The International Water Conference® (IWC) in Las Vegas brought together industry leaders and innovators to tackle pressing water challenges, and ZwitterCo was proud to be a part of it from November 3-7. This year’s conference was packed with insights into the latest advancements in water treatment, and our team shared the latest on zwitterionic membrane technology.
Day 1 Highlights
We kicked off the conference on a high note, with Elke Peirtsegaele, Senior Product Manager at ZwitterCo, presenting groundbreaking data in her technical paper, “Review of Field Operation of Novel Zwitterionic RO Membranes.” Her presentation focused on the challenges and costs associated with membrane fouling from organic and biological material and how a new RO membrane chemistry utilizing antifouling zwitterions addresses these issues, reducing operating costs for users treating high-fouling streams. She then reviewed operating data from a full-scale commercial installation, showcasing the fouling resistance of zwitterionic RO membranes.
The data presented highlighted how these zwitterionic RO membranes offer a solution to persistent organic fouling issues. The elements proved to require less frequent chemical cleaning, resulting in reduced system downtime and lower operating costs. The audience learned about the potential of zwitterionic RO membranes to treat high-fouling streams with minimal cleaning and maintenance.
Special Session on Lithium Extraction
In a separate technical session, Brett Thompson, P.E., Senior Applications Engineer at ZwitterCo, brought his expertise to a discussion on lithium extraction and purification from brine streams, an area growing in importance with the rise in demand for lithium-ion batteries. His insights on innovative brine treatment schemes helped the audience explore efficient, sustainable resource extraction techniques.
Day 2 Highlights
On the second day, Chris Roy, Director of Commercial Engineering and Co-Founder of ZwitterCo, presented “Novel Zwitterionic Membranes Enable High-Strength Food & Beverage Wastewater Treatment & Reuse,” shedding light on the applications where zwitterionic membrane technology treats complex wastewater streams. Chris focused on how zwitterionic membranes meet the intense demands of the food and beverage sector, particularly in high-strength wastewaters laden with fats, oils, and grease (FOG). His presentation underscored how zwitterionic membranes offer a pathway for efficient water reuse, which is becoming critical as water scarcity concerns intensify globally.
Looking Ahead
The response from the industry at IWC was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees expressed interest in how ZwitterCo’s innovations in membrane technology are tackling some of the water treatment industry’s most persistent issues. Our zwitterionic membrane technology, with its fouling-resistant properties, is ready to support industries in need of sustainable and cost-effective water treatment solutions.
As we look forward to more collaborations and projects in the upcoming year, we’re excited about the role ZwitterCo will play in shaping a more sustainable water future.