of Nanotech
Membran
e-Based Solutions
Ralph Exton
GE Power & Water and Water & Process Technologies, Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA
CONTENTS
39.1 Nanoiltration ..................................................................................................................... 788
39.2 Ultrailtration ...................................................................................................................... 789
39.2.1 Technology LEAP: GE's ZeeWeed Membrane Bioreactor ................................ 789
39.2.2 ZeeWeed Building Blocks ..................................................................................... 790
39.2.3 Treatment Process .................................................................................................. 791
39.2.4 Coupling ZeeWeed to Upstream Processes ....................................................... 791
39.3 Hyperiltration ................................................................................................................... 792
39.4 Electrodialysis Reversal and Electrodeionization ........................................................ 793
39.5 Role of Regulatory and Policy .......................................................................................... 795
39.6 Nanotech Could Cut Oil Sands Carbon Emissions by 25% ......................................... 796
Water is one of the world's most valuable resources. It's the lifeblood of agriculture, essen-
tial to the generation of power, the preventer of disease, and the curator of pollution. Yet,
it is under a constant threat because of climate change and resulting drought, explosive
population growth, and mere waste. By 2025, an estimated two-thirds of the global popu-
lation will not have access to clean water. Communities around the world simply cannot
be fed or fueled without sustainable water supplies. The water crisis is very real—and the
magnitude of this global challenge is growing rapidly.
Ninety-seven percent of the world's water is salt water; yet, despite continued advances
in technology, desalination remains an energy-intensive, expensive process requiring
costly infrastructure. Water reuse is becoming a necessity. However, traditionally separate
wastewater collection and water supply systems, and aging water and wastewater infra-
structure in the developed world are not designed to accommodate this pressing need.
These challenges underscore the need for technological innovation to transform the way
we treat, distribute, and reuse water.
For more than 100 years, General Electric (GE) has been at the forefront of technology,
pushing the limits of science, and it is quickly advancing the industrial and municipal
water treatment and recycling necessary to combat water scarcity challenges. Utilizing
proven, reliable technologies from GE, forward-thinking industrial leaders are creating a
more sustainable water supply, saving money, generating new revenue sources, and help-
ing the environment by reclaiming and reusing wastewater. Municipalities are leveraging
GE's experience and expertise to safely recover wastewater and generate new incomes by
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