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US 11,596,886 B2Granted
Nanostructured fibrous membranes for membrane distillation
AssigneeThe Research Foundation for The State University of New York
InventorsBenjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Membranes suitable for use in membrane distillation are provided. Such membranes may include nano-fibrous layers with adjustable pore sizes. The membranes may include a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold and a thin hydrophilic protecting layer that can significantly reduce fouling and scaling problems.
Claims8
A method for treating contaminated water with a membrane comprising:
- passing water through a membrane including:
- a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold comprising fibers having a diameter of from about 1 nm to about 2,000 nm, the hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including a hydrophobic polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyolefins, polysulfones, fluoropolymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polynitriles, polyacrylates, polyacetates, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polysiloxanes, cross-linked forms thereof, derivatives thereof and copolymers thereof;
- and a hydrophilic protecting layer on a surface of the nanofibrous scaffold, the hydrophilic protecting layer having a thickness from about 200 nm to about 1 m, wherein the hydrophilic protecting layer includes monomers or oligomers cross-linked with ultraviolet light, the monomers or oligomers including di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, or derivatives thereof;
- and recovering purified effluent that has passed through the membrane.
1 more element
An article for membrane distillation comprising:
- a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold comprising fibers having a diameter of from about 1 nm to about 2,000 nm, the hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including a hydrophobic polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyolefins, polysulfones, fluoropolymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polynitriles, polyacrylates, polyacetates, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polysiloxanes, cross-linked forms thereof, derivatives thereof and copolymers thereof;
- and
- a hydrophilic protecting layer on a surface of the nanofibrous scaffold, the hydrophilic protecting layer having a thickness from about 200 nm to about 1 μm,
- wherein the hydrophilic protecting layer includes monomers or oligomers cross-linked with ultraviolet light, the monomers or oligomers including di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate or derivatives thereof.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.