About the project
Membrane filtration is an essential component of industrial processes that involve separation or purification of substances. This project will assess the possibility for using vibrations for an active control of the fluid flow in a filtration cell.
A major barrier for a more widespread adaptation of membrane technology is fouling. This is reversible or irreversible blocking of membrane pores and membrane surfaces with molecules or particles that are being filtered.
Fouling happens naturally, and it is largely unavoidable. Fouling happens differently in different membranes and in different applications. It also happens at different time stages of the filtration process. Frequently, fouling can be partially removed by washing, by reverse flow. This requires an unwanted discontinuity to filtration. Currently, there is a strong need for a universal method for active control of the fouling dynamics.
Controlled oscillatory forcing by vibration or acoustic forcing provides a non-expensive and non-harmful method for investigation and control of fluid flows. Vibrations can:
- excite or damp flows
- may generate Faraday ripples or waves on interfaces
- may alter the body buoyancy conditions
Vibrations of higher intensity can even cause mechanical destruction of deposits of fines, mud or organics.
You will aim to:
- prevent fouling or to re-suspend fouling particles by generating shearing motion near the membrane surface
- re-shape the fouling layer by vibrations to reduce membrane blocking
- remove fouling particles from inner pores of membranes by releasing droplets or particles entrapped by capillary effects
Ultimately, the results of this project will provide a ‘smart’ self-cleaning membrane technology.