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QUA Unveils EDR-Q™ Technology for Superior Water and Process Applications

On October 28, 2025, QUA, a notable name in the Aquatech sphere, has officially introduced the EDR-Q™, a revolutionary electrodialysis reversal (EDR) technology tailored for high-efficiency desalination, water recycling, and various specialized process applications. This innovative technology enhances QUA's already impressive portfolio, which encompasses advanced systems like electrodeionization (FEDI®), ultrafiltration (Q-SEP®), submerged MBR (EnviQ®), and ceramic membrane filtration (CeraQ®).

Addressing Industrial Needs

The EDR-Q technology is specifically designed for industrial environments where the removal of selective ions is critical to overall process efficacy. It efficiently handles applications in diverse sectors, including:

• - Food and Beverage: Facilitates whey de-ashing, ensures high-grade protein separation, and stabilizes tartrate.
• - Critical Minerals: Concentrates lithium and recovers metals from brine and process water.
• - Industrial Manufacturing: Streamlines acid-alkali recovery from waste streams.
• - Water and Wastewater Treatment: Develops brackish water desalination solutions and recovers water from reverse osmosis (RO) reject within upstream zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems.

According to Ravi Chidambaran, CTO and President at Aquatech, “In addition to conventional desalination and water recycle applications upstream of a ZLD/MLD system, EDR-Q offers a sophisticated solution for specialty critical minerals and metal recovery workflows.” This breakthrough marks an exciting expansion of QUA’s technology offerings further aligned with their mission to improve water reuse and resource recovery methodologies for clients around the globe.

Technology Behind EDR-Q

The EDR-Q employs a direct electric current running across alternating ion exchange membranes to extract dissolved salts and ionic impurities from water. It features an automatic reversal of the current polarity at set intervals, effectively combating fouling and scaling issues, thereby ensuring reliable performance without the need for frequent intervention through chemical cleaning. This cutting-edge design promises an impressive water recovery rate of up to 95% and maintains operational stability even in challenging conditions characterized by high levels of silica, sulfate, and turbidity.

Key Features of EDR-Q:

• - Chemical-Free Maintenance: The in-situ cleaning process is powered by regular polarity reversals that counteract scaling and fouling.
• - Turbidity Tolerance: Allows seamless operation without the necessity for upstream polishing via reverse osmosis.
• - High Silica and Sulfate Tolerance: Ensures efficient processing of complex industrial streams.
• - Wide pH Range Compatibility: Adaptable for treating a variety of industrial waste sources.
• - Reduced Maintenance: A low-chemical Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) process diminishes maintenance frequency and enhances uptime.

Models and Specifications

The EDR-Q technology is available in three distinct models, catering to flow rates between 1.5 to 9.0 m³/hr. Its compact modular design facilitates straightforward installation, along with the capability for parallel stack operations to support larger flow requirements.

QUA's Commitment to Innovation

With over 1,000 installations spanning more than 30 countries, QUA stands as a global leader in advanced membrane technologies, emphasizing electrochemical and membrane separation solutions for both water and process applications. The organization prides itself on its commitment to innovation, consistently delivering high-performance, dependable solutions to diverse industrial and municipal clientele worldwide.

For more information on QUA's products and services, visit www.quagroup.com and discover how they continue to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in water and process management today.