Forward Osmosis Decision Guide in Preparation

Forward Osmosis (FO) holds lots of promise for many applications. Whether FO should be considered for any specific project will depend on:

·       Application specific details such as the solids content of the slurry and the availability of waste heat

·       Approaches to regenerating the draw solution

·       Process design and integration with RO and other sub-processes

·       Membrane quality

·       Product quality considerations

There has been considerable effort to apply FO in direct competition to RO.  To-date most of the success has come where FO has unique performance advantages such as use with high solids wastewater in power plant FGD systems and Frac flow-back. Food applications where FO uniquely impacts product quality are also examples. McIlvaine invites suppliers, consultants and others to work with us in the decision guide preparation to be followed by a webinar.  Some of the other similar efforts are listed at Hot Topic Hour Schedule and Recordings

To participate in this initiative contact Bob McIlvaine at 847-784-0012 ext. 112 rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com

$11 Billion Membrane Filtration Market Growth Dependent on Technology, Demand and Regulations

In 2017 suppliers of reverse osmosis (RO), microfiltration and ultrafiltration equipment and membranes will generate sales of $11.2 billion.  The growth rate for the industry in the next 10 years will certainly exceed GDP.  The question is whether it can achieve growth close to 10 percent or whether annual growth will be a more conservative 5 percent a year.

Regulations are the most predictable of the three variables.  Countries around the world will continue to tighten drinking water and wastewater standards. Demand is also predictable due to the shortage of fresh water and the projected increase in industrial water use around the globe.

Technology advances will be the most challenging to predict.  The reason is that there is potential in three-broad categories:  processes, equipment and membranes.  

The food industry continues to develop unique ways to concentrate foods or extract products from liquids. Thermal desalination competes with membranes. Spray driers are competing with evaporation and membrane concentration in the power and coal-to-chemicals industries in countries such as China.

The production of gasoline provides a whole series of process choices which will impact the membrane market.  One choice is to extract shale gas and then convert it to liquids.  Produced water from gas extraction can either be treated with membranes or pumped underground.  Another option, which is now popular in China, is to convert coal to fuels and chemicals. The government requires all these plants to employ zero liquid discharge (ZLD).  One of the ZLD options includes both reverse osmosis and forward osmosis.

Improvements in equipment such as energy recovery pumps, pre-filters, valves and control systems will also be important. Some of the most important equipment developments cannot be easily assessed. For example, a new catalytic filter allows power plants to supply clean hot gas to a heat exchanger which will in turn provide the heat source needed for the forward osmosis unit in the ZLD process.

Membrane development will greatly influence the growth rate for the industry.  A substantial investment is being made in aquaporin protein based membranes. Another initiative involves incorporating nanoparticles within the membrane structure to improve the energy/efficiency ratio.

The McIlvaine Company continues to forecast the future of the cross-flow membrane industry with the advantage of also forecasting and understanding the processes, industries and equipment which will shape the future  For more information click on: N020 RO, UF, MF World Market.

Utility E-Alert Tracks Billions of Dollars of New Coal-fired Power Plants on a Weekly Basis – June 3, 2016

Here are some headlines from the Utility E-Alert.

UTILITY E-ALERT

#1275 – June 3, 2016

Table of Contents

COAL – US

• Duke ordered to Clean up Four Unlined Coal Ash Pits

COAL – WORLD

• MoU signed for New Coal-fired Power Plant in Matrouh, Egypt
• Nederman China receives Order for a Boiler Flue Gas Cleaning Project
• Toshiba receives Order for Steam Turbine and Generator for Coal-fired Thermal Power Plant in Vietnam
• Kibo starts EPC Bid Process for Mbeya 3
• ODA Loan Agreement for Thai Binh Thermal Power Plant ratified

§  Vietnam anticipates Coal to contribute Half of Total Power generated by 2030

The 41F Utility E-Alert is issued weekly and covers the coal-fired projects, regulations and other information important to the suppliers. It is $950/yr. but is included in the $3020 42EI Utility Tracking System which has data on every plant and project plus networking directories and many other features.

