The Experts below are selected from a list of 306 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Menachem Elimelech - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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superhydrophilic thin film composite forward Osmosis membranes for organic fouling control fouling behavior and antifouling mechanisms
Environmental Science & Technology, 2012Co-Authors: Alberto Tiraferri, Emmanuel P Giannelis, Yan Kang, Menachem ElimelechAbstract:This study investigates the fouling behavior and fouling resistance of superhydrophilic thin-film composite forward Osmosis membranes functionalized with surface-tailored nanoparticles. Fouling experiments in both forward Osmosis and reverse Osmosis modes are performed with three model organic foulants: alginate, bovine serum albumin, and Suwannee river natural organic matter. A solution comprising monovalent and divalent salts is employed to simulate the solution chemistry of typical wastewater effluents. Reduced fouling is consistently observed for the superhydrophilic membranes compared to control thin-film composite polyamide membranes, in both reverse and forward Osmosis modes. The fouling resistance and cleaning efficiency of the functionalized membranes is particularly outstanding in forward Osmosis mode where the driving force for water flux is an osmotic pressure difference. To understand the mechanism of fouling, the intermolecular interactions between the foulants and the membrane surface are a...
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seawater desalination for agriculture by integrated forward and reverse Osmosis improved product water quality for potentially less energy
Journal of Membrane Science, 2012Co-Authors: Devin L Shaffer, Jack Gilron, Menachem ElimelechAbstract:Abstract Seawater desalination for agricultural irrigation will be an important contributor to satisfying growing water demands in water scarce regions. Irrigated agriculture for food production drives global water demands, which are expected to increase while available supplies are further diminished. Implementation of reverse Osmosis, the current leading technology for seawater desalination, has been limited in part because of high costs and energy consumption. Because of stringent boron and chloride standards for agricultural irrigation water, desalination for agriculture is more energy intensive than desalination for potable use, and additional post-treatment, such as a second pass reverse Osmosis process, is required. In this perspective, we introduce the concept of an integrated forward Osmosis and reverse Osmosis process for seawater desalination. Process modeling results indicate that the integrated process can achieve boron and chloride water quality requirements for agricultural irrigation while consuming less energy than a conventional two-pass reverse Osmosis process. The challenges to further development of an integrated forward and reverse Osmosis desalination process and its potential benefits beyond energy savings are discussed.
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performance evaluation of sucrose concentration using forward Osmosis
Journal of Membrane Science, 2009Co-Authors: Esperanza M Garciacastello, Jeffrey R. Mccutcheon, Menachem ElimelechAbstract:Concentrating sugar solutions is a common process used in the production of many food products for either dewatering a high value product or concentrating waste streams prior to disposal. Thermal and pressure-driven dewatering methods are widely used, but they are prohibitively energy intensive and hence, expensive. Osmotically driven membrane processes, like forward Osmosis, may be a viable and sustainable alternative to these current technologies. Using NaCl as a surrogate draw solution, this investigation shows that forward Osmosis processes can lead to sucrose concentration factors that far exceed current pressure-driven membrane technologies, such as reverse Osmosis. For instance, a concentration factor of 5.7 was achieved by forward Osmosis with a starting sucrose concentration of 0.29 M, compared to reported concentration factors of up to 2.5 with reverse Osmosis. Water fluxes were found to be lower than those commonly obtained in reverse Osmosis, which is a consequence of the significantly higher concentration factors in conjunction with internal concentration polarization. The latter is a common problem in forward Osmosis processes that utilize current generation anisotropic polymeric membranes. Further advances in forward Osmosis membrane technology would yield higher water fluxes and concentration factors.
