INTERNATIONAL
Green Swan Partners LLC (GSP), a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based venture builder has announced the formation of a technology spin-out, Aquatherm Technologies, LLC which will commercialise GTI’s Transport Membrane Condenser (TMC) technology for the recovery of enthalpy and water from moisture-laden gas streams. The technology has significant import for textile care businesses in their drive to achieve less environmental impact via sustainable operation.

GTI’s TMC technology is a nano-ceramic tube designed to promote capillary condensation of moisture on the tube surface. This is then transported through the tube wall, collected as pure water, and recycled back into the process. The system improves process efficiency by 5% to 15% and can recover as much as 40% of the moisture in the gas stream.

Applications for this technology include natural gas combustion stacks such as boilers, operations such as steam blanching, commercial laundries, and other industrial processes that produce moisture and temperature-rich gas streams. The technology has been developed and refined over the past decade and more through several pilot and commercial installations and is now ready for global deployment with an immediate focus on Europe and North America.

“This technology is a natural fit for the GSP sustainability mandate,” said Lala Faiz, Green Swan partner and sustainability expert. “There is a shortage of fresh water globally. A recent UN report indicates that the world could suffer a 40% shortfall in water in just 15 years. Any technology that can recover and reuse water in industrial processes can alleviate the constraints on already stressed water systems.”

“Green Swan Partners, with their focus on cleantech and green tech technologies and their capabilities in building successful commercial operations, aligns well with GTI’s commitment to develop and promote technologies that address important social and environmental concerns worldwide,” said Tyler Manley, GTI’s business development lead.

“GTI is focused on meeting the dual imperatives of decarbonisation and economic development by leveraging gasses, fuels, and infrastructure to bring meaningful new technologies to market. The TMC technology is an ideal solution that can help corporations achieve their ESG goals.”

“Not only does the TMC technology improve process efficiency, it also recycles and reduces the water required for industrial and commercial processes, a win-win solution,” said Chetan Chothani, partner at GSP. “Recovering moisture going up a stack in the form of clean water can alleviate the impact of droughts by providing water that would otherwise have been lost.

“Indeed for the laundry and cleaning industry this technology will become an important factor in moving towards less environmental impact.”

Find out more at www.aquatherm.us