Hydrelis : Water leak detection

Founded in 2004, Hydrelis develops technologies, products and systems to monitor, and manage and reduce water consumption. 

Hydrelis developed electronics innovation including Ultra Low Power. The CLIP-FLOW is a 100% french. The production lines are located in the sum Woincourt and Gunderschoffenen Alsace. The CLIP-FLOW is an internationally patented and the company received the Special Jury Prize at the National Ministry of Research. 

Hydrelis is a new player in the field of monitoring and protecting networks of drinking water. Launches CLIP-FLOW, which enables individuals, communities and businesses to reduce their water bills through active surveillance: CLIP-flow control, analysis and cutting the water supply in case of anomaly, just like a circuit breaker cut power to incidents. 

An independent and innovative concept 

CLIP-FLOW is autonomous. It works without electrical connection. Installed network head near the counter, CLIP-FLOW acts as a switch and closes the water supply in case of anomalies. 

Innovative, CLIP-Flow Analysis permanently the flow of water in search of a stable flow abnormally long sign of a leak. CLIP-FLOW intelligently adapts to each installation. His reaction time will depend on the magnitude of the leak: the higher the speed is more important trigger quickly. For multiple users, it expects the rate to stabilize thus avoiding tripping. CLIP-FLOW can also identify the speed increases abnormal sign of a ruptured pipeline. He then cut the water in seconds. 

Time for action: 

- For a small leak (flush or tap file) corresponding to a stable flow of 80 l / h, it starts in about 1 hour. 

Important for trouble (leaking underground or open valve forgotten) for a steady flow of 1500L / h, it starts in 12 minutes. 

- In the event of pipeline rupture, it reacts in less than 8 seconds. 

- In case of prolonged inactivity, it can cut water itself as a precaution. 

For special applications, its settings can be changed very easily with a personal computer (PC). 

Water: the new blue gold 

Drinking water is a precious commodity: 

- The individual today is seeking to consume the most useful and possible to prevent leakage invisible. They need ways to monitor and reduce its consumption and alert in case of leakage invisible. 

- In the communities, because of the separation between users and payers, automated monitoring is required. The leaks, accidents, vandalism and any anomalies should be identified and repaired quickly before having a significant impact on water bills. 

- In industry and leisure operators seeking to optimize their water budgets. Quickly identify overuse or leaks that may damage the infrastructure is essential.

Source : Hydrelis 

Brochier technologies : photocatalytic pollution control solution

Brochier Technologies is a french company specialised in optical fibre weaving solutions for light applications in lighting, communications, safety, pollution control, and medical fields. 

Lightex technology 

The company is well kown for its Lightex® technology which consists in the weaving of optical fibres with lateral lighting, connected to electroluminescent diodes that makes possible to create flexible or rigid illuminated surfaces, very thin, requirering low power consumption and providing long life span.The Lightex® lighting solutions are protected by several international patents.

UVtex technology : Environment application

Brochier technologies has also developed UVtex technology which is a photovoltaic pollution control solution using optical fibre plastics and UV light ( patented technology).By combining the ultraviolet radiation distributed by the optical fibre fabric with some quantity of TiO2, the UVtex® technology acts upon pollution control of the air, the water, and the destruction of odours, therefore being an answer to many current environmental problems of today.

Photocatalysis

Air purification, odor control, cleaning the surface ... The industrial applications of photocatalysis are numerous today. And to think the French Federation of photocatalysis (FFP), established in 2006 to promote the use of this process, the technological potential of the photocatalyst is still under exploited. Limitation of bacterial growth in hospitals and medical, water purification, water purification, detoxification of water rinsing equipment or industrial agriculture, elimination of odors could be part of the field of development of this technology is discovered more than 

fifty years.

 

© AZoM ™ - The A to Z of Materials and AZojomo 

Powdered TiO2 observed in scanning electron microscope

The principle? Decomposition and degradation of the material under the action of light beams on the surface of a catalyst. A catalyst, usually titanium dioxide (TiO2), is activated by the presence of a light source, natural or artificial. Free radicals released by the titanium allow oxyréduction: organic molecules on the surface are adsorbed and decomposed by the catalyst. Titanium dioxide, inert compound used as a pigment in paints and cosmetics, is the raw material chosen by most manufacturers because, according to the FFP, as it is in contact with light, and pollutants, the material remains stable and efficient.

Source : Brochier technologies 

Institut Lavoisier develops a high capacity CO2 trap

A porous material created by a team led by Gérard Férey at Institut Lavoisier in Versailles has an unparalleled ability to capture carbon dioxide, a major challenge in the ongoing fight against global warming. 

This recent study co-authored by several laboratories associated with CNRS has shown that MIL101, a mesoporous Metal-Organic Framework (MOF), could store close to 400 m of CO₂ at 25°C per m³ of solid, almost double the capacity of the best materials commercially available today.

Yet when Férey initially set out to create porous frameworks, he had no specific application in mind. His goal was to move beyond trial and error and devise a logical approach to create tailored porous solids. Using a personal computer simulation program, he found extraordinary virtual results. They eventually led to the creation of MIL101, the largest crystalline porous solid to date, with pores of 3.4 nm and a huge cubic cell volume. 

