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Membranium expands geography of its application

December 18, 2015

JSC “RM Nanotech” membrane elements help to successfully perform desalination tasks in the town of Pevek

Usually on all maps and infographics calling attention at potable water problems on the Earth Russia is marked with light blue or green color which means that supposedly there is no such issue in our country. One of the outstanding examples is that based on up to date requirement of the global population in potable water the Baikal’s freshwater resources can ensure provision of humanity for approximately 40 years (G.N. Galaziy, 1984).

However, Russia is a big country and even we have some locations where population depends a lot on reliable source of freshwater. One of such places is Pevek – the northernmost town of Russia and the northernmost sea port in the world. As soon as some water treatment technical issues came out back in June of 2012 when storage dam was depressurized, emergency was declared in town and it was recommended not to use tap water. Locals were capable to solve the problem as it shown below:

Or like that:

Chaunskaya Thermal power station is another large consumer of freshwater besides local population in Pevek.

“Iron bodies” are not less fastidious to the freshwater quality than the others, that’s why approach of selecting the right technology and equipment for freshwater production from sea water of Chaunskaya Bay in the East Siberian Sea was very thorough.

The task was complicated as with difficult climate conditions (absolute minimum air temperature is - 50°С, absolute minimum water temperature is -1,9°С), as well as with transportation issues of the required equipment and machinery to the site.

First attempts to partially resolve the issue of freshwater supplying to Chaunskaya Power thermal station were taken right after storage dam depressurization but equipment and machinery of foreign companies couldn’t fix the problem completely; operation of boiler equipment with water treated that way was creating risks of corrosive damage and shutting-down of the only source of heat and energy in town.

In the middle of 2015 “RM Nanotech” reverse osmosis membrane elements were selected for post treatment of pre-desalinated water after the first stage of sea water desalination to the level of the requirements applicable to steam boilers of Chaunskaya Thermal power station.

Reverse osmosis technologies which are the basis of “RM Nanotech” membrane elements operation have better characteristics of water treatment compare to the other traditional technologies. The main reason is the pore size of the selective layer which referring to the reverse osmosis is equal 0.1-10 nanometers. Another important point is less cost of operation. In particular, reverse osmosis systems used during sea water desalination consume twice less power compare to multi stages systems of boiling-up and steam condensation.

Reverse osmosis unit “ATC-40-48” supplied by “AquaTechService” and equipped with “RM Nanotech” membrane elements nanoRO K 8040-C series was successfully built up and put into operation the fourth quarter of 2015. Domestic membranes will produce more than 1000 m3/day of demineralized water for the needs of Chaunskaya Thermal power station which means that the town will be provided with heat and electricity during the coldest season of the year.