Polyphenylene Membrane Resists Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing porous membranes used in high-pressure filtration methods tend to undergo compaction, leading to reduced permeate productivity and increased hydraulic resistance, and they often require the use of nanoparticles that can interfere with the phase-inversion process and pose regulatory concerns.
Innovation Solution
A membrane comprising at least one porous layer made from a polyphenylene polymer, which is used alone without additional polymers or mineral fillers, providing outstanding mechanical properties and resistance to high pressure without compaction or flux decay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional porous membranes are used in high pressure filtration, then initial permeate productivity is achieved, but compaction occurs leading to reduced productivity and increased hydraulic resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of membrane material from conventional polymers to polyphenylene polymer, which possesses inherently higher mechanical strength and modulus. This material parameter change enables the membrane to resist compaction under high pressure while maintaining porosity and permeate productivity, resolving the contradiction between initial productivity and long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a polyphenylene polymer matrix combined with a specific porosity structure. The unique combination of the high-strength polyphenylene polymer with controlled porosity (30-80%) creates a composite material that simultaneously achieves mechanical integrity to prevent compiction and sufficient void space to maintain high permeate productivity under pressure.
2Strength
If nanoparticles are added to improve membrane properties, then mechanical strength may be enhanced, but the phase-inversion process is interfered with and regulatory concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates nanoparticles from the membrane formulation entirely. By achieving the required mechanical strength through the intrinsic properties of polyphenylene polymer alone, the invention removes the harmful element (nanoparticles) that interferes with phase-inversion processing and creates regulatory concerns, while still maintaining enhanced mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex nanoparticle-reinforced formulations with a simpler, nanoparticle-free polyphenylene polymer system. This simplification eliminates manufacturing complexity associated with nanoparticle dispersion and processing, making the phase-inversion process easier and more reliable while avoiding regulatory issues related to nanoparticle use.
3Productivity
If polymeric membranes with high porosity are produced by phase inversion, then permeability is improved, but mechanical strength and resistance to compaction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter from conventional polymers to polyphenylene polymer, which has inherently superior mechanical properties including higher tensile strength and modulus. This material substitution allows the membrane to maintain high porosity (30-80%) for good permeability while the polyphenylene polymer's intrinsic strength prevents compaction and maintains structural integrity under operating pressure.
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 polyphenylene polymer membrane maintains mechanical integrity and flux under high pressure, resisting compaction and retaining performance over time, with improved resistance to alkaline environments compared to membranes made from fluorinated polymers.
Implementation Method 1
Aromatic polymers (such as polysulphones and polyethersulphone), partially fluorinated polymers (such as polyvinylidene fluoride) and polyamides are widely used in the preparation of microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes due to their good mechanical strength and thermal stability
Implementation Method 2
The key property of porous membranes is their ability to control the permeation rate of chemical species through the membrane itself
Implementation Method 3
Such polymeric membranes are mainly produced by phase inversion methods which can give raise to items with very large fraction of voids (porosity)
Implementation Method 4
A homogeneous polymeric solution (also referred to as 'dope solution') containing a polymer, a suitable solvent and/or a co-solvent and, optionally, one or more additives is typically processed by casting into a film and then brought to precipitation by contacting it with a non-solvent medium by the so-called Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPS) process
Implementation Method 5
Precipitation can also be obtained by decreasing the temperature of the polymeric solution by the so-called Thermal Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) process
Implementation Method 6
Alternatively, the precipitation may be induced by contacting the film processed by casting with air at a very high water vapour content by the so-called Vapour Induced Phase Separation (VIPS) process
Implementation Method 7
Still, the precipitation may be induced by evaporation of the solvent from the film processed by casting by the so-called Evaporation Induced Phase Separation (EIPS) process
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a porous membrane suitable for use in high pressure filtration method.