MEMBRANE FOULING REDUCTION USING CHEMICAL MICROPUMPS

摘要

Provided are processes of removing particulate fouling from a filtration membrane or for preventing membrane fouling by particulate matter. A process capitalizes on reversal of a naturally occurring diisophoretic particle deposition to actively move particulate material away from a membrane. A process includes placing a microparticle including a salt in proximity to a membrane such that the microparticle creates a gradient generated spontaneous electric field or a gradient generated spontaneous chemiphoretic field in the solvent proximal to the membrane that actively draws charged particles away from the membrane thereby removing charged particulate matter away from the membrane or preventing its deposition.

主权项

1. A process of removing deposits on a membrane comprising:
placing a membrane in a solvent comprising a microparticle, said microparticle comprising a salt, said microparticle positioned in contact with said solvent relative to said membrane so as to produce a gradient generated spontaneous electric field or a gradient generated spontaneous chemiphoretic field, said field in said solvent proximal to said membrane; said electric field removing or preventing deposits of particles on said membrane.