The next issue was to figure out what to trap in such large cages and, given the increased focus on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, CO₂ was a prime candidate. Férey also gives credit to his colleagues who demonstrated MIL101’s record CO₂adsorption properties. “We now know why and where the CO₂molecules attach,” he points out. “This is essential information if we want to find even better products.” 

The study also shows that the method chosen to activate MIL101 is crucial in optimizing its CO₂ adsorption capability, the most effective method being a combination of hot ethanol and ammonium fluoride treatments. 

CO₂ storage is only one of many potential applications for a large-pore MOF and the possibilities are practically endless. “You can fill it with pretty much anything,” concludes Férey, “hydrogen, drugs, or even use the cages as a nanoreactor to produce materials directly inside them.

Source : CNRS - Fabien Buliard

Hiolles industries : A fast growing player in the french cleantech industry

Since 1976, by developing originally industry services, HIOLLE Industries, which was a little company of 4 persons settled in Valenciennes,  has become a performing and industrial group hiring more than 800 employees.

The group is composed by twenty seven subsidiaries, each one works on a specific sector: hydraulics, industrial electricity, industrial maintenance, automatism, pneumatic power, industrial plumbing, metal construction, metallurgic control and thermal treatment, precision fabrication, logistics, engineering … However they work together and are federated by important projects, what brings a true synergy between methods and services.

Nowadays, HIOLLE Industries is recognized in France and abroad. It acts in sectors such as: metallurgy, plastics industry, railways industry, textil industry, steel industry …

Being multidisciplinary, Hiolle Industries has become a worldwide leader in a specialized sector:  the industrial transfer. Yet, more than 150 partial or complete transfers were achieved in Europe, Asia, India, South America …

For many years, Hiolle Industries has also been present on environmental protection sector. In order to answer to the topical environmental issues, it offers global and sustainable solutions for treatment:

waste : domestic waste, hospital waste, derelict cars… and their recovery water and mud from water treatment plants gas by reducing discharges causing greenhouse effect

As HIOLLE Industries offers a very large range of specialities, has very skilled teams in many sectors and wants to go forward, Hiolle Industries has become a very indispensable partner for any industrial project based on sustainable development.

After an important growth in service industry sector  and in environment activities, Hiolle Industries group has adopted a development strategy towards renewable energies sector, of which the photovoltaic solar electricity.

Source : Hiolles energies 

JET METAL TECHNOLOGIES : Clean coating technology

An innovative metallization process that reduces the need for chemicals and the generation of wastewater.

This french  company offers an innovative, non-polluting technology for metal plating with an aqueous spray system. This totally new, patented technique makes it possible to metallize any surface by simultaneously spraying two aerosols, respectively containing an aqueous solution with metal cation (metallic salt) and an aqueous solution with a reducing agent. The mixture of these two solutions creates an oxidation-reduction reaction on the surface, forming an even, continuous metallic film. Jet Metal is commercializing a faster metallization process developed at the Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes at l'Ecole Centrale Lyon. 

Electroplating and vacuum deposition technologies are the most common metallization technologies today. But the coatings industry is facing stricter environmental controls on chemical waste and energy consumption. Jet Metal says the process meets those needs because it removes the need for highly polluting sulfochromic preparation treatments, reduces the quantities of reagents used, minimizes the generation of wastewater, and uses no VOCs.

The process removes steps, which can save time and money. Additionally, the process occurs at room temperature using basic painting tools.Jet Metal says the technology creates a synergy between the simplicity of painting techniques and the sophistication of metal plating coatings.In its patented metallization process, two aerosols are simultaneously projected onto substrates to react and form a homogeneous and continuous metal film.  The process can be used for a variety of metal coatings—including copper, nickel, cobalt or gold—and on a variety of substrates, such as metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, textiles, and wood. The process has applications in a number of industries, including cosmetics, glass, automotive, aerospace and appliances. 

Jet Metal Technologies raised €2.5 million for its new coating technology that reduces the need for chemicals and the generation of wastewater. The funds came from Viveris, Schneider Electric Ventures, Naxicap Partners and Rhône Alpes Création.

Source : Jet Metal Technologies 

CKFD : An innovative system to recycle cans

CKFD is a french company developing an innovative system to recycle cans named "Ecopacteur". This project is not only ecological and economic lines. The societal dimension is indeed also present, since it creates jobs dedicated to the collection of cans, the maintenance of écopacteurs and display advertisements. 

Today, vending machines for refreshments are everywhere : parking, subway, stations, airports, supermarkets, schools, businesses ... The public places are filled!

However, the biodegradation of an aluminum pop can take over 200 years. That is why it is imperative not to throw his cans anywhere. Cans are 100% recyclable. However they are separated from the rest of the packaging. Especially since the bobbin is a disposable product, mainly consumed outside home. That is why the majority of cans are thrown in combination and are not recycled. 

With the écopacteur,the French company CKFD, is making the difference since this machine allows a cylindrical compaction process manual cans to reduce and recycle waste. 

