| The Membrane Process Technology group focuses on the design, development and optimization of membrane-based separation processes at large(r) scale and higher technology readiness levels. |
Membrane Process Technology (MPT)
The Department of Membrane Science & Technology consists of various diverse, but synergetic, scientific disciplines. All disciplines are present to:
- develop and characterize (novel) membrane materials, and modify membranes (MSuS, FiF);
- study (interfacial) phenomena and processes that are relevant for mass and heat transport (SFI);
- design novel and optimize existing (separation) processes by employing membranes (MPT).
The Membrane Process Technology group focuses on the design, development and optimization of membrane-based separation processes at large(r) scale and higher technology readiness levels. The following two research chairs are integral part of the MPT group:
- Membranes for Harsh Conditions, held by prof. dr. ir. Bargeman
- Membrane Technology and Engineering for Water Treatment, held by prof. dr. ir. Van der Meer
Our department has a long history of developing, applying and using membrane technology in the field of water technology. Yet, the MPT group has the explicit intention to work on (the development of) membrane processes for the chemical and biotechnology industry as well.
Membranes for Harsh Conditions (MHC)
Traditionally, industry tries to reduce capital expenditure and operating costs for their production processes to maximize profits. In recent decades sustainability has become a top priority as well, and companies have focused on minimizing energy usage and have reduced the discharge of waste and carbon dioxide from their processes. For several process steps membrane-based solutions have been introduced to achieve these goals.
Extension of the membrane technology portfolio in industrial applications will require the development of membranes and membrane systems that can cope with harsh conditions. Examples are the use of membrane systems for the separation and purification of organic solvents and for the purification and concentration of aqueous solutions with a high salt concentration (high osmotic pressure) or featuring an extreme pH. These challenges require the development of membrane materials and modules with high chemical stability and new process technology solutions.
To generate these new or improved membrane system solutions for industrial implementation, improved fundamental understanding of transport phenomena through membranes and creative process technology and materials science are needed. This requires the involvement of expertise on membrane materials, membrane characterization, (membrane) process technology, and fluid flow, which is present in the MPT group and the MST department.
Membrane Technology and Engineering for Water Treatment (MTEWT)
Producing clean drinking water is more and more becoming a challenge nowadays. This is not only caused by the lack of sufficient and suitable fresh water but also due to the emergence of micropollutants such as medicine residues, microplastics and PFAS. Conventional purification techniques in the drinking water world are increasingly struggling to remove such micropollutants. Membrane technologies such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are needed to treat brackish, salty and wastewater for the production of fresh water. Reverse osmosis, in particular, can fully remove known and unknown micropollutants completely, even in a one-step process when e.g. groundwater is used as the source for producing drinking water.
The research within MTWET is linked to the one-step reverse osmosis (OSRO) concept introduced by prof. dr. ir. Walter G.J. van der Meer at Oasen, one of the drinking water companies in the Netherlands. The OSRO concept has recently been applied on a full scale at Oasen’s drinking water plant in Nieuw-Lekkerland and will be introduced at other Oasen locations as well.
In the MTEWT group, we focus on research questions related to the OSRO concept and the membrane technology used there. How can we improve water flux and process recovery, and assure the removal of all kinds of components from the feed water, now and in the future? What about reducing or even preventing fouling of the membranes? Can we develop new methods for concentrate treatment? To solve such research questions, knowledge from other fields is essential. The MTEWT group, therefore, not only collaborates with the other groups within the MST department but with institutes and research groups outside the University of Twente, like IHE Delft, Wageningen University, the University of Amsterdam and the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (CAS, PR China).