SBIR Phase I: Novel Low-Cost Inorganic Nanofiltration Module

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目涉及开发全无机纳滤（NF）膜组件，该组件结合了低成本、在腐蚀性有机和水性介质中具有优异的耐化学性、高热稳定性和高机械强度的特性。主要目标将是开发基于低成本多通道蜂窝支架的纳滤膜模块，膜面积为220平方厘米，并证明它们具有纳滤膜保留能力、高生产率（通量率）和耐腐蚀性有机和水性介质。将进行初步工作，以制造1200平方厘米膜面积的类似模块。当最终商业化到非常大的尺寸时，这些模块将特别适用于各种应用中使用的溶剂的过程中回收，并且可以取代蒸馏作为一种具有成本效益的净化方法，用于食用油加工中大量使用的溶剂，如己烷和丙酮。在化工、石化、石油生产、制药、食品加工、水处理等行业具有广泛的应用前景。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project involves development of fully inorganic nanofiltration (NF) membrane modules that combine the attributes of low cost, excellent chemical resistance in aggressive organic and aqueous media, high thermal stability, and high mechanical strength. The key objectives will be to develop NF membrane modules based on low-cost multi-channel honeycomb supports with 220 square cetimeter membrane area and to demonstrate they have NF retention capability, high productivity (flux rates), and resistance to aggressive organic and aqueous media. Preliminary work to fabricate analogous modules with 1200 square centimeter membrane area will be performed. The modules, when ultimately commercialized to very large size, will be especially suitable for in-process recycling of solvents used in a wide variety of applications and could replace distillation as a cost-effective purification method for solvents such as hexane and acetone that are used in very large quantities in edible oil processing. In addition, the products would have wide application in the chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, petroleum production, pharmaceutical, food processing, and water treatment industries.