Shareholding of Fraunhofer
Fraunhofer Venture
SolarSpring GmbH
The Company
The worldwide increasing water shortage is alarming. In search of a visionary solution that is in harmony with the environment, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE developed energy-efficient, solar-operated desalination facilities. The spin-off SolarSpring markets these systems that are implemented everywhere where water is needed urgently but is not available in drinking water quality. SolarSpring GmbH specializes in the development, planning and production of decentralized, solar-operated water purification facilities. The company is a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).
Technology
The Problem
SolarSpring GmbH developments react to the problem that in many regions on earth - for example in Africa or India - drinking water is in short supply. Sea/brackwater is available, however, prior to consumption it must be desalinated and sterilized. The technology of large desalination facilities often requires very intensive maintenance and large amounts of energy. Both are reasons why the utilization of such facilities is impossible in particular in remote areas. Regions with a weak infrastructure and no direct grid connection can therefore not operate desalination facilities.
The Idea
At the beginning of the SolarSpring GmbH technology was the idea that certain regions are indeed affected by severe drinking water shortage, however, in most cases paired with strong insolation. Taking this fact as an advantage, the company developed water purification facilities that are 100% solar energy operated. Thermal solar collectors deliver the energy for the desalination process and auxiliary equipment such as pumps or valves is powered by PV cells.
The Technology
The filtering processes are based on membrane distillation technology. The membranes implemented are micro-porous and hydrophobic. Both properties prevent liquid water from penetrating the membrane; merely water vapor is able to pass. During the filtering process, warm salt water is on one side and a cooler surface on the other. Due to the heat, water vapor is produced. The existing difference in temperature is the driving force that makes the water molecules pass from the warm to the cold side of the membrane and condensate there. The salt remains behind and the result is clean, sterile drinking water. Two facilities on the Grand Canary island and in Jordan have been running successfully for some time now.
Video
In December 2007, SolarSpring installed the solar-operated desalination facility Oryx 150 on Tenerife, Spain. Within 3 hours, the main system was installed. Just click on the image and watch the 5-minute clip.
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