Electrochemical desalination MoU signed in Singapore

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Singapore’s national water agency, PUB, and Evoqua Water Technologies to further develop electrochemical desalination technology was one of five MoUs signed during Singapore International Water Week, which ended on 5 June 2014.

The other MoUs were with Grundfos, Technologiezentrum Wasse (TZW), KWR Watercycle Research Institute and Anaergia Pte Ltd, further driving Singapore’s research and development growth.

Evoqua has been engaged in a demonstration with PUB for initial feasibility of advanced electrochemical desalination technology. The two will now explore the design, construction, installation and evaluation of a system comprising Evoqua E-Desal equipment to produce drinking water from seawater with an eventual capacity of 1 MGD (3,785 m³/d) for the demo plant.

The parties will commission the initial phase of the demo project by 31 December 2014.

The collaboration between TZW and PUB will focus on two projects related to biological activated carbon and limestone filtration. Other potential areas of collaboration include the enhancement of several water treatment processes like coagulation and advanced oxidation.

PUB will be working with Grundfos on the development and application of high efficiency pump solutions, research and development in wastewater treatment solutions, disinfection technologies, applications of in-pipe energy-recovery technologies, and other relevant water innovation areas.

As well as collaborating with KWR Watercycle Research Institute in Watershare®, PUB will join the programme as a Gold member. As part of this partnership, PUB will tap on their knowledge tools such as the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Treatment Calculator, Optivalves, and Network Flow Performance to enhance water treatment and water network management.

The partnership with Anaergia Pte Ltd will focus on potential waste-to-energy research projects, in particular anaerobic codigestion of food waste and used water sludge to derive positive synergies for enhanced energy recovery.