High-Flux Thin-Film Nanocomposite Reverse Osmosis Membrane for Desalination

Background

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most energy efficient separation technologies to remove salt ions from brackish water or seawater. Conventional RO membranes possess a thin film composite (TFC) structure, containing an ultra-thin barrier layer. This layer can be used as a filter. However, nanofillers may be incorporated into the polyamide barrier layer to improve either the permeability or separation efficiency when separating materials.

Technology

Using a nanocomposite barrier layer containing cellulose nanofibers and a polyamide matrix, traditional ultrafiltration (UF) substrates have demonstrated two RO applications: low pressure desalination of brackish water and high pressure desalination of seawater. Some embodiments include having cross-sectional composite fibers with such as methyl, ethyl, and butyl. In other functions, nanofibers may be physically incorporated in the barrier layer of a membrane by interfacial polymerization.

Advantages

-More efficient -Higher permeation flux -High salt rejection capability -Great filtration rate

Application

-Nanofibers -Manufacturing -Materials -Plumbing -Water (fluids, seawater, ocean) -Environmental engineering -Chemical -Electrolysis