Interface‐based crystal particle autoselection via membrane crystallization: From scaling to process control

Abstract

Accurate crystallization control is an essential aspect for chemical engineering and separation processes. Herein, we demonstrated the novelty of membrane crystallization (MCr) on the interfacial based‐crystal particle autoselection aimed for nucleation regulation and process control. With the proposed model based on a van der Waals‐friction‐hydrodynamic force field and classical nucleation theory, the motion mechanisms of heterogeneously induced nucleation were illustrated. The defined particle detachment criterion K revealed the control mechanism of the crystal particle motion behavior: temporary adherence, detachment, and perpetual adherence (scaling) at the membrane interface. For the first time, the function region of MCr (nucleation detection, scaling control, and crystallization regulation) was systematically illustrated and validated with the directly observed laboratory demonstration. These findings also demonstrate the potential applications of the uniform size distribution, morphology modified particle manufacture, and in situ nucleation detection. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 723–733, 2019

Unprecedented scaling/fouling resistance of omniphobic polyvinylidene fluoride membrane with silica nanoparticle coated micropillars in direct contact membrane distillation

“…However, the initial foulants/scalants tend to form the secondary fouling (e.g. deposited fouling also induces nucleation or growth) [25], leading to progressive wetting and performance reduction [26]. Established fouling mechanisms unraveled a thermodynamic understanding of fouling phenomena, and provided a guidance on alleviating or eliminating fouling/scaling by process parameter [27,28] and membrane fabrication [17,19,[29][30][31][32][33].…”

Bioinspired Hybrid Micro/Nanostructure Composited Membrane with Intensified Mass Transfer and Antifouling for High Saline Water Membrane Distillation

“…17,18 However, high-permeation flux inevitably leads to the severe concentration polarization on the membrane interface, resulting in generating the supersaturated zone, which would aggravate interfacial nucleation and fouling. 19,20 This fouling induction duration is another critical parameter for long-term MD operation, especially for the hypersaline (nearly saturated) solution treatment. Various superhydrophobic polymeric membranes prepared via chem- ical vapor deposition, 21 plasma modification, 22 and electrospinning 23,24 had been applied in MD research.…”

“…A typical limitation is the trade-off between the high-permeation flux and robust antifouling ability of the membrane . In order to deliver high-vapor transportation, the membrane is expected to possess an appropriate surface porosity and adequate effective evaporation area. , However, high-permeation flux inevitably leads to the severe concentration polarization on the membrane interface, resulting in generating the supersaturated zone, which would aggravate interfacial nucleation and fouling. , This fouling induction duration is another critical parameter for long-term MD operation, especially for the hypersaline (nearly saturated) solution treatment. Various superhydrophobic polymeric membranes prepared via chemical vapor deposition, plasma modification, and electrospinning , had been applied in MD research.…”

Membrane-Assisted Cooling Crystallization for Interfacial Nucleation Induction and Self-Seeding Control

“…46 Crystals generated on the membrane surface will detach and flow away with the fluid flow, entering the crystallizer. 47,48 The micro-force field model between the crystalline phase and the S1). According to Figure S1, the detachment motion and the autoseeding process are highly size-dependent.…”

“…23−25 The supersaturated solution on the membrane surface generates nuclei, and the formed particles can autodetach from the surface under a suitable dynamic force field. 26,27 This result is of importance for the effective control of the mass transfer related to the crystallization process (evaporative crystallization, antisolvent crystallization, etc.). Besides, the outstanding heat transfer features of the hollow fiber membrane also benefit the heat exchange and the relevant process control.…”