“Our Filters Are Between 4 and 5 Times More Efficient than Conventional Water Filters”
We spoke with Lutz Bungeroth, CEO of ItN Nanovation AG, about the use of the CFM technology in the MENA region.>>
Source: Nanostart Newsletter, October 2011

In October, ItN Nanovation AG reported that the contracts for the joint venture in Saudi Arabia had been signed with Saudi partner Juffali and German industrial investors. The purpose of the planned joint venture is to distribute CFM systems, nanoceramic flat filters, as well as accessories in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA region”). The region is one of the core markets for drinking water treatment. The products from the joint venture will be used particularly in pre-filtration for reverse osmosis to obtain drinking water.

Why is the Middle East and North Africa region a core market for drinking water treatment?

Bungeroth: With annual precipitation of around 100 millimeters, which is common in this region, there are virtually no natural surface waters such as lakes or rivers. Some 80% of drinking water in Saudi Arabia is obtained from fossil ground water, i. e. prehistoric groundwater supplies. The wells from which it is retrieved can be as far as 1,200 meters underground. This water requires treatment, as it is not of drinking water quality. The problem is exacerbated by fast population growth. However, the water supply is expected to last for approximately another 300 years.

Why in particular does the water have to be treated?

Bungeroth: It is important to know that the water contains a lot of salt, 50% as much salt as sea water. It is also very hot, approximately 45°C. The salts have to be removed. It is undrinkable in its original state. On the other hand, it is biologically dead, which means it does not contain bacteria, viruses or microorganisms that need to be eliminated.

What is the filtration procedure?

Bungeroth: Removing the salts in order to obtain drinking water consists of two stages. To begin with, the ground water is pre-filtered. The quality of the water is then brought up to drinking water standard by reverse osmosis. The membranes used for reverse osmosis are sensitive and very expensive. Their life cycles vary depending on the quality of the pre-filtrate. This is why the quality of the pre-filtration is particularly important. And that is where we come into the picture. Pre-filtration removes dissolved substances such as manganese and iron, in particular, sometimes even radium, from the water. We have developed not only the technology but also the processes required for this. The remaining dissolved salts are removed by reverse osmosis.

How exactly does ItN pre-filtration work?

Bungeroth: The manganese and iron ions are precipitated out as sludge using a precipitation reaction specially developed by us. This is then filtered off. Our patented nanoceramic flat filters, CFM systems, are used in this process. They replace both the simple sand filters and the polymer filters that were previously used for the pre-filtration. We demonstrated their efficiency in a 9-month pilot project on site. We are now reaping the rewards of our development work.

How did ItN convince the Saudi Arabian authorities of the technology? What are the advantages of CFM systems over sand and polymer filters?

Bungeroth: The pilot project impressively demonstrated to our partners and the responsible authorities that our technology is far superior to conventional polymer filters and, of course, the simple sand filters. The ceramic’s robustness enables it to defy the aggressive conditions created by salt and high temperatures. As a result, its lifetime far exceeds that of polymer filters. At the same time, our filters require less maintenance. For example, they can be back-flushed, which is not the case with other filters. All of this means that the specific efficiency of the membranes when used in practice is up to 4.5 times higher than that of the polymer membranes produced by renowned manufacturers that are currently in use. Not least, the excellent quality of the pre-filtrate also extends the life time and effectiveness of the reverse osmosis.

You have reported that official approvals are still required before the joint venture can be established. When do you expect to receive them?

Bungeroth: The Ministry of Water, which is responsible for the project, has already certified our process as a recognized method. The approval, which we expect to receive this year, is the equivalent of registering a business in Germany.

Thank you Mr. Bungeroth.