Second Perth plant chooses ERI pressure exchangers

The 140,000 m³/d Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (SSDP) in Western Australia will use PX Pressure Exchanger™ energy-recovery devices made by Energy Recovery Inc (ERI), the California-based company announced on 6 October 2009.

To be constructed by the Southern Seawater Alliance (SSWA) — a joint venture between Técnicas Reunidas Australia Pty Ltd, Valoriza Water Australia Pty Ltd, AJ Lucas Operations Pty Ltd, and Worley Parsons Services Pty Ltd, the plant will provide fresh water to the greater Perth region.

Use of the PX devices at the SSDP will save more than 1,560 kW of energy and offset more than 8,000 tons of CO2 annually. The water shortage in Western Australia is a catalyst for the potential increase of water production capacity, to 280,000 m³/d, at the plant.

Borja Blanco, senior vice president of ERI, said, “The performance of our technology in the Perth-Kwinana plant made it the logical choice for the SSDP.”