Grantee Research Project Results
Novel Nonporous Capillary Nanofiltration Membrane for Wastewater Treatment
EPA Contract Number: 68D70036Title: Novel Nonporous Capillary Nanofiltration Membrane for Wastewater Treatment
Investigators: Pinnau, Ingo
Small Business: Membrane Technology and Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1997 through March 1, 1998
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
U.S. industry generates large volumes of wastewater that contain suspended particulates, emulsified liquids, dissolved macromolecules, or dissolved organic compounds. Nanofiltration or ultrafiltration can produce dischargeable water from these streams. However, because current nanofiltration and ultrafiltration membranes are finely porous and only moderately hydrophilic, they are subject to fouling, particularly by particulates and macromolecules. Membrane fouling and the high maintenance and low system reliability that result have hindered widespread adoption of nanofiltration or ultrafiltration technology by producers of contaminated wastewaters. Membrane Technology and Research has developed a new type of composite nanofiltration/ultrafiltration membrane. These membranes do not allow particulate matter to enter the microporous substrate of the membrane; therefore, internal membrane fouling is eliminated. Development of fouling-resistant membranes will improve nanofiltration and ultrafiltration membrane performance by lowering capital costs, reducing energy consumption, and decreasing system down-time. In Phase I, these membranes will be formed into capillary hollow-fiber modules - such modules offer good control of surface membrane fouling. These modules will be evaluated in side-by-side tests with commercially available capillary microporous membrane modules to verify the improved fouling resistance of the new membranes. If successfully developed, these membranes could make nanofiltration/ultrafiltration significantly more acceptable for treatment of industrial wastewater. These novel membranes will increase wastewater treatment options for the petrochemical, chemical process, food processing, and other industries.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, wastewater treatment, engineering., Scientific Discipline, Water, Wastewater, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, dissolved macromolecules, wastewater treatment, nonporous capillary nanofiltration, industrial wastewater, membrane filtration, ultrafiltration system, emulsified liquids, wastewater treatment plants, nanofiltration, nonporous membranes, suspended particlesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.