'Smoke' From Factory Chimneys Proves to be Valuable Water Source

ARNHEM, The Netherlands and BEIJING, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- KEMA to Present Strongly Improved Clean Technology at the 7^thInternational Symposium on Coal Combustion in Harbin, P.R. China

It appears that so much high-grade water can be recovered from flue gases of factory chimneys, as a result of strongly improved membrane technology, that industrial plants in arid areas can make a valuable contribution to the world's water shortage. Field tests and ten years of preliminary research have shown that these plants can change from water consumers to water producers. The captured water can be used for both industrial and consumptive use. In addition, a lot of energy can be saved in the industrial process - and thus reduce costs as well as CO₂-emissions - in several industrial processes. These possibilities present themselves in industries that require much water e.g. for cooling applications, generating steam or for drying processes, such as in the food, paper, cement, energy and petrochemical sectors. Commissioned by the European Union and led by global energy services firm KEMA, fourteen partners from Europe, the Middle East and Africa are working together on a follow-up to this research. The projecthas drawn broad interest from all parts of the world and can add value to the Chinese industry as well. KEMA will present this strongly improved clean technology on Tuesday, July 19, at the 7^th International Symposium on Coal Combustion (ISCC) in Harbin, P.R. China. Aside from the water capture capabilities of this membrane technology, an important breakthrough with membrane technology to capture CO₂ from flue gases has also been achieved. This large European funded project (NanoGloWa-Nano structured membranes against Global Warming) which is also led by global energy services firm KEMA with twenty six partners from Europe and the Middle East, will help fuel the breakthrough of this clean technology.

From ten years preliminary research to large-scale tests

Ten years' research and testing under the leadership of the energy services firm KEMA, in collaboration with the European Membrane Institute at the University of Twente and a number of Dutch utilities, have resulted in significantly improved gas separation membranes with which water vapor can in principle be captured on a large scale. As a follow-up, KEMA, under contract to the European Union, together with thirteen partners from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has started with the development of a number of large-scale tests at power stations in Spain and Israel, a geo-thermal well in Tunisia and paper factories in the Netherlands and South Africa. These tests are to confirm the industrial production and large-scale implementation of this new technology.

From water consumer to water producer

Tests in industrial plants in the Netherlands and Germany have demonstrated that at least 40% of the water in the flue gases can be recovered with the new membrane technology. Beforehand, researchers counted on a recovery of 20%. With 40% recovery, an average power plant can supply twice as much water as it needs for steam generation. The power plant thus changes from water consumer to water producer. The amount of water saved for a 400 megawatt power plant, corresponds to the yearly consumption of about 3,500 Western households or about 9,500 African households. The quality of the recovered water is so high that it can be employed not only for demineralized water use for the industry but also for consumption purposes. For this reason there are three African partners in the consortium and two from the Middle East. Initial calculations moreover show that hundreds of millions of euros can be saved annually with this new technology. The new project bears the name CapWa, 'Capture of evaporated Water with novel membranes'.

Broad consortium

Participants in the CapWa project (in alphabetical order) are: Brabant Water (the Netherlands), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Institute for Membrane Technology, Italy), Cut GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis (Tunisia), Gas Natural Fenosa (Spain), Israel Electric Corporation Ltd. (Israel), KEMA (the Netherlands), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi (Ghana), Membrana GmbH (Germany), Papiertechnische Stiftung (Germany), Sappi Ltd. (South Africa & the Netherlands), Stichting Kenniscentrum Papier en Karton (the Netherlands), University of Twente - European Membrane Institute (the Netherlands) and Yodfat Engineers Ltd. (Israel).

Thijs Aarten, chairman of the Executive Board of KEMA:

"The Chinese industry has made significant steps in its process to turn itself into a sustainable industry. Many countries around the world can certainly learn from the great efforts being made in China. I am convinced that this clean technology to convert water vapor into industrial and drinking waterand to capture CO₂can add further value to the Chinese industry; both in terms of sustainability, as well as economic benefits."

About the International Symposium on Coal Combustion

The ISCC, sponsored and organized by Tsinghua University, has been held six times since 1987 and will now be held for the 7^th time in July 2011, the year of the Centennial Anniversary of Tsinghua University. The Symposium is offering a platform for scientists and engineers to exchange information and ideas on the science and technology of coal combustion, as well as related issues, and to find new partnerships in the growing commercial market of China. Given the size of its industry in general and the power industry in particular, developments on clean technology in China will have a global impact.

About KEMA

KEMA, set up in 1927, is an independent knowledge provider that is active around the world in the energy value chain. It specializes in high-value services in the area of business & technical consultancy, operational support, measurements & inspections as well as testing & certification. As an independent company, KEMA advises and supports government organizations as well as producers, suppliers and end users of energy. In addition, the company carries out testing and certification of electricity transmission and distribution equipment, as well as other energy related equipment. More than 1,700 professionals work at KEMA, which has offices and representations in more than 20 countries around the world.