# US 2019/0168168 A1 · Superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane for membrane distillation, filtration module for membrane distillation comprising the same, and method for manufacturing the same

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- Number: US 2019/0168168 A1
- Document ID: US20190168168A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/312,625
- Filed: 2017-06-16
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-24
- Assignees: Kolon Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Kolon Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Ji Yoon LEE; Kwang-Jin LEE
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168168A1

## CPC

- B01D 67/00045: {by additive layer techniques, e.g. selective laser sintering [SLS], selective laser melting [SLM] or 3D printing}
- B01D 67/00931: {by introduction of specific groups after membrane formation, e.g. by grafting}
- B01D 61/147: {Microfiltration}
- B01D 61/364: {Membrane distillation}
- B01D 67/00043: {by agglomeration of nanoparticles}
- B01D 67/0027: {by stretching}
- B01D 67/009: {with wave-energy, particle-radiation or plasma}
- B01D 69/02: characterised by their properties
- B01D 69/14111: {with nanoscale dispersed material, e.g. nanoparticles}
- B01D 69/148: {Organic/inorganic mixed matrix membranes}
- B01D 71/261: {Polyethylene}
- B01D 71/34: Polyvinylidene fluoride
- B01D 71/36: Polytetrafluoroethylene
- C02F 1/447: {by membrane distillation (distillation and evaporation without the use of membranes C02F1/04)}
- B01D 71/027: {Silicium oxide}
- B01D 2323/04: Hydrophobization
- B01D 2325/0212: Symmetric or isoporous membranes
- B01D 2325/028: Microfluidic pore structures
- B01D 2325/06: Surface irregularities
- B01D 2325/38: Hydrophobic membranes
- Y02A 20/131: Reverse-osmosis
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

## Abstract

Disclosed are a superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane capable of facilitating higher permeate flux without separation performance deterioration when performing a water treatment based on a membrane distillation method, a filtration module for membrane distillation comprising the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of the present invention comprises a porous member having a plurality of fine pores having an average pore size of 1 μm to 100 μm and has a pure water contact angle of 130° or more.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane for membrane distillation, wherein the superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane comprises a porous member having a plurality of fine pores having an average pore size of 1 μm to 100 μm and has a pure water contact angle of 130° or more.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 10 μm to 100 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 110 μm or less.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 20 μm to 90 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 95 μm or less.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 35 μm to 80 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 85 μm or less.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein the pure water contact angle is 150° or more.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein the porous member includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein the porous member is surface-treated by a plasma sputtering.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein a surface of the porous member is modified with at least one selected from the group consisting of —CF3, —CF2H, —CF2—, and —CH2—CF3.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1, wherein:
the superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane further comprises a hydrophobic layer on the porous member;
the hydrophobic layer comprises a mixture of nanoparticles and polymer base material;
the nanoparticles includes at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) silica particle, (ii) CaCO3 particle, and (iii) Boehmite particle; and
the polymer base material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a copolymer of fluoroalkyl and methyl methacryl, (ii) a fluorine-containing polymer, and (iii) Anatase.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A filtration module for membrane distillation comprising:
a housing; and
a filtration membrane dividing an inner space of the housing into a first flow path constituting a part of a feed water circulation path and a second flow path constituting a part of a permeate circulation path,
wherein the filtration membrane is the hydrophobic microfiltration membrane of claim 1.

### Claim 11

A method for manufacturing a hydrophobic microfiltration membrane for membrane distillation, the method comprising:
forming a porous member having a plurality of fine pores having an average pore size of 1 μm to 100 μm; and
making a surface of the porous member superhydrophobic to such a degree that the superhydrophobic microfiltration membrane has a pure water contact angle of 130° or more.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 10 μm to 100 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 110 μm or less.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 20 μm to 90 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 95 μm or less.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein:
the average pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 35 μm to 80 μm; and
a 99% nominal pore size of the plurality of fine pores is 85 μm or less.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the pure water contact angle is 150° or more.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the porous member is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride by means of a 3D printer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the making the surface of the porous member superhydrophobic comprises performing a surface treatment of the porous member by means of a plasma sputtering.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the making the surface of the porous member superhydrophobic comprises modifying the surface of the porous member with at least one selected from the group consisting of —CF3, —CF2H, —CF2—, and —CH2—CF3.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein:
the making the surface of the porous member superhydrophobic comprises forming a hydrophobic layer on the porous member;
the hydrophobic layer is formed of a mixture of nanoparticles and polymer base material;
the nanoparticles includes at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) silica particle, (ii) CaCO3 particle, and (iii) Boehmite particle; and
the polymer base material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a copolymer of fluoroalkyl and methyl methacryl, (ii) a fluorine-containing polymer, and (iii) Anatase.