Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ridha Ben Mansour
Summary: Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) is a mature technology that has evolved significantly, but boron removal remains challenging. A new RO transport model combining irreversible thermodynamic theory and solution-diffusion theory was developed to address this issue. The model was validated and used to identify key parameters and assess their impact on SWRO performance. The results showed that the convective transport of boron through the seawater membrane significantly influenced water quality and energy consumption.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sameh Shaaban, Hany Yahya
Summary: Seawater desalination using a cost-effective reverse osmosis system is crucial for countries suffering from water scarcity in hot climates. The study identified the most favorable seawater membrane characteristics for operation in typical Egyptian conditions and found that membranes with high salt rejection, high permeate flow, high membrane active area, and permeate flux greater than 0.914 m(3)/(d center dot m(2)) have the lowest cost of seawater desalination. The study also showed that the cost of seawater desalination is lower in summer than in winter and that the cost of desalination is lower for Mediterranean seawater compared to Red Sea seawater.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuhao Du, Li Wang, Abdessamad Belgada, Saad Alami Younssi, Jack Gilron, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: The transport of salt and water through leaky membranes is crucial in various scientific and engineering disciplines, particularly in low-salt-rejection reverse osmosis (LSRRO) technology. Accurate models describing salt transport in LSRRO membranes are essential for its further development and optimization. In this study, we used the solution-friction model to describe salt transport in LSRRO membranes and simplified it to the classic Spiegler-Kedem-Katchalsky model. Our findings reveal the dependence of membrane parameters on feed salt concentration and quantify the frictions among salt, water, and membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
A. Ruiz-Garcia, I Nuez
Summary: This study evaluated the performance and boron rejection of a single-stage seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) system under variable operating conditions. Results showed differences in boron rejection and water production between different membrane elements. When designing RES-powered SWRO systems, consideration should be given to the safe operating range of boron concentration and the variation of membrane permeability coefficients.
COMPUTERS & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ji Wu, Jie Gao, Shing-Bor Chen, Tai-Shung Chung
Summary: Tuning the permeation properties of TFN membranes through molecular redesign is important for RO desalination performance above the trade-off limit. Activation by organic solvents can boost water permeability but has rejection loss constraints. This study innovatively integrated soluble organic macrocyclic cavitands in the activating solvent to form cavity-bearing nanocomposite structures, which improved water permeability and salt/boron rejection.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Negin Karimzadeh, Jafar Azamat, Hamid Erfan-Niya
Summary: Water desalination through membranes, specifically using carbon nitride (C2N) nanosheet, has shown to be an effective and efficient method with acceptable water flux and salt rejection, even at low pressures.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR GRAPHICS & MODELLING
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abouzar Azarafza, Muhammad Amirul Islam, Yekta Golpazirsorkheh, Irene Efteghar, Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Milad Kamkar, Arsalan Faghih Shojaei, Mohammad Younas, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi, Mashallah Rezakazemi
Summary: Biomimetic membranes, particularly protein-based ones synthesized by aquaporin, have attracted significant attention due to their high osmotic water permeability and excellent ability to remove small molecules. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art aquaporin-based biomimetic membranes (ABMs), focusing on their synthesis, characterization, and performance as selective layers for water desalination. It also discusses the obstacles for their commercial viability in wastewater treatment and presents the potential applications of ABMs in various separation processes.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chulmin Lee, Yesol Kang, Dong-Ho Kim, In S. Kim
Summary: The WW-SW integrated RO process is gaining attention for its energy saving capability, economic benefits, and sustainability. One advantage is the reduction of boron concentration in the RO permeate, eliminating the need for post-treatment. Design constraints related to boron removal in the system have been explored, with a range of 15,000 to 20,000 mg/L feed found to be the most appropriate. Boron rejection tests with different membranes showed a critical reduction in rejection at pressures below 20 bar, emphasizing caution in using certain membranes in the integrated system.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Humberto Jaramillo, Chanhee Boo, Sara M. Hashmi, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: The study demonstrates that modifying the RO membrane surface with a zwitterionic polymer brush can effectively delay gypsum surface nucleation and crystal adsorption compared to the control membrane, resulting in a smaller decline in water flux.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Vahid Vatanpour, Sara Mahdiei, Oguz Orhun Teber, Ismail Koyuncu
