HERO WATER EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY

FAQ

Do you need HTI’s sports drink to make the systems work?

HTI products work on the basis of Forward Osmosis. Forward Osmosis filtration must use an osmotic agent (Sugar, or Salt) to create osmotic pressure and draw the water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane filter. HTI’s sports drink powders and syrups have been formulated to maximize filtration capabilities, enhance oral hydration and drink preservation. However, other kinds of combinations containing sugars/salts will function as an osmotic agent (Ex: Gatorade, Powerade, maple syrup, etc.)

How quickly can I produce safe drink and are there any ways to speed the production?

The reported hydration speeds of HTI’s products were measured at 68°F (20°C) without agitation. Warmer water and agitation allows water to move easily through the filter. Basic filtration delivery speeds for each product at standard and above standard temperatures are as follows:

	68°F (20°C)	86° F(30°C)

X Pack	4 hrs. yields 1.0 liter	3.2 hrs. yields 1.0 liter
HydroWell 24	1.7 liters / hour	2.1 liters / hour
HydroWell Expedition	1.0 liter / hour	1.3 liters / hour

How sweet is the sport drink HTI’s products create?

For reference: 1 can of soda pop contains 10-12 % sugar and Gatorade is manufactured at about 6%.


X Pack	0.9 liters = 6%	1.4 liters = 4%
HydroWell	Constant output of 2-3% at 1.7 liter/hour
HydroWell Expedition	Constant output of 5-7% at 1.0 liter/hour

How do you know if the membrane is working properly?

Each and every HTI product is tested for leaks under a positive pressure air test prior to packaging and shipping. HTI products require a tight membrane filter and construction so that the osmotic pressure is always contained. In the rare case where a rupture or small hole develops in the membrane or construction under severe use, osmotic pressure is released and the osmotic filtration process stops. The product will not generate clean drink because the osmotic agent is flowing out into the dirty water. A full bag means a good bag and safe drink.

Does the HTI membrane stop all chemical toxins?

At the behest of the Department of Defense, HTI’s initial products were engineered to stop biological pathogens. Biological pathogens are common in contaminated waters and even a small exposure, due to the rapid reproductive characteristics of bacteria and viruses, can result in severe illness. In addition HTI’s products perform very well against chemical toxins (as seen below).

Undissolved Radiological species (most common)		100% Rejection
Radioactive ions (less common)		85% Rejection
Chemical Warfare Agents (except CN)		95% Plus Rejection
Herbicides/Pesticides		95% Plus Rejection
Odors & Smells		95% Plus Rejection
Heavy Metals		85-90% Plus Rejection

Values in the above table are estimates based on experiments and comparisons of contaminant sizes to HTI’s “pore” size of 3-5 Angstoms.

Does the HTI membrane stop all biological pathogens?

HTI’s proprietary membrane is extremely effective at blocking all types of biological pathogens. Independent studies performed by both independent and military laboratories have consistently demonstrated that HTI’s products transform the worst possible life-threatening waters into clean, life-sustaining drink. As demonstrated in independent tests, HTI’s membrane meets or surpasses 6-log bacteria (99.9999%), 4-log virus (99.99%) and 3-log parasites and cysts (99.9%) reductions as specified by the EPA for water purifiers.
Will HTI’s forward osmosis membrane clog in dirty water?

Soldiers know that most indigenous water sources are highly turbid. Unlike other solutions, HTI’s proprietary membrane technology does not clog, even when confronted with the dirtiest of waters. Pump systems indiscriminately force contaminants into their membranes causing the system to quickly clog and fail. Chemical treatments cannot remove turbidity and are useless when confronted with this common condition. HTI’s forward osmosis technology, however, does not unintelligently push water against the membrane, but rather water is selectively pulled through the membrane leaving other contaminants behind. No pressure means no clogging.
Can I filter urine through HTI’s products and produce safe drink?

HTI’s products are not designed to filter urine. The system’s strength is in its ability to work with very turbid water sources. However, due to the extremely tight membrane, HTI filters are capable of rejecting close to 90% of the salts in urine. In a crisis, HTI products have been used to filter urine and have been credited for saving lives.
Can I filter salt water or brackish water with the HTI system?

Only the SeaPack is designed to filter salt water. Water containing salt is inherently very high in osmotic pressure. To overcome this pressure, a greater pressure must be created within the clean-side of the HTI membrane. This can only be accomplished through the introduction of substantially more sugars to drive the osmosis. The Sea Pack features a very tight membrane that rejects even salt and can supply life-sustaining drink from even the world’s oceans.
Does HTI technology use chemicals to purify dirty water?

HTI does not use chemicals to purify water. HTI employs a proprietary filter system that rejects contaminants and pathogens to create pure drink. Purifiers use chemicals to try to kill pathogens and therefore require long exposure times, high dosages and result in a poor tasting drink that may not be safe. HTI’s membrane has a microscopic pore size of 3 to 5 angstroms, 100 times smaller than the smallest pathogens.
Will bad tastes possibly get through the membrane?

