scholarly journals Membrane Distillation: Recent Configurations, Membrane Surface Engineering, and Applications

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 934
Author(s):  
Sundararajan Parani ◽  
Oluwatobi Samuel Oluwafemi
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Surface Engineering ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Vapor Pressure Gradient

Membrane distillation (MD) is a developing membrane separation technology for water treatment that involves a vapor transport driven by the vapor pressure gradient across the hydrophobic membrane. MD has gained wide attention in the last decade for various separation applications, including the separation of salts, toxic heavy metals, oil, and organic compounds from aqueous solutions. Compared with other conventional separation technologies such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or thermal distillation, MD is very attractive due to mild operating conditions such as low temperature and atmospheric pressure, and 100% theoretical salt rejection. In this review, membrane distillation’s principles, recent MD configurations with their advantages and limitations, membrane materials, fabrication of membranes, and their surface engineering for enhanced hydrophobicity are reviewed. Moreover, different types of membrane fouling and their control methods are discussed. The various applications of standalone MD and hybrid MD configurations reported in the literature are detailed. Furthermore, studies on the MD-based pilot plants installed around the world are covered. The review also highlights challenges in MD performance and future directions.

scholarly journals Recent Developments in Nanomaterials-Modified Membranes for Improved Membrane Distillation Performance

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saikat Sinha Ray ◽  
Harshdeep Singh Bakshi ◽  
Raghav Dangayach ◽  
Randeep Singh ◽  
Chinmoy Kanti Deb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Interfacial Polymerization ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Dip Coating ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Volatile Constituent ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane

Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermally induced membrane separation process that utilizes vapor pressure variance to permeate the more volatile constituent, typically water as vapor, across a hydrophobic membrane and rejects the less volatile components of the feed. Permeate flux decline, membrane fouling, and wetting are some serious challenges faced in MD operations. Thus, in recent years, various studies have been carried out on the modification of these MD membranes by incorporating nanomaterials to overcome these challenges and significantly improve the performance of these membranes. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the incorporation of new generation nanomaterials such as quantum dots, metalloids and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and carbon-based nanomaterials in the MD membrane. The desired characteristics of the membrane for MD operations, such as a higher liquid entry pressure (LEPw), permeability, porosity, hydrophobicity, chemical stability, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength, have been thoroughly discussed. Additionally, methodologies adopted for the incorporation of nanomaterials in these membranes, including surface grafting, plasma polymerization, interfacial polymerization, dip coating, and the efficacy of these modified membranes in various MD operations along with their applications are addressed. Further, the current challenges in modifying MD membranes using nanomaterials along with prominent future aspects have been systematically elaborated.

scholarly journals Desalting of RO Waste and Drainage Water by Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Asrar Abdullah Hassan ◽  
Ahmed Khalid Mohammed Reda
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane ◽  
Membrane Area ◽  
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation ◽  
Two Samples

Direct contact membrane distillation is an effective method for production of fresh water from saline water. In this study two samples were used as feed solutions; the first one was RO waste from Al-Hilla Coca-Cola Factory (TDS= 2382 mg/l) and the other was Haji Ali drainage water (TDS= 4127 mg/l). Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hydrophobic membrane supported with polypropylene (PP) was used as flat sheet form with plate and frame cell. Results proved that membrane distillation is an effective technique to produce fresh water with high quality from brine with low salinity content. With membrane area of 8x8 cm2, the volume of treated water decreased from 34.97 ml at first half hour to 33.02 ml after 180 min of an experiment for first feed type and from 36.92 ml to 33.84 ml for the second feed type due to the fouling accumulated on the membrane surface. The temperature on both sides of the membrane surface and TDS of permeate was measured every 30 min of experiment time, also some tests were made on feed and permeate ions. Time of experiment was 180 min with the same operating conditions.   

scholarly journals Review of New Approaches for Fouling Mitigation in Membrane Separation Processes in Water Treatment Applications

Separations ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mervette El Batouti ◽  
Nouf F. Alharby ◽  
Mahmoud M. Elewa
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Separation Processes ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Fouling Control ◽  
Inorganic Matter

