EAGER: A Novel Self-Cleaning Microfiltration Membrane System for Water Purification

1549736陈膜过滤在高级水和废水处理实践中起着关键作用。然而，膜污染增加了运行维护成本，最终缩短了膜的使用寿命。本项目的主要目标是探索自清洁压电膜系统的基本机理和污染控制的应用指南。该项目将极大地促进膜过滤技术在水和废水处理中的应用。本研究探索了压电膜在过滤过程中解决膜污染问题。利用多功能压电膜材料，该项目将产生一种控制膜污染的创新方法。本项目首次系统地研究了压电膜的清洗机理和对常见膜污染物的防污染效果。这项研究完成后，该项目将揭示：1)压电膜的基本清洗机制；2)对颗粒、有机物和微生物等典型膜污染物的清洗效率；3)结饼层形成与膜孔堵塞的清洗效果；4)振动频率、波形和幅度等系统优化的技术指南；5)压电膜的表面修饰，使其不易被污染和更容易清洗；6)潜在的副作用及其避免方法。基础研究包括振动力学、声化学、水化学、流体力学和消毒。这项研究具有潜在的变革性，因为它可能为膜污染问题带来革命性的解决方案，并极大地促进膜过滤技术的发展。所提出的膜系统具有不含化学物质、节约成本、占地面积小、提高生产率、延长膜寿命、易于按键操作等优点。该研究对基础科学研究和工业应用都具有重要意义。此外，该项目还将支持该大学的教育使命，包括课程开发和支持少数民族学生接受STEM教育。

1549736ChenMembrane filtration plays a critical role in advanced water and wastewater treatment practices. However, membrane fouling increases the operation and maintenance costs, and ultimately shortens membrane life. The main objective of this project is to explore the fundamental mechanisms of self-cleaning piezoelectric membrane systems and the application guidelines for fouling control. This project may greatly advance membrane filtration technology for water and wastewater treatment.This study explores piezoelectric membranes to solve membrane fouling problems in filtration processes. Utilizing multi-functional piezoelectric membrane materials, the project will result in an innovative approach to control membrane fouling. This project is the first to systematically investigate the cleaning mechanisms of the piezoelectric membranes and the anti-fouling efficiency for common types of membrane foulants. Upon completion of this study, the project will reveal; 1) the fundamental cleaning mechanisms of the piezoelectric membranes; 2) the cleaning efficiency with respect to typical membrane foulants such as particles, organic matters and microorganism; 3) the cleaning effect with respect to cake layer formation vs. membrane pore blocking; 4) the technical guidelines of system optimization such as vibration frequency, waveform and amplitude; 5) surface modification of the piezoelectric membrane to be less prone to fouling and easier to clean; and, 6) potential side effects and how to avoid them. The fundamental research includes mechanics of vibration, sonochemistry, water chemistry, fluid mechanics, and disinfection. This research is potentially transformative as it may bring a revolutionary solution to membrane fouling and greatly advance the membrane filtration technology. The proposed membrane system has the advantages of being chemical-free, with cost-saving, a small footprint, productivity enhancement, extension of membrane life, and easy push-button operation. The proposed study is of great significance for both fundamental scientific research and industrial applications. In addition, this project will support the educational missions of the university as well, including courses development and support minority students in STEM education.