BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 27, 2004 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Aqua Dyne Inc., which specializes in desalination and water purification, has had its JetWater system rated as one of the world's leading systems in an independent report by international environmental and engineering consultants Maunsell/Metcalf & Eddy, affiliates of the world-wide AECOM group.
Aqua Dyne Australia Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aqua Dyne Inc., has its head office in Brisbane, Queensland, and the organization has now expanded nationally and has opened an office in Sydney, New South Wales, with an appointed representative in Perth, Western Australia.
The independent report issued by Maunsell and its Chicago affiliate Metcalf & Eddy, made a cost and technical comparison of the Aqua Dyne JetWater system against a range of other commercial water desalination and purification technologies available around the world. Maunsell rated the Aqua Dyne system as one of the best overall in the market, based on both technical and cost criteria provided by Aqua Dyne. The system is based on thermal desalination of water, which in turn is based on evaporation - duplicating nature's own purification process by heating water and condensing the steam.
Although the Aqua Dyne JetWater technology is based on well-known and widely understood chemical and thermo-dynamic principles, the organization has refined the processes to greatly increase effectiveness and efficiency. This has been achieved as a result of four and a half years of research and development involving significant design and process improvements.
The current pilot plant at Stapylton, Queensland, can desalinate or purify seawater, bore water or liquid waste, making it suitable for:
-- Providing the drinking water needs for remote and rural communities;
-- Mining and mineral processing;
-- Power generation demineralization;
-- Food processing industries.
According to Aqua Dyne Managing Director Jim Wilson a major benefit of the technology is environmental as it can purify up to 97% of brackish feed-water, compared to less than 80% for the reverse osmosis or membrane systems:
"This means that where membrane systems are used, significant volumes of waste water have to be stored or disposed of as concentrated brine. This typically involves evaporation ponds, which are unsightly, costly to construct and maintain and leave a long-term adverse environmental legacy. The JetWater can reduce the need for these ponds by up to 90%.
"Our JetWater system has been designed on a modular basis with few moving parts and no membranes to clog and foul.
"In looking at specific applications, our approach is to work with the client to develop an overall solution, rather than just water purification. For example, not only can we clean up liquid waste, but extract important process chemicals for reuse in their operations. By using surplus energy, such as waste heat or steam, an Aqua Dyne JetWater system has the potential to generate greenhouse gas credits.
"We are convinced that we have state-of-the art, world-class water treatment technology," Wilson said.
Note: The Executive Summary of the Maunsell Report is available at www.aquadyne.us.com.
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