siemens r&d project on low-energy seawater desalination

8/11/2019 Siemens R&D Project on Low-Energy Seawater Desalination

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1 / 3Siemens AGCorporate Communications and Government AffairsWittelsbacherplatz 2, 80333 MunichGermany

Reference number: IIS201106.205e fp

Media Relations: Stefanie SchillerTelephone: +49 9131 7-42913E-mail: [email protected] AGIndustry Sector - Industry Solutions DivisionSchuhstr. 60, 91052 Erlangen, Germany

Press Presse Press Presse

Industry SectorIndustry Solutions Division

Singapore, July 4, 2011

SIWW 2011, Booth 4J02

Siemens successfully concluded R&D project on low-energy seawater desalination:

technology ready for full-scale testing

Having set a new energy saving benchmark for seawater desalination, Siemens is now

poised to transition their ground-breaking technology to the product development phase.

As a result of an R&D initiative that commenced in October 2008, a demonstration plant was

built in Singapore to treat seawater to drinking water quality. The results, which will be

presented at Singapore International Water Week, show that the new process reduces

desalting energy by over 50% compared to best available technology. The next step for

Siemens is to set up a full-scale system in cooperation with Singapores national water

agency PUB by 2013.

In Singapore, which is an island nation, and in other regions, seawater is becoming increasingly

important in replenishing the supply of drinking water. However, to desalinate it for potable use is

an extremely energy-intensive process. Our new technology marks a revolution in seawater

desalination, said Ruediger Knauf, Vice President of Siemens Water Technologies Global R&D.

The results of our pilot facility show that the new process not only functions in the laboratory but

also on a larger scale in the field. Because of its high energy efficiency and thus good CO2

footprint, electrochemical seawater desalination can play a major role in regions suffering from

freshwater shortages.

Since December 2010, the Siemens demonstration unit has been treating 50 m3 of seawater per

day at a PUB facility in Singapore. The project goal was to produce World Health Organization

standard drinking water quality from seawater, at the same time cutting energy consumption by

half compared to current technologies. Instead of using reverse osmosis, which requires high-

pressure pumps to force water through semi-permeable membranes, the Siemens engineers

turned to electrochemical desalination. The process combines Electrodialysis (ED) and Continuous


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Electrodeionization (CEDI), both applying an electric field to draw sodium and chloride ions across

ion exchange membranes and out of the water. As the water itself does not have to pass through

the membranes, the process can be run at low pressure, and hence low power consumption.

The seawater is pre-treated with a self-cleaning disk filter, followed by Memcor ultrafiltration

modules. The pilot desalination plant is composed of three ED units arranged in series to handle

high concentrations of salt. They are followed by three CEDI units assembled in a parallel flow

configuration to remove smaller amounts of salt. The energy demand of the whole process

including pumping, pre-treatment, desalting, and post-treatment is less than half of what is used by

the best available seawater desalination technologies today, which is typically between 3.44.8

kWh/m3. Besides the energy savings, other advantages are low vibration and noise levels,

improved safety, and only minimal pre- and post-treatment.

These achievements have been attained in close partnership with Singapores national water

agency PUB and Singapores Environment & Water Industry Programme Office (EWI), which

awarded an R&D grant to co-fund Siemens as a result of a Challenge Call in 2007. We are very

pleased that our joined efforts have come to fruition and show such promising results, said Harry

Seah, Director Technology and Water Quality of PUB. Now we are working with Siemens Water

Technologies to construct a full-scale customer pilot in our upcoming desalination testing facility in

Tuas. Setting up this pilot by 2013 is the next milestone in transitioning the electrochemical

desalination technology to a viable product offering.

The Challenge Call is part of EWIs focus to raise Singapores status as a global hydrohub with

R&D as the key driver. With a research funding of S$330 million from the National Research

Foundation, EWI aims to create a vibrant and thriving R&D landscape in Singapore.

For more information, please visit http://www.siemens.com/siww

Further information about solutions for water treatment is available at:

http://www.siemens.com/water


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A photo supplements this press release. Please see:

http://www.industry.siemens.com/data/presse/pics/IIS201106205.jpg

A Siemens R&D engineer examines a state-of-the-art seawater

desalination prototype in Singapore. Photo: Siemens AG

Contact USA:

Ms. Allison BrittCorporate CommunicationsSiemens Industry, Inc.Water Technologies Business Unit2501 N. Barrington Rd.Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 USA

Phone 1-847-713-8477E-mail address [email protected]

The Siemens Industry Sector(Erlangen, Germany) is the worldwide leading supplier of environmentally friendly

production, transportation and building technologies. With integrated automation technologies and comprehensive

industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of

industry and infrastructure. In fiscal 2010, which ended on September 30, 2010, revenue from continuing operations of

the Industry Sector (excluding Osram) totaled around 30.2 billion. At the end of September 2010, Siemens Industry

Sector had around 164,000 employees worldwide without consideration of Osram. Further information is available on the

Internet at:www.siemens.com/industry

The Siemens Industry Solutions Division(Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service

providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities comprising the business activities of Siemens VAI Metals

Technologies, Water Technologies and Industrial Technologies. Activities include engineering and installation, operation

and service for the entire life cycle. A wide-ranging portfolio of environmental solutions helps industrial companies to use

energy, water and equipment efficiently, reduce emissions and comply with environmental guidelines. With around

29,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry Solutions posted sales of 6.0 billion in fiscal year 2010.

http://www.siemens.com/industry-solutions

siemens r&d project on low-energy seawater desalination

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