Industries from Madurai and other southern districts had an exposure to an innovative desalination technology developed by a German company at a workshop organised at Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) here on Wednesday.
The workshop on “Renewable Energy based Water Desalination” organised by TCE and the European Technology Experience Centre (ETEC) saw representatives from more than 20 industries interacting with experts from WME Gmbh, the German company.
Ulrich Plantikow, founder and manager of WMEA Gmbh, elaborated on the technical conception and working of the wind-powered sea water desalination plant. He noted that the plant provided sustainable solution for drinking water problems prevalent in many regions.
Dr. Plantikow stated that the remote controlled standalone unit developed by the company is pollution free and environmental safe. “The vapour compression is one of the most sophisticated processes used in the unit, which also functions without any maintenance requirements. The technology can be used to purify industrial effluents as well,” he added.
According to Hans Gunter Lind, head of companies and international markets, Fraunhofer MOEZ, Germany, ETEC helped in interacting with industries in India to know their requirements. “The needs of industries here are totally different from that of European industries. The ETEC and its programmes will help us in adapting to the technology requirements,” he stated.
Leena Pishe Thomas, South Regional Director of EBTC, Bengaluru, said, “Research, innovation and technology should be utilised to intervene and solve problems. It is important for Indian industries to see what Europe has to offer in terms of technology.”
V. Radha Krishnan, Senior General Manager of Dhrangadhra Chemical Works, Tuticorin, who attended the workshop said the programme helped in understanding the technology. “We commonly come across other systems such as reverse osmosis here, but the vapour compression system is unique. The programme also gave us an opportunity to make individual inquiries on the economic viability and other factors,” he concluded.
