EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M64246/01
Title: FOULING & CLEANING SYNERGY IN PRESSURE DRIVEN MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
Principal Investigator: Bird, Dr MR
Other Investigators:
Howell, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Pre Nexus Migration
Department: Chemical Engineering
Organisation: University of Bath
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 1999 Ends: 30 November 2002 Value (£): 161,399
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Separation Processes
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Water
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Fouling phenomena limit the performance of pressure driven membrane processes, and regular cleaning is necessary to restore both permeability and selectivity. Historically, research into the fundamental mechanisms of fouling and cleaning has been carried out separately, with little understanding of any relationship between the two processes. During the project we will investigate how membrane performance changes as a function of the cleaning regime, and determine whether steady state filtration performance is affected by the prior fouling and cleaning cycles. A range of analysis tools such as zeta and streaming potential, hydrophobicity, FTIR and AFM will be used to link surface characteristics to membrane performance. Mathematical models will be developed which describe the kinetics of the fouling and cleaning processes. This project brings together expertise in membrane technology from two of the leading centres in Europe. As a result of this project industrial membrane users should be able to improve fluxes and run times during processing, and reduce cleaning time, effluent and cost.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.bath.ac.uk