Researchers at the University of Alberta say they have developed "inhibitors" that should be able to grab onto and neutralize the potent toxins released by E. coli that contaminated the drinking water supply in Walkerton, Ont., in 2000 and has been making headlines again this month after an outbreak in the Ontario city of North Bay.
To read the full article, click here.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Calgon equipment sales increase 26 percent
PITTSBURGH — This year’s third-quarter equipment sales at Calgon Carbon Corp. increased by 26 percent compared with the third quarter of 2007 due to increased demand for carbon adsorption, odor control equipment and ultraviolet (UV) drinking water disinfection systems, according to an October 31 company press release.
Sales by the company's Activated Carbon and Service segment increased 17.8 percent over the third quarter of 2007, due to higher pricing and volume for activated carbon products and services in the environmental water treatment, potable water treatment and food services industries.
The company also reports a net income of $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2008, up $1.4 million from net income in the third quarter of 2007. Net income per share for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.12, two cents above the the third-quarter 2007 figure.
Sales by the company's Activated Carbon and Service segment increased 17.8 percent over the third quarter of 2007, due to higher pricing and volume for activated carbon products and services in the environmental water treatment, potable water treatment and food services industries.
The company also reports a net income of $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2008, up $1.4 million from net income in the third quarter of 2007. Net income per share for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.12, two cents above the the third-quarter 2007 figure.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Siemens And Chevron Energy Solutions Help California City Turn Wastewater To Energy
Dystor Gas Holder Systems Store Methane from Wastewater Sludge
Chicago, IL — The city of Rialto (Calif.) is working with Siemens Water Technologies to install two Dystor gas holder systems at the city's wastewater treatment plant. The Dystor systems, which are part of a comprehensive upgrade being designed and installed by Chevron Energy Solutions, will be used to store methane gas produced from treating municipal wastewater sludge and local restaurant kitchen grease. Rialto uses three 300-kW fuel cells to convert the biogas into hydrogen and to generate power electrochemically, without combustion, for the plant.
Increasing its biogas storage will help Rialto further reduce its energy costs, grow city revenues, and improve air quality. In addition, if the plant is able to operate its 900-kW fuel cell plant on 75% biogas by the end of the year, it will receive a significant rebate from California's Self-Generation Incentive Program.
Fast delivery and installation were key factors with the Siemens order. The first Dystor was installed last month and the second is due to be installed after the first of the year.
At 75-feet in diameter and 14-inches water column, both gas holder systems are the high gas take-off style. The high location of the gas take-off in this system configuration prevents any digester foam from reaching the gas piping. Additionally, the inner gas holder membrane is permanently fixed at the top so that it cannot extend very far into the tank when the system is out of service and deflated.
The city's public works department retained Hunt Environmental of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., as the project consultant for this waste-to-energy initiative. Over the years, Siemens and Rialto have teamed up on other water projects, including pure water production at the city's wastewater treatment plant and perchlorate removal from the city's groundwater.
SOURCE: Siemens Water Technologies
Chicago, IL — The city of Rialto (Calif.) is working with Siemens Water Technologies to install two Dystor gas holder systems at the city's wastewater treatment plant. The Dystor systems, which are part of a comprehensive upgrade being designed and installed by Chevron Energy Solutions, will be used to store methane gas produced from treating municipal wastewater sludge and local restaurant kitchen grease. Rialto uses three 300-kW fuel cells to convert the biogas into hydrogen and to generate power electrochemically, without combustion, for the plant.
Increasing its biogas storage will help Rialto further reduce its energy costs, grow city revenues, and improve air quality. In addition, if the plant is able to operate its 900-kW fuel cell plant on 75% biogas by the end of the year, it will receive a significant rebate from California's Self-Generation Incentive Program.
Fast delivery and installation were key factors with the Siemens order. The first Dystor was installed last month and the second is due to be installed after the first of the year.
