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3D Printed Fouling-Resistant Composite Membranes
Saeed Mazinani1, Abouther Al-Shimmery1, Y M John Chew1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Advanced Separations Engineering , University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY , U.K.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 12, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed 3D printed wavy composite membranes that resist fouling. These advanced membranes significantly improve pure water permeance and permeance recovery, extending membrane operational lifetime and reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Membrane Technology
Background:
- Membrane fouling is a major challenge limiting industrial applications.
- Developing fouling-resistant membranes is crucial for process efficiency and cost reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate fouling-resistant 3D printed composite membranes with wavy support structures.
- To compare the performance of wavy membranes against flat membranes under fouling conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized numerical simulations, material synthesis, and characterization.
- Fabricated polyethersulfone selective layer on 3D printed flat and wavy supports.
- Conducted cross-flow ultrafiltration tests using bovine serum albumin solution.
Main Results:
- Wavy membranes exhibited 10% higher pure water permeance (PWP) compared to flat membranes.
- Permeance recovery ratio was significantly higher for wavy membranes (87% vs 53%) after one cycle.
- Wavy membranes retained 87% of initial PWP after 10 filtration cycles, attributed to induced fluid turbulence.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed wavy composite membranes demonstrate superior fouling resistance.
- The wavy structure enhances fluid dynamics, reducing fouling and improving membrane longevity.
- These findings offer a pathway to reduce operational costs and environmental impact in membrane processes.
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