In direct contact membrane distillation (MD), a hydrophobic membrane separates a warm feed solution from a chilled sweep stream that condenses permeate vapor. This technique combines the high selectivity of traditional distillation with the mild temperatures of reverse osmosis, and these mild vaporization temperatures may allow waste heat to economically drive the process. However, as membranes foul, water encroaches into pores and greatly decreases solute rejection. Deposition of crystalline polypropylene films on microporous membranes (J. Mem. Sci.; 318, 2008, 107.) produces superhydrophobic surfaces with potential antifouling properties. In MD with high fouling humic acid solutions, such superhydrophobic coatings on commercially available membranes resist fouling and provide stable fluxes for at least one day. Untreated membranes suffer water breakthrough in only 2 h. We also hope to assess protein fouling during whey concentration.

Superhydrophobic polypropylene coatings for fouling reduction in membrane distillation

245th National Meeting (2013)

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