Membrane Technology Research Research Articles

Advancement of membrane separation technology for organic pollutant removal.

In the face of growing global freshwater scarcity, the imperative to recycle and reuse water becomes increasingly apparent across industrial, agricultural, and domestic sectors. Eliminating a range of organic pollutants in wastewater, from pesticides to industrial byproducts, presents a formidable challenge. Among the potential solutions, membrane technologies emerge as promising contenders for treating diverse organic contaminants from industrial, agricultural, and household origins. This paper explores cutting-edge membrane-based approaches, including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, gas separation membranes, and pervaporation. Each technology's efficacy in removing distinct organic pollutants while producing purified water is scrutinized. This review delves into membrane fouling, discussing its influencing factors and preventative strategies. It sheds light on the merits, limitations, and prospects of these various membrane techniques, contributing to the advancement of wastewater treatment. It advocates for future research in membrane technology with a focus on fouling control and the development of energy-efficient devices. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry players is vital for shaping water purification innovation. Ongoing research and collaboration position us to fulfill the promise of accessible, clean water for all.

Effects of the Applied Potential on the Performance of Polysulfone Membranes Functionalized with Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone Polymers.

The global water crisis growth has led to a tremendous increase in membrane technology research. Membranes are favored over many other technologies for water treatment because, in principle, they require no chemical additives and can be used isothermally at low temperatures. Membranes that can reject contaminants and salts, produce adequate permeate flux values, and require minimal cleaning are highly demanded. However, most synthesized membranes on the market have associated problems, such as membrane fouling; inverse relationships between flux and solute rejection; and the high cost of synthesis, operation, and maintenance. Therefore, there is a continuied need to produce membranes with properties that make them able to sustain flux and selectivity over time. This research study focused on increasing the surface charge and hydrophilicity of polysulfone (PSf) membranes by incorporating sulfonate-functionalized poly-ether-ether-ketone (SPEEK) into PSf/N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (PSf/NMP) membranes. The sulfonation of the PEEK provided a net increase in negative charge on the surface of the membranes that enabled charge repulsion to take place, thus increasing the rejection of ions. In this project, the effect of the applied potential on the performance of SPEEK: PSf/NMP membranes was evaluated. The characterization of the as-synthesized membranes was carried out using the surface's structure and morphology, contact angle, and zeta potential. Furthermore, a voltage of 1.5 V was applied to the membranes in the presence of various salts (sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride salts) to evaluate the effects of the applied potential on solute rejection. It was found that both the permeability and the selectivity of the membranes increased when the voltage was applied. The obtained results indicate that incorporating SPEEK into PSf/NMP membranes increased the hydrophilicity of the membranes, and under the applied voltage, the incorporation allowed it to function as an electrodialysis process that is capable of removing ions from water bodies by utilizing the charge repulsion of ions.

Modeling gas separation in flat sheet membrane modules: Impact of flow channel size variation

Flat sheet membranes offer many advantages over other membrane configurations, (e.g. ease of maintenance and low pressure drops) that make them a strong candidate for post-combustion carbon capture. A performance model for a stacked flat sheet membrane module is reported in this work. The model is based on the reported specifications for the Gen 2 Polaris™ module developed by Membrane Technology & Research (MTR) and predicts performance based on solution of the governing momentum and mass balance equations. The model accounts for variability in flow channel heights within the module that can arise during module manufacturing. The model is first verified against similar membrane models. Simulations are then performed over a wide range of conditions to demonstrate how much performance declines as channel height variability increases. As per the performance metrics, the dimensionless feed flow rate processed per unit membrane area (f-curve) shows the greatest decline. The changes in performance are comparable to those that occur with hollow fiber membrane modules that possess similar fiber size variations. Together, the results of this study indicate that flow channel height variation in flat sheet membrane modules can hurt CO2 separation performance, but the impact is minor except at low CO2 retentate compositions with large channel height variation (e.g. a 10% decline in stage cut performance for a mixture with 94% CO2 in the permeate stream and 30% channel height variation). However, high variation has a significant impact on overall membrane area with a 30% increase at 30% variation.

Post-combustion slipstream CO2-capture test facility at Jiangyou Power Plant, Sichuan, China: performance of a membrane separation module under dynamic power-plant operations

Abstract Membrane-based separation technologies have the potential to lower the cost of post-combustion CO2 capture from power-plant flue gases through reduced energy and capital costs relative to conventional solvent approaches. Studies have shown promise under controlled conditions, but there is a need for data on performance and reliability under field conditions. Coal-fired power plants in China operate in a dynamic manner, with increases and decreases in output causing changes in flue-gas composition. In this paper, we describe the first field test of a membrane-based post-combustion CO2-capture system connected to a dynamically operating power plant in China. We report the performance of a Membrane Technology Research, Inc. (MTR) PolarisTM membrane-based capture system over a range of plant operating loads ranging from 54% to 84% and conducted an operational stability test over a 168-h period during which the power plant was operating at an average load of 55%, but ramped as high as 79% and as low as 55%. Our results confirm the ability of a membrane capture system to operate effectively over a wide range of host-plant operating conditions, but also identity several issues related to plant integration, system control and resilience in the face of host-plant upsets that require attention as membrane separation systems move towards commercial use.

