CARUS LLC Brings a Touch of Magic to Water Treatment with Epic Mickey-Inspired Technology

Peru, Illinois – November 8, 2023 – CARUS LLC, a leading provider of innovative water treatment solutions, today announced a breakthrough in permanganate-based oxidation technology, playfully dubbed "Epic Mickey" due to its unique approach to tackling difficult contaminants. Based out of Peru, Illinois, CARUS has been quietly revolutionizing water purification for decades, and this latest advancement promises even greater efficiency and effectiveness. For those unfamiliar, CARUS LLC is a family-owned company (founded way back in 1921!) dedicated to making water safer and cleaner. They don’t make flashy gadgets, but they do make the chemicals that keep our drinking water, wastewater, and industrial processes running smoothly. They're kind of the unsung heroes of water treatment, if you think about it. They specialize in permanganate chemistry – that’s potassium permanganate, a powerful oxidizer used to remove iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and a host of other nasties from water. Now, about “Epic Mickey.” You might be wondering what a Disney video game has to do with water treatment. Well, the name isn't literal! It's an internal nickname CARUS engineers came up with because of how the new technology works. Think of Mickey Mouse using paint and thinner to reshape the world in the game. This new tech kinda does the same thing – but with chemicals and contaminants. Traditionally, permanganate treatment can be a bit… messy. You add the chemical, it reacts with the stuff you want to remove, and you end up with a lot of manganese dioxide sludge – basically brown gunk. Dealing with that sludge is a pain – it clogs filters, reduces system efficiency, and costs money to dispose of. The “Epic Mickey” tech, officially known as Optimized Permanganate Reactive Control (OPRC), changes all that. Here's the deal: instead of just throwing a bunch of permanganate into the water, OPRC precisely controls the dosage and introduces a specialized catalyst. This catalyst, developed over years of research at CARUS’s Peru facility, essentially “paints” the manganese dioxide into larger, more easily filterable particles. Think of taking a bunch of tiny specks of dust and magically sticking them together into bigger clumps. “It's all about surface area and particle formation,” explains Dr. Emily Carter, CARUS’s Lead Research Scientist. “By controlling the reaction environment and using our catalyst, we’re able to grow larger, more robust particles that are much easier to remove through conventional filtration. It’s like taking something tiny and making it… well, bigger and more manageable.” So, what does this mean in practical terms? Reduced Sludge Volume: OPRC significantly reduces the amount of manganese dioxide sludge produced, lowering disposal costs and minimizing environmental impact. We’re talking potentially cutting sludge volume by 30-50% – that's a big deal. Improved Filter Performance: Larger particles don't clog filters as quickly, extending filter life and reducing the frequency of backwashing. That means less downtime and lower maintenance costs. Enhanced Water Quality: By optimizing the oxidation process, OPRC removes contaminants more effectively, resulting in cleaner, clearer water. Cost Savings: Reduced sludge disposal, longer filter life, and improved efficiency all translate into significant cost savings for water treatment facilities. Who benefits from this technology? Pretty much anyone who treats water. OPRC is suitable for a wide range of applications, including: Public Drinking Water Treatment: Ensuring safe and clean drinking water for communities. Wastewater Treatment: Removing contaminants from wastewater before it’s discharged back into the environment. Industrial Water Treatment: Improving water quality for manufacturing processes, cooling towers, and other industrial applications. Groundwater Remediation: Removing iron, manganese, and other contaminants from groundwater sources. CARUS is currently piloting OPRC technology at several water treatment facilities across the United States. Initial results have been incredibly promising, and the company plans to roll out the technology commercially in early 2024. “We’re really excited about the potential of OPRC,” says John Henderson, President of CARUS LLC. “This isn’t just about making our products better – it’s about helping our customers solve some of their biggest challenges and making a real difference in the world. We’re proud to be a part of the solution.” CARUS LLC, while often behind the scenes, continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and sustainable water treatment practices. The “Epic Mickey” technology is a testament to their dedication and a promising step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. You can learn more about CARUS LLC and their products at [www.carusllc.com](www.carusllc.com) or by calling 510-667-6860.