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Novel NF membrane triples water permeability whilst selectively removing components from raw water
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
Novel NF membrane triples water permeability whilst selectively removing components from raw water Edited by Simon Atkinson Japan’s Toray Industries Inc has developed a nanofiltration (NF) membrane with a novel structure which, it says, triples water permeability, whilst selectively removing components from raw water. This article provides an insight into the technology. Toray Industries reports that it has developed what it describes as the world’s highest-level NF membrane. According to the company, the new membrane has triple the permeation performance of a membrane that is based on a conventionally structured model, whilst enhancing ion and organic compound separation from aqueous solutions.
Trade-off As the use of water treatment membranes expands to satisfy increasingly stringent water management requirements around the world – in the battle against climate change – Toray is researching materials that have better selectivity and permeation characteristics. However, as the company points out, the challenge is to balance a trade-off between selective separation and permeation. Therefore, it started exploring a membrane mechanism that would help improve permeation. The research resulted in a porous and protuberant structure that expands the surface area, delivering selective separation greatly
exceeding that of a regular set-up, to triple water permeability.
resource recovery and speciality applications in facilities such as biorefineries, that produce biofuels and resins from biomass which is a renewable resource.
Accelerate development
Commercially available
NF separates ions and compounds selectively. Applications include removing organic solvents and agrochemicals from groundwater and rivers.
Toray says that once this membrane is commercially available, water treatment facilities in developing nations, which install it, will be able to optimally remove heavy metals, agrochemicals and other toxic substances from raw water. Its use will make it easy to provide sufficient water even for locations with lowpressure water supplies, such as homes and factories. It also should be possible to apply the commercialised membrane efficiently and at low costs to current processes for recovering lithium from salt lake brine.
‘The research resulted in a porous and protuberant structure that expands the surface area….’ NF membranes are also used in the food and biotechnology fields, notably to desalinate soy sauce and dairy products, and to purify amino acids and lactic acid. The company is planning to accelerate development of the membrane – scaling it up with a view to commercialisation over the next three years. Anticipated uses include water treatment,
For further information, visit: www.toray.com
(This technology focus is based on press material issued by Toray Industries Inc.)
A conventional nanofiltration membrane without a corrugated structure (left) and Toray’s recently developed nanofiltration membrane with a corrugated structure (right) (images courtesy of Toray Industries Inc).
November 2019
Membrane Technology
9
Novel NF membrane triples water permeability whilst selectively removing components from raw water Edited by Simon Atkinson Japan’s Toray Industries Inc has developed a nanofiltration (NF) membrane with a novel structure which, it says, triples water permeability, whilst selectively removing components from raw water. This article provides an insight into the technology. Toray Industries reports that it has developed what it describes as the world’s highest-level NF membrane. According to the company, the new membrane has triple the permeation performance of a membrane that is based on a conventionally structured model, whilst enhancing ion and organic compound separation from aqueous solutions.
Trade-off As the use of water treatment membranes expands to satisfy increasingly stringent water management requirements around the world – in the battle against climate change – Toray is researching materials that have better selectivity and permeation characteristics. However, as the company points out, the challenge is to balance a trade-off between selective separation and permeation. Therefore, it started exploring a membrane mechanism that would help improve permeation. The research resulted in a porous and protuberant structure that expands the surface area, delivering selective separation greatly
exceeding that of a regular set-up, to triple water permeability.
resource recovery and speciality applications in facilities such as biorefineries, that produce biofuels and resins from biomass which is a renewable resource.
Accelerate development
Commercially available
NF separates ions and compounds selectively. Applications include removing organic solvents and agrochemicals from groundwater and rivers.
Toray says that once this membrane is commercially available, water treatment facilities in developing nations, which install it, will be able to optimally remove heavy metals, agrochemicals and other toxic substances from raw water. Its use will make it easy to provide sufficient water even for locations with lowpressure water supplies, such as homes and factories. It also should be possible to apply the commercialised membrane efficiently and at low costs to current processes for recovering lithium from salt lake brine.
‘The research resulted in a porous and protuberant structure that expands the surface area….’ NF membranes are also used in the food and biotechnology fields, notably to desalinate soy sauce and dairy products, and to purify amino acids and lactic acid. The company is planning to accelerate development of the membrane – scaling it up with a view to commercialisation over the next three years. Anticipated uses include water treatment,
For further information, visit: www.toray.com
(This technology focus is based on press material issued by Toray Industries Inc.)
A conventional nanofiltration membrane without a corrugated structure (left) and Toray’s recently developed nanofiltration membrane with a corrugated structure (right) (images courtesy of Toray Industries Inc).
November 2019
Membrane Technology
9