nir-vana innovation network

An Austrian SME developed and offers a unique technology that reduces the water flow in showerheads by up to 55% without causing adverse effects on the water jet strength. The technology is on the market since June 2022 and the company is already engaged in (inter)national cooperations. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION State of the art showering systems cause a high flow of water (about 15l water per minute showering time). Consequently about 150 l of water have to be heated up to 40 degrees assuming an average showering time of 10 minutes in Europe (9-13 min depending on the specific country). This causes remarkable environmental and economic impact in specific since Europe is facing an energy crisis. STATE OF THE ART Currently water saving shower heads are available to reduce water consumption. These systems are reducing the water flow what leads to a reduced water jet strength. As a consequence, the water flow is hardly reduced if the user is turning up the water flow to raise the water jet strength. SOLUTION The innovation is an a few cm large element that is simply screwed (by hand) to the outlet of the shower valve. The shower hose is subsequently screwed on this element. Within this intermediate element air is added to the water flow what reduces the amount of water flowing through the shower hose without reducing the pressure within the shower hose. The element is designed in a way that an under pressure is created by the water flow what leads to a constant suction of air (venturi effect). Already on-the market existing water saving showering heads cannot implemented a similar system. Once the water flows from the outlet of the shower valve in the shower hose the water pressure is reduced due to an increased cross section and an increased elasticity of the showering hose. The remaining pressure is insufficient to generate a constant suction of air at a remarkable amount. Currently there is only one other proper working alternative product available on the market that is using the venturi effect for this purpose but this product achieves a lower amount of admixed air. CERTIFICATES TUEV Austria certification is in progress. PARTNER SOUGHT The Austrian company is looking for partners with existing distribution networks in the fields of hotels, dorms, private households or the like. With these partners a commercial agreement is sought. Additionally license agreements are a possible with companies interested in a white label solution or companies interested in producing the technology.