Evaluating Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes to Treat Brackish Waters through Reverse Osmosis

The objective of the project is to identify whether a mixed-matrix nanocomposite membrane can be formulated that can treat real-world water, in an operating plant environment, for a representative length of time (e.g., a minimum of three months), because there are no reports in the scientific literature on this. While there are published studies on long-term performance of polyamide/zeolite reverse osmosis membranes on recovery of seawater, there are no published studies on these membranesÂ’ performance on brackish waters (total dissolved solids < 3000 ppm). Work in 2007 identified a mixed-matrix membrane formula that produced brackish-water type performance, but there are no published reports on long-term (>48 hour) testing of these types of membranes. The project entails evaluating nanocomposite RO membranes with brackish water performance for potential scale-up and use for treating brackish waters via long-term (~3 months) tests on a small-scale test unit (swatch = 3 x 2 inch test coupons) in the Yuma Area Office Water Quality Improvement Center (WQIC). The recipient will perform tests on both controlled waters (RO permeate from the WQICs Pilot System 1) and real-world waters (pretreated agricultural drainage for RO feed). RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Membrane Casting and Membrane Characterization 1. Casting of membrane sheets from polyamide/zeolite nanocomposite membranes. ASU will cast materials to supply a minimum of 9 3x2 swatches from zeolite/polymer nanocomposite mat...
Source: Grants.gov - Category: Research Tags: Natural Resources Source Type: funding