A major concern in the application of microfiltration membranes is the fouling of
the membrane (that is, the irreversible blocking of pores by colloidal/particulate matter
and by the macromolecules of natural organic matter). Research has demonstrated that
pore size characteristics (maximum, minimum, and mean values of the major axis, minor
axis, and aspect ratio) impact membrane performance (flux, rejection, and permeate
particle size distribution). Recent investigations have examined the effect of
uni-axial stretching of membranes on the performance properties and performance of
microfiltration polymer membranes. Membranes made via phase inversion and track-etch
(TE) methods have been investigated. These investigations included experimental
studies that show stretching increased permeability beyond that caused by the reduction
in thickness. The results also showed improved rejection capabilities for some
membranes.
The research included modeling the changes in the pore size characteristics
caused by uni-axial stretching. The modeling of the deformation process, which is
performed using finite element analysis, is discussed in this paper. Finite
element analysis is used as there is not a closed-form solution of elliptical void growth
that adequately takes into account interactions between pores. Specifically, this
paper emphasizes the modeling of pore size and shape changes resulting from
the stretching of TE membranes. TE membranes are used because of the simplistic
geometries. While often described as circular straight through
pores of a uniform size, TE membranes often have angled pores, creating elliptical pore
openings. Models of the changes in track-etch membranes have been completed for a
simplified 2-D system, where pores are circular and pass straight through the membrane,
for a 2-D system with elliptical pores, and for a 3-D system that includes angled
cylindrical pores. Includes figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 670 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 6 |
| Published : | 03/01/2007 |
