In July 2020, AMTA began offering Technology Transfer Online – its first-ever virtual education series – available live and on-demand. In addition, AMTA partnered with AWWA to offer the Membrane Master Class webinar series, featuring leaders and innovators in membrane technology and the latest topics.
Covering up-to-date and relevant membrane-focused subject matter, each 90-minute session features presentations by panels of experts, followed by questions and answers. For live events, CEU credit is available for specific states, pending approval. We look forward to seeing you online!
Technology Transfer Online
Available On-Demand
Enhanced Recovery of NF/RO Systems
Six-part Series
Increasing demand for existing freshwater resources among a variety of beneficial uses is straining available supplies to an unprecedented degree. Consequently, the use of alternative, lower quality sources, such as brackish groundwater, saline surface water, and recycled wastewater are rapidly becoming an integral component of long-term portfolio planning, and nearly all of these alternative supplies require desalination. The resulting demand for nanofiltration (NF)/reverse osmosis (RO) has sparked a renaissance of membrane desalination, with more facilities being implemented than ever before. Moreover, with increased economic incentive, the industry is benefitting from an infusion of both financial and intellectual capital invested in NF/RO systems, yielding innovations designed to improve performance and reduce cost. Among these innovations, enhancing system recovery has become the most prominent, with numerous proprietary technologies and processes being developed.
Recognizing the need to build institutional knowledge about the expanding array of options, AMTA convened a six-part educational series focusing on enhanced recovery strategies for NF/RO systems. The series is grouped by general technological approach, with each of the six sessions featuring technology providers discussing their respective enhanced recovery solutions, along with a moderator-facilitated Q&A session.
View the series to gain a leading edge understanding of this new wave of NF/RO innovation. Your post-event registration will allow you to view the archive recording at your convenience.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 1
Conventional / Thermal Processes: What You Need to Know About Enhanced Recovery and ZLD
Aired August 25
Moderator: Tom Pankratz, Water Desalination Report
Speakers & Topics: Brent Alspach, P.E., BCEE, Arcadis – Conventional ZLD: Overview and Economics
Craig Leonescu, GEA – Thermal Processes 101 Evaporation & Crystallization
This first session in the series provides important background for understanding the concepts and economics of enhanced recovery, along with a high-level overview of thermal desalination processes for the non-expert. An example of innovative high-efficiency thermal technology, including modular and mobile units, will also be presented.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 2
Semi-Batch Processes
Aired August 27
Moderator: Michael Bourke, Wigen Water Technologies
Speakers & Topics: Michael Boyd, Desalitech – Closed Circuit RO
Shane Walker, Ph.D., Center for Inland Desalination Systems, University of Texas at El Paso – Concentrate Enhanced Recovery Reverse Osmosis
Steve Wait, IDE Technologies – MaxH2O
Semi-batch processes generally operate by continuously recirculating the concentrate to a pre-determined threshold point (based on time and/or salinity levels), at which point a purge is initiated, followed by a new concentration cycle. These processes rely on the principle of “induction time,” purging the concentrated solution prior to the point at which scaling is expected to occur.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 3
Innovative Osmonics
Aired September 1
Moderator: Kerry Howe, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, University of New Mexico
Speakers & Topics: Richard Stover, Ph.D., Gradiant Osmotics – Counter Flow RO
Jon Johnson, DuPont Water Solutions – XC-N Salt Selective Nanofiltration
Erik Desormeaux, P.E., Porifera, Inc. – dprShield
The solutions profiled in this session all leverage the osmotic salinity gradients to accomplish desalination with less energy than would otherwise be required. Each utilizes innovative engineering and/or manufacturing to harness the power of the natural phenomenon of osmosis.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 4
Novel Operations
Aired September 3
Moderator: Randall Shaw, P.E., Bureau of Reclamation
Speakers & Topics: Ronit Erlitzki, Ph.D., AdEdge Water Technologies, LLC – Flow Reversal RO
Neil Palmer, Osmoflo – Brine Squeezer
Ronen Barkan, Fluence Corp. – NIROBOX
Enhanced recovery can also be achieved by optimizing current NF/RO system operations and practices. Examples of such innovations profiled in this session include periodically alternating the direction of flow, enhancing chemical cleaning effectiveness, and utilizing advanced (smart) system performance monitoring.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 5
Electrochemical Processes
Aired September 8
Moderator: Tina St. Pierre, P.E., SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions
Speakers & Topics: Neil Moe, Ph.D., SUEZ WTS – RO-ED Desalination
Ethan Demeter, Ph.D., Magna Imperio Systems Corp. – Electrochemical Nano Diffusion
After many years of relative obscurity, electrochemical desalination processes are enjoying a resurgence via technological innovation and applications in enhanced recovery, for which they are well-suited. Technologies in this category apply an electrical potential gradient coupled with charge-selective ion exchange membranes to remove salinity.
Enhanced Recovery, Session 6
University Research
Aired September 10
Moderator: Harold Fravel, Jr., Ph.D., AMTA Director Emeritus
Speakers & Topics: Bruce Thomson, Ph.D., University of New Mexico – Mineral Recovery and Enhanced Desalination
Frank Huang, Ph.D., P.E., New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology – Direct Contact and Vacuum Membrane Distillation Processes for Water Recovery
Pei Xu, Ph.D., New Mexico State University – Hybrid Algal-Osmosis Membrane System for Resource Recovery and ZLD
Anticipating the market proliferation of enhanced recovery, the next generation of innovative solutions is already in research and development. This session profiles three such advancements on the horizon, one from each of the three major research universities in New Mexico – not only an arid state with long-term water resources challenges, but also the host of AMTA’s October 2019 workshop on enhanced recovery conducted in Albuquerque.
Available On-Demand
ICYMI: Membrane Plant Response and Preparedness for Pandemics
Aired July 21 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Continuing to provide clean water during a pandemic is critical to the health of a community. A panel of membrane plant utility managers discussed the planning process and response to COVID-19, including the impact to operations, staffing, and maintenance activities, along with lessons learned.
What You Will Hear:
- Approaches to essential operations
- Operational, management and staffing challenges
- Continuity of operations for advanced membrane treatment systems
- Maintaining capacity
- Steps for resuming normal operations
- Incorporating pandemics into Emergency Response Plans
Moderator: Jill Miller, City of Bozeman WTP Superintendent
Featured Panelists: Mehul Patel, Orange County Water District’s Executive Director of Operations; Rebecca Wilder, Town of Jupiter Utilities’ Senior Engineer; Andrea Rogers, Keokuk Municipal Waterworks’ General Manager.
Pricing
AMTA Technology Transfer Online
AMTA Member or IDA Member
Single Session: $35
Full Series Registration: $175
Non-Members
Single Session: $50
Full Series Registration: $250
Student Rates (requires AMTA Membership Enrollment)
Single Session: $15
Full Series: $90
Call for Group Rates
Webinar Archives
Upon registration, the archived video will be available for 30 days.
Questions?
Email AMTA Online Training or call 772-463-0820.
AMTA utilizes the GoToWebinar platform. AMTA recommends reviewing the GoToWebinar System Requirements and testing your computer’s compatibility prior to registration.
For CEU credits, attendees must pre-register and provide a valid certification number. After the online training, AMTA will email CEU documentation to attendees meeting the CEU requirements. Reports will also be sent to the appropriate certification agencies.
If you have any questions about the Membrane Master Class Series, email AMTA/AWWA Webinar Training.
Technology Transfer Online Sponsors
Interested in Sponsoring AMTA Technology Transfer Online Training 2020 Series?
Questions? Please contact AMTA Customer Service or phone 772-463-0820.