H2O Innovation retrofits Iowa ethanol plant with membrane replacement

In Canada, H2O Innovation Inc. has recently completed a plant retrofit for an ethanol client located in Iowa. This project, one of the first of its kind in North America, demonstrates the corporation’s technical expertise and market access required to provide a direct replacement solution. Experience gained from this project should well-position H2O Innovation to support future market demand.

H2O Innovation was awarded the contract for membrane replacement of the client’s existing microfiltration (“MF”) system, originally designed to treat 350 gpm (1,900 m3/day) of process water. The modules were approaching end of life based on reduced water flow and filtrate quality. The facility also needed to expand capacity without significant capital investment. The Corporation’s solution, working closely with Toray Membrane USA, Inc. was to design the replacement around a new module that offers more surface area in the same footprint. H2O Innovation’s engineering and field services capabilities and open-source strategy qualify the Corporation for this type of replacement. The Corporation estimates around 840 M gpm (3.8 M m3/day) installed capacity of this type in North America will likely require replacement and upgrade in the next 5 to 10 years.