Electrochemical filter for chloramine and heavy metal removal in water treatment
ElectraMet is a low-cost, high-surface-area electrochemical filter that reduces chloramines to under 0.1 ppm and simultaneously removes heavy metals and kills bacteria and viruses. Validated in lab tests with city water at flow rates up to 0.5 L/min, the technology targets dialysis equipment integration and broader water treatment applications.
Overview
ElectraMet is an electrochemical water treatment platform that uses low-cost, high-surface-area composite electrodes to reduce chloramines and free chlorine to ammonium chloride salts. Operating at voltages below 2.0 V, the system achieves chloramine reduction to under 0.1 ppm with residence times under 15 seconds. As an added benefit, the applied voltage simultaneously removes heavy metals and kills bacteria and viruses, making it a versatile solution for water purification challenges.
The technology is being adapted for integration with dialysis equipment, where chloramine removal is critical for patient safety. PowerTech Water is seeking partnerships to assist with product design and manufacturing for this specific application, as well as broader deployment across industrial and medical water treatment markets.
Technical specifications
- Core technology: Electrochemical filter using proprietary composite electrodes with high surface area
- Operating voltage: Less than 2.0 V (typically 1.5 V at approximately 25 mA)
- Chloramine reduction: Greater than 99% removal, reducing concentrations from over 1.0 ppm to approximately 0.03 ppm
- Flow rate: Validated up to 0.5 L/min with only 3 psi pressure drop
- Residence time: Under 5 seconds in lab tests, targeting under 15 seconds in production design
- Additional capabilities: Heavy metal removal, bacterial and viral inactivation
- Expected lifetime: 3 years
- Design parameters guided by Pourbaix diagrams for optimal operating conditions
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated through active industrial pilots and an NIH SBIR Phase II award for heavy metal removal applications. Lab tests with Kentucky city water have demonstrated over 99% chloramine removal with residence times under 5 seconds. Three remaining research areas have been identified for the dialysis application: revised cell design to meet dialysis equipment specifications, impact of inlet water composition on operational tuning, and long-term operation validation. This final validation phase is expected to take one year to complete.
About PowerTech Water
ElectraMet, formerly known as PowerTech Water, is a company that develops and deploys advanced electrochemical water treatment systems designed for industrial wastewater management and resource recovery. Their technology uses proprietary electrochemical processes to selectively remove and recover valuable metals, such as copper and silver, and manage oxidant impurities from complex industrial process and waste streams. By replacing traditional, chemical-intensive treatment methods with automated electrochemical systems, the company provides a sustainable alternative that reduces operating costs, minimizes sludge production, and enables the circular economy by allowing manufacturers to reuse water and recovered materials.
The company serves a wide range of critical industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicle battery recycling, mining, defense, and medical devices. These solutions help customers meet increasingly stringent environmental compliance requirements while improving operational sustainability. With a foundation rooted in research and development, ElectraMet has scaled its operations to support global manufacturers, leveraging significant venture-backed funding to expand its market presence and product capabilities. Their systems are tailored for performance at scale, supported by rigorous testing and analysis to ensure removal efficiency and recovery feasibility for specific industrial applications.
delivered to your inbox.