Pentair Introduces New Hybrid DI System with Crosscharge Technology

Hybrid DI systems using CrossCharge technology will be the first to offer consumers the benefits of a reverse osmosis (RO) system and those of a water softener without requiring salt.

The CrossCharge technology within Pentair s Hybrid DI system was developed through a partnership with the Dutch firm Voltea. The company has licensed the technology exclusively to Pentair in residential and light commercial applications for point-of-entry products. The new technology uses capacitive electrodes to remove hardness and purify water without employing salt. The core of the system is Voltea s patented "stack" configuration of electrodes combined with ion-selective membranes. The treatment sequence begins with the purification step. This occurs as untreated water flows through the cell where ions are drawn through the membranes and absorbed in the charged electrodes, producing high quality treated water. The electrodes automatically regenerate when the system reverses its polarity. This drives the ions out of the electrodes and flushes them from the stack. The polarity is then reset to normal to start purification again.

The state-of-the-art CrossCharge technology within this Hybrid DI system is driven by a Pentair developed, advanced micro-controller using an array of sensors to monitor and manage all system and water quality parameters in real time. The technology continuously assesses the inlet and treated water quality, controls the power supplied to the stack, and adjusts operating cycles and system flows to continuously optimize performance. The controller includes self-diagnostics and auto clean cycles. It also features a full-color touch screen user interface with animated "User" displays that are intuitive for the everyday user/homeowner and interactive "Technical" screens for system maintenance providers.

"Our business is providing clean, safe water for all and we strive to manufacture products that are kind to the environment. Our Hybrid DI system achieves just that," said Alok Maskara, president of Pentair s Residential Filtration business. "Since it treats water without salt, there is no net increase in discharged total dissolved solids. It also produces 90 percent less waste water than a conventional whole house reverse osmosis system." When asked about the term "Hybrid DI", Maskara responded, "we call it a hybrid DI system because it combines the functionality of an RO system with that of a water softener, but without using salt. It is the first system to offer that combination and the first to purify water without salt. It s also much more efficient than conventional RO systems and, since it uses no salt, it s very environmentally friendly."

Perhaps most significantly, consumers using Pentair s Hybrid DI system will be able to enjoy great tasting, bottled-quality water throughout the entire home, a benefit not offered by any currently existing product.

Pentair s vice president for technology, Phil Rolchigo, hailed the product s launch as an important milestone for the global corporation. "Being first to market with this innovative technology is an excellent illustration of Pentair s ongoing leadership position in the water treatment industry," he said. "Our CrossCharge technology is convenient, green and delivers clearly appreciable consumer benefits."

Pentair s Hybrid DI system with CrossCharge technology inside is expected to become available in consumer products in 2012.