Summary: This study presents a solvent addition method to enhance the performance of reverse osmosis membranes. By adding dimethyl sulfoxide, the selective polyamide layer was activated, resulting in increased water flux while maintaining high salt rejection. The research demonstrates the influence of solvent addition on the morphology and properties of the membranes.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aysa Guvensoy-Morkoyun, Suer Kurklu-Kocaoglu, Cansu Yildirim, Sadiye Velioglu, H. Enis Karahan, Tae-Hyun Bae, S. Birgul Tantekin-Ersolmaz
Summary: This study systematically investigated the role of carbon nanotubes in improving the desalination performance of polyamide-based thin-film composites, demonstrating that vacuum-assisted alignment and loading can significantly enhance water permeability and resistance against chlorine degradation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Linyan Yang, Caiping Xia, Jielun Jiang, Xueming Chen, Yanbo Zhou, Cheng Yuan, Lichun Bai, Shujuan Meng, Guomin Cao
Summary: The separation behavior of emerging contaminants using commercial nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes was investigated. The study found that the physical structure and charge characteristics of the membranes played a crucial role in contaminant rejection, and adsorption was an important mechanism for contaminant removal.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yawei Du, Dongxuan Zhang, Chuanpeng Cao, Quanyu Gong, Yaxin Li, Lixin Xie
Summary: This paper presents an optimization design of reverse osmosis system based on superstructure, utilizing decarbonated seawater with high pH value under boron restrictions. Through permeate split design, high boron rejection and collection of permeates with different qualities are achieved. The results show significant water and energy savings, with less influence by pH values, making it a robust solution for pH control.
COMPUTERS & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Chen, Yu Yang, Nigel J. D. Graham, Zhenyu Li, Xingtao Yang, Zhining Wang, Nadia Farhat, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Li -an Hou
Summary: The fouling of seawater reverse osmosis membranes is a persistent challenge in desalination. This study monitored the operational performance of a desalination plant for 7 years and the fouling development in different areas of membrane modules. The findings showed that operational performance declined over time and fouling mainly occurred at the feed side of the modules, with the highest microbial diversity. Keystone species like Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes played an important role in maintaining community structure and biofilm maturation. Polysaccharides, soluble microbial products, marine humic acid-like substances, and inorganic substances contributed to fouling. Overall, biofouling had a significant impact on membrane fouling after 7 years of operation.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Guo-Rong Xu, Yu-Lei Xing, Min Wang, Zi-Han An, He-Li Zhao, Ke Xu, Chun-Hua Qi, Chen Yang, Seeram Ramakrishna, Qian Liu
Summary: Increasing population and industrial development have led to a global freshwater shortage crisis. Desalination, particularly membrane-based desalination technology, has proven to be an effective solution. However, the current membranes used in desalination face challenges such as low permeation, low selectivity, wetting, and internal polarization. Therefore, researchers are exploring more advanced membranes, and electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) show promise due to their versatility and ability to address these membrane challenges. In this review, we discuss the application of ENMs in different membrane desalination processes and propose future directions for the development of advanced membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nurshaun Sreedhar, Mahendra Kumar, Samar Al Jitan, Navya Thomas, Giovanni Palmisano, Hassan A. Arafat
Summary: A novel 3D printed photocatalytic feed spacer was developed for membrane-based water and wastewater filtration systems, with the ability to degrade pollutants, clean the membrane, and achieve high flux recovery ratios for organic foulants, demonstrating a shift towards a spacer-centered photocatalytic membrane system approach.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seunghyun Hong, Jehad K. El-Demellawi, Yongjiu Lei, Zhixiong Liu, Faisal Al Marzooqi, Hassan A. Arafat, Husam N. Alshareef
Summary: Extracting osmotic energy through nanoporous membranes is an efficient way to harvest renewable and sustainable energy using the salinity gradient between seawater and river water. A lamellar-structured membrane made of nanoporous Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets is reported in this study, showing simultaneous enhancement in permeability and ion selectivity. The constructed internal nanopores lower the energy barrier for ion passage, thereby boosting preferential ion diffusion across the membrane. This membrane design strategy using nanoporous two-dimensional sheets provides a promising approach for ion exchange, osmotic energy extraction, and other nanofluidic applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed Taha, Mauricio Paton, Farrukh Ahmad, Jorge Rodriguez
