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Integration of Nanotechnology and Membranes from lab-scale to full-scale
D. Bhattacharyya, M. Gui, A. Colburn, L. Ormsbee, and S. Hernandez
University of Kentucky, US
Keywords: membranes, water treatment
Summary:
Membrane processes provide a highly flexible technique for selective solute separation/concentration, and water recycling and reuse. The special features for membrane processes that make them attractive for industrial applications are their compactness, ease of fabrication, operation, and modular design. Although membrane processes such as, Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration, Ultrafiltration, and Microfiltration have provided many successful applications ranging from high quality water production to material recovery, but the incorporation of nanostructured materials (such as, metal/metal oxide nanoparticles) in membranes has added immense value in the area of reactive membranes. The scalability (lab-scale to full-scale) of high-capacity membranes for efficient, selective catalysis (with enzymes and nanoparticles) is much needed for economic and sustainable exploitation of a wide range of water applications. The presentation will include advanced nanofiltration and membranes with tunable properties, synthesis of metal nanoparticles (or incorporation of enzymes) in membrane pores, and applications (including joint work with industries) in water related applications. The authors acknowledge the financial support of NIH-NIEHS-SRC and NSF KY EPSCoR program, and Southern Company. The authors also acknowledge Nanostone-Sepro Membrane Co. for the membrane scale-up activities.
