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The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is part of a consortium that aims to develop a low cost self-cleaning coating technology based on functionalized graphene, which once applied to industrial membranes increases the resistance to fouling or enhances ion removal.
The Innovate UK funded project known as Smart Filter, is led by Haydale and includes CPI, G2O Water Technologies Ltd. and Sellafield Ltd.
Membrane filters can be applied to a variety of industrial liquid and gas separation applications such as water/oil separation during oil drilling, water desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. A major operational issue with filter membranes is their tendency to foul with use over time, which results in lowering throughput, increasing energy consumption and the need for costly maintenance.
The aim of the Smart Filter project is to develop a low cost self-cleaning coating technology based on functionalized graphene, which once applied to industrial membranes increases their resistance to fouling and enhances ion removal. The technology has already been demonstrated successfully in lab-scale tests.
The project will translate the existing lab-scale work into a working manufacturing process, which can be scaled-up to enhance the performance of existing filter membranes.
“This project has the potential to benefit end-users from a range of industrial sectors who have challenges, particularly in the treatment of waste effluent,” Joanna Waterton, CPI project manager, said. “Our challenge at CPI will be to optimiz and scale up the graphene coating process with a view to creating a commercially viable process for suppliers.”
The Innovate UK funded project known as Smart Filter, is led by Haydale and includes CPI, G2O Water Technologies Ltd. and Sellafield Ltd.
Membrane filters can be applied to a variety of industrial liquid and gas separation applications such as water/oil separation during oil drilling, water desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. A major operational issue with filter membranes is their tendency to foul with use over time, which results in lowering throughput, increasing energy consumption and the need for costly maintenance.
The aim of the Smart Filter project is to develop a low cost self-cleaning coating technology based on functionalized graphene, which once applied to industrial membranes increases their resistance to fouling and enhances ion removal. The technology has already been demonstrated successfully in lab-scale tests.
The project will translate the existing lab-scale work into a working manufacturing process, which can be scaled-up to enhance the performance of existing filter membranes.
“This project has the potential to benefit end-users from a range of industrial sectors who have challenges, particularly in the treatment of waste effluent,” Joanna Waterton, CPI project manager, said. “Our challenge at CPI will be to optimiz and scale up the graphene coating process with a view to creating a commercially viable process for suppliers.”
