Effect of cellulose fi bers on morphology and pure water permeation of PSf membranes

Abstract

A B S T R AC TChemical and physical changes are necessary to improve the transport properties of polymeric membranes. Cellulose fi ber pulp from Pinus taeda was processed in knives and balls mills in order to reduce the dimensions of the fi bers for later application in polysulfone (PSf) membranes. By adding cellulosic fi bers in PSf membranes, a composite membrane with improved morphological properties, permeate fl ux and good resistance to pressure was obtained. The fi bers as well as the PSf and PSf/cellulose fi bers membranes were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Tests of pure water permeate fl ux were performed with pressure up to 20 bar. The addition of 0.2% (wt) of cellulose fi bers in the formation of composite membranes resulted in the elimination of macrovoids, causing an increase in pure water fl ux (50% ± 10) when pressure was risen.

The Effect of Diluent Mixture with Upper Critical Solution Temperature on Membrane Formation Process, Microstructure, and Performance of PVDF Hollow Fiber Membrane by TIPS Process

“…The membrane was pre-pressed at 0.15 MPa for 30 min, and then, the operating pressure decreased to 0.1 MPa, and the permeated water was collected. The PWF was calculated as follows [44]:Jw=VA×t where J w is the PWF (L·m 2 ·h −1 ). A is the effective outer surface area of the hollow fiber membrane (m 2 ).…”