Evove has leveraged Lithoz’s brand new CeraFab S320 to manufacture revolutionary ceramic filters for applications including lithium extraction.
At the upcoming Formnext, Lithoz will showcase pioneering lithium filtration technology from Evove – made possible by Lithoz’s market-leading ceramic 3D printing machines. Evove, a leading innovator in advanced filtration technology, utilized Lithoz’s new CeraFab S320 to manufacture Separonics™ ceramic filter membranes. These membranes are designed to reduce energy use by 80%, increase output fivefold, and recycle 80% more water.
Using 20 filter membrane segments, each with a diameter of 10cm and measuring 5cm in height, the complete filter module has a final length of 1 meter – making this the largest application ever built by Lithoz LCM technology.
With Lithoz’s lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) technology, Evove achieved a high level of control over the manufacture of these ceramic filtration membranes, enabling uniform pore size and distribution for optimal water recycling applications. The design freedom provided by the LCM process allowed for more complex geometries and therefore enhanced membrane performance, as well as custom designs tailored for higher flux and selectivity. Thanks to the lack of tools required, these 3D-printed alumina parts benefited from significantly reduced production costs.
Ceramics, with their inherent durability, make Evove’s filters far more resistant to high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, and physical wear than traditional materials like polymers. As a result, these alumina membranes last longer and require less maintenance, making them ideal for the demanding filtration environments involved when reusing industrial discharge and extracting lithium.
Evove produced these innovative membranes using Lithoz’s new CeraFab System S320, which will debut at Formnext 2024. The S320 offers the largest build platform of any Lithoz LCM printer (246 x 130 mm) and a resolution of 60 µm, powered by a 4K projection system. Designed for industrial-scale production of mid-size ceramic parts (such as these filter membranes), it complements Lithoz’s industry-leading CeraFab System S65, known for its ultra-precise repeatability for industrial production.
Andrew Walker, Evove CCO, stated: ‘Water touches 60% of global GDP, and the ability to recycle even the most challenging of feeds is a lynchpin of the circular economy and decarbonization. Ceramic materials offer great advantages but, until now, have suffered from the high cost of manufacture and susceptibility to random filtration performances. With Lithoz 3D printing technology, it’s proven that we can precision engineer and manufacture cost-effectively at scale.’
Lithoz CEO Dr. Johannes Homa expressed his excitement over the success of this game-changing project, stating, ‚Disruptive breakthroughs like this are crucial in today’s world, as they improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce resource waste. We’re seeing ever more ceramic solutions for challenges in manufacturing, as they are used where other materials fail. We’re proud to have provided the technology that enabled this success story in sustainability!'“
Experience Evove’s filtration technology at Formnext: Lithoz Booth C49, Stand 11.1.
About Evove
Evove deploys advanced technology to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the filtration and separation of fluids in lithium, green hydrogen and food & beverage production, as well as in desalination and the treatment of industrial water.
Evove Contact: Andrew Walker +44 7450 583660 / [email protected] / www.vove.tech