Summary: This study developed a mechanistic biokinetic model to provide a theoretical accurate description for treating water contaminated with nitrate. The model successfully described the complex processes and the impact of design parameters on system performance, especially the effects of changing applied voltage and hydraulic retention time.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongjie Liu, Thomas Horseman, Zhangxin Wang, Hassan A. Arafat, Huabing Yin, Shihong Lin, Tao He
Summary: The negative pressure direct contact membrane distillation (NP-DCMD) can effectively reduce mineral scaling and significantly enhance vapor flux by applying negative gauge pressure on the feed stream, achieving prolonged resistance to CaSO4 scaling and up to 62% enhancement in vapor flux.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faiz Izzuddin Azmi, Pei Sean Goh, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Nidal Hilal, Tuck Whye Wong, Mailin Misson
Summary: Membrane surface modification is a favored strategy to enhance membrane-based separation performance. Biomolecules, with their unique structural and chemical properties, have gained attention as potential modifiers for liquid separation membranes. These biomolecules exhibit high surface hydrophilicity and antimicrobial properties, making them attractive alternatives for the development of high-performance membranes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lijo Francis, Farah Ejaz Ahmed, Nidal Hilal
Summary: Membrane Distillation (MD) is a temperature-driven water reclamation process that uses membranes. This review focuses on the advancements in modified and novel MD configurations design, with a particular emphasis on upscaling and pilot scale studies. The improved MD configurations aim to reduce heat loss, improve mass transfer, and permeate flux. Vacuum-enhanced MD processes and MD process with non-contact feed solution show promise at the lab-scale. However, there is a lack of exploration on hollow fiber membrane-based pilot scale modules, and the comparison of various configurations is hindered by the absence of standardized testing conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Abdullah Khalil, Farah Ejaz Ahmed, Raed Hashaikeh, Nidal Hilal
Summary: This study demonstrates the direct 3D printing of electrically conductive interdigitated spacers on an ultrafiltration membrane for membrane cleaning and chlorination via periodic electrolysis. The spacers promote turbulence, increase permeate flux, physically remove foulants, decompose organic foulants, and potentially disinfect the membrane in a single process, simplifying the design of the membrane module.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pei Sean Goh, Zahra Samavati, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Be Cheer Ng, Mohd Sohaimi Abdullah, Nidal Hilal
Summary: Membrane technology has gained popularity in industries for separation processes, desalination, and wastewater treatment. The development of nanocomposite membranes that merge nanotechnology and membrane technology has become a rapidly growing research area, motivated by the need for high-performance liquid separation membranes. The unique morphology and topology of nanostructured materials, such as TiO2, have attracted attention due to their hydrophilicity, antibacterial, and photocatalytic properties. This review provides an overview of the modifications of liquid separation membranes using TiO2 as an example of multidimensional nanomaterials, discussing their performance and advantages.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raed A. Al-Juboori, Muayad Al-Shaeli, Saif Al Aani, Daniel Johnson, Nidal Hilal
Summary: The concerns of exceeding planetary limits on reactive nitrogen levels are well-documented. A significant amount of anthropogenic nitrogen is released in wastewater. Nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment consumes substantial energy, making nitrogen recovery an attractive solution to save energy and meet regulatory discharge limits. Membrane technologies play a crucial role in effective nitrogen recovery systems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rawan Abu Alwan, Botagoz Zhuman, Mahendra Kumar, Hassan A. Arafat, Inas AlNashef
Summary: This study synthesized novel mussel-inspired polydopamine nanoparticles functionalized with ionic liquid (PDA-IL) and used them as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. The PDA-IL showed a high adsorption capacity, fast kinetics, excellent selectivity, and high regeneration efficiency. Characterization results confirmed the formation of nano-sized PDA-IL particles with a polycrystalline structure.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Farah Ahmed, Daniel Johnson, Raed Hashaikeh, Nidal Hilal
Summary: While the water industry has made significant technological strides, it still lags behind other sectors in adopting innovative techniques. Factors such as the long lifetimes and costs of existing water infrastructure, risk aversion due to public health concerns, and limited financing hinder innovation. Regulations and the involvement of environmental, social, and political actors can play a role in accelerating innovation in the water sector.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lijo Francis, Nidal Hilal
