Polymer-based membranes have advanced or novel functions in the various membrane separation processes for liquid and gaseous mixtures, such as gas separation, pervaporation (PV), reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF), microfiltration (MF), other critical applications of water purification, solvent concentration, recovery [...]

Akin type (asymmetric) reverse osmosis membranes undergo an irreversible osmotic dehydration upon coming into contact (skin side) with salt solutions. The extent of consequent changes (in appearance; decrease in linear dimension, water flux and salt rejection) are dependent on the salt concentration. These observations are correlated with the expected morphological changes taking place duri...

Polyethylene terephthalate mesh (PET) enhanced cellulose acetate membranes were fabricated via a phase inversion process. The membrane fabrication parameters that may affect the membrane performance were systematically evaluated including the concentration and temperature of the casting polymer solution and the temperature and time of the evaporation, coagulation and annealing processes. The wa...

We discuss the electrostatic contribution to the elastic moduli of a cell or artificial membrane placed in an electrolyte and driven by a DC electric field. The field drives ion currents across the membrane, through specific channels, pumps or natural pores. In steady state, charges accumulate in the Debye layers close to the membrane, modifying the membrane elastic moduli. We first study a mod...

The application of membrane technology in water and wastewater treatment is increasing due to stringent water quality standards. Nanofiltration (NF) is one of the widely used membrane processes for water and wastewater treatment in addition to other applications such as desalination. NF has replaced reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in many applications due to lower energy consumption and higher f...

The utility of a laboratory diagnostic approach was investigated for a systematic evaluation of the impact of operating conditions, membrane type, and antiscalant effectiveness on membrane mineral salt scale formation. The study focused on low-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) membrane desalting of brackish water with high potential for scaling by calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum). Gypsum scale fo...

Together with the supply of energy and the environmental protection, fresh water is one of the three keys elements for the sustainable development of every society. Where the availability of water cannot be carried out by using conventional sources, unavoidable appears the resort of the major water source: the sea. Today, RO is one the most used membrane processes for the production of fresh wa...