Membranes

16 pages, 24888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vanillin as an Antifouling and Hydrophilicity Promoter Agent in Surface Modification of Polyethersulfone Membrane

by Mohammadamin Esmaeili, Tiina Virtanen, Jussi Lahti, Mika Mänttäri and Mari Kallioinen

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040056 - 24 Apr 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5507

Fouling as an intricate process is considered as the main obstacle in membrane technologies, and its control is one of the main areas of attention in membrane processes. In this study, a commercial polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane (MWCO: 4000 g/mol) was surface modified with [...] Read more.

Fouling as an intricate process is considered as the main obstacle in membrane technologies, and its control is one of the main areas of attention in membrane processes. In this study, a commercial polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane (MWCO: 4000 g/mol) was surface modified with different concentrations of vanillin as an antifouling and hydrophilicity promoter to improve its performance. The presence of vanillin and its increasing adsorption potential trends in higher vanillin concentrations were clearly confirmed by observable changes in FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectra after modification. Membranes with better hydrophilicity (almost 30% lower contact angle in the best case) and higher polyethylene glycol solution (PEG) permeability were achieved after modification, where a 35–38% increase in permeability of aqueous solution of PEG was perceived when the membrane was modified at the highest exposure concentration of vanillin (2.8 g/L). After filtration of wood extract, surface modified membrane (2.8 g/L vanillin) showed better antifouling characteristics compared to unmodified membrane, as indicated by approximately 22% lower pure water flux reduction, which in turn improved the separation of lignin from the other organic compounds present in wood extract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fouling and Cleaning in Membrane Processes)

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11 pages, 1612 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Performance Evaluation of a Thermophilic Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor for Palm Oil Wastewater Treatment

by Thet Lei Yee, Thusitha Rathnayake and Chettiyappan Visvanathan

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040055 - 18 Apr 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4883

Abstract

Anaerobic treatment processes have achieved popularity in treating palm oil mill effluent due to its high treatability and biogas generation. The use of externally submerged membranes with anaerobic reactors promotes the retention of the biomass in the reactor. This study was conducted in [...] Read more.

Anaerobic treatment processes have achieved popularity in treating palm oil mill effluent due to its high treatability and biogas generation. The use of externally submerged membranes with anaerobic reactors promotes the retention of the biomass in the reactor. This study was conducted in thermophilic conditions with the Polytetrafluoroethylene hollow fiber (PTFE-HF) membrane which was operated at 55 °C. The reactor was operated at Organic Loading Rates (OLR) of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kg Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)/m³·d to investigate the treatment performance and the membrane operation. The efficiency of the COD removal achieved by the system was between 93–98%. The highest methane yield achieved was 0.56 m³ CH₄/kg COD_r. The reactor mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) was maintained between 11.1 g/L to 20.9 g/L. A dead-end mode PTFE hollow fiber microfiltration was operated with the constant flux of 3 LMH (L/m²·h) in permeate recirculation mode to separate the clear final effluent and retain the biomass in the reactor. Membrane fouling was one of the limiting factors in the membrane bioreactor application. In this study, organic fouling was observed to be 93% of the total membrane fouling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue CESE-2018: Membrane Technologies for Water Sustainability)

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13 pages, 2487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Gases Permeation in Necklace-Shaped Dimethylsiloxane Polymers Bearing POSS Cages

by Roman Selyanchyn, Shigenori Fujikawa, Naohiro Katsuta, Kazuya Suwa and Masashi Kunitake

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040054 - 16 Apr 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4387

Abstract

The transport of small gases (H₂, CO₂, N₂, O₂) through a series of novel membranes based on necklace-shaped inorganic polymers (DMS@POSS), in which a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cage unit and soft chains of oligo-dimethyl [...] Read more.

