Fluid Systems Membrane Reduces Boron Levels in Potable Water; Koch Membrane Systems Responds To New World Health Organization Guidelines.

    Business Editors

    WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2002--While high
groundwater levels of boron have shown toxic effects on growing
specific crops and plants, the World Health Organization (WHO)
recently issued provisional guidelines on safe boron levels in
drinking water.
    Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. (KMS), a world leader in membrane
technology, offers an advanced membrane, the Fluid Systems(TM)
TFC(R)-SS membrane, to reduce boron levels, particularly for seawater.
    "Boron levels in seawater, with boron naturally occurring in the
world's oceans at a level of 4-5mg/L, are a particular concern," said
Tom Stocker, senior process engineer for KMS. "WHO guidelines require
that potable water contains less than 0.5 mg/L of boron, which is a
major challenge, particularly in parts of the world like the
Mediterranean, where there is a heavy reliance on desalinated water
produced through reverse osmosis."
    "A series of KMS field tests over the past two years, in Cyprus
and California, have shown boron rejection in excess of 90 percent
using a single element in wet test conditions," Stocker says. This
data has also been verified by rigorous laboratory testing at KMS' new
state-of-the-art development facilities in Wilmington, Mass.
    "Unlike impurities such as arsenic, reverse osmosis membranes do
not easily reject boron," Stocker said. "Variables such as total
dissolved solids (TDS), temperature and the water's pH must all be
taken into account. With high salinity feeds such as seawater, boron
rejections as high as 90 percent have been demonstrated, but for low
salinity or brackish waters, boron rejection is very dependent on the
pH level.
    "The pH governs the form of the boron in water due to the
equilibrium reaction between boric acid and borate ion. At pH levels
higher than 9.3, borate ion starts to predominate. For boron removal
on low salinity systems, the feed water is typically first softened
then the pH is raised to the pH range of 10 to 10.5 before passing
through the TFC(R)-HR membrane to achieve an acceptable performance of
over 90 percent rejection," Stocker said.

    The only other technology that can remove boron to the levels
demonstrated by the KMS membrane is selective ion exchange resin, a
far less cost-effective alternative. As WHO's guidelines start to
impact, the KMS Fluid Systems(TM) membrane offers an increasingly
attractive solution.
    This latest innovation is one of several new and improved membrane
products from KMS. More information is available at
www.kochmembrane.com
    Customers may reach company representatives at either of the
following offices:
-0-
*T
Corporate Headquarters            Fluid Systems(TM) RO/NF Sales Office
850 Main Street                   10054 Old Grove Road
Wilmington, Mass. 01887           San Diego, Calif. 92131
Phone [phone]              Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]                Fax [phone]
-0-

    "Fluid Systems", "TFC" are trademarks of Koch Membrane Systems,
Inc.
    Koch Membrane Systems, Inc., a world leader in membrane separation
products, acquired Fluid Systems Corporation in 1998. Today the Fluid
Systems(TM) brand remains at the forefront of leading-edge membrane
technology. The company, headquartered in Wilmington, is a subsidiary
of Koch Chemical Technology Group, LLC.

    --30--djm/dx*

    CONTACT:  Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
              Steve Cappos, 858/695-3840
              Robin Shively, 720/252-9004

    KEYWORD:  CALIFORNIA MASSACHUSETTS
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD
ENVIRONMENT FOODS/BEVERAGES
    SOURCE:  Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.