Membrane technologies in toilet urine treatment for toilet urine resource utilization: a review.

Membrane technologies have broad potential in methods for separating, collecting, storing, and utilizing urine collected from toilets. Recovering urine from toilets for resource utilization instead of treating it in a sewage treatment plant not only reduces extra energy consumption for the degradation of N and P but also saves energy in chemical fertilizer production, which will contribute to carbon emission reduction of 12.19–17.82 kg kgN−1 in terms of N alone. Due to its high efficiency in terms of volume reduction, water recycling, nutrient recovery, and pollutant removal, membrane technology is a promising technology for resource utilization from urine collected from toilets. In this review, we divide membrane technologies for resource utilization from urine collected from toilets into four categories based on the driving force: external pressure-driven membrane technology, vapor pressure-driven membrane technology, chemical potential-driven membrane technology, and electric field-driven membrane technology. These technologies influence factors such as: recovery targets and mechanisms, reaction condition optimization, and process efficiency, and these are all discussed in this review. Finally, a toilet with source-separation is suggested. In the future, membrane technology research should focus on the practical application of source-separation toilets, membrane fouling prevention, and energy consumption evaluation. This review may provide theoretical support for the resource utilization of urine collected from toilets that is based on membrane technology.

Research Advances and Commercialization Opportunities of Membrane-based Desalination and Wastewater Treatment: Experiences of AMTEC, UTM

Membrane technology has been widely applied in a wide spectrum of applications and has served as an important unit operation for both upstream and downstream processes. The membrane research, development and commercialization in Malaysia are experiencing exponential growth as exemplified by Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of the National Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) in the niche of Water Reclamation. This contribution focuses on the overview of the recent progresses of membrane science and technology for desalination and wastewater treatment undertaken at AMTEC, UTM. The innovations and progresses in membrane science and technology made in lab scale which eventually lead to numerous high impact publications as well as the translational research and up–scaling experiences are presented. Several take home messages are summarized based on the past experiences and future perspective of AMTEC.

High Profile Researcher: Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail

Ahmad Fauzi Ismail is a full Professor at Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at UTM. Currently, he is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, UTM. His research interests include the development of novel polymeric and inorganic membranes for water desalination, waste water treatment, gas separation processes, palm oil refining, photocatalysis, hemodialysis and fuel cell applications. He has authored and co-authored for more than 500 refereed journals, 6 books, 45 book chapters and 4 edited books. He has been granted 4 patents and 16 patents have been filed. His has an astonishing h-index of 50, with cumulative citation of over 10,000. He has won more than 120 national and international awards. He is a Fellow of The Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Chartered Engineer in the UK (CEng) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FlChemE). Prof. Fauzi has extensively involved in R&D&C for national and multinational companies related to membrane-based processes for industrial applications. He is also the founder of Advanced Membrane Technology Research Center (AMTEC), which is now recognized as the Higher Education Centre of Excellence (HiCoE). Recently, the editor of MJFAS has interviewed Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail as part of the efforts to highlight prominent figures in the field of Science. This article summarizes the essence of the interview.

Membrane Separation

AbstractNo abstract.

Efficient Visible Photoluminescence from Self-Assembled Ge QDs Embedded in Silica Matrix**Supported by the Advanced Membrane Technology Research Center of the Universities Teknologi Malaysia under Grant No R.J130000.7609.4C112, the Postdoctoral Grant, and the Frontier Materials Research Alliance.

Measuring the growth parameters of Ge quantum dots (QDs) embedded in SiO2/Si hetero-structure is pre-requisite for developing the optoelectronic devices such as photovoltaics and sensors. Their optical properties can be tuned by tailoring the growth morphology and structures, where the growth parameters' optimizations still need to be explored. We determine the effect of annealing temperature on surface morphology, structures and optical properties of Ge/SiO2/Si hetero-structure. Samples are grown via rf magnetron sputtering and subsequent characterizations are made using imaging and spectroscopic techniques.

