NOVEL NONPOROUS NANOFILTRATION MEMBRANE FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

U.S. industry generates large volumes of wastewater that contains suspendedparticles, emulsified liquids, dissolved macromolecules, and/or dissolved organiccompounds. Nanofiltration can produce dischargeable water from these streams.However, because current nanofiltration membranes are finely porous and onlymoderately hydrophilic, they are subject to fouling, particularly by particulatesand macromolecules.In this Phase I research program, a novel type of fouling-resistant compositemembrane for nanofiltration applications will be developed. The compositemembranes will consist of an ultrathin (0.2-0.5 m), nonporous, highly water-permeable layer supportfouling resistant due to the extremely hydrophilic nature and the nonporoussurface of the selective layer. In Phase I, Membrane Technology and Research,Inc., (MTR) will demonstrate the non-fouling properties in MTR's laboratories.In Phase II, the membrane will be fabricated into modules for demonstration ina pilot-scale system.