• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.265-279
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• 2014

Pervaporation is the most promising technique for the recovery of ethanol from the fermentation system. To date, extensive research has been conducted on the exploration of membrane materials with favorable properties. In this paper, we primarily review the performance of adsorbent-filled rubbery membranes. In addition, the fundamental mechanisms of ethanol and water molecules transportation through composite membranes are demonstrated, particularly from the perspective of cluster formation. Finally, future prospects are also analyzed to develop the guidelines for the future development of excellent membrane materials for ethanol concentration. This paper is not meant to be an exhaustive overview, rather a specialized summary that allows readers to select the information appropriated to their topics.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2020

In this paper, theoretical approach with applications of the periodic wave solutions in an elastic material is applied by study the effect of initial stress, and rotation, on the radial displacement and the corresponding stresses in non-homogeneous orthotropic material. An Analytical solution for the elastodynamic equation has obtained concerning the component of displacement. The variations of stresses and displacements have shown graphically. Comparisons with previously published results in the absence of initial stress, rotation and non-homogeneity have made. Finally, numerical results have given and illustrated graphically for each case considered.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.95-108
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• 2013

Metal ions exist in seawater, groundwater and industrial wastewaters. These source waters can be recycled if their concentrations are reduced. A number of processes can be applied for this purpose. Liquid-liquid extraction is one of the promising methods. In this paper, experimental results are presented on the removal of Cr(VI) using Aliquat-336, a reactive carrier, in sunflower oil (a non-toxic solvent). The performance of this new system is compared with those of kerosene (a toxic solvent). The extent of removal of Cr(VI) from samples with high and low concentrations are presented. The process was upgraded to a bench-scale module that can selectively remove about 50-90% Cr(VI) from samples of groundwater. Thus this process can produce water within the acceptable range for recycling and for use in secondary purposes such as irrigation.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2013

In the present investigation, were synthesized composite membranes prepared by simultaneous casting of two polymer solutions using the technique of phase inversion by immersion / precipitation. The support layer was prepared using polyethersulfone and polysulfone as base polymer and for the top layer was used sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) with 50% sulfonation degree. The morphology of the resulting membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The final results showed that it is possible to prepare composite membranes by simultaneous casting of two polymer solutions with adherence between the two layers. Regarding the permeation tests, the developed membranes presented values of hydraulic permeability within the range of commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Values rejection of 80% ammonium ions can be increased by using a SPSU with a greater degree of sulfonation.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.223-236
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• 2013

The paper presents an experimental set-up for osmotic membrane distillation, which can be operated continuously for several weeks. NaCl solutions were used as an osmotic solution. The influence of osmotic solution concentration on the obtained permeate flux is presented. The experimental set-up was equipped with a system for the regeneration of dilute brine. The regeneration was carried out using a method of natural evaporation to the air surrounding the installation. The evaporation area was created by the Białecki rings, assembled in the form of tower. The obtained evaporation rate was sufficient to maintain a constant NaCl concentration (over 300 g/L), for air with the relative humidity in the range of 30-80%. Accurel PP S6/2 hydrophobic polypropylene membranes were used in the study. The membranes exhibited 100% rejection for 600 h of the process duration.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.251-263
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• 2013

The internal reflux effect on dialysis through the retentate phase of a countercurrently cross-flow rectangular module is investigated. Theoretical analysis of mass transfer in cross-flow devices with or without recycling is analogous to heat transfer in cross-flow heat exchangers. In contrast to a device without reflux, considerable mass transfer is achievable if cross-flow dialyzers are operated with reflux, which provides an increase in fluid velocity, resulting in a reduction in mass-transfer resistance. It is concluded that reflux can enhance mass transfer, especially for large flow rate and feed-concentration operated under high reflux ratio.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.555-571
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• 2016

Heavy metal contamination has attracted considerable attention during recent decades due to the potential risk brought about for human beings and the environment. Several adsorbent materials are utilized for the purification of contaminated water resources among which chitosan is considered as an appropriate alternative. Copper is a heavy metal contaminants found in several industrial wastewaters and its adsorption on porous and macroporous chitosan membranes is investigated in this study. Membranes are prepared by phase inversion and particulate leaching method and their morphology is characterized using SEM analysis. Batch adsorption experiments are performed and it is found that copper adsorption on macroporous chitosan membrane is higher than porous membrane. The iso-steric heat of adsorption was determined by analyzing the variations of temperature to investigate its effect on adsorption characteristics of macroporous chitosan membranes. Furthermore, desorption experiments were studied using NaCl and EDTA as eluants. The mechanism of copper adsorption was also investigated using XPS spectroscopy which confirms simultaneous occurrence of chelation and electrostatic adsorption mechanisms.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.423-435
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• 2017

Settling Basins are one of the most important and popular methods for removal of suspended sediments irrigation and drainage networks or power canals taking off from an alluvial river and wastewater treatment plant. Improving the performance and so increasing sediment removal efficiency of settling basins by an alternative method is necessary. In the present work, the effect of baffle and its angle of attack with the flow (${\theta}$) on the sediment removal efficiency is investigated by conducting a series of experiments on a straight canal with 8 m length, 0.3 m width and 0.5 m height and 3 m length of basin equipped with an adjustable glass baffle. A numerical analysis has been carried out using ANSYS Fluent 3D software (a general purpose computational fluid dynamics simulation tool) for three Froude numbers from the experiments. The numerical and experimental results were found to match reasonably well.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.463-481
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• 2017

Bacteria have been considered as a major foulant that initiates the formation of biofilm on the polymeric membrane surface. Some polymeric membranes are naturally antibacterial and have low fouling properties, however, numerous efforts have been devoted to improve their antibacterial performance. These modifications are mostly carried out through blending the membrane with an antibacterial agent or introducing the antibacterial agent on the membrane surface by chemical grafting. Currently, a significant number of researches have reported nanocomposite membrane as a new approach to fabricate an excellent antibacterial membrane. The antibacterial nanoparticles are dispersed homogenously in membrane structure by blending method or coating onto the membrane surface. Aim of the modifications is to prevent the initial attachment of bacteria to membrane surface and kill bacteria when attached on the membrane surface. In this paper, several studies on antibacterial modified membranes, particularly for water treatment, will be reviewed comprehensively. Special attention will be given on polymeric membrane modifications by introducing antibacterial agents through different methods, such as blending, grafting, and coating.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.591-612
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• 2017

Increase in the hydrophilicity (HPCT) of polysulfone (PS) membrane and subsequently decrease in fouling can be achieved by surface modification of PS based membranes. Therefore, in this work, ultrafiltration membranes with increased HPCT were prepared using the enantiomeric tartaric acid (D-TA) and racemic tartaric acid (DL-TA). Phase inversion technique was used for the preparation of polyethylene glycol and TA blended PS membrane. Morphological analysis of the fabricated membranes was done by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was taken for finding the permeation and rejection behavior of prepared membranes. Maximum BSA rejection was increased by 70.5% for the modified membrane.