Scalable, Low-Power Water Treatment System

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Program:
OPEN 2012
Award:
$749,119
Location:
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
06/01/2013 - 12/31/2014

Technology Description:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is developing a water treatment system to treat contaminated water from hydraulic fracking and seawater. There is a critical need for small to medium-sized, low-powered, low-cost water treatment technologies, particularly for regions lacking centralized water and energy infrastructure. Conventional water treatment methods, such as reverse osmosis, are not effective for most produced water clean up based on the high salt levels resulting from fracking. MIT’s water treatment system will remove high-levels of typical water contaminants such as salt, metals, and microorganisms. The water treatment system is based on low-powered generation enabling efficient on-demand, on-site potable water production. The process allows for a 50% water recovery rate and is cost-competitive with conventional water treatment technology. MIT’s water treatment device would require less power than competing technologies and has important applications for mining, oil and gas production, and water treatment for remote locations.

Potential Impact:

If successful, MIT’s water treatment system enables on-demand water production based on user requirements, therefore significantly increasing water generation efficiency and delivery in rural areas and the mining and gas industry.

Security:

Improving water treatments processes can help secure clean water for drinking, agricultural, and industrial applications and help the U.S. position regain its technological leadership in the area of water treatment.

Environment:

Improving water treatment processes and wastewater reuse could yield an estimated 290 trillion watts in energy savings over 10 years, corresponding to 177 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Economy:

Inexpensive and reliable access to potable water could help drive U.S. economic growth in both agricultural and industrial purposes.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Bryan Willson
Project Contact:
Dr. Jongyoon Han
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
jyhan@mit.edu

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Release Date:
03/02/2012