Sulfonated Poly Aryl Ether Membranes for Dairy Protein Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrafiltration membranes used for concentrating dairy proteins face a trade-off between high flux and low protein loss, with uncharged membranes having low flux but preventing protein loss, and larger-pore membranes achieving higher flux at the expense of protein loss.
Innovation Solution
Development of sulfonated poly(aryl ether) filtration membranes by sulfonating poly(aryl ether) and combining it with another poly(aryl ether) to create a casting solution, which is then cast without isolating the sulfonated poly(aryl ether, resulting in membranes with improved flux and reduced protein passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uncharged ultrafiltration membranes with small pore size are used to prevent protein loss, then protein retention is improved, but flux (flow rate per unit area) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the charge state of the membrane from uncharged to negatively charged through sulfonation. This chemical modification changes the membrane's interaction with proteins, enabling electrostatic repulsion of negatively charged dairy proteins while maintaining adequate pore structure for reasonable flux. The sulfonation introduces sulfonic acid groups that provide negative charge without requiring extremely small pore sizes, thus resolving the contradiction between protein retention and flux.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining sulfonated poly(aryl ether) with non-sulfonated poly(aryl ether) in a blended membrane structure. This composite approach allows the sulfonated component to provide negative charge for protein repulsion while the non-sulfonated component maintains mechanical integrity and pore structure. The synergistic combination enables both high protein retention and acceptable flux that neither component could achieve alone.
2Productivity
If membranes with larger pore sizes are used to achieve higher flux, then productivity is improved, but protein loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of membrane charge from neutral to negative, allowing larger pore membranes to retain proteins through electrostatic repulsion rather than relying solely on physical sieving. The sulfonated poly(aryl ether) provides negative charges that repel negatively charged dairy proteins, enabling larger pore sizes to be used without sacrificing protein retention, thus achieving higher flux without increased protein loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If sulfonated poly(aryl ether) is isolated prior to casting, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sulfonation step with the membrane casting process by directly incorporating the sulfonated poly(aryl ether) into the casting solution without isolation. This eliminates intermediate purification and drying steps, reducing process complexity and time. The sulfonated polymer is used directly in the blend with non-sulfonated polymer and casting solvents, achieving both manufacturing precision and process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary sulfonation of the poly(aryl ether) before casting, but then maintains the sulfonated form through to casting without isolation. The preliminary sulfonation ensures the correct charge state is established before membrane formation, while the continuous process from sulfonation through casting maintains simplicity by avoiding intermediate isolation steps.
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 membranes achieve higher permeate flow rates while minimizing dairy feed protein passage, offering a balance between flux and protein retention, enhancing the efficiency of dairy protein concentration processes.
Implementation Method 1
The negatively charged ultrafiltration membranes... can be used to filter a dairy feed... The membranes achieve higher permeate flow rates while minimizing dairy feed protein passage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is concerned with negatively charged filtration membranes and methods of making and using same, for example, in the concentration and/or filtration of dairy products. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.