Analysis of micromixers and biocidal coatings on water-treatment membranes to minimize biofouling.

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/972867· OSTI ID:972867

Webb, Stephen W; James, Darryl L ^[1]; Hibbs, Michael R; Jones, Howland D. T.; Hart, William Eugene; Khalsa, Siri Sahib; Altman, Susan Jeanne; Clem, Paul Gilbert; Elimelech, Menachem ^[2]; Cornelius, Christopher James; Sanchez, Andres L ^[3]; Noek, Rachael M; Ho, Clifford Kuofei; Kang, Seokatae ^[2]; Sun, Amy Cha-Tien; Adout, Atar ^[2]; McGrath, Lucas K ^[3]; Cappelle, Malynda A; Cook, Adam W

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1. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
2. Yale University, New Haven, CT
3. LMATA Government Services LLC, Albuquerque, NM

Biofouling, the unwanted growth of biofilms on a surface, of water-treatment membranes negatively impacts in desalination and water treatment. With biofouling there is a decrease in permeate production, degradation of permeate water quality, and an increase in energy expenditure due to increased cross-flow pressure needed. To date, a universal successful and cost-effect method for controlling biofouling has not been implemented. The overall goal of the work described in this report was to use high-performance computing to direct polymer, material, and biological research to create the next generation of water-treatment membranes. Both physical (micromixers - UV-curable epoxy traces printed on the surface of a water-treatment membrane that promote chaotic mixing) and chemical (quaternary ammonium groups) modifications of the membranes for the purpose of increasing resistance to biofouling were evaluated. Creation of low-cost, efficient water-treatment membranes helps assure the availability of fresh water for human use, a growing need in both the U. S. and the world.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 972867
• Report Number(s): SAND2009-8316
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
Biofilms.
COATINGS
Desalination
MEMBRANES
MINIATURIZATION
MITIGATION
MIXERS
QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Water-Purification-Biological treatment.