This review investigates antifouling agents used in the process of membrane separation (MS), in reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), microfiltration (MF), membrane distillation (MD), and membrane bioreactors (MBR), and clarifies the fouling mechanism. Membrane fouling is an incomplete substance formed on the membrane surface, which will quickly reduce the permeation flux and damage the membrane. Foulant is colloidal matter: organic matter (humic acid, protein, carbohydrate, nano/microplastics), inorganic matter (clay such as potassium montmorillonite, silica salt, metal oxide, etc.), and biological matter (viruses, bacteria and microorganisms adhering to the surface of the membrane in the case of nutrients) The stability and performance of the tested nanometric membranes, as well as the mitigation of pollution assisted by electricity and the cleaning and repair of membranes, are reported. Physical, chemical, physico-chemical, and biological methods for cleaning membranes. Biologically induced biofilm dispersion effectively controls fouling. Dynamic changes in membrane foulants during long-term operation are critical to the development and implementation of fouling control methods. Membrane fouling control strategies show that improving membrane performance is not only the end goal, but new ideas and new technologies for membrane cleaning and repair need to be explored and developed in order to develop future applications.

Fouling and long-term durability of an integrated forward osmosis and membrane distillation system

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 2000-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Husnain ◽  
B. Mi ◽  
R. Riffat
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane

An integrated forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) system has great potential for sustainable wastewater reuse. However, the fouling and long-term durability of the system remains largely unknown. This study investigates the fouling behaviour and efficiency of cleaning procedures of FO and MD membranes used for treating domestic wastewater. Results showed that a significant decline in flux of both FO and MD membranes were observed during treatment of wastewater with organic foulants. However, shear force generated by the increased cross-flow physically removed the loosely attached foulants from the FO membrane surface and resulted in 86–88% recovery of flux by cleaning with tap water. For the MD membrane, almost no flux recovery was achieved due to adsorption of organic foulants on the hydrophobic membrane surface, thus indicating significant irreversible fouling/wetting, which may not be effectively cleaned even with chemical reagents. Long-term (10 d) tests showed consistent performance of the FO membrane by rejecting the contaminants. However, organic foulants reduced the hydrophobicity of the MD membrane, caused wetting problems and allowed contaminants to pass through. The results demonstrate that combination of the FO and MD processes can effectively reduce irreversible membrane fouling and solve the wetting problem of the MD membrane.

A Wall Film Model for Membrane Fouling

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Jahangiri Mamouri ◽  
Volodymyr V. Tarabara ◽  
André Bénard
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Water Separation ◽  
Wall Film ◽  
Oil Water

Deoiling of produced or impaired waters associated with oil and gas production represents a significant challenge for many companies. Centrifugation, air flotation, and hydrocyclone separation are the current methods of oil removal from produced water [1], however the efficiency of these methods decreases dramatically for droplets smaller than approximately 15–20 μm. More effective separation of oil-water mixtures into water and oil phases has the potential to both decrease the environmental footprint of the oil and gas industry and improve human well-being in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico. New membrane separation processes and design of systems with advanced flow management offer tremendous potential for improving oil-water separation efficacy. However, fouling is a major challenge in membrane separation [2]. In this study, the behavior of oil droplets and their interaction with crossflow filtration (CFF) membranes (including membrane fouling) is studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A model for film formation on a membrane surface is proposed for the first time to simulate film formation on membrane surfaces. The bulk multiphase flow is modeled using an Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase flow model. A wall film is developed from mass and momentum balances [3] and implemented to model droplet deposition and membrane surface blockage. The model is used to predict film formation and subsequent membrane fouling, and allow to estimate the actual permeate flux. The results are validated using available experimental data.

scholarly journals Investigation on membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of latex solution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Abdelrasoul
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Pore Sizes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types

