Article
Polymer Science
Z. Alihemati, S. A. Hashemifard, T. Matsuura, A. F. Ismail
Summary: In this study, thin film composite forward osmosis membranes with polycarbonate and polyether sulfone substrates were fabricated to investigate their performance. The results showed that PC has good hydrophilic properties but larger gas permeability compared to PES, with larger surface pore size and higher effective surface porosity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Mohammad Nikkhoo, Mohammad Mahdi Ahadian, Arshad Bayrami, Mojtaba Amini
Summary: This study reports the fabrication of new high-performance WS2-Cys-MOF-incorporated thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) forward osmosis (FO) membranes for desalination applications. WS2-Cys-MOF nanosheets are synthesized and integrated into the PA selective layer of TFN membranes. The presence of WS2-Cys-MOF in the PA selective layer enhances water flux and fouling resistance. The TFN-0.1 membrane containing 0.1 wt% WS2-Cys-MOF exhibits the best FO desalination performance, with doubled water fluxes and improved anti-fouling tendency.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Arshad Bayrami, Zahra Shekari, Mojtaba Amini
Summary: This article discusses the improvement in forward osmosis performance of PES/PA membranes by using pre-modified zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 MOF nanoparticles, which enhance water flux and selectivity while resisting fouling. Through coating MOF nanocrystals with a mSiO2 shell and modifying them with GPTMS and aspartic acid, the optimal membrane (TFN400) achieved high water flux, selectivity, and resistance to fouling.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yasan He, Xiaogeng Lin, Jianhua Chen, Hongbing Zhan
Summary: A novel highly selective thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membrane with high water flux and low reverse salt flux was successfully fabricated by using a rationally designed sulfonated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as an interlayer. The prepared membrane overcame the trade-off between water flux and salt flux with enhanced FO permeation and superior selectivity in FO mode, demonstrating the crucial role of sulfonated COF interlayer and TMC modification of nylon support in achieving high performance. This new strategy opens up a pathway for utilizing COFs in preparing high-performance FO membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Anelyn P. Bendoy, Hana G. Zeweldi, Myoung Jun Park, Ho Kyong Shon, Hern Kim, Wook-Jin Chung, Grace M. Nisola
Summary: The development of membranes with enhanced separation and transport properties, specifically by incorporating silicene into thin film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes, has shown promising results in improving membrane performance and water permeability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Soheil Hadadpour, Iman Tavakol, Zahra Shabani, Toraj Mohammadi, Maryam Ahmadzadeh Tofighy, Soleyman Sahebi
Summary: In this study, charcoal-based carbon nanomaterial was incorporated into thin film composite membranes to enhance forward osmosis performance. The addition of CNM led to improved water flux and reduced structural parameter of the membranes. The membrane with 0.5 wt% CNM showed the best performance with significantly increased water flux in both FO and PRO modes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mojtaba Amini, Mohammad Nikkhoo, Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Mohammad Mahdi Ahadian, Arshad Bayrami, Hadi Naslhajian, Mohammad Hasanzadeh Karamjavan
Summary: A novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane modified by MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite was used for desalination by the forward osmosis (FO) method. The incorporation of MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite particles into the polyamide selective layer of the TFN membrane improved its desalination performance and antifouling properties. The TFN-MZ(2) membrane, containing 0.01wt% MoS2@Zeolite X, showed the highest water flux and antifouling tendency among the membranes tested.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhimeng Sun, Shihe Zhang, Zhongguo Zhang, Yiyong Yang, Chunhui Zhang, Yu Qian, Xiaojing Ren
Summary: In this study, a forward osmosis composite membrane was prepared using poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) as the substrate and embedded in a high-porosity polyester mesh to form a support layer through an interfacial polymerization process. The effects of preparation conditions on performance were investigated. The self-made PMIA TFC-FO membrane showed excellent hydrophilicity and fouling resistance, making it a suitable candidate for high water flux and selectivity in seawater desalination.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qipeng Zhao, Die Ling Zhao, Mui Hoon Nai, Shing Bor Chen, Tai-Shung Chung
Summary: Nanovoid-enhanced TFC membranes fabricated using ZIF-67 nanoparticles as sacrificial templates demonstrated better separation performance for BWRO desalination. The incorporation of ZIF-67 in different amounts resulted in membranes with varying nanovoid structures, influencing their physiochemical properties and separation performance. The membrane made from 0.1 wt % ZIF-67 exhibited significantly improved water permeance and salt rejection compared to the pristine TFC membrane.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Chenglong Dai, Dan Zhao, Yongqiang Wang, Rui Zhao, Han Wang, Xiangci Wu, Shejiang Liu, Huizhen Zhu, Jianfeng Fu, Mengling Zhang, Hui Ding
Summary: This paper investigates the influence of doping graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles to the active layer and support layer of thin-film composite forward osmosis (TFC-FO) membranes. The results show that doping GO improves the salt rejection and water permeability of the membrane, forming dense and uniform nano-scale water channels.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dong Wang, Jinmei Li, Baoyu Gao, Yue Chen, Zhining Wang
