Cooling water: CapDI cuts chemicals and consumption

Among the many innovative desalination and reuse technologies being tried out in the field at present, Capacitive DeIonization is one that has yet to feature in D&WR in a big way. In 2004, Unilever scientists began evaluating CapDI as a built-in water-softening device for domestic washing-machines. Voltea was founded in 2006 to exploit the technology in a broader range of applications. In 2008, Voltea acquired Biosource to consolidate all relevant patents on CapDI technology in one intellectual property portfolio. Capital raising in 2009 and 2010 has provided resources to expand the company. This article first appeared in the May/June 2011 issue of Desalination & Water Reuse magazine.

Among the many innovative desalination and reuse technologies being tried out in the field at present, Capacitive DeIonization is one that has yet to feature in D&WR in a big way.

In 2004, Unilever scientists began evaluating CapDI as a built-in water-softening device for domestic washing-machines. Voltea was founded in 2006 to exploit the technology in a broader range of applications.

In 2008, Voltea acquired Biosource to consolidate all relevant patents on CapDI technology in one intellectual property portfolio. Capital raising in 2009 and 2010 has provided resources to expand the company.

This article first appeared in the May/June 2011 issue of Desalination & Water Reuse magazine.