Membranes with selective wettability for the separation of oil-water mixtures
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Membranes with selective wettability for the separation of oil–water mixtures Gibum Kwon†, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Ethan Post†, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Anish Tuteja, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Address all correspondence to Anish Tuteja at [email protected] (Received 24 June 2015; accepted 11 August 2015)
Abstract The separation of oil–water mixtures is a widely utilized unit operation, used for handling a wide variety of mixtures from industry including: petroleum drilling and refining, fracking, waste-water treatment, mining, metal fabrication and machining, textile and leather processing, and rendering. Membrane-based methods have become increasingly attractive for the separation of oil–water mixtures because they are relatively energy-efficient, can be readily used to separate a variety of industrial feed streams, and provide consistent permeate quality. In this perspective, we discuss the design strategies for membranes with selective wettability i.e., membranes that are either selectively wet by, or prevent wetting by, the oil or water phase. The design strategies include the parameterization of two important physical characteristics: the surface porosity and the breakthrough pressure. We also discuss how they are related for membranes with a periodic geometry. On the basis of this understanding, we explore principles that allow for the systematic design of membranes with selective wettability. A review of the current literature on the separation of oil–water mixtures using membranes with differing wettabilities is also presented. Finally, we conclude by discussing the current challenges and outlook for the future of the field.
Introduction The separation of oil–water mixtures is a widely utilized unit operation, used for handling a wide variety of mixtures from industry, including petroleum drilling and refining, fracking, waste-water treatment, mining, metal fabrication and machining, textile and leather processing, and rendering.[1] The limitations on oil and grease content set by the US Environmental Protection Agency have become increasingly stringent over the years. The best available technology limit on oil and grease discharge in produced water is now 42 mg/L for any one day, with a 29 mg/L 30, consecutive-day average.[2] Depending on the industry, the oil and grease concentrations in the untreated effluent can typically range from a few hundred to 200,000 mg/L.[3] The mixtures, produced
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