This paper describes research to evaluate the significance of thin-film composite membrane surface morphology on water productivity. Flat-sheet experiments were conducted with silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and cerium dioxide nanoparticles. The polyamide thin-film active layer exhibited a morphology that was directly related to the surface roughness, and was found to contribute to particle accumulation causing a higher flux decline than in other membrane surfaces. Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane flux decline was not affected by particle type when the feed water was laboratory grade water; however, when pretreated diluted seawater served as feed water it was found that cerium oxide addition resulted in the least observable flux decline, followed by silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide.
This presentation is available to AMTA Members only.
Speaker
- Steven Duranceau, PhD, PE
Company
- University of Central Florida
Event
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference, San Antonio, TX
Session
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference
Date
- 02/02/16
Media
Keywords
- nanofiltration; nanoparticles; reverse osmosis; water productivity
Reference
- 9675-DP1740