The transport of small gases (H₂, CO₂, N₂, O₂) through a series of novel membranes based on necklace-shaped inorganic polymers (DMS@POSS), in which a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cage unit and soft chains of oligo-dimethyl siloxane (DMS) were alternately connected, was investigated. The influence of the DMS chain length and crosslinking density of the DMS@POSS on membrane properties were studied. The membranes revealed characteristic structure-property relation towards both glass transition and gases transport. Specifically, clear dependence of properties from the length of DMS units (or overall siloxane content) was revealed. Gas transport properties, when compared to state-of-art polydimethylsiloxane and commercial silicone rubber, demonstrated significantly higher selectivity of DMS@POSS for carbon dioxide (in CO₂/N₂), hydrogen (in H₂/N₂) and oxygen (in O₂/N₂) but lowered permeability, proportional to the amount of POSS in the material. With a precise control over mechanical and thermal properties compared to conventional silicone rubbers, described materials could be considered as materials of choice in niche gas separation or other applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art of Membrane Technology in the Asia-Pacific Region)

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12 pages, 2478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioelectrochemical Properties of Enzyme-Containing Multilayer Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules Modified with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

by Anatoly Reshetilov, Yulia Plekhanova, Sergei Tarasov, Sergei Tikhonenko, Alexey Dubrovsky, Alexander Kim, Vadim Kashin, Andrey Machulin, Gou-Jen Wang, Vladimir Kolesov and Iren Kuznetsova

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040053 - 12 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3433

Abstract

This work investigated changes in the biochemical parameters of multilayer membrane structures, emerging at their modification with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The structures were represented by polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs) containing glucose oxidase (GOx). PMCs were made using sodium polystyrene sulfonate (polyanion) and poly(allylamine [...] Read more.

This work investigated changes in the biochemical parameters of multilayer membrane structures, emerging at their modification with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The structures were represented by polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs) containing glucose oxidase (GOx). PMCs were made using sodium polystyrene sulfonate (polyanion) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (polycation). Three compositions were considered: with MWCNTs incorporated between polyelectrolyte layers; with MWCNTs inserted into the hollow of the microcapsule; and with MWCNTs incorporated simultaneously into the hollow and between polyelectrolyte layers. The impedance spectra showed modifications using MWCNTs to cause a significant decrease in the PMC active resistance from 2560 to 25 kOhm. The cyclic current–voltage curves featured a current rise at modifications of multilayer MWCNT structures. A PMC-based composition was the basis of a receptor element of an amperometric biosensor. The sensitivity of glucose detection by the biosensor was 0.30 and 0.05 μA/mM for PMCs/MWCNTs/GOx and PMCs/GOx compositions, respectively. The biosensor was insensitive to the presence of ethanol or citric acid in the sample. Polyelectrolyte microcapsules based on a multilayer membrane incorporating the enzyme and MWCNTs can be efficient in developing biosensors and microbial fuel cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Membranes)

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16 pages, 3809 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Comparison between Polyvinylidene Fluoride and Polytetrafluoroethylene Hollow Fiber Membranes for Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

by Frank Y. C. Huang and Allie Arning

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040052 - 11 Apr 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6060

Abstract

Increasing water demand coupled with projected climate change puts the Southwestern United States at the highest risk of water sustainability by 2050. Membrane distillation offers a unique opportunity to utilize the substantial, but largely untapped geothermal brackish groundwater for desalination to lessen the [...] Read more.

Increasing water demand coupled with projected climate change puts the Southwestern United States at the highest risk of water sustainability by 2050. Membrane distillation offers a unique opportunity to utilize the substantial, but largely untapped geothermal brackish groundwater for desalination to lessen the stress. Two types of hydrophobic, microporous hollow fiber membranes (HFMs), including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), were evaluated for their effectiveness in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Water flux and salt rejection were measured as a function of module packing density and length in lab-scale systems. The PVDF HFMs generally exhibited higher water flux than the PTFE HFMs possibly due to thinner membrane wall and higher porosity. As the packing density or module length increased, water flux declined. The water production rate per module, however, increased due to the larger membrane surface area. A pilot-scale DCMD system was deployed to the 2nd largest geothermally-heated greenhouse in the United States for field testing over a duration of about 22 days. The results demonstrated the robustness of the DCMD system in the face of environmental fluctuation at the facility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-art Membrane-based Desalination)