Under most conditions HTI products produce a life-sustaining drink that tastes great. However, it is possible for bad odors to transit the HTI membrane, depending on the nature of the source water. This is because molecules responsible for foul odors (such as sulfur compounds from decaying plant or animal matter) are very small and volatile. They can be close to the size of the water molecule itself. They are actually perceived not by the tongue but by the olfactory system, and the nose can perceive them in minute quantities…parts per trillion.

However, even if this happens, it is important to note that the drink is still safe.

How long can each product be used and what happens if that period is exceeded?

Each HTI product is engineered for a specific application and life-span as defined below:

HydroPack:		Single use
XPack:		Ten consecutive days from 1st use.
Expedition:		30-90 day filter life Flush once/week
HydroWell:		30-90 day filter life Flush once/week

HTI products will meet EPA standards using the above guidelines. In the field, HTI products have in fact been used much longer than the above recommendation. For example, HTI has received numerous reports of the XPack being used up to 20 days.

When a product is used past the recommended timeframe, there is little to no risk of a structural failure. The primary risk is that bacteria introduced to the clean side of the product through normal use (backwash or airborne) will eventually cause bacterial growth within the clean side of the membrane. In the event of emergency, the health risk from this growth is minimal due to the less threatening nature of these type of bacteria, and certainly much less than the alternative of not using the HTI product at all.

Is it possible for harmful bacteria to grow in the sugar-based drink after repeated use?

There is very little risk of this happening. HTI’s nutrient driver is formulated to lower the pH of the drink to 3.2, which is inhospitable to pathogenic bacterial growth. In addition to this, the charge contains potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, commonly used food preservatives to keep microorganisms from growing.
How long can I store HTI’s products before they go bad?

When stored below 90°F, HTI guarantees a 3 year shelf life. Membranes tolerate high temperatures well. HTI membranes are routinely used in industrial applications at 120°F. Like any food product, storage below 90°F is best. If stored in less demanding conditions, HTI products can see a shelf life of around five years.
How durable are HTI products?

HTI’s products are designed to be rugged to withstand military use. They have been jumped from aircraft, stuffed in rucks, and tossed in the back of vehicles for transport while being used in training and in theater. HTI products have been pulled from 18 month storage and deployed to Iraq without incident.

The X-Pack comes with an internal stiffener that prevents problems that might arise from severe folding and creasing of the bag. Common-sense precautions should guarantee satisfactory use. Like most products, HTI filters will not withstand intentional, extreme abuse. If for some reason an internal weld or seam should fail, the effects upon osmotic production are obvious and consequently do not endanger the user. Users are advised not to use leaking bags.

The membrane itself is very rugged. The rejection side of the membrane filter does not come into contact with abrasive material that could be present in the source water and hence is protected from damage. Any puncture of the membrane would also likely result in a leaking bag. In addition, if the membrane is somehow punctured, the nutrient sugars responsible for pulling water across the filter will seep into the dirty water, preventing water transfer across the membrane and keeping the bag from filling with clean drink. This provides an inherently failsafe aspect of HTI products which provide practical protection to users in the field.
Can the membrane tolerate high temperatures and freezing on the low end?

The membrane handles extreme temperatures fairly well. During storage the membrane systems can tolerate temperatures from –40°F to 160°F. Temperatures over 160°F will cause failure of the plastics. After initial start and during use, all of the membrane products should not be frozen.
Does the product meet government regulatory requirements?

EPA standards require chemical purifiers to achieve 6-Log reduction of bacteria and 4-Log reduction of viruses. HTI products are not chemical purifiers, but advanced forward osmosis filters that utilize HTI’s proprietary membrane. HTI products have been subject to extensive independent laboratory and military tests, and have been proven to meet or surpass 6-Log bacteria (99.9999%), 4-Log Virus (99.99%) and 3-Log parasites and cyst (99.9%) reductions as specified by the EPA for water purifiers.

What is the cost per liter of HTI sports drink?

The cost per liter depends upon which HTI product is being deployed and how many days it is used. HTI products can convert indigenous water into safe drink for between $0.37 to $2.29 a liter, a significant savings over the $38 a liter the US Army currently pays to fly bottled water to theater. Details are as follows:

PRODUCT	Flux Rate	Life	MSRP Cost/L	GSA Cost/L
X-Pack	1.5 L/6 hrs	10 days	$2.29	$1.59
Expedition	1.0 L/hr	30-90 days	$1.54	$1.33
HydroWell	1.7 L/hr	30-90 days	$0.37	$0.30

What are the weight and volume savings of HTI’s technology?

By allowing the soldier to drink from indigenous water sources, HTI products offer tremendous logistical and tactical benefits to the soldier. Logistically, there are considerable cube/weight savings of using the XPack:

Volume:		1 Pallet of X-Packs = 15 Pallets of Bottled Water
Weight:		2.75 lbs. X-Pack System = 40 lbs of Water (at max volume of 1.8L)

Tactically, HTI filtration technology frees the soldier from dependence upon the traditional supply line. Early entry operations, covert activity and more are all substantially enhanced by these systems.

Are there any negative side effects that result from continuous consumption of the HTI drink?

HTI products produce a drink that is equivalent to Gatorade or any other sports drink intended to replace calories and electrolytes lost through exercise. There are no known ill effects from continuous consumption.

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