At 75-feet in diameter and 14-inches water column, both gas holder systems are the high gas take-off style. The high location of the gas take-off in this system configuration prevents any digester foam from reaching the gas piping. Additionally, the inner gas holder membrane is permanently fixed at the top so that it cannot extend very far into the tank when the system is out of service and deflated.
The city's public works department retained Hunt Environmental of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., as the project consultant for this waste-to-energy initiative. Over the years, Siemens and Rialto have teamed up on other water projects, including pure water production at the city's wastewater treatment plant and perchlorate removal from the city's groundwater.
SOURCE: Siemens Water Technologies
ADB Targets Coordinated Water Management In Central Asian Nations
Manila, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aiming to enhance regional cooperation on vital Central Asian waterways whose management and protection are crucial to the region's economic growth and social well-being.
The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, which criss-cross a large part of Central Asia, support most of the agricultural output in the Aral Sea basin and have significant hydropower capacity and potential. A lack of cooperation among the Central Asian countries — Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — in managing their shared water systems has been a key constraint that threatens to undermine the region's development.
"The lack of regional cooperation on water resources poses a major threat to economic integration and growth in Central Asia," said Thomas Panella, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist with ADB's Central and West Asia Department.
ADB has approved a $998,000 regional technical assistance grant which will be used to support knowledge-sharing on water resources in the region and strengthen the capacity of institutions tasked with managing them.
The grant came from a multi-donor trust fund under an ADB-administered Water Financing Partnership Facility. The Trust Fund contributors are the governments of Australia, Austria, and Norway.
The assistance will involve regional initiatives covering the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins and the Chu and Talas river basins, as well as help establish a forum for exchanging ideas and developing future action plans.
The project builds on previous ADB technical assistance from 2004 to 2007 that helped initiate regional water policy dialogues and the development of water management capacity.
SOURCE: Asian Development Bank
The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, which criss-cross a large part of Central Asia, support most of the agricultural output in the Aral Sea basin and have significant hydropower capacity and potential. A lack of cooperation among the Central Asian countries — Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — in managing their shared water systems has been a key constraint that threatens to undermine the region's development.
"The lack of regional cooperation on water resources poses a major threat to economic integration and growth in Central Asia," said Thomas Panella, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist with ADB's Central and West Asia Department.
ADB has approved a $998,000 regional technical assistance grant which will be used to support knowledge-sharing on water resources in the region and strengthen the capacity of institutions tasked with managing them.
The grant came from a multi-donor trust fund under an ADB-administered Water Financing Partnership Facility. The Trust Fund contributors are the governments of Australia, Austria, and Norway.
The assistance will involve regional initiatives covering the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins and the Chu and Talas river basins, as well as help establish a forum for exchanging ideas and developing future action plans.
The project builds on previous ADB technical assistance from 2004 to 2007 that helped initiate regional water policy dialogues and the development of water management capacity.
SOURCE: Asian Development Bank
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Special pump to save drinking water from algae
Sydney: New South Wales government will use special pump to circulate water and prevent the formation of algae in Sydney's Warragamba Dam.
To read the full article, Click here.
To read the full article, Click here.
Friday, October 24, 2008
GE says its water business will prosper
FAIRFIELD, CT — General Electric Co. (GE) says it expects healthy revenue growth in 2008 for its products that provide environmental benefits despite the downturn in the economy, a recent Associated Press article carried by Forbes.com said.
Those products, many falling under the company’s “Ecomagination” program, include water/wastewater treatment equipment and systems. Revenue from “Ecomagination” products is expected to increase by 21 percent in 2008 over 2007, to $17 billion, the article said.
At the same time, the company recently announced that it was reorganizing its GE Energy Infrastructure business, which includes GE Water & Process Technologies (GE Water), the company’s water treatment technology arm. Jeff Garwood, who has been president of GE Water, will move out of that role to work on projects that are GE Energy Infrastructure-wide, alongside Energy Infrastructure President and CEO (and GE Vice Chairman) John Krenicki Jr.
