Production of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes

A system for creating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes, comprising:

• a series of transfer rollers configured to direct a hollow fiber through a series of baths, wherein the series of baths comprises
• a first solution bath configured to hold a first solution, wherein the first solution bath comprises
• a solution bath roller, wherein the solution bath roller is at least partially submerged in the first solution,
• a solution bath motor, wherein the solution bath roller is connected to the solution bath motor by a shaft, and wherein the solution bath motor is configured to rotate the solution bath roller,
• a first comb, wherein the first comb comprises a first base and a plurality of first pins, wherein the first pins are arranged on the first base to define a plurality of first gaps between the first pins,
• a second comb, wherein the second comb comprises a second base and a plurality of second pins, wherein the second pins are arranged on the second base to define a plurality of second gaps between the second pins, and wherein the first comb and the second comb are positioned on opposite sides of the solution bath roller and wherein the solution bath roller, the first comb, and the second comb are positioned in the solution bath so that the hollow fiber can be directed through a repetitive circular path inside the solution bath, and
• a second solution bath configured to hold a second solution.

A method of forming a thin film composite hollow fiber membrane on a hollow fiber, comprising:

• providing a first solution bath comprising a first solution;
• defining a repetitive circular travel path by a movement of the hollow fiber in the first solution using a first comb, a second comb, and a solution bath roller, wherein the first comb comprises a first base and a plurality of first pins, wherein the first pins define a plurality of first gaps between the first pins, wherein the second comb comprises a second base and a plurality of second pins, wherein the second pins define a plurality of second gaps between the second pins, and wherein the first comb and the second comb are positioned in the first solution bath on opposite sides of the solution bath roller;
• directing the hollow fiber through the repetitive circular travel path and impregnating an outer surface of the hollow fiber with a first monomer present in the first solution, wherein directing the hollow fiber through the repetitive circular travel path comprises
• i) passing the hollow fiber through an unoccupied first gap in the first comb,
• ii) passing the hollow fiber over the solution bath roller,
• iii) passing the hollow fiber through an unoccupied second gap in the second comb,
• iv) passing the hollow fiber under the solution bath roller,
• v) optionally repeating steps i) through iv),
• vi) passing the hollow fiber over the roller and through a final unoccupied second gap in the second comb, and
• directing the hollow fiber through a second solution bath comprising a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second monomer;
• and
• reacting the first monomer impregnated in the hollow fiber with the second monomer to generate a thin film composite hollow fiber membrane.