The low-pressure membrane applications are considered to be the most effective and sustainable methods of addressing environmental problems in treating water and wastewater that meets or exceed stringent environmental standards. Nevertheless, membrane fouling is one of the primary operational concerns that is currently hindering a more widespread application of ultrafiltration (UF) with a variety of contaminants. Membrane fouling leads to higher operating costs, higher energy demand, reduced membrane life time, and increased cleaning frequency. As a consequence, an efficient and well-planned UF process is becoming a necessity for consistent and long-term monetary returns. Examining the source and mechanisms of foulant attachment to the membrane’s surface is critical when it comes to the research of membrane fouling and its potential practical implementation. A mathematical model was developed in this study in order to predict the amount of fouling based on an analysis of particle attachments. This model was developed using both homogeneous and heterogeneous membranes, with a uniform and non-uniform pore sizes for the UF of simulated latex effluent with a wide range of particle size distribution. The objective of this mathematical model was to effectively identify and address the common shortcomings of previous fouling models, and to account for the existing chemical attachments in membrane fouling. The mathematical model resulting from this study was capable of accurately predicting the mass of fouling retained by the membrane and the increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP). In addition, predictive models of fouling attachments were derived and now form an extensive set of mathematical models necessary for the prediction of membrane fouling at a given operating condition, as well as, the various membrane surface charges. Polycarbonate and Polysulfone flat membranes, with pore sizes of 0.05 μm and a molecular weight cut off of 60,000 respectively, were used in the experimental designs under a constant feed flow rate and a cross-flow mode in UF of the simulated latex paint effluent. The TMP estimated from the model agreed with the experimentally measured values at different operating conditions, mostly within 5.0 - 8.0 % error, and up to 13.0% error for the uniform, and non-uniform pore size membranes, respectively. Furthermore, different types of membranes with a variety of molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values were tested so as to evaluate the accuracy of the models for a generalized application. In addition , a power consumption model, incorporating fouling attachment as well as chemical and physical factors in membrane fouling, was developed in order to ensure accurate prediction and scale-up. Innovative remediation techniques were likewise developed and applied in order to minimize membrane fouling, enhance the membrane performance, and save energy. Fouling remediation methodologies included the pre-treating of the latex effluent, so as to limit its fouling propensity by using different types of surfactants as cationic and anionic, in addition to the pH change. The antifouling properties of the membranes were improved through the implementation of the membrane pH treatment and anionic surfactant treatment. Increasing the ionic strength of latex effluent or enhancing the membrane surface hydrophilicity facilitated a significant increase in the cumulative permeate flux, a substantial decrease in the total mass of fouling, and a noticeable decrease in the specific power consumption.

scholarly journals Investigation on membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of latex solution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Abdelrasoul
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Pore Sizes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types

The low-pressure membrane applications are considered to be the most effective and sustainable methods of addressing environmental problems in treating water and wastewater that meets or exceed stringent environmental standards. Nevertheless, membrane fouling is one of the primary operational concerns that is currently hindering a more widespread application of ultrafiltration (UF) with a variety of contaminants. Membrane fouling leads to higher operating costs, higher energy demand, reduced membrane life time, and increased cleaning frequency. As a consequence, an efficient and well-planned UF process is becoming a necessity for consistent and long-term monetary returns. Examining the source and mechanisms of foulant attachment to the membrane’s surface is critical when it comes to the research of membrane fouling and its potential practical implementation. A mathematical model was developed in this study in order to predict the amount of fouling based on an analysis of particle attachments. This model was developed using both homogeneous and heterogeneous membranes, with a uniform and non-uniform pore sizes for the UF of simulated latex effluent with a wide range of particle size distribution. The objective of this mathematical model was to effectively identify and address the common shortcomings of previous fouling models, and to account for the existing chemical attachments in membrane fouling. The mathematical model resulting from this study was capable of accurately predicting the mass of fouling retained by the membrane and the increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP). In addition, predictive models of fouling attachments were derived and now form an extensive set of mathematical models necessary for the prediction of membrane fouling at a given operating condition, as well as, the various membrane surface charges. Polycarbonate and Polysulfone flat membranes, with pore sizes of 0.05 μm and a molecular weight cut off of 60,000 respectively, were used in the experimental designs under a constant feed flow rate and a cross-flow mode in UF of the simulated latex paint effluent. The TMP estimated from the model agreed with the experimentally measured values at different operating conditions, mostly within 5.0 - 8.0 % error, and up to 13.0% error for the uniform, and non-uniform pore size membranes, respectively. Furthermore, different types of membranes with a variety of molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values were tested so as to evaluate the accuracy of the models for a generalized application. In addition , a power consumption model, incorporating fouling attachment as well as chemical and physical factors in membrane fouling, was developed in order to ensure accurate prediction and scale-up. Innovative remediation techniques were likewise developed and applied in order to minimize membrane fouling, enhance the membrane performance, and save energy. Fouling remediation methodologies included the pre-treating of the latex effluent, so as to limit its fouling propensity by using different types of surfactants as cationic and anionic, in addition to the pH change. The antifouling properties of the membranes were improved through the implementation of the membrane pH treatment and anionic surfactant treatment. Increasing the ionic strength of latex effluent or enhancing the membrane surface hydrophilicity facilitated a significant increase in the cumulative permeate flux, a substantial decrease in the total mass of fouling, and a noticeable decrease in the specific power consumption.

