Siemens 2005 Annual Report Download - page 62

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UV radiation lamp kills bacteria
Germ-free drinking water can be a matter of life and
death in industrialized and developing countries alike.
A mobile water purification device from Radium, a
Siemens company, destroys bacteria in water quickly
and safely by emitting low-pressure ultraviolet radia-
tion. A special germicidal lamp is immersed in, say,
a 20-liter container of water and switched on. High-
energy UV radiation penetrates the bacteria cells’
nuclei, destroying their genetic material. Within about
15 minutes, the germs are rendered harmless without
the use of chemicals. The device can be used in con-
tainers of up to 1,000 liters, with irradiation time
dependent on water quantity.
Thirst-quenching innovations
Population growth worldwide is driving the demand
for clean water and accelerating the pace of urbaniza-
tion. In today’s exploding megacities – where potable
water supplies and wastewater disposal lag behind the
pace of development – water shortages are already a
fact of life. The need for major investment in infra-
structure – such as water and wastewater treatment
plants and water lines – is particularly great in Asia.
In many countries, water-supply bottlenecks are hin-
dering not only urban development but also industrial
production. One promising focus for future invest-
ment entails making better use of municipal and
industrial wastewater to help maintain the flow of
clean water.
To address these challenges, we acquired USFilter, giv-
ing us access to an innovative product portfolio of
process technologies and services that includes more
than 1,100 patented inventions. Offerings encompass a
wide range of solutions and systems, including biolog-
ical treatment processes, advanced dual-membrane
microfiltration technology, purification processes, and
intelligent water management systems. At over
200,000 water and wastewater treatment installations
worldwide, our technology is enabling customers to
comply with strict government requirements and high
industry standards. Our extremely efficient systems
are helping protect the environment and conserving
resources for future generations by producing clean
water at low cost and with minimal energy consump-
tion while foregoing chemical treatment methods.
Among the many innovative technologies we provide
to conserve water are recycling solutions – which can
prove especially valuable for regions with inadequate
water supplies. Using so-called reclamation technology,
process water from households and industry is treated
for reuse, minimizing the consumption of precious
groundwater. This trailblazing approach is of particu-
lar benefit to industry. Companies that require a great
deal of ultrapure water, such as semiconductor manu-
facturers, can exploit this alternative source of water,
thereby conserving resources. We have successfully
implemented a water-recycling solution in Singapore
(see next page and photo on page 61).
We are now leveraging our global sales network to
market innovative processes such as membrane, UV
and ozone technologies from USFilter’s portfolio in
roughly 190 countries, tailoring our solutions to
country-specific requirements. With our comprehen-
sive expertise in electrical engineering, our in-depth
understanding of industry needs and our advanced
automation solutions, we are poised to be a major
player in the drive to optimize water use worldwide.
Our efforts are helping increase the supply of this
valuable commodity for people and industry all
around the globe.
Mobile clarification systems
If an emergency such as a water system failure or a
natural disaster interrupts drinking water supplies,
we can provide quick help. Mobile clarification trailers
supplied by Siemens can be on the scene anywhere in
the U.S. within only 48 hours, transforming contami-
nated water into potable water. These powerful sys-
tems were deployed, for example, following the hurri-
canes that devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in the fall of
2005.
Fit4MoreLetter to our Shareholders Managing Board