Summary: In this study, an electrohydrodynamic atomization or electrospraying technique was used to deposit carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a commercially available PTFE membrane for Membrane Distillation (MD) process. The modified PTFE-CNT membrane showed improved water contact angle, liquid entry pressure (LEP), and pore size distribution compared to the PTFE membrane. The functional PTFE-CNT membrane demonstrated superior desalination performance with less cake layer formation and high rejection of inorganic salts during continuous MD process operation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muzamil Khatri, Lijo Francis, Nidal Hilal
Summary: Obtaining fresh drinking water is a challenge due to changes in agricultural, industrial, and societal demands. This review focuses on the use of electrospun nanofiber-based membranes (ENMs) for improved water reclamation through physical and chemical modifications. The integration of nanomaterials in ENMs shows promise for membrane distillation (MD) processes, enhancing their efficiency and performance. However, further improvements are needed to achieve efficient membranes with enhanced water flux, anti-fouling, and anti-scaling characteristics.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fatema Khamis, Hanaa M. Hegab, Fawzi Banat, Hassan A. Arafat, Shadi W. Hasan
Summary: A novel pH-responsive adsorptive membrane was developed by incorporating modified mangrove particles into polylactic acid membranes. The addition of these particles significantly improved the membrane's water permeability and rejection efficiency, making it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Seunghyun Hong, Faisal Al Marzooqi, Jehad K. El-Demellawi, Noora Al Marzooqi, Hassan A. Arafat, Husam N. Alshareef
Summary: Due to the global lack of clean water, it is important to develop new technologies for separating pollutants from raw water. Synthetic polymer membranes have been widely used in liquid separation processes due to their selectivity and conductivity. However, the trade-off between selectivity and permeability remains a challenge. Recently, MXene-based membranes have gained attention for their ion-selective separation properties and applications in water purification. This article reviews recent progress, challenges, and future directions in MXene-based membranes.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Arvin Sohrabi, Mousa Meratizaman, Shuli Liu
Summary: This paper simulates and discusses possible solutions to improve the economic and technical performances of a battery-less renewable energy-powered BWRO system under real climate conditions. The study finds that the photovoltaic-based system performs better in terms of specific energy consumption and unused energy ratio.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chunlan Pan, Xiaoyin Hu, Vishal Goyal, Theyab R. Alsenani, Salem Alkhalaf, Tamim Alkhalifah, Fahad Alturise, Hamad Almujibah, H. Elhosiny Ali
Summary: This paper introduces a novel waste heat recovery method using the hot flue gas from a ship's engine to produce liquefied hydrogen while meeting the ship's air-conditioning requirement. A comprehensive feasibility assessment is conducted and an artificial neural network with a multiobjective grey wolf optimization method is used for optimization. The findings indicate the highest mean sensitivity index of the flash temperature and the best optimization scenario for exergy efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and liquefied hydrogen cost.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniele Chinello, Jan Post, Louis C. P. M. de Smet
Summary: In this study, PVDF-based anion-exchange membranes were designed to selectively separate nitrate from chloride. Experimental data showed that increasing the concentration of PVDF enhanced nitrate transport but also increased the membrane electrical resistance. The selectivity of nitrate was found to be independent of the membrane thickness and mainly driven by the increased affinity between the anion and the membrane.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Umar Noor, Muhammad Fayyaz Farid, Ammara Sharif, Amna Saleem, Zubair Nabi, Muhammad Furqan Mughal, Kiran Abbas, Toheed Ahmed
Summary: Global water scarcity is increasing, and water desalination is an important solution. Multifunctional advanced materials, such as membrane materials and solar-driven desalination, play a crucial role in water desalination. Additionally, these materials can be used for water purification, wastewater treatment, and pollutant elimination.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Emrah Gumus
Summary: With growing global concerns about climate change and environmental impacts, the use of nuclear energy in naval vessels offers a cleaner and more efficient solution to reduce emissions and address water and energy supply challenges. This study explores a novel system that combines a nuclear-driven supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle with reverse osmosis cogeneration to meet the water and electricity demands in maritime operations, enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and self-sufficiency of naval vessels. The results indicate that the system has the potential to be a viable and effective solution for naval operations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dao Thi Thanh Huyen, Saikat Sinha Ray, Young -Nam Kwon
