Spacer production scale-up via proprietary 3D-additive manufacturing for industrial desalination
Lead Participant:
EVOVE LTD
Abstract
Water filtration for desalination and other applications supports net zero and resource efficiency in supply chains and manufacturing processes. The global membrane filtration market is ~$25bn (Verified Market Research 2019) but a key problem is that filtration is energy intensive, especially if flow pressure drops or biofouling occurs. For instance, desalination consumes ~3 KWh per m3 of water processed. Plant operators demand reductions to 1.5 KWh/m3 which would reduce costs and carbon footprint.
Industry solutions to address these performance issues include designing membrane spacers to decrease fluid resistance causing pressure drops. However, current spacer technology comprises first-generation plastic structures that are not application or membrane specific. Their simplistic design accelerates biofouling which requires chemical treatment. This reduces membrane and spacer lifespan to ~3 years vs a targeted 10 years.
Evove are leading membrane manufacturers with patented filtration products and designers of a cutting-edge spacer technology. Added Scientific (ASL) are independent experts in Additive Manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing. Together they have partnered to conduct an industrial research project that aims to solve the industry challenge of poor spacer performance during filtration. The project will involve thorough development and re-engineering of Evove's TRL5 spacer prototype to enable scaled-up production at high-throughput and high-fidelity of spacers using novel 3D-material printers. As no current printer technology exists, a bespoke printer will be designed and built.
The outcome of this project would result in a fully commercial manufacturing solution for Evove's spacers. This project will bring advanced additive manufacturing capability to Liverpool, create local jobs and deliver export opportunities for the UK. For these reasons, this industrial research project strongly aligns with the launchpad round2 competition scope.
Industry solutions to address these performance issues include designing membrane spacers to decrease fluid resistance causing pressure drops. However, current spacer technology comprises first-generation plastic structures that are not application or membrane specific. Their simplistic design accelerates biofouling which requires chemical treatment. This reduces membrane and spacer lifespan to ~3 years vs a targeted 10 years.
Evove are leading membrane manufacturers with patented filtration products and designers of a cutting-edge spacer technology. Added Scientific (ASL) are independent experts in Additive Manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing. Together they have partnered to conduct an industrial research project that aims to solve the industry challenge of poor spacer performance during filtration. The project will involve thorough development and re-engineering of Evove's TRL5 spacer prototype to enable scaled-up production at high-throughput and high-fidelity of spacers using novel 3D-material printers. As no current printer technology exists, a bespoke printer will be designed and built.
The outcome of this project would result in a fully commercial manufacturing solution for Evove's spacers. This project will bring advanced additive manufacturing capability to Liverpool, create local jobs and deliver export opportunities for the UK. For these reasons, this industrial research project strongly aligns with the launchpad round2 competition scope.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| EVOVE LTD | £577,866 | £ 404,506 |
Participant |
||
| ADDED SCIENTIFIC LIMITED | £128,985 | £ 90,290 |
| G2O WATER TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Craig Clement (Project Manager) |