scholarly journals Design of a Novel Membrane Draft Tube Jet Loop Reactor (MDJLR) and Treatment of Slaughterhouse Wastewater

Membranes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Burhanettin Farizoğlu ◽  
Süleyman Uzuner
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Draft Tube ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Membrane Module ◽  
Circulation Rate ◽  
Slaughterhouse Wastewater ◽  
Loop Reactor

The most important obstacle to the widespread use of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) is membrane fouling. In this study, a high-efficiency compact MBR was developed. Therefore, the draft tube of the jet loop reactor (JLB) was planned for use as a membrane module. The high-velocity jet streams, which are present according to the nature of the JLBs, provide high crossflow (cut-off force) on the membrane surface. Thus, the produced membrane module is operated in submerged membrane mode. This enhanced JLB modification is named the membrane draft tube jet loop reactor (MDJLR). This new system has a KLa value of 139 h−1 (at E/V of 2.24 kW m−3). In the next stage, treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater with the MDJLR was carried out. Under the 5.5 kg COD m−3 d−1 loading rate, efficiencies over 97% were achieved. The system operated continuously for 50 days without membrane backwashing or cleaning. During this period, fluxes of 3 L m−2·h−1 were approximately obtained at operating conditions of 850 mg L−1 MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solids) concentration, 1 bar suction pressure (∆P), and 3000 L h−1 circulation rate. This developed MDJLR will make jet loop membrane bioreactors (JLMBRs) and MBRs more compact and improve their performance.

scholarly journals Reduction of Biofouling of a Microfiltration Membrane Using Amide Functionalities—Hydrophilization without Changes in Morphology

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1379
Author(s):  
Daniel Breite ◽  
Marco Went ◽  
Andrea Prager ◽  
Mathias Kühnert ◽  
Agnes Schulze
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Average Pore Size ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Soxhlet Extraction ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane ◽  
Average Pore ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Microfiltration Membrane ◽  
Membrane Performance

A major goal of membrane science is the improvement of the membrane performance and the reduction of fouling effects, which occur during most aqueous filtration applications. Increasing the surface hydrophilicity can improve the membrane performance (in case of aqueous media) and decelerates membrane fouling. In this study, a PES microfiltration membrane (14,600 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) was hydrophilized using a hydrophilic surface coating based on amide functionalities, converting the hydrophobic membrane surface (water contact angle, WCA: ~90°) into an extremely hydrophilic one (WCA: ~30°). The amide layer was created by first immobilizing piperazine to the membrane surface via electron beam irradiation. Subsequently, a reaction with 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride (TMC) was applied to generate an amide structure. The presented approach resulted in a hydrophilic membrane surface, while maintaining permeance of the membrane without pore blocking. All membranes were investigated regarding their permeance, porosity, average pore size, morphology (SEM), chemical composition (XPS), and wettability. Soxhlet extraction was carried out to demonstrate the stability of the applied coating. The improvement of the modified membranes was demonstrated using dead-end filtration of algae solutions. After three fouling cycles, about 60% of the initial permeance remain for the modified membranes, while only ~25% remain for the reference.

A review on membrane applications and transport mechanisms in vacuum membrane distillation

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Baghel ◽  
Sushant Upadhyaya ◽  
Kailash Singh ◽  
Satyendra P. Chaurasia ◽  
Akhilendra B. Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Separation Processes ◽  
Vacuum Membrane Distillation ◽  
Polarization Coefficient ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe main aim of this article is to provide a state-of-the-art review of the experimental studies on vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process. An introduction to the history of VMD is carried out along with the other membrane distillation configurations. Recent developments in process, characterization of membrane, module design, transport phenomena, and effect of operating parameters on permeate flux are discussed for VMD in detail. Several heat and mass transfer correlations obtained by various researchers for different VMD modules have been discussed. The impact of membrane fouling with its control in VMD is discussed in detail. In this paper, temperature polarization coefficient and concentration polarization coefficient are elaborated in detail. Integration of VMD with other membrane separation processes/industrial processes have been explained to improve the performance of the system and make it more energy efficient. A critical evaluation of the VMD literature is incorporated throughout this review.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document