Analysis of micromixers and biocidal coatings on water-treatment membranes to minimize biofouling.

Webb, Stephen W. ; James, Darryl L. (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX) ; Hibbs, Michael R. ; Jones, Howland D. T. ; Hart, William Eugene ; Khalsa, Siri Sahib ; Altman, Susan Jeanne ; Clem, Paul Gilbert ; Elimelech, Menachem (Yale University, New Haven, CT) ; Cor

关键词: BIOLOGICAL FOULING;    MITIGATION;    MIXERS;    MINIATURIZATION;    COATINGS;    QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS;    MEMBRANES;    WATER TREATMENT PLANTS Water-Purification-Biological treatment.;    Biofilms.;    Desalination;   

DOI  :  10.2172/972867
RP-ID  :  SAND2009-8316
PID  :  OSTI ID: 972867
Others  :  TRN: US201006%%394

学科分类：能源（综合）

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

Biofouling, the unwanted growth of biofilms on a surface, of water-treatment membranes negatively impacts in desalination and water treatment. With biofouling there is a decrease in permeate production, degradation of permeate water quality, and an increase in energy expenditure due to increased cross-flow pressure needed. To date, a universal successful and cost-effect method for controlling biofouling has not been implemented. The overall goal of the work described in this report was to use high-performance computing to direct polymer, material, and biological research to create the next generation of water-treatment membranes. Both physical (micromixers - UV-curable epoxy traces printed on the surface of a water-treatment membrane that promote chaotic mixing) and chemical (quaternary ammonium groups) modifications of the membranes for the purpose of increasing resistance to biofouling were evaluated. Creation of low-cost, efficient water-treatment membranes helps assure the availability of fresh water for human use, a growing need in both the U. S. and the world.