Selective flue gas recirculation using membranes in coal-fired power plants

A simplified, conceptual process model is presented for coal-fired power plants with membrane-based selective recirculation of flue gas components (CO2, H2O). Selective circulation is aimed at increasing CO2-concentrations in the flue gas, which will benefit the process of CO2 capture. The use of membrane technology for selective recirculation has been proposed for this purpose by Membrane Technology Research (MTR) in the USA. The process model involves the assessment of heat balances and mass flows as determined by the combustion process, the capture process, and the mass transfer unit for selective recirculation. It is applied to two types of Australian coal: Hunter Valley black coal and Latrobe Valley brown coal, a low-rank coal that is locally utilized. The process model provides data on the Adiabatic Flame Temperature (AFT) with and without recirculation and the gas composition and flow rate at various points in the integrated process. The process model results clearly indicate the benefit of selective recirculation in raising CO2 concentrations in the flue gas and the disadvantages of reduced combustion temperatures (quantified through the AFT) and increased mass flow rate. An opportunity for application of the selective circulation concept is identified for the case of combustion of dried brown coal in a retrofit application to an existing boiler, originally designed for the combustion of the same wet brown coal. Here selective circulation of CO2, replacing water vapor generated from wet coal combustion, will enable the combustion of dried brown coal with ensuing benefits for the power plant efficiency. Furthermore, the AFT can be higher than for combustion of the wet coal and efficiency losses may not occur. More targeted modeling is needed to provide a detailed quantification of the benefits, which would then be used for an economic assessment and estimation on the impact on the power station efficiency. This would also need a realistic assessment of the membrane process using representative values for the membrane permeance and selectivity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

International Conference on Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering

The 5th International Conference on Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering (ICCBPE) was organized by the Chemical Engineering Programme of the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The primary purpose of ICCBPE 2015 was to discuss bridging technologies from laboratory and pilot scales to commercial scales for manufacturing advanced products by involving innovative processing of biomass and feedstock suitable for SME's.This event serves as a platform for researchers, engineers, academicians as well as industrial professionals from countries such as the United State of America, Taiwan, Korea, Iran, Thailand and Malaysia to present their research and development activities in chemical engineering sciences and applications. During the conference, a total of 81 manuscripts under the Oil and Gas, Waste, Biomass and Biofuels, and Environment categories were presented and discussed in a series of parallel presentations.We are honoured to have distinguished keynote speakers participating in this event. They were Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, the founding Director of Advanced Membrane Technology Research Center (AMTEC) (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia), Prof. Dr. Ghasem D. Najafpour (Chairman of the Biotechnology Research Center, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran) and Prof. Dr. Shizhong Li (Executive Director of MOST-USDA Joint Research Center for Biofuels, China).Last but not least, we are grateful to all of the reviewers for maintaining the standards and quality of the manuscripts throughout the reviewing process.Kota Kinabalu, Sabah April 2016Chairman : Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam SarbatlyChief Editor : Professor Dr. Awang BonoEditorial Team : Associate Professor Dr. Chu Chi MingDr. Tham Heng JinDr. Noor Maizura IsmailMs. Zykamilia KaminUniversiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)

Advancing membrane technologies for wastewater treatment and reclamation in selected Arab MENA countries

A B S T R A C T Membrane technology (MT) is advancing rapidly as a powerful tool to abate the looming water crisis and reduce quality degradation of water resources in the Mediterranean zone. Despite several national membrane research activities, the general trend in promotion of MT is not satisfying and requires further analysis. This article compiles and critically analyzes the current research efforts in the field of membrane technology in selected Mediterranean and North African countries (MENA). A total of 114 research papers published in peer-reviewed literature from 1980 to 2007 and 22 laboratory- and full-scale membrane-based treatment plants in the MENA countries were used as the database for the analysis introduced in this paper. Results revealed few published scientific works (20% of total articles compiled) and pilot-scale studies on membrane bioreactors where further research and development pertinent to MT cost effectiveness and sustainability are needed. Advancing MT research has particular relevance to the decision makers in facilitating investment allocations and choosing sustainable treatment processes and demonstration projects for both effluent reclamation and reuse.

Committee Report: Recent advances and research needs in membrane fouling

The article is the work of the AWWA Membrane Technology Research Committee. It was prepared by Isabel C. Escobar (chair), Eric M. Hoek, Christopher J. Gabelich, Francis A. DiGiano, Yann A. Le Gouellec, Pierre Berube and Kerry J. Howe with contributions from committee members Jason Allen, Khalil Z. Atasi, Mark M. Benjamin, Philip J. Brandhuber, Jonathan Brant, Yu‐Jung Chang, Michelle Chapman, Amy Childress, William J. Conlon, Trevor H. Cooke, Ian A. Crossley, Gil F. Crozes, Peter M. Huck, Sunil N. Kommineni (vice‐chair), Joseph G. Jacangelo, Ali A. Karimi, Jae‐Hong Kim, Desmond F. Lawler, Qilin Li, Lance C. Schideman, Sandeep Sethi, John E. Tobiason, Tai Tseng, Srinivas Veerapaneni, and Amy K. Zander.