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forward Osmosis principles applications and recent developments
Journal of Membrane Science, 2006Co-Authors: Tzahi Y Cath, Amy E Childress, Menachem ElimelechAbstract:Osmosis is a physical phenomenon that has been extensively studied by scientists in various disciplines of science and engineering. Early researchers studied the mechanism of Osmosis through natural materials, and from the 1960s, special attention has been given to Osmosis through synthetic materials. Following the progress in membrane science in the last few decades, especially for reverse Osmosis applications, the interests in engineered applications of Osmosis has been spurred. Osmosis, or as it is currently referred to as forward Osmosis, has new applications in separation processes for wastewater treatment, food processing, and seawater/brackish water desalination. Other unique areas of forward Osmosis research include pressure-retarded Osmosis for generation of electricity from saline and fresh water and implantable osmotic pumps for controlled drug release. This paper provides the state-of-the-art of the physical principles and applications of forward Osmosis as well as their strengths and limitations.
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measuring the zeta electrokinetic potential of reverse Osmosis membranes by a streaming potential analyzer
Desalination, 1994Co-Authors: Menachem Elimelech, William H Chen, John J WaypaAbstract:Abstract The use of a novel streaming potential analyzer to measure the zeta potential of cellulose acetate and composite polyamide reverse Osmosis membranes is reported. Zeta potentials of these membranes were measured at various solution chemistries. These include effects of salt (NaCl) concentration, solution pH, and the presence of dissolved humic substances. It is demonstrated that streaming potential is a useful tool to measure zeta potential of reverse Osmosis membrane surfaces. Results indicate that solution chemistry has a marked effect on the electrokinetic properties of reverse Osmosis membranes. Humic substances strongly adsorb onto the surface of reverse Osmosis membranes and thus alter the surface charge of the membranes. Furthermore, the zeta potential of reverse Osmosis membranes becomes more negative as the NaCl concentration in solution increases, in a marked contrast to conventional electric double layer theories. It appears that the zeta potential of reverse Osmosis membranes is strongly influenced by the presence of unreacted chemical substances or impurities on the membrane surface. Various explanations for the behavior of the membranes at the above solution chemistries are evaluated and discussed.
Jeffrey R. Mccutcheon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Characterization and Performance Relationships for a Commercial Thin Film Composite Membrane in Forward Osmosis Desalination and Pressure Retarded Osmosis
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2015Co-Authors: Jason T. Arena, Seetha S Manickam, Kevin K. Reimund, Pavel A. Brodskiy, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:This paper presents performance data for an early generation thin film composite membrane from Oasys Water. These tests sought to measure the membrane’s basic chemical and morphological characteristics with additional testing to measure benchmark performance in both seawater-riverwater pressure retarded Osmosis and forward Osmosis desalination using the ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution. In pressure retarded Osmosis the membrane exhibited compaction which increased structural parameter. While in forward Osmosis desalination, substantial cation flux was observed using the ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution.
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hydrophilic nanofibers as new supports for thin film composite membranes for engineered Osmosis
Environmental Science & Technology, 2013Co-Authors: Nhungoc Bui, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:Engineered Osmosis (e.g., forward Osmosis, pressure-retarded Osmosis, direct Osmosis) has emerged as a new platform for applications to water production, sustainable energy, and resource recovery. The lack of an adequately designed membrane has been the major challenge that hinders engineered Osmosis (EO) development. In this study, nanotechnology has been integrated with membrane science to build a next generation membrane for engineered Osmosis. Specifically, hydrophilic nanofiber, fabricated from different blends of polyacrylonitrile and cellulose acetate via electrospinning, was found to be an effective support for EO thin film composite membranes due to its intrinsically wetted open pore structure with superior interconnectivity. The resulting composite membrane exhibits excellent permselectivity while also showing a reduced resistance to mass transfer that commonly impacts EO processes due to its thin, highly porous nanofiber support layer. Our best membrane exhibited a two to three times enhanced w...
