Our Innovative Technology
So how does it work and what do we actually produce? At CIWI, we’re excited to share that we have developed a groundbreaking solution for water treatment in collaboration with the Technical University of Delft. Our technology produces metal-based treatment agents that are suitable for coagulation, but also for phosphate and hydrogen sulfide removal.
For now, the specifics of our technology.. we are in the status of updating this page, but please go to our blog for some more details or read the story here below.
Impactful and Cost-Effective: Our Metal-Based Agents for Water Treatment
How and Where to Use Our Technology
Our innovative technology that produces metal based water treatment agents can be used across various sectors where metal salts have traditionally played a dominant role.
In drinking and industrial water treatment, it ensures high-quality drinking and process water by effectively removing unwanted contaminants. But the technology can also be applied in wastewater treatment, both domestic and industrial plants, with potential to be used for sludge thichkening or to achieve discharge standards by removing phosphates hydrogen sulphide, and other contaminants. Additionally, our technology facilitates water recycling and reuse.
Our CIWI Egg, CIWI Chicken, and CIWI Bird pilot systems offer scalable solutions tailored to specific needs, from small-scale projects to fully integrated systems.
The Financial and Operational Impact
We understand the importance of not disrupting your existing infrastructure. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate our metal-based water treatment agents, specifically focusing on replacing iron chloride, into your current water treatment systems. Our devices, ranging in size from as small as a fridge to as large as one or two containers, can be conveniently placed next to your existing setup. They require only a power connection.
Our business model is simple: you lease our device and pay only for the metal-based agents you use. This is designed to be cost-neutral, meaning you'll pay a price comparable to what you're currently spending on iron chloride. Additionally, you’ll see cost savings through reduced pH control needs, improved water reuse potential, and easier discharge of water or sludge due to the reduced saline content. Our solution also allows you to increase inventory capacity by up to eight times within the same volume. The peace of mind from fewer chemical hazards and the assurance that your water treatment won't be interrupted due to chemical shortages? That’s nearly priceless.
The environmental impact
Besides the fact that we reduce the salt introduction and avoid acidification of your water, our technology can significantly reduce your Scope 3 carbon footprint associated with the use of metal-based treatment agents like iron chloride or aluminum sulfate. Traditional iron chloride production has a carbon footprint of 3.2 kg CO2 per kilogram of iron introduced.
Our system, even when powered by conventional (grey) energy, immediately reduces this footprint by 20%. When connected to green energy sources, our system’s carbon footprint drops further to 1.8 kg CO2 per kilogram. By utilizing green steel, the impact is even more dramatic, reducing the carbon footprint to an astounding 0.01 kg CO2 per kilogram.
Additionally, our system can be used intermittently, producing treatment agents when a surplus of green energy is available. This flexibility ensures that you can maximize the use of renewable energy sources, further enhancing the environmental benefits of our technology.
By transitioning to our innovative solution, you not only enhance operational effectiveness but also make a substantial contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a sustainable future.
FAQs
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For traditional iron chloride solutions, only about 15% of the content is the active iron that does the work in the treatment plant, with the rest being transport medium like counter ions and water. Our technology produces the necessary coagulants directly on-site, eliminating the need to transport and handle the inactive components. This cuts out around 85% of the traditional supply chain, making the process more efficient and sustainable. For aluminum sulfate, the reduction can be even higher.
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We use the Ecoinvent database to calculate our Scope 3 carbon footprint, aiming for maximum transparency. Our calculations are based on the average carbon footprint for iron ore and hydrochloric acid. Since we only use iron, we focus on that component. We also factor in transportation, but its impact is typically negligible.
You may encounter other carbon footprint calculations for iron chloride and other metal salts. We avoid using those because they often involve hypothetical scenarios that lack official certification. Some calculations treat hydrochloric acid or the metal as waste materials with no carbon footprint, which doesn't align with standard reporting practices
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Green steel is steel produced using environmentally friendly methods that significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional steel production. Traditional steel manufacturing is a major source of CO2 emissions due to the energy-intensive processes involved in converting iron ore into steel.
Companies like H2 Green Steel, Boston Steel, and Electra are pioneering innovative production methods to create green steel. H2 Green Steel uses hydrogen instead of coal in the steelmaking process, drastically reducing CO2 emissions. Boston Steel is developing a technology that utilizes electricity to produce steel, aiming for zero carbon emissions. Electra is also working on methods to produce green steel by leveraging renewable energy sources and advanced electrochemical processes. These efforts represent a significant step towards sustainable steel production, contributing to the reduction of industrial carbon footprints.
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Traditional metal salts, such as iron chloride and aluminum sulfate, are produced through chemical reactions involving metal ores and acids. Iron chloride is typically produced by reacting iron ore or scrap iron with hydrochloric acid. This reaction produces iron chloride and hydrogen gas. The resulting solution is then purified and concentrated to the desired strength.
Aluminum sulfate is made by reacting bauxite, an aluminum ore, with sulfuric acid. This reaction produces aluminum sulfate and water. The solution is then purified and processed into solid or liquid form for use.
These processes are energy-intensive and generate significant carbon emissions, contributing to their high environmental impact
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Just like with iron chloride, there could be a presence of heavy metals in our product. Steel can contain trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium. However, the presence of these heavy metals in our product will be extremely small and will be closely monitored by us. You will have the same exposure, or even less, compared to traditional iron chloride solutions. Our commitment to safety ensures that these levels remain well within regulatory limits, providing a reliable and safe alternative for your water treatment needs.
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By cost-neutral, we mean that you will pay a similar price for our product as you currently do for your metal salts, such as iron chloride. Our innovative solution is designed to match the price range of traditional metal salts, ensuring there are no additional costs for switching to our technology.
However, while the cost is neutral, the overall impact is positive. You can save on other chemicals, benefit from improved discharge and reuse possibilities, reduce your carbon footprint, and enhance safety. These additional benefits translate into significant cost savings and operational efficiencies, making our solution not just cost-neutral, but cost-effective.