This paper presents a concept for desalination by reverse osmosis (RO) using a vapor-trapping membrane. The membrane is composed of hydrophobic nanopores and separates the feed salt water and the fresh water (permeate) side. The feed water is vaporized by applied pressure and the water vapor condenses on the permeate side accompanied by recovery of latent heat. A probabilistic model was developed for transport of water vapor inside the nanopores, which predicted 3–5 times larger mass flux than conventional RO membranes at temperatures in the range of 30–50°C. An experimental method to realize short and hydrophobic nanopores is presented. Gold was deposited at the entrance of alumina pores followed by modification using an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer. The membranes were tested for defective or leaking pores using a calcium ion indicator (Fluo-4). This method revealed the existence of defect-free areas in the 100–200 μm size range that are sufficient for flux measurement. Finally, a microfluidic flow cell was created for characterizing the transport properties of the fabricated membranes.
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ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 12–18, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4447-2
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Vapor Trapping Membrane for Reverse Osmosis
Jongho Lee,
Jongho Lee
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
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Sean O’Hern,
Sean O’Hern
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
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Rohit Karnik,
Rohit Karnik
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
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Tahar Laoui
Tahar Laoui
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
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Jongho Lee
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Sean O’Hern
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Rohit Karnik
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Tahar Laoui
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Paper No:
IMECE2010-39242, pp. 447-451; 5 pages
Published Online:
April 30, 2012
Citation
Lee, J, O’Hern, S, Karnik, R, & Laoui, T. "Vapor Trapping Membrane for Reverse Osmosis." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 10: Micro and Nano Systems. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. November 12–18, 2010. pp. 447-451. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2010-39242
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