Click here to Register for the Webinars

FGD and Acid Gas Separation - Issue and options for SO₂ and other acid gas separation from coal fired power, cement, steel, and waste incineration plants.     
Click Here to Register

This free webinar will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 16.  A collaborative format will be used to discuss decision guides on acid gas removal for coal fired power, cement, steel, waste to energy, and glass plants.  The decision guides already prepared on these subjects will be updated and quickly displayed during the meeting. Discussion will revolve around controversial issues. Subscribers to Power Plant Air Quality Decisions and Industrial Air Plants and Projects can access the guides at any time.  End users also have access upon request. Information on new developments is continually solicited.  For questions contact Bob McIlvaine at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com 847-784-0012 ext. 112. 

LIFO vs. FIFO filter pulsing to maximize acid gas capture - Last sorbent on the cake is first removed. How do we change that to FIFO? Click here to participate in the preliminary analysis.

Direct Sorbent injection is becoming increasingly popular. Much of the acid gas is removed on the cake formed in the pulse jet filter.  It is critical that the unreacted or last in sorbent is not the first out. The LIFO vs FIFO accounting concept may apply.  Input on this subject is solicited from sorbent, dust collector, bag and valve suppliers.  Over the next few months we will assemble an analysis and decision guide on maximizing acid gas capture in the bag filter. A webinar will be scheduled for early Fall to discuss the findings. For more information contact Bob McIlvaine at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com 847-784-0012 ext. 112

Molecular Sieve Switching Valves

Molecular sieves are used to dehydrate gas. The valves used in switching from one sieve bed to another are subject to severe service including zeolite particles and corrosive, hot conditions. There is considerable controversy on the best valve designs and materials choices. Over the next few months we will assemble an analysis and decision guide on this subject. The preliminary analysis is provided at Severe Service Valve Technologies and Markets.  A webinar will be scheduled for early Fall to discuss the findings. For more information contact Bob McIlvaine at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com   847-784-0012 ext. 112 

Choke Valve Decision Guide and Webinar

McIlvaine is compiling a continually updated Decision Guide for operators of choke valves used in oil and gas and other industries for fluid control. Contaminants such as sand integrated into varying mixtures of water, oil, methane and other gases provide both operational and maintenance challenges. The guide will identify the major applications and then the performance of various designs and various materials for specific conditions. The Guide will be the basis of a recorded discussion to be conducted in early fall 2016.  The guide will be offered free of cost to any end user.  It will also be published in Industrial Valves: World Markets and Strategies.  The wisdom of the industry is sought in order to make this guide the best it can be.   Input is welcomed from any and all sources. White papers, articles and other data to further the discussion would be most helpful. The background information and part of the analysis has been prepared and is displayed at Choke Valve Decision Guide. For more information contact Bob McIlvaine at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com 847-784-0012 ext. 112 

Details on Webinars

McIlvaine conducts periodic webinars which are in a discussion format and are free of charge to all participants. The displayed material and recordings are free to purchasers of the products and services and by subscription to others.

Format:  50-90 minute recorded discussion using McIlvaine display material. The session will be free of charge to all participants but registration is required.

Approach: There are two types of webinars. One is focused on Markets and directed to suppliers. The other is focused on aiding purchasers make the best Decisions relative to purchases of flow control and treatment equipment and services.

Markets HTH
General overviews of the market including size and major variables will be discussed with heavy emphasis on technology and regulatory drivers. The presentation will be based on the latest information appearing in McIlvaine multi-client reports. Questions and views from both subscribers and non-subscribers are encouraged.

Decisions HTH
McIlvaine has been publishing information systems on pollution control since 1974. Each subject is organized by the pollutant control technology e.g. fabric filter, scrubber etc. There are search capabilities to retrieve information on any application. The newest addition has been slide deck systems displaying the issues and options relative to a specific applications. Coal-fired power, cement, steel, and waste combustion decision slide decks are continually updated.

The continually updated slide decks are displayed on the applicable Decision System.  It is recommended that participants view the slide deck in advance of the session and be prepared with questions and views.

Value to purchasers and specifiers:  Your questions and interests will be prioritized in the discussion. You will get a monthly newsletter and have continuing access to the system and multiple ways to interface in the future along with a networking directory of suppliers.

Value to Suppliers:  You have the opportunity to provide data to be considered at no charge. If you are also a subscriber you will see the summaries in advance and be able to shed light on issues and options not properly covered in the slide deck.  If you are a subscriber you will receive the monthly newsletter and continuing yearly access to the system including networking directories.

44I Power Plant Air Quality Decisions  includes 1ABC, 3ABC, 4ABC, 9ABC decision services but not 2ABC. So those with multiple technologies and at least partial focus on power will find this combination most cost effective. 

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You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=5

Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com