3D printing for membrane desalination: Challenges and future prospects

Abstract

Recent years have shown a growing interest in the field of 3D printing for applications in the area of water treatment and desalination. The applications for 3D printing are applicable on numerous levels from membranes, spacers, modules, and entire plants; thanks to the high level of customisation, improving resolutions, low-cost to prototype and test designs, sustainability benefits, and reduced time and costs to fabricate new components for desalination. Previous review papers have discussed 3D printing for membrane desalination with a focus on membrane components and additive fabrication methods. This paper addresses the current limitations faced by 3D printing for water desalination and finally provides future perspectives that could address these barriers. The primary goal for this work is to compare and review the current limitations faced by 3D printing technologies in membrane desalination and provide future perspectives in order to improve its adoptability in the industry. The identified barriers include: insufficient resolutions; build volume scale; production rates; appropriate materials; costs; mechanical strength; thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability, which are factors that impede the successful application of 3D printing in membrane water treatment and desalination. Meanwhile, future directions are proposed based on the current trends in membrane research and 3D printing technologies available.