Chapter 5 Ceramic processing techniques of support systems for membranes synthesis

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ceramic processing techniques of support systems for membranes synthesis. The inorganic membrane is an asymmetric porous ceramic formed by a macroporous support with successive thin layers deposited on it. The support provides mechanical resistance to the medium. The successive layers are active in microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), or nanofiltration (NF), depending on their pore diameters. A ceramic support is formed by shaping a powder and then the consolidation of the green body by sintering. Extrusion is the paste flow and extrudate formation from ceramic paste. A membrane support must provide a high mechanical resistance and permeability. Tubular configurations correspond to this criterion and are adapted to the tangential filtration. The extrusion technique is the most important method of preparing ceramic supports because the tubular configuration is the most common configuration. Tape casting is a method for making thin, flat, and dense ceramics. This technique is limited by the thickness of the films obtained. Several determination methods of a porous texture can be used for characterizing the supports.