The Blue Economy - Case 43 Self-powered Dechlorination
This article introduces a creative approach to producing electricity from available currents and flows as one of the 100 innovations that shape "The Blue Economy", known as ZERIʼs philosophy in action. This article is part of a broad effort by the author and the designer of the Blue Economy to stimulate open-source entrepreneurship, competitiveness and employment. Researched, Written and Updated by Professor Gunter Pauli.
The Blue Economy Inspired Series
The Future of Safe Water:
Self-Powered Dechlorination Technology
Written by; Shelley Tsang, 2024.
As communities continue to prioritize health and environmental safety, access to clean water becomes increasingly crucial. However, in maintaining water purity, societies face the challenge of balancing chemical disinfection and the health risks associated with chlorine. Self-powered dechlorination technology—an innovative approach to chlorine removal—is emerging as a powerful tool in sustainable water purification. It not only addresses chlorine’s risks but also opens doors for energy-efficient and eco-friendly water treatment solutions across homes and industries alike.
The Market Demand for Dechlorination
With an estimated $24 billion market for chlorine production in 2010, the demand for water disinfection remains high. Chlorine, first utilized in 1910 by the city of Pittsburgh, fundamentally improved public health by reducing waterborne diseases. Chlorine’s effectiveness as a disinfectant led to its widespread adoption, making it a vital part of municipal water supplies worldwide. Nonetheless, the sustained use of chlorine in water supplies has its costs, as prolonged exposure can lead to health issues including allergies, cancer, and arteriosclerosis.
Dechlorination, or the removal of chlorine from water before human use, has therefore gained significant market interest, particularly in households where skin absorption of chlorine can exceed oral intake. As public awareness of chlorine’s risks grows, so does the demand for viable alternatives or post-treatment solutions. However, conventional dechlorination relies on filters and chemicals, which often end up as waste, further adding to environmental pollution.
The Self-Powered Dechlorination Innovation
Research from Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has revolutionized dechlorination by developing a method that removes chlorine using only the natural kinetic energy of water flow. This innovation harnesses energy through a minor geometric change in pipe size, generating electricity which is then used to power an electrolyzer that neutralizes residual chlorine. This process represents a breakthrough in water treatment, as it requires no external power, additional materials, or significant maintenance.
The core of this innovation is simple yet effective physics. By decreasing the pipe’s diameter at specific points, water velocity increases, generating kinetic energy, which is then converted into electrical energy. This electricity powers an electrolyzer that immediately eliminates chlorine in real-time. The device, built to last and function without continuous maintenance, is designed for long-term use, making it a sustainable solution for both households and industrial applications.
Beyond chlorine, this self-powered system is capable of removing other harmful impurities, including perchloric acid and sodium sulfite. Its application can therefore extend beyond residential drinking water to sectors like food and beverage processing, where ultra-clean water is essential.
Implications for Health and Sustainability
Chlorine remains a regulated substance in public water systems; thus, municipalities cannot simply eliminate it. Instead, self-powered dechlorination provides a solution to make treated water safer upon reaching consumers without discarding chlorine's disinfection benefits. This balanced approach meets EPA guidelines while alleviating the adverse effects associated with chlorine.
From a sustainability perspective, self-powered dechlorination aligns with the principles of The Blue Economy, which advocates for solutions that have multiple benefits for society and the environment. By eliminating the need for consumable filters and additional energy sources, this technology reduces waste and energy consumption. For environmentally-conscious consumers, this means access to cleaner water without the added environmental burden of filters or chemical agents.
Additionally, this system’s efficiency improves as water temperature rises, making it particularly effective in warm climates. For example, in tropical countries where chlorine intake poses a risk to people regularly exposed to chlorinated water, this technology provides an ideal alternative for continuous, safe water usage.
Self-Powered Dechlorination in the Home
The first logical market for this technology lies within the residential sector, where homeowners increasingly prioritize health-conscious products. As awareness of chlorine’s effects grows, so does the demand for technologies that make water safer without reducing the quality of water supply. The self-powered dechlorination device can be easily installed without extra wiring, making it a straightforward upgrade for existing water systems.
The ITRI team even envisions bundling this dechlorination device with other home innovations, such as self-powered lights that indicate water temperature. As water flow generates energy, these indicators could provide real-time updates, offering a dual benefit of energy-efficient lighting and dechlorination. This additional layer of utility is likely to appeal to tech-savvy and health-conscious consumers who prioritize convenience.
Industrial Applications and Expansion Opportunities
Self-powered dechlorination technology has the potential to disrupt water treatment in larger, industrial settings. For instance, in the food and beverage industry, where maintaining ultra-clean water is a priority, this system provides a high-efficiency, low-cost alternative to conventional filtration methods. Unlike traditional systems that require regular filter replacement, the self-powered dechlorination device is durable and requires minimal upkeep, resulting in substantial cost savings.
In ice production, where chlorine increases the energy required to freeze water, self-powered dechlorination has energy-saving applications as well. By removing chlorine before freezing, this system reduces the overall energy demand, thereby cutting operational costs and enhancing sustainability in production facilities.
In addition to immediate applications, the technology’s inherent scalability and adaptability make it viable for rural and urban water purification projects. As cities grow and water scarcity becomes a pressing issue, sustainable solutions like this can contribute to long-term resilience. The cost-effectiveness and versatility of self-powered dechlorination make it a valuable addition to public water systems, particularly in regions with limited access to infrastructure upgrades.
A Platform for Entrepreneurship
The versatility of self-powered dechlorination technology offers an attractive platform for entrepreneurship. With low upfront costs, minimal maintenance, and no need for external power, it presents opportunities for small businesses to enter the water purification market. Entrepreneurs can market these devices directly to consumers or partner with municipal governments to install them in public facilities, offering a solution that improves public health and reduces municipal maintenance costs.
This device also aligns well with social enterprises aiming to address clean water access in underserved communities. In areas where electricity and clean water are scarce, self-powered dechlorination can be deployed as a sustainable solution that ensures safer drinking water without the need for continuous technical support.
Challenges and Future Developments
While the technology is promising, scaling it for widespread industrial adoption may require further refinement to accommodate high flow rates in larger systems. Additionally, while the process has proven effective for chlorine removal, future research could focus on optimizing it for a broader range of contaminants. As water quality concerns become more complex, the versatility of this technology could be expanded to meet additional purification requirements.
Further market education will be essential for promoting self-powered dechlorination as a sustainable choice, especially among consumers unfamiliar with chlorine’s long-term health impacts. Collaborations with health organizations and environmental groups could help raise awareness, ensuring that more people can make informed decisions about their water safety.
Conclusion
Self-powered dechlorination technology is a major leap toward sustainable water purification. In eliminating chlorine without the need for chemicals or filters, this innovation aligns with both public health objectives and environmental goals, setting a new standard for water treatment.
From individual homes to large-scale industrial applications, self-powered dechlorination has the potential to transform how we think about water safety. It empowers consumers, industries, and communities to access cleaner water without compromising environmental standards, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future. In line with The Blue Economy’s principles, this solution embodies the idea that effective, sustainable technologies can drive meaningful change—ultimately helping to preserve our most valuable resource: water.
Read More about the Blue Economy Database by ZERI China:
Publication and dissemination of this article, including translations, require prior written consent.
Please contact contacts@zeri-china.org