Modification of Membranes for Treatment of Challenging Water and Nutrient Recovery Using Membrane Distillation

Afsari, Morteza

Modification of Membranes for Treatment of Challenging Water and Nutrient Recovery Using Membrane Distillation

Afsari, Morteza

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2024

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Afsari, Morteza
dc.date.accessioned	2024-04-16T00:47:44Z
dc.date.available	2024-04-16T00:47:44Z
dc.date.issued	2024
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/177932
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	There has been a search for alternate methods for treating challenging water and wastewater. Membrane distillation (MD), which uses low-grade thermal energy to treat complex wastewater, has become more popular. In order to produce high-quality water, an MD membrane functions as a hydrophobic barrier that only permits water vapour to flow through. However, there are problems with existing membranes that MD must deal with, such as poor flux and wetting problems. MD's effectiveness is also hampered by contamination from elements such as oil droplets. By overcoming current obstacles, MD technology can significantly contribute to tackling freshwater production-related environmental issues and water scarcity in a variety of businesses. The Janus membrane, which has a hydrophilic/superhydrophobic or hydrophilic/omniphobic structure, is a viable solution. This design improves flux while lowering wetting and fouling tendencies, which improves MD's performance. In this research, the potential of MD as a hybrid separation technology to handle difficult water is examined. By modifying the membrane's physical and chemical properties, the study thoroughly analyses various fabrication and modification techniques for Janus membranes and assesses their effectiveness in desalination and wastewater treatment using MD. The first research phase focuses on simulation-based optimisation of membrane characteristics for various feedwater conditions. The desalination of extremely saline liquids is made possible by the development of a novel triple-layer nanofibrous membrane. The next step involves combining inkjet printing techniques with catalytic reactions to improve membrane characteristics like resistance to fouling agents. The improved membranes are used to recover nutrients from landfill leachate and human urine. The commercial membrane surfaces are modified using the layer-by-layer procedure by coating them with a thin layer of polymeric solutions while maintaining the membrane's overall hydrophobicity. Its flow can also be increased using suitable materials and lowering the membrane's heat conductivity. In treating severely polluted wastewater, such as human urine, landfill leachate, or oil field brine, the Janus membrane also protects against fouling chemicals. Further, a novel dual in-series MD configuration is suggested for effective ammonia extraction from human urine, adding to sustainable nutrient recovery methods. Overall, this research significantly improves resource use and MD-based separation approaches.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/177932/1/thesis.pdf
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2024 Morteza Afsari
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/cph
dc.title	Modification of Membranes for Treatment of Challenging Water and Nutrient Recovery Using Membrane Distillation	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

There has been a search for alternate methods for treating challenging water and wastewater. Membrane distillation (MD), which uses low-grade thermal energy to treat complex wastewater, has become more popular. In order to produce high-quality water, an MD membrane functions as a hydrophobic barrier that only permits water vapour to flow through. However, there are problems with existing membranes that MD must deal with, such as poor flux and wetting problems. MD's effectiveness is also hampered by contamination from elements such as oil droplets. By overcoming current obstacles, MD technology can significantly contribute to tackling freshwater production-related environmental issues and water scarcity in a variety of businesses. The Janus membrane, which has a hydrophilic/superhydrophobic or hydrophilic/omniphobic structure, is a viable solution. This design improves flux while lowering wetting and fouling tendencies, which improves MD's performance. In this research, the potential of MD as a hybrid separation technology to handle difficult water is examined. By modifying the membrane's physical and chemical properties, the study thoroughly analyses various fabrication and modification techniques for Janus membranes and assesses their effectiveness in desalination and wastewater treatment using MD. The first research phase focuses on simulation-based optimisation of membrane characteristics for various feedwater conditions. The desalination of extremely saline liquids is made possible by the development of a novel triple-layer nanofibrous membrane. The next step involves combining inkjet printing techniques with catalytic reactions to improve membrane characteristics like resistance to fouling agents. The improved membranes are used to recover nutrients from landfill leachate and human urine. The commercial membrane surfaces are modified using the layer-by-layer procedure by coating them with a thin layer of polymeric solutions while maintaining the membrane's overall hydrophobicity. Its flow can also be increased using suitable materials and lowering the membrane's heat conductivity. In treating severely polluted wastewater, such as human urine, landfill leachate, or oil field brine, the Janus membrane also protects against fouling chemicals. Further, a novel dual in-series MD configuration is suggested for effective ammonia extraction from human urine, adding to sustainable nutrient recovery methods. Overall, this research significantly improves resource use and MD-based separation approaches.

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