Testing of synthetic biological membranes for forward osmosis applications

Date

2016-07-10

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

46th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Commercially available Forward Osmosis membranes have been extensively tested for human space flight wastewater treatment. Despite the improvements achieved in the last decades, there is still a challenge to produce reliable membranes with anti-fouling properties, chemical resistance, and high flux and selectivity. Synthetic biological membranes that mimic the ones present in nature, which underwent millions of years of evolution, represent a potential solution for further development and progress in membrane technology. zNANO manufactures proprietary Biomimetic Forward Osmosis Membranes based on a polymeric support filter coated with surfactant multilayers. These membranes have been engineered to investigate how different manufacturing processes impact the performance and structure of the membrane. Initial results of the first generation prototype membranes tests reveal a high scatter in flux rates, due to the current testing apparatus set up. The testing apparatus has been upgraded to improve data collection, reduce errors, and to allow higher control of the testing process.

Description

United States
NASA ARC
NASA Ames Research Center
303
ICES303: Physio-Chemical Life Support- Water Recovery & Management Systems- Technology and Process Development
Vienna, Austria
Jurek Parodi, Science and Technology Corporation, USA
Jaione Romero Mangado, Science and Technology Corporation, USA
Ofir Stefanson, Science and Technology Corporation, USA
Michael Flynn, NASA Ames Research Center, USA
Rocco Mancinelli, Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, USA
Brian Kawashima, Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, USA
Serena Trieu, Logyx LLC, USA
Adrian Brozell, zNano, USA
Kevan Rosenberg, zNano, USA
The 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Vienna, Austria, USA on 10 July 2016 through 14 July 2016.

Rights

Availability

Keywords

forward osmosis, synthetic biological membrane, water reclamation, lipids, fatty acids

Citation