PAX SCIENTIFIC, INC. SBIR Phase I Award, October 2020

PAX Scientific (PAX) has developed a low-temperature process that purifies water and provides for its reuse in a simplified and cost-effective process, regardless of the salinity content and contamination level. Their technology is provided in mobile, modular and easily scalable systems with variable throughput handling abilities. The water purification systems can use secondary energy sources, such as low-grade heat and solar thermal, and remove in one step multiple water contaminants, including minerals, salts, hydrocarbons, suspended solids, metals, microplastics, etc. PAX offers a cost-efficient solution for seawater distillation that is up to 30% more efficient than competing technologies treating highly contaminated water and allows water recovery rates of at least 80%. The PAX Technology avoids key issues commonly associated with high total dissolved solids (TDS) thermal purification such as source variability, corrosion effects, limited access to energy sources, high capital expenses and high operating and maintenance costs (O&M). The lower operating temperatures allow an all-plastic system for many applications, avoiding corrosion and fouling, and eliminating the need for expensive materials, such as titanium. In addition, the system can handle highly variable water sources without the need to replace membranes, filters or add chemicals, minimizing O&M costs. This revolutionary method greatly simplifies the process by removing many steps in the treatment train. In this project, PAX is offering an excellent solution for seawater purification, regardless of source variability, which, combined with state-of-the-art on-site electrolyzers, can be easily deployed in austere conditions to generate hydrogen for energy applications. The combination of water purification systems with advanced on-site electrolyzers and renewable energy sources, provides a long-term sustainable management of critical resources and enables a practical approach for water and energy resiliency in shore installations, naval operations, logistics, or disaster/emergency response.