Composite Membrane Fold Structure Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite semipermeable membranes used in stacked configurations experience abrasion issues due to interactions with flow channel members or other membranes, leading to decreased performance, particularly during high-pressure operations.
Innovation Solution
A composite semipermeable membrane design featuring a support membrane with a separation functional layer having a fold structure with protrusions of varying heights, optimized thickness ratios, and a specific distribution of protrusions to enhance abrasion resistance and water permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a composite semipermeable membrane is used in a stacked configuration with flow channel members, then the membrane can be used for practical applications, but abrasion occurs between the membrane and flow channel members or other membranes, causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The thin membrane is designed with a fold structure containing protrusions with curved surfaces instead of flat surfaces. This curvature reduces the contact area and stress concentration points during stacking and operation, thereby improving abrasion resistance and preventing performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane surface is designed with non-uniform thickness through the fold structure with protrusions of varying heights. This creates different local properties where the thinner regions provide flexibility and abrasion resistance, while the thicker regions maintain structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between durability and performance.
2Productivity
If the thin membrane thickness is reduced to improve water permeability, then water permeability increases, but the membrane becomes more susceptible to abrasion and damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly reducing membrane thickness in one dimension, the invention introduces a third dimension by creating protrusions with varying heights. This allows the membrane to have an average thin thickness for high water permeability while having localized thicker regions that provide abrasion resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin membrane with fold structure acts as a flexible shell that can deform under pressure without breaking. The protrusions provide flexibility and shock absorption, allowing the membrane to maintain both thinness for permeability and durability for abrasion resistance.
3Reliability
If a fold structure with protrusions is introduced to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance increases, but the membrane structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fold structure with protrusions creates a dynamic membrane surface that can adapt its shape during operation. The structure transitions from a static flat surface to a dynamic surface that responds to pressure and flow conditions, improving abrasion resistance while the complexity is managed through self-organization of the fold pattern.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The membrane exhibits improved abrasion resistance and maintains high water permeability even under high-pressure conditions, effectively addressing the performance degradation issues associated with traditional membrane designs.
Implementation Method 1
a composite semipermeable membrane including a support membrane and a separation functional layer provided on the support membrane
Implementation Method 2
as a reverse osmosis membrane and a nanofiltration membrane, a composite semipermeable membrane containing a crosslinked polyamide as a separation active layer has been proposed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane including: a support membrane; and a separation functional layer provided on the support membrane, in which the separation functional layer includes a thin membrane, the thin membrane has a fold structure including a plurality of protrusions having a height of 10 nm or more, and in the fold structure, a ratio (T100/T25) is less than 0.95, where T25 is a thickness of the thin membrane in a region of 0% to 25% of the height of the protrusion and T100 is a thickness of the thin membrane in a region of 50% to 100% of the height of the protrusion.