The electric company is a partner in an international project to create a new water source

The project deals with the development of a method for capturing water vapor from industrial processes, such as power plant chimneys, which constitute a new source of water for industrial use

An electric company is a partner in the international CAPWA project managed by KEMA from the Netherlands, which deals with the development of a method for capturing water vapor from industrial processes, such as chimneys of mainly coal-fired power plants, which are equipped with an FGD (Flue Gas Desulphurization) facility - scavengers using which remove the sulfur dioxide, which is emitted from the coal burning process . The project takes place within the framework of the Seventh Program of the European Union: "European Union Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (FP7)"

The project was carried out at the "Rotenberg" power plant in Ashkelon, and as part of it, water vapor was removed from the chimney, condensed and turned into water that can be reused in industry. Through the process, water and energy are saved; Straits are a new and high quality source of water for industrial use.

The separation of the water from the combustion gases is carried out with the help of a pressure difference between the two sides of a special membrane (a kind of filter) that mainly allows water vapor to pass through it. The membrane tested at the electric company was developed in European research institutions, to enable the separation of water vapor from the combustion gases. To date, the membranes that have been developed have been tested mainly under laboratory conditions. This project examines, among other things, the function of the membranes in field conditions at the "Rotenberg" power plant of the electric company.

The engineering planning department of the Electric Company designed and built a system for exhausting the combustion gases after the FGD from Unit 4 in Rotenberg. Later, they were connected to the experimental facility and the gases were returned to unit 3.
Daal Ludwin, CAPWA project manager, recently visited Israel and as part of his visit, measurements were made at the experimental site to test water quality and water supply.

At the end of August, the closing conference of the project was held in The Hague in the presence of project participants from around the world and representatives of the European Union authorities. It was emphasized that the project shows the possibility of utilizing and reducing water losses in industry.

The Electric Company was represented by Dr. Gabriel Gangashvili from the Engineering Planning Division. Dr. Gabriel spoke on behalf of an electricity company and presented the experimental activity carried out at the "Rotenberg" power plant. At the conference, among other things, ideas for future projects with and cooperation with the electricity company on water and energy issues were raised.

For a video about the project.