2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Development of continuous layer coated membrane for fouling-resistant membrane distillation
| Project/Area Number |
23K13588
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| Research Institution | Kobe University |
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Principal Investigator |
Guan Kecheng 神戸大学, 先端膜工学研究センター, 助教 (10912446)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2023-04-01 – 2026-03-31
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| Keywords | Membrane distillation / Seawater desalination / Surface coating |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research project aims to develop suitable coatings for anti-fouling membrane distillation. The study investigates how coating structure and properties impact distillation performance and analyze interactions between coating materials and foulants to identify anti-fouling mechanisms. This year, a polyelectrolyte complex coating preparation method was developed, and the feasibility of membrane distillation was assessed.
1. A layer-by-layer assembly technique using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes was employed to coat the substrate membrane. The impact of assembling layers on coating morphology was evaluated.
2. The performance of coated membranes in membrane distillation with simulated seawater and real seawater was assessed to demonstrate their fouling resistance capabilities.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
This year, a polymer coating consisting of polyethylenimine and sodium alginate was successfully developed to enhance the anti-fouling properties of membrane distillation. The coated membranes were tested for treating seawater contaminated with oils and minerals, showing promising results in terms of durability during desalination and concentration processes. A comparison with pristine membranes revealed clear advantages of the coatings. The effectiveness of a continuous coating layer structure for membranes used in membrane distillation has been demonstrated, suggesting that further studies based on this concept could progress well. Therefore, it is considered that the research is currently progressing rather smoothly.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In order to enhance the anti-fouling performance of the membrane, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms behind the coating that provides this feature. This will guide future designs of coating materials and structures. It is important to understand how specific functional groups in materials (such as hydrophilicity and metal-complexing capability) contribute to anti-fouling properties, along with examining the impact of a continuous layer structure. In 2024, different coating materials forming continuous layers will be developed to assess their ability to resist fouling. Furthermore, adjusting the amount of functional groups will be tried to determine how changes affect the anti-fouling performance of membrane distillation.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The budget for this fiscal year was lower than planned because the desired pump delivery was postponed. As a result, the budget for the pump and related consumables was shifted to the next fiscal year.
In the upcoming fiscal year, the remaining budget will be combined with next year's allocation. An additional membrane distillation evaluation setup will be built for control experiments.
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Research Products
(8 results)
