Desalination using low biofouling nanocomposite membranes: From batch-scale to continuous-scale membrane fabrication

Chede, Sneha; Anaya, Nelson M.; Oyanedel-Craver, Vinka; Gorgannejad, Sanam; Harris, Tequila A. L.; Al-Mallahi, Jumana; Abu-Dalo, Muna A.; Qdais, Hani Abu; Escobar, Isabel C.

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2017.05.007

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…They are also associated with the C=C ring vibrations of polyamide. The minor vibrational bands associated with the polyamide layer are the amide group (C=O) near 1712 cm −1 and the amine (N-H) near 872 cm −1 and they are associated with proteins and polysaccharides biomolecules [40]. The prominent peak at 722 cm −1 results due to the presence of aromatic compound [24,36,41].…”

Section: Fourier Transform Infraredmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating reverse osmosis membrane fouling and scaling by membrane autopsy of a bench scale device

García‐Triñanes

Chairopoulou

Campos

2021

Environmental Technology

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In response to the escalating world water demand and aiming to promote equal opportunities, reverse osmosis desalination has been widely implemented. Desalination is however constantly subjected to fouling and scaling which increase the cost of desalination by increasing the differential pressure of the membrane and reducing the permeate flux. A bench-scale desalination equipment has been used in this research to investigate the mitigation of fouling and scaling. This study involved the performance of membrane autopsy for fouling characterisation with special attention to flux decline due to sulphate precipitation and biofouling. Visual inspection, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microbiology tests (API) were performed. Results obtained showed the presence of diatoms, pseudomonas and polysaccharides as the main foulants causing biofouling. Analysis revealed sulphate deposits as well as aluminium, calcium and silica as the main elements contributing to inorganic scaling. Findings pointed out that the pre-treatment system of the small-scale reverse osmosis water treatment was inefficient and that selection of pre-treatment chemicals should be based on its compatibility with the membrane structure. The importance of characterisation for the verification of fouling mechanisms is emphasised.

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Section: Fourier Transform Infraredmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating reverse osmosis membrane fouling and scaling by membrane autopsy of a bench scale device

García‐Triñanes

Chairopoulou

Campos

2021

Environmental Technology

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“…Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula (ATCC 13525, American Type Culture Collection, USA) was selected for this study because it is a model organism commonly used in biofouling studies of membranes and known to form biofilms at the proposed testing conditions [37]. A single colony from a stock culture was inoculated in a 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 100 mL of Lysogeny broth medium (LB medium: tryptone 10 g/L, sodium chloride 10 g/L, and yeast extract 5 g/L) [38].…”

Section: Biofilm Formation Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The interlayer spaces of swelling clays, such as montmorillonite, tend to collapse when heated [52]. Quartz, albite, and (putative) muscovite survived the firing process because of their higher melting points [37,[53][54][55]. Iron oxides can be formed from CM fired in an oxidative atmosphere [56].…”

Section: Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Ceramic Water Filter Clay Selection Criteria

Shepard

Zhang

Anaya

et al. 2020

Water

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Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are point-of-use drinking water treatment systems that are manufactured and used in under-served communities around the world. The clayey material (CM) used to manufacture CWFs is a locally sourced mixture of clay, sand, slit and amorphous material (usually dug near the CWF factory). CM varies in composition and purity depending on the geographical location and geological setting. In this study, a set of 13 CM samples collected from around the world were analyzed using grain size analysis, as well as liquid and plastic limit tests. Mineralogical composition was determined using X-ray diffraction. A selection of three CM samples (Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau) with a range of compositions were used to study biofilm growth on CM before and after firing. Biofilm coverage was studied on CM (before firing) and CWF material (after firing) using Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula. The average biofilm coverages for Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau CM were 20.03 ± 2.80%, 19.28 ± 0.91%, and 9.88 ± 4.02%, respectively. The average biofilm formation coverages for Guatemala, Canada, and Guinea Bissau CWF were 13.08 ± 1.74%, 10.36 ± 3.41%, and 8.66 ± 0.13%, respectively. The results presented here suggest that CM can be manipulated to manufacture better performing CWFs by engineering the soil characteristics, such as grain size, liquid and plastic limits, and mineralogy. This could improve the durability and biofilm resistance of CWFs.

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“…Andrade et al embedded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into polysulfone nanofiltration membranes via the in-situ method and ex-situ method and found that the addition of silver onto the membrane’s surface reduced the contact angle of the membrane from 75.7° to 60.9° and increased the pure water flux of membranes from 25 to 121 L/m 2 h [ 10 ]. Optimization of the capture and stabilization of metals such as silver, which exhibits exceptional antimicrobial activity [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 ], has been a key focus for recent studies on filter substrate structure. For example, preventing Ag + from leaching into the permeate and causing loss of antimicrobial properties [ 13 ] is critical to silver’s effectiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Characterization of Membranes with PVA Containing Silver Particles: A Study of the Addition and Stability

et al. 2020

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Developing technologies for the reduction of biofouling and enhancement of membrane functionality and durability are challenging but critical for the advancement of water purification processes. Silver (Ag) is often used in the process of purification due to its anti-fouling properties; however, the leaching of this metal from a filtration membrane significantly reduces its effectiveness. Our study was designed to integrate the positive characteristics of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) with the controlled incorporation of nano-scale silver ions across the membrane. This approach was designed with three goals in mind: (1) to improve antifouling activity; (2) to prevent leaching of the metal; and (3) to extend the durability of the functionalized membrane. The fabrication method we used was a modified version of manual coating in combination with sufficient pressure to ensure impregnation and proper blending of PVA with cellulose acetate. We then used the spin coater to enhance the cross-linking reaction, which improved membrane durability. Our results indicate that PVA acts as a reducing agent of Ag+ to Ag0 using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and demonstrate that the metal retention was increased by more than 90% using PVA in combination with ultraviolet-photo-irradiated Ag+ reduced to Ag0. The Ag+ ions have sp hybrid orbitals, which accept lone pairs of electrons from a hydroxyl oxygen atom, and the covalent binding of silver to the hydroxyl groups of PVA enhanced retention. In fact, membranes with reduced Ag displayed a more effective attachment of Ag and a more efficient eradication of E. coli growth. Compared to pristine membranes, bovine serum albumin (BSA) flux increased by 8% after the initial addition of Ag and by 17% following ultraviolet irradiation and reduction of Ag, whereas BSA rejection increased by 10% and 11%, respectively. The implementation of this hybrid method for modifying commercial membranes could lead to significant savings due to increased metal retention and membrane effectiveness. These enhancements would ultimately increase the membrane’s longevity and reduce the cost/benefit ratio.

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Desalination using low biofouling nanocomposite membranes: From batch-scale to continuous-scale membrane fabrication

Cited by 21 publications

References 48 publications

Investigating reverse osmosis membrane fouling and scaling by membrane autopsy of a bench scale device

Investigating reverse osmosis membrane fouling and scaling by membrane autopsy of a bench scale device

Development of Ceramic Water Filter Clay Selection Criteria

Development and Characterization of Membranes with PVA Containing Silver Particles: A Study of the Addition and Stability

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