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13 pages, 2986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Polymeric Thin-Film Composite Membranes for High-Temperature Gas Separations

by Fynn Weigelt, Sara Escorihuela, Alberto Descalzo, Alberto Tena, Sonia Escolástico, Sergey Shishatskiy, Jose Manuel Serra and Torsten Brinkmann

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040051 - 10 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6045

Abstract

Novel selective polymeric thin-film composite membranes (TFCMs) for applications at elevated temperatures were developed. Thin selective layers of the polyimides Matrimid 5218^® and 6FDA-6FpDA were cast on a developed polybenzimidazole (PBI) porous support prepared by a phase inversion process. The TFCM properties [...] Read more.

Novel selective polymeric thin-film composite membranes (TFCMs) for applications at elevated temperatures were developed. Thin selective layers of the polyimides Matrimid 5218^® and 6FDA-6FpDA were cast on a developed polybenzimidazole (PBI) porous support prepared by a phase inversion process. The TFCM properties were investigated with different gases in a wide temperature range, including temperatures up to 270 °C. The membranes showed very high thermal stability and performed well at the elevated temperatures. The development of highly thermally resistant polymeric membranes such as these TFCMs opens opportunities for application in high-temperature integrated processes, such as catalytic membrane reactors for the water-gas shift reaction in order to maximize H₂ yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Gas Separation)

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15 pages, 7164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solvent-Free and Scalable Procedure to Prepare PYR13TFSI/LiTFSI/PVDF–HFP Thermoplastic Electrolytes with Controlled Phase Separation and Enhanced Li Ion Diffusion

by Víctor Gregorio, Nuria García and Pilar Tiemblo

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040050 - 10 Apr 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4957

Abstract

Solid electrolytes for Li transport have been prepared by melt-compounding in one single step. Electrolytes are composed of polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene (PVDF–HFP) with PYR13TFSI on its own or with varying concentration of LiTFSI. While the extrusion of PVDF–HFP with PYR13TFSI is possible up to [...] Read more.

Solid electrolytes for Li transport have been prepared by melt-compounding in one single step. Electrolytes are composed of polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene (PVDF–HFP) with PYR13TFSI on its own or with varying concentration of LiTFSI. While the extrusion of PVDF–HFP with PYR13TFSI is possible up to relatively high liquid fractions, the compatibility of PVDF–HFP with LiTFSI/PYR13TFSI solutions is much lower. An organo-modified sepiolite with D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS-S) can be used to enhance the compatibility of these blends and allows to prepare homogeneous PYR13TFSI/LiTFSI/PVDF–HFP electrolytes with controlled microphase separations by melt-compounding. The structure and morphology of the electrolytes has been studied by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), SEM, and AFM. Their mechanical properties have been studied by classical strain–stress experiments. Finally, ionic conductivity has been studied in the −50 to 90 °C temperature range and in diffusivity at 25 °C by PFG-NMR. These electrolytes prove to have a microphase-separated morphology and ionic conductivity which depends mainly on their composition, and a mechanical behavior typical of common thermoplastic polymers, which makes them very easy to handle. Then, in this solvent-free and scalable fashion, it is possible to prepare electrolytes like those prepared by solvent casting, but in few minutes instead of several hours or days, without solvent evaporation steps, and with ionic conductivities, which are very similar for the same compositions, above 0.1 mS·cm⁻¹ at 25 °C. In addition, some of the electrolytes have been prepared with high concentration of Li ion, what has allowed the anion exchange Li transport mechanism to contribute significantly to the overall Li diffusivity, making D_Li become similar and even clearly greater than D_TFSI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Chemistry)

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11 pages, 3351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protonic Conduction of Partially-Substituted CsH₂PO₄ and the Applicability in Electrochemical Devices

by Laura Navarrete, Andreu Andrio, Sonia Escolástico, Sergio Moya, Vicente Compañ and José M. Serra

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040049 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4263

Abstract

CsH₂PO₄ is a proton conductor pertaining to the acid salts group and shows a phase transition from monoclinic to cubic phase at 232 ± 2 °C under high-steam atmospheres (>30%). This cubic phase gives rise to the so-called superprotonic conductivity. [...] Read more.

