Emulsion separation and fouling of electrospun polyacrylonitrile membranes for produced water applications

Butler, Elizabeth M.; Brant, Jonathan A.

doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122623

Emulsion separation and fouling of electrospun polyacrylonitrile membranes for produced water applications

Journal Article · Sun Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Separation and Purification Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122623· OSTI ID:2004665

Butler, Elizabeth M. ^[1]; Brant, Jonathan A. ^[2]

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States); University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)

Produced water (PW) is a complex mixture generated during oil and gas extraction. Membrane fouling by hydrocarbon emulsions (sizes < 10 µm) challenges most PW treatment systems. Electrospinning has the possibility of creating microporous membranes that present unique performance properties, though evaluations of these characteristics are largely restricted to unrealistic dead-end configurations. Three different nanofibrous polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes were synthesized by electrospinning and their performances contrasted with a commercially available PAN membrane. Feed solutions included synthetic oil and solvent emulsions and a PW from an operating well-site. Two nanoparticles, polyaniline (PANI) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), were studied for enhancing the oleophobicity and fouling properties of the electrospun PAN membranes. Electrospun membranes showed higher porosities (68 to 80 %) and water permeance values (9,000 to 10,000 LMH/bar) relative to that for the commercially available PAN membrane (44 % and 8,800 LMH/bar). All electrospun membranes provided superior performance characteristics when treating the emulsions and PW relative to the commercial membrane. Furthermore, the PANI integrated membrane demonstrated the greatest resistance to oil/solvent emulsion fouling and comparable performance to the RGO and PAN membrane treating the PW.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0031855

OSTI ID:: 2004665

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1899385

Journal Information:: Separation and Purification Technology, Journal Name: Separation and Purification Technology Vol. 306; ISSN 1383-5866

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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