Deformation-enhanced cleaning of fouled membranes

    公开(公告)号:US11638903B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-05-02

    申请号:US17068239

    申请日:2020-10-12

    Abstract: Enhanced cleaning of a fouled membrane is achieved via controlled deformation in a method wherein a feed composition, comprising a solvent and dissolved components, flows into a retentate side of a membrane module. The solvent passes through the membrane from the retentate side to a permeate or draw side of the membrane module while retaining the dissolved components on the membrane. As a foulant accumulates on either side of the membrane, a driving force is generated across the membrane, wherein the membrane responds cyclically by deforming back and forth toward the permeate or draw side and toward the retentate side. The foulant is dislodged from the membrane via mechanical fatigue at the foulant-membrane interface caused by the deformation of the membrane and contact with a spacer in contact with the membrane.

    ADHESIVE MATERIAL WITH TRIGGERABLE ON-DEMAND DETACHMENT

    公开(公告)号:US20210380848A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-09

    申请号:US17327944

    申请日:2021-05-24

    Abstract: An adhesive material that provides fast and robust adhesion on wet surfaces, where the adhesion formed is detachable on-demand. The adhesive material is formed of one or more hydrophilic polymers or copolymers grafted with one or more amine coupling groups via a plurality of cleavable physical bonds and/or cleavable covalent bonds and one or more cross linkers. Application of the adhesive material on a wet surface causes the adhesive material to absorb liquid to thereby swell the adhesive material to form a layer of hydrogel, resulting in the formation of temporary crosslinks followed by covalent crosslinks with the surface. Introducing a triggering agent cleaves the cleavable physical bonds and/or cleavable covalent bonds to allow for non-traumatic detachment of the adhesive material from the surface.

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