公开(公告)号：US20210106951A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-15

申请号：US17068239

申请日：2020-10-12

Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Inventor： Omar Labban ,  Grace Goon ,  John H. Lienhard ,  Xuanhe Zhao

IPC: B01D65/02

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.

公开(公告)号：US11638903B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-02

申请号：US17068239

申请日：2020-10-12

Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Inventor： Omar Labban ,  Grace Goon ,  John H. Lienhard ,  Xuanhe Zhao

IPC: B01D65/02

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.