Research on AirFlush®: distribution of water and air in tubular and capillary membrane modules

Dead-end ultrafiltration has proved itself as a technique for reclamation of backwash water of sand filters and as a pretreatment step before spiral wound reverse osmosis. A direct result of dead-end filtration is a flux decrease in time caused by the accumulation of material in the membrane pores and on the membrane surface. Different cleaning techniques are used to remove this accumulated material. Recently a new technique has been introduced, the AirFlush®. This technique makes use of air to create higher turbulence as compared to a water flush. At Delft University of Technology in co-operation with X-flow and Norit Membrane Technology research has been started into the fundamentals of the combined air and water flush. As in many industrial processes, an equal division of water and air over an installation is very important. To check the distribution of water and air over the cross-sectional area of tubular and capillary membrane modules two different test installations have been built. The results from the experiments show that for tubular membrane modules the water and air distribution over the cross-sectional area of the module is not always equally divided. Improvements have to be obtained by a better air distribution system. For capillary membrane modules the distribution of water and air over the cross-sectional area is more equally divided. The results from the experiments are discussed taking into account the theory of two-phase flow. It is shown that from the theory of two-phase flow the good distribution for the capillary membrane module can be explained by the large frictional pressure drop compared to the hydrostatic pressure drop.

Membrane Processes Committee focuses on practical application

This article describes the AWWA Membrane Processes Committee (MPC) and its focus on the practical application of membrane processes for both drinking water and water reuse. The MPC supports the Water Quality and Technology Division's mission and complements the functions of the Research Division's Membrane Technology Research Committee. Members of the MPC represent various geographic regions of North America, as well as the varied types of AWWA members such as utilities, consulting firms, government agencies, academic institutions, and manufacturing companies.

National Centers Specialize in Membrane Technology Research Needs

Water purification processes have reached extraordinary milestones in the past few decades. Technology can now address contamination issues with practical and cost‐efficient systems. However, it is imperative to organize and efficiently use technology to make water purification processes more available to consumers. Current efforts to coordinate and unite

NORMAN LI WINS PERKIN MEDAL

Talk with Norman N. Li about research and technology, and you're sure to be infected with his enthusiasm for scientific discovery. Li's numerous innovations in membrane development, which he talks about modestly but with excitement, were made throughout a three-and-a-half-decade career in the U.S. chemical industry during which Li earned an international reputation as a leader in the field of chemical separations. For his commitment to industrial research in membrane technology and his invention of liquid membranes, Li has been named winner of the 2000 Perkin Medal. Li's contributions to the development of membrane science have had wide-ranging commercial impact. His advances have led to applications in environmental remediation, for example, including techniques for recovering phenol and toxic metals from wastewater. Considered one of the U.S. chemical industry's highest honors, the Perkin Medal will be presented to Li this week at a Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) banquet at the Plaza Hotel in New Yo...

Committee Report: Membrane processes

Researchers are tackling issues related to larger modules and plants, pretreatment, permitting, and disposal of residuals.This review focuses on membrane technology research needs in the context of drinking water treatment. It considers practical issues like membrane piloting, scale‐up, residuals discharge, and costs, as well as more fundamental issues like membrane polymers, surface characterization, biofouling, and modeling of the transport of dissolved and particulate species in membrane systems. It is concluded that because the period since this committee's last report has been a fertile one for research, many new questions have arisen on both applied and fundamental issues in the development, use, and understanding of membrane processes in drinking water treatment.

Experience with e-PTFE membrane application to bone grafting of cleft maxilla

Previous clinical studies and animal experiments have demonstrated that the placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membranes (GORE-TEX ®) may be valuable for bone regeneration in nonosteogenic areas. This study aimed to explore the application of this technique to bone grafting of wide alveolopalatal clefts. Ten patients with bilateral clefts were selected and during a 2-week period, all received autogeneic cancellous iliac bone bilaterally. The membrane was placed nasally and orally on the larger cleft side and removed after 3–6 months. All patients have been followed for 14 months. Bone graft incorporation was successful except for one patient (membrane side), who was regrafted 1 year later. However, soft-tissue problems with membrane exposure occurred in the majority of patients, while on the nonmembrane side, healing was uneventful in all cases. Further research in membrane technology is necessary before this method can be accepted for cleft grafting.

Research in membrane technology for desalination and water re-use in the USSR

A review is presented concerning organization and main activity in the area of membrane science and membrane technology in the USSR. Most valuable recent results in the development of membranes and of membrane technology and its utilization are discussed with the accent on the purification of water, desalination and water re-use. Such research is conducted in various institutes belonging to the Academy of Sciences, to the Chemical Industry, and in a series of institutes of applied research and in universities as well. Membrane technology as an energy- and resource-saving ecologically clean technology is one of the national research programs coordinated and supported by governmental bodies in the USSR.