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surface modification of thin film composite membrane support layers with polydopamine enabling use of reverse Osmosis membranes in pressure retarded Osmosis
Journal of Membrane Science, 2011Co-Authors: Jason T. Arena, Bryan D Mccloskey, Benny D. Freeman, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:Abstract Previous investigations of forward Osmosis and pressure retarded Osmosis identified asymmetric membrane support layer hydrophilicity as critical to obtain high water flux. In this study, the support layers of two commercially available thin film composite reverse Osmosis membranes were modified to enhance their hydrophilicity. The membrane support layers were coated with polydopamine, a novel bio-inspired hydrophilic polymer. This resulted in increased hydrophilicity and a corresponding increase in ‘wetted porosity’ and reduced internal concentration polarization. The modified membranes were then characterized for contact angle, salt rejection, hydraulic permeability, salt flux, and osmotic flux. The results were promising, indicating that the modified reverse Osmosis membranes exhibited an eight to fifteen fold increase in flux performance under test conditions when compared to baseline control data. This modification method, which is scalable, has the potential to enable the use of existing thin film composite membranes for all engineered Osmosis applications.
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performance evaluation of sucrose concentration using forward Osmosis
Journal of Membrane Science, 2009Co-Authors: Esperanza M Garciacastello, Jeffrey R. Mccutcheon, Menachem ElimelechAbstract:Concentrating sugar solutions is a common process used in the production of many food products for either dewatering a high value product or concentrating waste streams prior to disposal. Thermal and pressure-driven dewatering methods are widely used, but they are prohibitively energy intensive and hence, expensive. Osmotically driven membrane processes, like forward Osmosis, may be a viable and sustainable alternative to these current technologies. Using NaCl as a surrogate draw solution, this investigation shows that forward Osmosis processes can lead to sucrose concentration factors that far exceed current pressure-driven membrane technologies, such as reverse Osmosis. For instance, a concentration factor of 5.7 was achieved by forward Osmosis with a starting sucrose concentration of 0.29 M, compared to reported concentration factors of up to 2.5 with reverse Osmosis. Water fluxes were found to be lower than those commonly obtained in reverse Osmosis, which is a consequence of the significantly higher concentration factors in conjunction with internal concentration polarization. The latter is a common problem in forward Osmosis processes that utilize current generation anisotropic polymeric membranes. Further advances in forward Osmosis membrane technology would yield higher water fluxes and concentration factors.
Benny D. Freeman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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surface modification of thin film composite membrane support layers with polydopamine enabling use of reverse Osmosis membranes in pressure retarded Osmosis
Journal of Membrane Science, 2011Co-Authors: Jason T. Arena, Bryan D Mccloskey, Benny D. Freeman, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:Abstract Previous investigations of forward Osmosis and pressure retarded Osmosis identified asymmetric membrane support layer hydrophilicity as critical to obtain high water flux. In this study, the support layers of two commercially available thin film composite reverse Osmosis membranes were modified to enhance their hydrophilicity. The membrane support layers were coated with polydopamine, a novel bio-inspired hydrophilic polymer. This resulted in increased hydrophilicity and a corresponding increase in ‘wetted porosity’ and reduced internal concentration polarization. The modified membranes were then characterized for contact angle, salt rejection, hydraulic permeability, salt flux, and osmotic flux. The results were promising, indicating that the modified reverse Osmosis membranes exhibited an eight to fifteen fold increase in flux performance under test conditions when compared to baseline control data. This modification method, which is scalable, has the potential to enable the use of existing thin film composite membranes for all engineered Osmosis applications.
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reverse Osmosis desalination water sources technology and today s challenges
Water Research, 2009Co-Authors: Lauren F Greenlee, Benny D. Freeman, Desmond F Lawler, Benoit Marrot, Philippe MoulinAbstract:Reverse Osmosis membrane technology has developed over the past 40 years to a 44% share in world desalting production capacity, and an 80% share in the total number of desalination plants installed worldwide. The use of membrane desalination has increased as materials have improved and costs have decreased. Today, reverse Osmosis membranes are the leading technology for new desalination installations, and they are applied to a variety of salt water resources using tailored pretreatment and membrane system design. Two distinct branches of reverse Osmosis desalination have emerged: seawater reverse Osmosis and brackish water reverse Osmosis. Differences between the two water sources, including foulants, salinity, waste brine (concentrate) disposal options, and plant location, have created significant differences in process development, implementation, and key technical problems. Pretreatment options are similar for both types of reverse Osmosis and depend on the specific components of the water source. Both brackish water and seawater reverse Osmosis (RO) will continue to be used worldwide; new technology in energy recovery and renewable energy, as well as innovative plant design, will allow greater use of desalination for inland and rural communities, while providing more affordable water for large coastal cities. A wide variety of research and general information on RO desalination is available; however, a direct comparison of seawater and brackish water RO systems is necessary to highlight similarities and differences in process development. This article brings to light key parameters of an RO process and process modifications due to feed water characteristics.
