2010-Preparation and Characterization of Fouling-resistant, Temperature-responsive Membranes for Treatment of Produced Water

Preparation and Characterization of Fouling-resistant, Temperature-responsive Membranes for Treatment of Produced Water

Daniel Wandera, Clemson University


Introduction

Produced water is oily wastewater co-produced during oil and gas exploration.
Economically viable and environmentally friendly treatment of large volumes of produced water is a challenge for oil and gas companies. Membrane-based treatment often fails due to membrane fouling.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-blockpoly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) was grafted by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from tight ultrafiltration membranes.
The block copolymer system yields fouling-resistant, temperature-responsive membranes for produced water treatment. The temperature responsive block (PNIPAAm) makes the membranes self-cleaning during filtration. Performance of modified membranes was tested by water flux measurements using filtration experiments and examining the levels of pure water flux recovery after a temperature-controlled water rinse.
In a parallel study, we studied nanolayer growth kinetics and temperature responsiveness using ellipsometry with a model surface.