Open channel diffusiophoretic water filtration device and method

A method for operating a water filtration device including:

• a pressurized gas chamber receiving a pressurized gas;
• an open flow chamber receiving a colloidal suspension including water and colloidal particles, the open flow chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, the colloidal suspension flowing between the inlet and the at least one outlet in a flow direction;
• and a gas permeable membrane separating the gas chamber and the flow chamber, the gas capable of permeating the membrane, the membrane being water impermeable, the gas permeating the membrane in a direction normal to the membrane so as to induce diffusiophoretic motion on at least some of the colloidal particles opposite to or in a direction normal to the membrane;
• the at least one outlet having a first outlet with water having a higher concentration of the colloidal particles than a second outlet, the method comprising:
• flowing the colloidal suspension particles over the gas permeable membrane while exposed to atmospheric pressure on a side opposite the gas permeable membrane.