Replacing Garwood as president of GE Water will be Heiner Markhoff, a former executive in GE’s plastics business.
In a recent message to GE employees, Krenicki announced that GE will be combining its water and power businesses into a new unit called Power and Water, which will have Steve Bolze as president and CEO. Markhoff will report to Bolze.
For GE, Krenicki wrote, the new structure “combines the deal structuring, risk management and project experience of Power Generation with the wealth of domain knowledge and industry expertise that exists today within the Water business.” He added that “water and energy are inextricably linked” and that the company’s commitment to water process technology “has never been greater.”
“Water represents a vital part of the overall portfolio and a tremendous growth opportunity for the business,” Krenicki told employees.
Those products, many falling under the company’s “Ecomagination” program, include water/wastewater treatment equipment and systems. Revenue from “Ecomagination” products is expected to increase by 21 percent in 2008 over 2007, to $17 billion, the article said.
At the same time, the company recently announced that it was reorganizing its GE Energy Infrastructure business, which includes GE Water & Process Technologies (GE Water), the company’s water treatment technology arm. Jeff Garwood, who has been president of GE Water, will move out of that role to work on projects that are GE Energy Infrastructure-wide, alongside Energy Infrastructure President and CEO (and GE Vice Chairman) John Krenicki Jr.
Replacing Garwood as president of GE Water will be Heiner Markhoff, a former executive in GE’s plastics business.
In a recent message to GE employees, Krenicki announced that GE will be combining its water and power businesses into a new unit called Power and Water, which will have Steve Bolze as president and CEO. Markhoff will report to Bolze.
For GE, Krenicki wrote, the new structure “combines the deal structuring, risk management and project experience of Power Generation with the wealth of domain knowledge and industry expertise that exists today within the Water business.” He added that “water and energy are inextricably linked” and that the company’s commitment to water process technology “has never been greater.”
“Water represents a vital part of the overall portfolio and a tremendous growth opportunity for the business,” Krenicki told employees.
Orange peel can cleanup industrial effluents
Washington (IANS): Industrial waste water is a serious ecological hazard as it blocks sunlight for photosynthesising plant species in the water. Now, Algerian researchers have discovered that something as commonplace as orange peel could be used to remove acidic dyes from industrial effluent.
"Synthetic dyes are extensively used by industries including dye houses, paper printers, textile dyers, colour photography and as additives in petroleum products," explained Benaïssa Houcine of the Laboratory of Sorbent Materials and Water Treatment, University of Tlemcen, Algeria.
"The effluents of these industries are highly coloured, and disposal of these wastes into the environment can be extremely deleterious. Their presence in watercourses is aesthetically unacceptable and may be visible at concentration as low as one part per million (PPM).
In searching for an alternative to chemical treatment of waste water, Benaïssa considered a common agricultural and food industry byproduct, orange peel. He has now tested waste orange peel as an absorbent for the removal of four acid dyes from simulated samples of polluted water.
The research demonstrates that absorption time depends on the initial concentration of the dyes as well as the chemical structures of the particular dyes being tested, but absorption can occur at just 25 degrees Celsius rather than elevated temperatures.
Strong dyes including Nylosane Blue, Erionyl Yellow, Nylomine Red, and Erionyl Red were absorbed at between 40 and 70 milligrams per gram of orange peel from the samples, according to an Inderscience publication release.
"In lab-scale studies, the data show that orange peel has a considerable potential for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions over a wide range of concentrations," Benaïssa said.
"Orange peel may be used as a low-cost, natural and abundant source for the removal of dyes, and it may be an alternative to more costly materials. It may also be effective in removing other harmful or undesirable species present in the waste effluents."
Additional research is now required to optimise and scale-up the process for the real-world clean-up of dye effluent. This will involve identifying the biochemical sites within the orange peel to which the dye molecules stick during absorption.
