The KNeW Company

What it does

KNeW Co is a replacement technology for the existing reverse osmosis ("RO") solution that mines use to treat their acid mine drainage. The solution offered by KNeW Co eliminates the RO facility and allows the owner a reduction of water processing costs. KNeW Co's technology recovers 98% of the water with only a 2% evaporative loss. The resultant output water meets EPA standards for drinking water. Other products produced are fertilizers, such as Potassium Nitrate and Ammonium Sulphate, and chemicals, such as Sodium Chloride (salt). The product variety and volume depend on the wastewater chemistry and flow rate. Technology Overview In the KNeW Process, acid mine water is transformed into clean water. The spent reagents used to regenerate the resin bead beds are not wasted but converted into a range of marketable products. The largest percentage is converted to potassium nitrate, a superior fertilizer for agriculture and hydroponics. In the KNeW process, the reagents used in the ion exchange regeneration process, nitric acid and ammonia, are processed into end products. Over 98% of the water treated is output as clean water in the KNeW process. One key environmental benefit of KNeW Co's technology is that it operates at atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing the energy demands compared to thermal or reverse osmosis water purification technologies. Our treatment process has two primary components. The first phase is the water purification process using a continuous countercurrent ion exchange process. The second phase includes recycling waste from the desalination process into valuable products.