Superhydrophobic membranes for clean water production

Introduction

Our world faces an urgent need for a greener industry with reduced water consumption and zero pollution, alleviating water scarcity problems. Membrane distillation (MD) is being explored for the production of clean water from industrial waste streams in the steel, textile, food, and other industries.

Challenges

Several challenges need to be overcome to achieve a full commercial market breakthrough for MD:

1. Membrane wetting
2. Scaling
3. Fouling

We plan to accept the challenges by using superhydrophobic membranes. Such membranes are also useful in oil-water separation and a range of environmental applications.

Technological Development

During the FET HARMONIC project, two RORs, Max Planck-MPIP and NCSR-Demokritos, developed complementary technologies for membrane superhydrophobicity, which impart extreme antiwetting, antiscaling, and antifouling properties to membranes.

The technologies are based on:

• Plasma activation or plasma nanotexturing (NCSRD)
• Wet nanofilament growth (MPIP)
• Plasma deposition (NCSRD) for hydrophobization

Both institutions will advance their technology readiness level so the technology is validated and demonstrated in a relevant environment (TRL 5-6). They will design, build, and test small-scale pilot equipment for fabricating rolls of superhydrophobic membranes in a roll-to-roll format.

Collaboration and Upscaling

For the upscaling of the technology, NCSRD and MPIP will cooperate with two industrial partners:

• Europlasma
• SolSep

These companies have extensive experience with roll-to-roll plasma or wet processes, respectively. Moreover, they will team up with Aquastill, a manufacturer of commercial MD modules for industrial wastewater treatment.

Business Development

A market search and a business plan will be elaborated for creating a spin-off company that will commercialize the superhydrophobic membranes and processes. The range of applications will go well beyond MD.