High-Flux Thin-Film Nanocomposite Reverse Osmosis Membrane for Desalination

Background

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most energy efficient separation technologies to remove salt ions from brackish water or seawater. Conventional RO membranes possess a thin film composite (TFC) structure, containing an ultra-thin barrier layer. This layer can be used as a filter. However, nanofillers may be incorporated into the polyamide barrier layer to improve either the permeability or separation efficiency when separating materials.

Technology

Using a nanocomposite barrier layer containing cellulose nanofibers and a polyamide matrix, traditional ultrafiltration (UF) substrates have demonstrated two RO applications: low pressure desalination of brackish water and high pressure desalination of seawater. Some embodiments include having cross-sectional composite fibers with such as methyl, ethyl, and butyl. In other functions, nanofibers may be physically incorporated in the barrier layer of a membrane by interfacial polymerization.

Advantages

-More efficient -Higher permeation flux -High salt rejection capability -Great filtration rate

Application

-Nanofibers -Manufacturing -Materials -Plumbing -Water (fluids, seawater, ocean) -Environmental engineering -Chemical -Electrolysis

Patent Status

Patent application submitted

Stage Of Development

[WO 2018/152149](https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2018152149)

Licensing Potential

Development partner,Commercial partner,Licensing

Licensing Status

Available for licensing

Additional Info

 

https://stonybrook.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/rfj8c2u1qfon73nn02m9_r-8903-blue_ocean_sea_water_waves-951707-pxhere-cc0.jpg Please note, header image is purely illustrative. Source: Pxhere, https://pxhere.com/en/photo/683595, CC0.
Patent Information:
Case ID: R050-8903
For Information, Contact:
Donna Tumminello
Assistant Director
State University of New York at Stony Brook
6316324163
donna.tumminello@stonybrook.edu
Inventors:
Benjamin Hsiao
Hongyang Ma
Kai Liu
Keywords: