Technology
ederna is a pioneer in the development of processes using Hollow Fiber Contactors (HFCs). HFCs allow to perform molecular separations (extraction, evaporation, degassing) with high efficiency because of the very high compactness of these systems.
Osmotic Distillation is a special case of this technology which uses the natural phenomenon of osmosis to transfer volatile species between two fluids.
In the case of evapeos®, Osmotic Distillation is used for transferring water (as a vapour) from a diluted aqueous medium toward an aqueous osmotic agent. These two miscible fluids are separated by a gas permeable Hollow Fiber with high porosity. The difference in water activities between the two compartments leads to a high water vapor flux at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
evapeos® evaporators use cartridges containing thousands of Hollow Fibers, thus leading to high water fluxes.
For further information about HFCs technology, a detailed article is available in the online version of the Speciality Chemicals Magazine May 2010 edition (page 36).