These findings have been described in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Environment and Pollution.
"Synthetic dyes are extensively used by industries including dye houses, paper printers, textile dyers, colour photography and as additives in petroleum products," explained Benaïssa Houcine of the Laboratory of Sorbent Materials and Water Treatment, University of Tlemcen, Algeria.
"The effluents of these industries are highly coloured, and disposal of these wastes into the environment can be extremely deleterious. Their presence in watercourses is aesthetically unacceptable and may be visible at concentration as low as one part per million (PPM).
In searching for an alternative to chemical treatment of waste water, Benaïssa considered a common agricultural and food industry byproduct, orange peel. He has now tested waste orange peel as an absorbent for the removal of four acid dyes from simulated samples of polluted water.
The research demonstrates that absorption time depends on the initial concentration of the dyes as well as the chemical structures of the particular dyes being tested, but absorption can occur at just 25 degrees Celsius rather than elevated temperatures.
Strong dyes including Nylosane Blue, Erionyl Yellow, Nylomine Red, and Erionyl Red were absorbed at between 40 and 70 milligrams per gram of orange peel from the samples, according to an Inderscience publication release.
"In lab-scale studies, the data show that orange peel has a considerable potential for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions over a wide range of concentrations," Benaïssa said.
"Orange peel may be used as a low-cost, natural and abundant source for the removal of dyes, and it may be an alternative to more costly materials. It may also be effective in removing other harmful or undesirable species present in the waste effluents."
Additional research is now required to optimise and scale-up the process for the real-world clean-up of dye effluent. This will involve identifying the biochemical sites within the orange peel to which the dye molecules stick during absorption.
These findings have been described in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Environment and Pollution.
World Economy slump but water business promising, Siemens say
Siemens
Chicago, Illinois, USA, Oct 20, 2008.
Siemens: Continued High Investment Potential in Water Business
Siemens continues to see favorable prospects in its water business despite the current economic downturn. "Urbanization and water shortage are long-term trends which will determine the need for water treatment and recycling solutions", explained Jens Wegmann who, as CEO of the Industrial Solutions Division, is responsible for the water business at Siemens. "We are sticking to our view," said Wegmann in Chicago on Monday at Weftec, the biggest water fair in North America, "that the markets for water treatment will continue to grow worldwide." Thanks to its wide-ranging business portfolio and its global corporate access to customers, Siemens Water Technologies is well equipped to compensate for any investment delays at municipal level in individual countries as a result of its industrial and modernization business.
The accessible market volume worldwide for Siemens amounts to some US$ 49 billion (2007). Siemens Water Technologies is predominantly engaged in a wide range business with a project amounts to about US$ 300,000. "Whereas attracting investment capital for individual major projects is likely to become more difficult", said Wegmann, "we continue to see opportunities for growth in general business with products and services aimed at modernizing and expanding existing installations." In North America, for example, growth in projects for re-using water is expected in order to eliminate shortages in municipal and industrial water supplies. Investments are also planned in branches of industry such as open-cast mining, paper production or the food industry where Siemens is active and water is a crucial production factor.
"Our broad business portfolio helps to smooth out economic fluctuations in investments in various branches of industry", stressed Chuck Gordon, CEO of Siemens Water Technologies, a business unit of IS. In spring the business was reorganized, he continued, and divided into four areas, industry, municipal water supply, disinfection and service, enabling a realignment to the respective markets and the associated target groups. Industrial business, which is enjoying above-average growth rates, was the main beneficiary of this. In addition to the wide-ranging sector portfolio, Gordon sees innovations and new products as the engine of the water business. "In the last few years Siemens Water Technologies has invested twice as much in R&D as the industrial average".
Chicago, Illinois, USA, Oct 20, 2008.
