3D printed feed spacers based on triply periodic minimal surfaces for flux enhancement and biofouling mitigation in RO and UF

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dc.contributor.authorSreedhar, Nurshaun
dc.contributor.authorThomas, Navya
dc.contributor.authorKetan, Oraib Al
dc.contributor.authorRowshan, Reza
dc.contributor.authorETAL.
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-28T11:01:34Z
dc.date.accessioned2023-08-19T09:07:52Z
dc.date.available2023-03-28T11:01:34Z
dc.date.available2023-08-19T09:07:52Z
dc.date.issued2018-01
dc.descriptionAlmost all membrane-based systems, such as microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO), are susceptible to fouling [1]. Feed spacers are an essential part of spiral wound modules (SWM) where they separate the membrane leaves and provide a flow channel for the feed. Spacers also increase the turbulence of the flow along the surface of the membrane, which reduces the concentration polarization effect and enhances the mass transfer.en_US
dc.description.abstractIn this proof of concept study, 3D printed feed spacers with complex geometries based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) were designed and tested in reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) processes. The spacers showed flux enhancement of 15.5% and 38% in brackish water RO and UF tests with sodium alginate solution, respectively, in comparison to a commercial feed spacer. Moreover, lower feed channel pressure drop was also observed for the TPMS spacers. Biofouling tests were performed and the membranes were characterized using total organic carbon (TOC) and fluorescence microscopy. The TPMS spacers yielded a reduction in biofouling when compared to commercial feed spacers. Fouling patterns on the membranes were visualized for the different spacers using crystal violet stain, which also revealed a significantly reduced biofilm deposition using the TPMS spacers. The TPMS-based feed spacers have shown great promise in enhancing both RO and UF membrane processes, both in terms of flux enhancement and fouling reduction.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSreedhar, N., Thomas, N., Al-Ketan, O., Rowshan, R., Hernandez, H., Al-Rub, R. K. A., & Arafat, H. A. (2018). 3D printed feed spacers based on triply periodic minimal surfaces for flux enhancement and biofouling mitigation in RO and UF. Desalination, 425, 12-21.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.10.010
dc.identifier.urihttps://edms.wexl.in/handle/1/4428
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherElsevieren_US
dc.subjectReverse osmosisen_US
dc.subject3D printingen_US
dc.subjectUltrafiltrationen_US
dc.subjectFeed spacersen_US
dc.subjectTriply periodic minimal surfacesen_US
dc.title3D printed feed spacers based on triply periodic minimal surfaces for flux enhancement and biofouling mitigation in RO and UFen_US
dc.title.alternativeJournal Articleen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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