CKFD is engaged in a logic of sustainable development.  A full écopacteur is compacted 2 000 cans or the equivalent of 3 bikes after recycling! 750 écopacteurs full is 1 500 000 cans of 33 cl compressed which is equivalent to 1 line of tramway 32.5 meters after recycling. 

Today,the écopacteur seduced many communities and businesses, especially at events. The most recent example is the SNCF. 

Source : CKFD 

France Greentech : A showcase for the French environmental offer

"We want to focus on sectors that are and will be the competitiveness of France after the crisis. The eco-industry and eco-services are a part. "Host a meeting with the eco-entrepreneurs yesterday at Bercy, Anne-Marie Idrac took the opportunity to announce a plan of measures for eco-industries in their international strategies. The occasion for the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade to affirm its support for green business "made in France." 

Support is reflected first by the desire to give the sector greater visibility on the world stage. Hence the launch of a communications plan includes a specific logo Federating (France Green Tech) and opening a window presenting the French offer on the environment.

 

But because there is no substitute for concrete, these external signs of greenery also accompanied the establishment of a FASEP Fund (study and support the private sector) which will help finance pilot projects eco-enterprises hexagonal. Demonstrator essential to winning new customers. "The French team I see it as a team of eco-enterprises in eco-enterprises for eco-businesses," says Anne-Marie Idrac the podium before give way to representatives of major groups (Schneider Electric , EDF Energies Nouvelles, Suez Environment) and SMEs (Naskeo Environment SA ...). 

To conquer new horizons, the ministerial meeting was also part of a signed agreement between Ubifrance (the French Agency for international business development) and the International Ademe. A device to provide eco-businesses the opportunity to build on the French presence abroad to help develop and sell outside our borders. What soon put the cap on emerging economies and markets sensitive to green technologies such as the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India or China. But also the United States represented at Bercy Monday by Martin Chavez, Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Source : Cleantech Republic  par Baptiste Roux dit Riche

Domelys recovers heat on wastewater

Created by Yann Menez and Frédéric Manoury, DOMELYS Technologies has developed an innovative system to filter gray water "hot" then make the move in a heat exchanger to warm water cold and reduce the cost of heating water.

An innovative technology : CalH2O

CalH20 is the first system designed by the company Domelys Technologies, which has developed in the very specific niche of the recovery of waste heat. 

Its principle is simple: recover some of the calories water showers (all days above 30 ° C) to transmit them to the cold water before entering the water heater. "Our philosophy was to meet this need with a very robust process, autonomous and maintenance free, totally transparent to the user and especially depreciable within 5 years," explains Frédéric Manoury, associate director.The system CalH2O, whose heart is a direct heat exchanger (the water circulates within the heat exchanger and water worn out), puts out a filtration step specifically developed for the application (with automatic cleaning system) to protect the heat exchanger. We also note that the incoming cold water is treated against tartar for the same reasons to protect the entire network of water heaters. 

Applications

This recovery of calorie can reduce the cost of hot water from 33% to 45%, as each degree earned on the incoming water upstream of the heater corresponds to a saving of 1,16 Wh / liter. The first target of technology Domelys are all large consumers of hot water, at least 180 m3 per year of hot water (55 ° C), so for example hairdressers (250 to 300 m 3 / year) or equipment collective (gyms, swimming pools etc.).. Returns on investments are always less than five years and even in certain cases of about two years. The pilot run last year with the process that is now marketing. 

Source : Green news

More information : Domelys

Windcap Energy : Aerocap tower

Windcap Energy is a french company based on the Technopole Brest Iroise. Having made their previous careers in the offshore oil industry, the founders of Windcap were however interested in other forms of energy, particularly renewable energy which will inevitably in the future one of the alternative sources of oil. 

Wind suburban Windcap 

The company has developed an innovative tower of energy spread using the wind resource. This is the first standardized modular, decentralized, industrial production of renewable energy based on wind resource in suburban area of activity. 

Stacking diabolos 

This is not a contemporary sculpture, but a wind that forms unusual throne before the buildings of the school of engineering Brest. Two diabolos three meters in diameter, composite materials, stacked one on another. In rushes into the tunnel, the wind gathers pace and spins of small propellers. "Depending on the wind, they can produce up to 10 kilowatts, said Alain Larivain. We turn to the model of six meters in diameter in early 2009, if possible in an industry. " The first marketing could intervene at the end of that year. For comparison, four five-storey towers of six meters in diameter would correspond to a conventional wind turbine equipped with blades 30 to 35 m in diameter. Windcap aims of the industrial or commercial areas or communities, for a production ranging from 100 to 500 KW. 

Looking for investors 

Later marine energy, the system houlomoteur is currently digital, it works on the computer screen. Its development is linked to the arrival of private or public. "You have to find between one and two million euros to develop a prototype, Alain Larivain. We are associated with a company in Hong Kong and we are negotiating with other foreign companies, but no French. " A former specialist in off-shore has already drawn on the computer platform, bringing together, sea, diabolos and float. For tomorrow.

Source : Le telegramme de Brest, Windcap

More information : Windcap Energy