Siemens: Continued High Investment Potential in Water Business
Siemens continues to see favorable prospects in its water business despite the current economic downturn. "Urbanization and water shortage are long-term trends which will determine the need for water treatment and recycling solutions", explained Jens Wegmann who, as CEO of the Industrial Solutions Division, is responsible for the water business at Siemens. "We are sticking to our view," said Wegmann in Chicago on Monday at Weftec, the biggest water fair in North America, "that the markets for water treatment will continue to grow worldwide." Thanks to its wide-ranging business portfolio and its global corporate access to customers, Siemens Water Technologies is well equipped to compensate for any investment delays at municipal level in individual countries as a result of its industrial and modernization business.
The accessible market volume worldwide for Siemens amounts to some US$ 49 billion (2007). Siemens Water Technologies is predominantly engaged in a wide range business with a project amounts to about US$ 300,000. "Whereas attracting investment capital for individual major projects is likely to become more difficult", said Wegmann, "we continue to see opportunities for growth in general business with products and services aimed at modernizing and expanding existing installations." In North America, for example, growth in projects for re-using water is expected in order to eliminate shortages in municipal and industrial water supplies. Investments are also planned in branches of industry such as open-cast mining, paper production or the food industry where Siemens is active and water is a crucial production factor.
"Our broad business portfolio helps to smooth out economic fluctuations in investments in various branches of industry", stressed Chuck Gordon, CEO of Siemens Water Technologies, a business unit of IS. In spring the business was reorganized, he continued, and divided into four areas, industry, municipal water supply, disinfection and service, enabling a realignment to the respective markets and the associated target groups. Industrial business, which is enjoying above-average growth rates, was the main beneficiary of this. In addition to the wide-ranging sector portfolio, Gordon sees innovations and new products as the engine of the water business. "In the last few years Siemens Water Technologies has invested twice as much in R&D as the industrial average".
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hi-Tech German Water Plant to serve as Model
A high-tech water treatment plant is to be developed by the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water Affairs in collaboration with experts from Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The plans include identifying a suitable location for the construction of the plant, how close it will be to a reservoir, deciding on the equipment required and the unit’s operational capacity.
The German team who are coming to Bulgaria for the project are experts in water and waste management, according to Djevdet Chakurov, the Bulgarian Environment Minister, who has completed the negotiations in Stuttgart.
The minister has toured a German water treatment station which has been operating since 1916 and has been refurbished with the latest equipment in water and methane purification, recycling and energy production. The energy produced by station powers the nearby town and the rural area around it.
The station is privately owned and over 400 000 tons of waste is incinerated there annually. Its modern filtration and purification equipment ensures that no harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
The Environment Ministry hopes to use the same waste management programme across Bulgaria as that used by the German plant. The programme assures that no waste will be deposited before initial treatment. This ensures that the waste that can be recycled is separated from that being disposed of.
Chakurov and Tanja Gönner, Minister of the Environment of Baden-Württemberg, have agreed to meet for further discussions at a forum on November 26 and 27 in Sofia, where companies and experts from Baden-Württemberg will present waste and water management to representatives of Bulgarian municipalities.
The German team who are coming to Bulgaria for the project are experts in water and waste management, according to Djevdet Chakurov, the Bulgarian Environment Minister, who has completed the negotiations in Stuttgart.
The minister has toured a German water treatment station which has been operating since 1916 and has been refurbished with the latest equipment in water and methane purification, recycling and energy production. The energy produced by station powers the nearby town and the rural area around it.
The station is privately owned and over 400 000 tons of waste is incinerated there annually. Its modern filtration and purification equipment ensures that no harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
The Environment Ministry hopes to use the same waste management programme across Bulgaria as that used by the German plant. The programme assures that no waste will be deposited before initial treatment. This ensures that the waste that can be recycled is separated from that being disposed of.
Chakurov and Tanja Gönner, Minister of the Environment of Baden-Württemberg, have agreed to meet for further discussions at a forum on November 26 and 27 in Sofia, where companies and experts from Baden-Württemberg will present waste and water management to representatives of Bulgarian municipalities.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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