Jason T. Arena - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Characterization and Performance Relationships for a Commercial Thin Film Composite Membrane in Forward Osmosis Desalination and Pressure Retarded Osmosis
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2015Co-Authors: Jason T. Arena, Seetha S Manickam, Kevin K. Reimund, Pavel A. Brodskiy, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:This paper presents performance data for an early generation thin film composite membrane from Oasys Water. These tests sought to measure the membrane’s basic chemical and morphological characteristics with additional testing to measure benchmark performance in both seawater-riverwater pressure retarded Osmosis and forward Osmosis desalination using the ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution. In pressure retarded Osmosis the membrane exhibited compaction which increased structural parameter. While in forward Osmosis desalination, substantial cation flux was observed using the ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution.
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surface modification of thin film composite membrane support layers with polydopamine enabling use of reverse Osmosis membranes in pressure retarded Osmosis
Journal of Membrane Science, 2011Co-Authors: Jason T. Arena, Bryan D Mccloskey, Benny D. Freeman, Jeffrey R. MccutcheonAbstract:Abstract Previous investigations of forward Osmosis and pressure retarded Osmosis identified asymmetric membrane support layer hydrophilicity as critical to obtain high water flux. In this study, the support layers of two commercially available thin film composite reverse Osmosis membranes were modified to enhance their hydrophilicity. The membrane support layers were coated with polydopamine, a novel bio-inspired hydrophilic polymer. This resulted in increased hydrophilicity and a corresponding increase in ‘wetted porosity’ and reduced internal concentration polarization. The modified membranes were then characterized for contact angle, salt rejection, hydraulic permeability, salt flux, and osmotic flux. The results were promising, indicating that the modified reverse Osmosis membranes exhibited an eight to fifteen fold increase in flux performance under test conditions when compared to baseline control data. This modification method, which is scalable, has the potential to enable the use of existing thin film composite membranes for all engineered Osmosis applications.
Philippe Moulin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reverse Osmosis desalination water sources technology and today s challenges
Water Research, 2009Co-Authors: Lauren F Greenlee, Benny D. Freeman, Desmond F Lawler, Benoit Marrot, Philippe MoulinAbstract:Reverse Osmosis membrane technology has developed over the past 40 years to a 44% share in world desalting production capacity, and an 80% share in the total number of desalination plants installed worldwide. The use of membrane desalination has increased as materials have improved and costs have decreased. Today, reverse Osmosis membranes are the leading technology for new desalination installations, and they are applied to a variety of salt water resources using tailored pretreatment and membrane system design. Two distinct branches of reverse Osmosis desalination have emerged: seawater reverse Osmosis and brackish water reverse Osmosis. Differences between the two water sources, including foulants, salinity, waste brine (concentrate) disposal options, and plant location, have created significant differences in process development, implementation, and key technical problems. Pretreatment options are similar for both types of reverse Osmosis and depend on the specific components of the water source. Both brackish water and seawater reverse Osmosis (RO) will continue to be used worldwide; new technology in energy recovery and renewable energy, as well as innovative plant design, will allow greater use of desalination for inland and rural communities, while providing more affordable water for large coastal cities. A wide variety of research and general information on RO desalination is available; however, a direct comparison of seawater and brackish water RO systems is necessary to highlight similarities and differences in process development. This article brings to light key parameters of an RO process and process modifications due to feed water characteristics.