CsH₂PO₄ is a proton conductor pertaining to the acid salts group and shows a phase transition from monoclinic to cubic phase at 232 ± 2 °C under high-steam atmospheres (>30%). This cubic phase gives rise to the so-called superprotonic conductivity. In this work, the influence of the partial substitution of Cs by Ba and Rb, as well as the partial substitution of P by W, Mo, and S in CsH₂PO₄ on the phase transition temperature and electrochemical properties is studied. Among the tested materials, the partial substitution by Rb led to the highest conductivity at high temperature. Furthermore, Ba and S-substituted salts exhibited the highest conductivity at low temperatures. CsH₂PO₄ was used as electrolyte in a fully-assembled fuel cell demonstrating the applicability of the material at high pressures and the possibility to use other materials (Cu and ZnO) instead of Pt as electrode electrocatalyst. Finally, an electrolyzer cell composed of CsH₂PO₄ as electrolyte, Cu and ZnO as cathode and Pt and Ag as anode was evaluated, obtaining a stable production of H₂ at 250 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membranes for Fuel Cells)

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29 pages, 1557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simple Theoretical Results on Reversible Fouling in Cross-Flow Membrane Filtration

by Pierre Haldenwang, Braulio Bernales, Pierrette Guichardon and Nelson Ibaseta

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040048 - 3 Apr 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3441

Abstract

In cross-flow membrane filtration, fouling results from material deposit which clogs the membrane inner surface. This hinders filtration, which experiences the so-called limiting flux. Among the models proposed by the literature, we retain a simple one: a steady-state reversible fouling is modelled with [...] Read more.

In cross-flow membrane filtration, fouling results from material deposit which clogs the membrane inner surface. This hinders filtration, which experiences the so-called limiting flux. Among the models proposed by the literature, we retain a simple one: a steady-state reversible fouling is modelled with the use of a single additional parameter, i.e.,

N_{d}

, the ratio of the critical concentration for deposition to the feed concentration at inlet. To focus on fouling, viscous pressure drop and osmotic (counter-)pressure have been chosen low. It results in a minimal model of fouling. Solved thoroughly with the numerical means appropriate to enforce the nonlinear coupling between permeation and concentration polarization, the model delivers novel information. It first shows that permeation is utterly governed by solute transfer, the relevant non-dimensional quantities being hence limited to

N_{d}

and

P e_{i n}

, the transverse Péclet number. Furthermore, when the role played by

N_{d}

and moderate

P e_{i n}

(say

P e_{i n} < 40

) is investigated, all results can be interpreted with the use of a single non-dimensional parameter,

F_{l}

, the so-called fouling number, which simply reads

F_{l} \equiv P e_{i n} N_{d}^{- 1}

. Now rendered possible, the overall fit of the numerical data allows us to put forward analytical final expressions, which involve all the physical parameters and allow us to retrieve the experimental trends. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Membrane Filtration in Water and Industrial Wastes Treatment Processes)

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13 pages, 3257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silicon Carbide-Coated Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor for Sustainable Water Purification

by Sowmya Surappanahalli Rajanna, Gattumane Motappa Madhu, Chengala Damodara Madhusoodana and Adithya Govindarajan

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040047 - 2 Apr 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4583

Abstract

In the present study, a submerged ceramic membrane bioreactor was used to effectively treat industrial wastewater. The outcome of membrane coatings on the efficacy of the membrane was investigated using a silicon carbide (SiC) coating. The flux data obtained from the study were [...] Read more.

