New FILMTEC Low Energy RO Elements Conserve Electrical Energy Costs by Operating Effectively at Reduced Pressure.

FT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1998--A new series of FILMTEC(R) TW30 low energy (LE) reverse osmosis (RO) elements designed to operate in the pressure range of 75 psi to 125 psi in commercial water purification applications can save as much as 40% in electrical pumping energy costs compared with conventional elements designed to operate at pressures up to 225 psi.

According to The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), which unveiled the LE Series elements at the annual Water Quality Assn. Convention, these new mid-size RO elements are rated to provide a flow of 2,000 gallons per day, with 99% salt rejection, at 25 degrees C and less than 125 psi operating pressure when total dissolved solids (TDS) are 2,000 ppm sodium chloride.

"These are Dow's standard LE test conditions," emphasized Kari Dawson-Ekeland, marketing manager for the company's Liquid Separations business unit. "In actual practice," she continued, "these elements can operate at even lower pressure with lower TDS feedwater. When the operating pressure can be lowered to as little as 75 psi, the elements will still provide excellent flow. These elements truly provide the best of both worlds by operating at lower pressure while providing great rejection and reliability."

The bottom line, according to Ms. Dawson-Ekeland, is that the new FILMTEC TW30 LE elements can pay for themselves in less than one year out of energy savings alone. In addition, she said, the lower operating pressure means that new water treatment systems designed around these elements can take advantage of lower psi rated pressure vessels, lower horsepower pumps, and lower associated capital expenses to reduce the installed system cost.

Although many existing systems would probably require a replacement pump operating at a lower pressure, the energy savings achieved by the new low energy RO elements may justify the system modification, she said, especially in locations where electrical energy costs are a concern.

For more information about the new FILMTEC TW30 LE low energy RO elements, contact The Dow Chemical Company, Liquid Separations Products, P.O. Box 1206, Midland, MI 48641-1206. Or call, toll-free, 1-800-447-4369.

CONTACT: The Dow Chemical Company

Jan Huisman, 517/636-9086

or

Alexander Marketing Services, Inc.

Howard Rice, 616/957-2000