Measurements of membrane fouling in lignocellulosic biorefineries by ptycho-tomography
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Institutione för Kemiteknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | October 2019 - October 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Increasing capacity and skills of PhD students regarding industrially relevant neutron and synchrotron-based analytical methods – 2019 |
Important results from the project
The purpose was to study fouling and cleaning of commercial polysulphone membranes used in lignocellulosic biorefineries. Several pristine and fouled MF and UF membrane samples were studied with SAXS and mCT. The project goal was to gain understanding of the mechanisms and phenomena behind membrane fouling and cleaning on the nanometer scale. We established the network , developed sample preparation and data processing procedures, and generated knowledge for fulfilling this goal.
Expected long term effects
The results of the project give a detailed insight into the possibilities of SAXS and mCT for membrane science. The lab-based technologies allowed the differentiation of the different layers and a better understanding of the inner structure of the membrane. With the lab-based X-ray µCT and the developed python script it was possible to analyze the inner structure of the sample. For detailed understanding of fouling and cleaning on nanometer scale, the most outer tight active layer needs to be investigated with high resolution at a synchrotron facility.
Approach and implementation
The project supported the education of the Gregor Rudolph and lead to the development of two projects applications to FORMAS and Swedish Research Council which are currently under evaluation.