Summary: The article introduces a novel TFN FO membrane with CNT as an interlayer and aCN/AP as nanofillers, which achieves high water flux and excellent antibacterial properties.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ralph Rolly Gonzales, Lei Zhang, Yuji Sasaki, Wataru Kushida, Hideto Matsuyama, Ho Kyong Shon
Summary: The study developed reduced aliphatic polyketone-based thin film composite membranes for treatment of oily wastewater, showing outstanding water permeability and fouling resistance. It is a suitable oily wastewater treatment process with potential for further development of comprehensively fouling-resistant membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Mohammad Nikkhoo, Mohammad Mahdi Ahadian, Mojtaba Amini
Summary: Designing efficient membranes for desalination has been the focus of this study, which involved preparing CuAl LDH nanosheets and modifying the surface of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes with them. A novel heterostructure nanocomposite consisting of CuAl LDH and WS2 nanosheets was synthesized and used to create thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. The performance of all the obtained membranes in forward osmosis (FO) process was studied, and the effects of the prepared compounds on the morphology, chemical structure, hydrophilicity, and topology of the active layer were evaluated. By comparing the results, the membrane containing 0.025 wt% of the nanocomposite modifier showed the highest water flux and selectivity, making it the optimal membrane. Its anti-fouling properties were also investigated and showed improved fouling resistance compared to the membrane without filler.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC AND ORGANOMETALLIC POLYMERS AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tianshi Yang, Chun Feng Wan, Junyou Zhang, Chakravarthy Gudipati, Tai-Shung Chung
Summary: A novel interfacial polymerization method was proposed to fabricate TFC hollow fiber membrane modules for RO applications, successfully addressing the challenge of synthesizing defect-free polyamide selective layer. By circulating MPD and TMC solutions on different pressures to form a strong, uniform, and defect-free polyamide selective layer on the inner surface. Experimental results showed that the TFC hollow fiber membrane module prepared by this method exhibited good RO performance.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(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
Engineering, Environmental
Shaheen Fatima Anis, Boor Singh Lalia, Mostafa Khair, Raed Hashaikeh, Nidal Hilal
Summary: This study introduces periodic electrolytic membrane cleaning for ceramic-based electrically conductive membranes, which exhibit high flux recovery and reduced concentration boundary layer through the generation of hydrogen bubbles to clean foulant layers. These composite membranes also demonstrate good antimicrobial properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Ralph Rolly Gonzales, Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, Samer Adham, Dong Suk Han, Sherub Phuntsho, Wafa Suwaileh, Nidal Hilal, Ho Kyong Shon
Summary: Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) has gained attention as a membrane process for generating energy from salinity gradients. Despite advancements, challenges remain in membrane performance, implementation, and commercialization efforts for PRO technology.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Khaled Bin Bandar, Mohammed D. Alsubei, Saad A. Aljlil, Nawaf Bin Darwish, Nidal Hilal
Summary: In this study, a ceramic membrane for membrane distillation was fabricated using Saudi red clay, tetraethyl orthosilicate, ammonia, and sodium alginate powder, showing promising results in terms of permeate flux and salt rejection in VMD tests. The membrane exhibited stable performance for 4 hours in continuous well water desalination tests, with a 16.5% decrease in flux after 10 hours which was recovered by a known cleaning procedure.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniel J. Johnson, Nidal Hilal
Summary: This review paper discusses the potential of graphene as a material for desalination processes and highlights its revolutionary properties in comparison to traditional materials.
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)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Farah Ejaz Ahmed, Boor Singh Lalia, Raed Hashaikeh, Nidal Hilal
Summary: In this study, intermittent electrical heating using electrically conductive carbon nanotube structure films was introduced to improve the performance and energy efficiency of air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) for desalination. The results showed that the intermittent heating significantly increased the feed outlet temperature and average permeate flux, while enhancing the thermal energy efficiency.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Abdullah Khalil, Lijo Francis, Raed Hashaikeh, Nidal Hilal
Summary: Membrane-integrated spacers are important components in membrane-based filtration systems, offering improved fouling resistance and increased flux. These spacers are fabricated using 3D printing technology and have excellent flexibility and mechanical integrity, providing permanent adhesion to the ultrafiltration membrane. The gyroid geometry with optimal infill density exhibits the highest fouling resistance and significantly improves flux compared to commercial spacers.
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.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lijo Francis, Nidal Hilal
Summary: In this study, a CNT-modified PVDF-Co-HFP membrane was successfully fabricated for membrane distillation (MD) by electrospraying CNTs onto an electrospun membrane. The modified membrane exhibited higher water contact angle, higher liquid entry pressure, and higher tensile strength compared to the pristine membrane. Moreover, the modified membrane showed improved temperature polarization coefficient and water permeation flux in the MD process. The performance of the membrane was characterized using various methods.
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.
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, 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.
