Reverse Osmosis Membrane Protective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional reverse osmosis membranes face challenges in maintaining high flux and salt rejection while preventing contamination, which reduces their effectiveness and requires frequent pressure adjustments or membrane washing.
Innovation Solution
A composition for forming a reverse osmosis membrane protective layer with a specific polymer material having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000 to 700,000, combined with a hydrophilic polymer and crosslinking agent, is applied to create a crosslinked product that enhances mechanical strength and rejection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional reverse osmosis membrane is used to achieve high salt rejection, then salt rejection is improved, but flux is reduced and contamination occurs frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse osmosis membrane is divided into multiple functional layers: a microporous support layer for mechanical strength and a thin-film active layer for separation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its function - the support provides durability while the thin active layer maintains high flux with excellent salt rejection
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane uses composite material structure combining polysulfone or polyether sulfone for the support layer with interfacially polymerized polyamide for the active layer. This composite approach integrates the mechanical properties of the support materials with the high selectivity of the polyamide layer, achieving both high salt rejection and maintained flux
2Productivity
If membrane operation is continued to maintain productivity, then flux is maintained, but contamination accumulates and requires frequent washing
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane surface is pre-modified with hydrophilic polymers or surfactants during manufacturing to create contamination-resistant properties before operation begins. This preliminary protective coating prevents contaminants from adhering to the membrane surface, reducing the frequency of washing required and maintaining productivity
3Productivity
If pressure is increased to maintain flux, then flux is maintained, but energy consumption increases and membrane damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane design optimizes the thickness and porosity parameters of the active layer to achieve high flux at lower operating pressures. By carefully controlling the molecular weight and composition of polymers used, the membrane achieves enhanced permeability that reduces the pressure required for water passage, thereby lowering energy consumption
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 solution achieves high salt rejection of 99.89% or greater and boron rejection of 93% or greater, while increasing mechanical strength and minimizing membrane damage, thus maintaining flux and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a composition for forming a reverse osmosis membrane protective layer comprising a material of Chemical Formula 1 and having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000 to 700,000
Implementation Method 2
the reverse osmosis method refers to a process of desalinization using a semipermeable membrane permeating water but having impermeableness for salts
Implementation Method 3
a process of desalinization using a semipermeable membrane permeating water but having impermeableness for salts
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification provides a composition comprising a material of Chemical Formula 1:having a molecular weight of 500,000 to 700,000 where R1 and R2 are the same as or different from each other, and each independently is hydrogen, deuterium, or an alkyl group, and n is from 10,000 to 20,000, for forming a reverse osmosis membrane protective layer, a method for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane using the same, a reverse osmosis membrane and a water-treatment module.