K-water Tech Conference Outstanding Project ... Pukyong National University Develops Non-Powered Membrane Filtration Water Treatment Technology

Professor Kim Suhan's research team at Pukyong National University (from the bottom left, Professor Kim Suhan, Dr. Jeon Jongmin; from the top left, Master's students Kim Donggeon and Jo Jaeyoung) are taking a commemorative photo in the laboratory.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] A research team at Pukyong National University has attracted attention by developing a ‘carbon-neutral non-powered membrane filtration water purification technology.’

The technology developed by Professor Kim Su-han’s research team in the Department of Civil Engineering at Pukyong National University purifies water without power by using the elevation difference of the water purification plant site to flow water from top to bottom through a membrane.

The membrane filtration water purification technology, which filters fine particles by passing water through a fiber filter, can respond stably even to sudden changes in water quality.

This membrane filtration water purification technology also has the advantage of removing viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic microorganisms that are difficult to eliminate with sand filtration methods.

Although membrane filtration water purification technology has been introduced in Korea since 2009, it has been difficult to expand its application due to the high energy and cost required for operating the water purification system.

The Pukyong National University research team, supported by the Korea Water Resources Corporation, began research in December 2019, developed the non-powered membrane filtration water purification technology, and succeeded in verifying it up to the demonstration stage applicable to actual water purification plant scale.

The technology was selected as one of the top 14 excellent projects at the K-water Tech Conference hosted by Korea Water Resources Corporation in 2021 and received the President’s Award, the highest award of K-water.

Professor Kim Su-han of Pukyong National University said, “The method of purifying water without power by using the elevation difference is a simple technology discovered through a shift in perception, like ‘Columbus’s egg,’ but it is the first time to succeed in verification up to the demonstration stage.”

Professor Kim added, “After jointly filing a patent with Korea Water Resources Corporation, we plan to continuously promote cooperation to introduce the technology to actual water purification plants.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.