In the present study, a submerged ceramic membrane bioreactor was used to effectively treat industrial wastewater. The outcome of membrane coatings on the efficacy of the membrane was investigated using a silicon carbide (SiC) coating. The flux data obtained from the study were fitted into two mathematical models, namely, the standard pore blocking model (SPBM) and the complete pore plugging model (CPPM) in order to determine the fouling mechanism. It was observed that the SPBM fit with a minimum coefficient of regression of 0.95, suggesting that particles retained on the pore walls were smaller than the average size of membrane pores. An increase in dissolved oxygen (DO) of up to 225% was noted. The significant improvement of the water quality in terms of DO, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity of coated membrane emphasizes the fact that the membrane coating increases the efficacy of water treatment in membrane bioreactors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Membrane Filtration in Water and Industrial Wastes Treatment Processes)

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11 pages, 3390 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Silica-Particle Coating on a Silica Support for the Fabrication of High-Performance Silicalite-1 Membranes by Gel-Free Steam-Assisted Conversion

by Kyohei Ueno, Hideyuki Negishi, Takuya Okuno, Hiromasa Tawarayama, Shinji Ishikawa, Manabu Miyamoto, Shigeyuki Uemiya and Yasunori Oumi

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040046 - 1 Apr 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4973

Abstract

Silicalite-1 membranes with high pervaporation performance were prepared successfully on a silica-particle-coated tubular silica support using a gel-free steam-assisted conversion (SAC) method. The effects of the silica-particle layer formed on the top surface of the silica support and the physical properties of the [...] Read more.

Silicalite-1 membranes with high pervaporation performance were prepared successfully on a silica-particle-coated tubular silica support using a gel-free steam-assisted conversion (SAC) method. The effects of the silica-particle layer formed on the top surface of the silica support and the physical properties of the silica particles themselves on the membrane-formation process were investigated. The silica particles coated served as the additional silica source for growing the silicalite-1 seed crystal layer into the silicalite-1 membrane. As a result, it was possible to form a dense and continuous membrane even under gel-free conditions. Furthermore, it was found that the properties of the silica particles, such as their primary particle diameter, had a determining effect on their solubility during the steam treatment, that is, on the supply rate of the silica source. The silicalite-1 membrane obtained using the spherical-silica-particle-coated support had an approximately 9-μm-thick separation layer and showed very high pervaporation performance, exhibiting a separation factor of 105 and a flux of 3.72 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ for a 10 wt % ethanol/water mixture at 323 K. Thus, the gel-free SAC method can be used with a silica support coated with silica particles to readily prepare high-performance membranes without producing any chemical waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zeolitic Membranes: Advances and Applications)

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16 pages, 4172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recovery of Lignosulfonates from Spent Sulfite Liquor Using Ceramic Hollow-Fiber Membranes

by Daniel Humpert, Mehrdad Ebrahimi, Annika Stroh and Peter Czermak

Membranes 2019, 9(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9040045 - 28 Mar 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5344

Abstract

Spent sulfite liquor is an abundant but currently less used wastewater stream from the pulp and paper industry. The recovery of lignin from this resource would provide an inexpensive raw material for the manufacture of fuels and fine chemicals. Here we investigated the [...] Read more.

Spent sulfite liquor is an abundant but currently less used wastewater stream from the pulp and paper industry. The recovery of lignin from this resource would provide an inexpensive raw material for the manufacture of fuels and fine chemicals. Here we investigated the suitability of ceramic hollow-fiber membranes for the concentration of spent sulfite liquor as an alternative to common membrane technologies. We tested three ceramic hollow-fiber membranes (3, 8, and 30 nm) in different membrane processes (fed-batch and total recycle mode) and compared their performance with the widely-used tubular membrane geometry. We also evaluated backflushing as a strategy to reduce membrane fouling during filtration. The juxtaposition of the two membrane geometries revealed that wall shear stress is the most important process parameter for the assessment of membrane performance according to permeate flux. The higher the wall shear stress, the higher the permeate flux. Due to the smaller inner diameter of the hollow-fiber membranes, higher wall shear stress can be achieved more easily. Backflushing had no effect on the permeate flux during the concentration experiments. Full article

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Membranes, Volume 9, Issue 4 (April 2019) – 12 articles

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