WEFTEC 2017 was one of the largest events in WEF’s 90-year history — with 22,860 registrants and 1,011 exhibitors using 305,600 net square feet of space.
As a first-time attendee to WEFTEC, I had the chance to see the industry in full swing. My biggest takeaway: the incredible product demonstrations and technology, as well as the companies behind them, and how they address the challenges that industrial manufacturers face in the area of water treatment. One thing is for sure, there is an abundance of passion for industrial water treatment and reuse among those in attendance and the exhibitors.
That passion for innovation was also evident during the opening general session. The keynote speaker, Fredi Lajvardi, energetically described his experience as a high school teacher and STEM advocator. His stories of leading a group of kids through science and engineering competitions started WEFTEC’s first exhibition day on a positive, inspirational note. Lajvardi’s best-selling book, "Spare Parts," and its 2017 IMAX film adaptation are now on my must-read and must-see lists.
Filling two halls at McCormick Center in Chicago, the exhibitors brought their products and technology to the show floor with fantastic booth setups and displays. I had a chance to talk to many of them, and I look forward to presenting some of these new industry developments to our readers in upcoming issues of Water Technology. For now, here are a few highlights from the show:
SEEPEX demonstrated its modular chemical metering system, which enables users to design a system with a footprint suited for the space in which it will be installed.
With the recent acquisition of GE Water & Process Technologies, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions announced the launch of new industrial water treatment technologies, including ozonia M (the next generation of ozone system for water treatment), the FiltraFast solution (a compressible media filter) and Sievers InnovOx ES Laboratory TOC Analyzer to optimize organic carbon detection.
Nidec offers high-performing motors, drives, and control systems for powering water processes. It featured its cast-iron, totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) World Motor line of products for harsh environmental conditions.
HYMAX featured a large-diameter coupling with a new four-bolt design for faster, easier installation.
Milton Roy demonstrated its line of chemical metering pumps and LMI’s new Liquitron controller.
Anue Water Technologies showcased an eco-friendly approach to treating wastewater corrosion and odor using oxygen and ozone technologies.
Pulsafeeder featured its external gear pump designed specifically to streamline the maintenance process. Booth visitors had the opportunity to enter a competition to see how fast they could disassemble and reassemble the pump.
Xylem launched its Godwin NC150S Dri-Prime pump, the first in a new Godwin S Series of smart dewatering pumps. The NC150S meets EPA Final Tier 4 requirements with emissions reduced by 90 percent and fuel consumption by 10 percent on average.
The Water Technology team had a wonderful time at WEFTEC, making new connections as well as strengthening current partnerships, and we look forward to growing these opportunities with you. See you in New Orleans next year!
Molly Rogers is the editor of Water Technology. She can be reached at [email protected] or 205-408-3744.