Summary: This study focuses on the modification of a commercially available polyamide thin-film composite membrane with a zwitterionic material to enhance its fouling resistance. The modified membrane shows improved salt rejection and reduced permeability compared to the pristine membrane. Fouling tests demonstrate that the modified membrane has a lower fouling ratio and higher recovery ratio. The enhanced antifouling characteristics are attributed to the improved hydrophilicity resulting from the zwitterionic brushes and the salting-in effect.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Niklas Koeller, Lukas Mankertz, Selina Finger, Christian J. Linnartz, Matthias Wessling
Summary: This study presents a methodology to scale up Flow-electrode Capacitive Deionization (FCDI) technology from lab-scale to pilot-scale systems. By increasing membrane area and using a stacking approach, the FCDI modules were successfully scaled up and achieved a salt transfer rate comparable to lab-scale systems. This provides a foundation for future assessments of energy demand and economics.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mona Gulied, Sifani Zavahir, Tasneem Elmakki, Hyunwoong Park, Guillermo Hijos Gago, Ho Kyong Shon, Dong Suk Han
Summary: This study introduces a novel hybrid system that combines direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) to facilitate seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) brine enrichment and selective lithium recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiqiang Zhang, Ruifeng Deng, Jiao Zhang, Lu She, Guangfeng Wei, Renyong Jia, Pengyu Xiang, Siqing Xia
Summary: A transmembrane electro-chemisorption system with authigenic acid and base was developed for enhancing ammonia recovery from strong ammonia wastewater. The system efficiently transformed ammonium into free ammonia, which was then adsorbed and recovered through transmembrane chemisorption. This system yielded pure (NH4)2SO4 product and produced valuable byproducts of pure hydrogen and oxygen. Higher applied voltage resulted in better ammonia recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alena Popova, Sandrine Boivin, Takuji Shintani, Takahiro Fujioka
Summary: This study aimed to produce a high-integrity RO membrane by forming a polyamide skin layer on a TE support layer, in order to enhance the integrity of the membrane and improve the microbiological safety of potable water reuse.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sanjana Yagnambhatt, Saber Khanmohammadi, Jonathan Maisonneuve
Summary: This study investigates the concept of using heat to enhance reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The effect of temperature on water permeate flux, specific energy, permeate quality, and applied operating pressures is evaluated using an analytical model. The results suggest that under specific conditions, the tradeoff between savings in mechanical pump work and thermal energy input in thermally-enhanced RO can be favorable, leading to overall energy savings.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiangju Si, Chenrui Xue, Shun Li, Linchao Yang, Weiwei Li, Jie Yang, Jihong Lan, Ningbo Sun
Summary: To meet the huge demand for lithium resources, there is an urgent need to develop a new efficient technology for lithium recovery from salt-lake brines. In this study, a selective membrane capacitive deionization system is reported, which achieves high lithium recovery capacity and rate through the use of materials with efficient intercalated pseudo-capacitance and a high specific area porous carbon. The use of a modified thin-coated membrane allows for selective Li+ recovery, and adjusting the concentrations of Li+ and Mg2+ in the feed solution enables higher Li+/Mg2+ selectivity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohamed R. Salem, R. Y. Sakr, Ghazy M. R. Assassa, Omar A. Aly
Summary: This research proposes a new method of using wasted thermal energies as an additional heating source for solar still distillation units (SSDUs) to increase productivity and reduce pollution and global warming. By testing two SSDUs, the study shows that heating airflow can raise temperatures, enhance freshwater production, and improve system thermal efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qimeng Sun, Miao Sun, Linyan Yang, Yuan Gao, Xinghai Zhou, Lihua Lyu, Chunyan Wei
Summary: This study presents an innovative design and fabrication of a fabric-based conical roll (FCR) evaporator, which enables low-temperature evaporation and achieves high evaporation efficiency with excellent thermal management ability. The evaporator has demonstrated advanced light-harvesting capability and can produce freshwater that meets drinking water standards, showing great potential for applications in desalination and sewage treatment.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yidong Zhang, Wangfang Deng, Meiyan Wu, Chao Liu, Guang Yu, Qiu Cui, Pedram Fatehi, Chunlin Xu, Bin Li
Summary: In this study, a novel polydopamine-functionalized lignin-containing pulp foam evaporator with high-efficiency desalination and multi-contaminant adsorption capabilities was designed. The foam evaporator showed excellent light absorption, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and chelation abilities, allowing for solar evaporation and contaminant adsorption synergistically. It also exhibited potential applications in metal ion concentration and contaminated seawater treatments, and demonstrated superior biodegradability compared to poly-styrene foam. This foam material holds promise for developing multifunctional photo-thermal systems for solar-driven water purification.
