Title: Preparation and surface modification of hollow fibre membranes for drinking water disinfection and water reclamation

Authors: P. Ray, P.S. Singh, K. Parashuram, S.R. Maurya, J.J. Trivedi, C.V. Devmurari, N.N. Rao, S. Waghmare, A.V.R. Reddy

Addresses: Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India. ' Waste Water Technology Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR), Nagpur 440020, Maharashtra, India. ' Waste Water Technology Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR), Nagpur 440020, Maharashtra, India. ' Reverse Osmosis Division, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Bhavnagar 346002, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Polysulphone hollow fibres were spun according to phase inversion process under different conditions by extrusion of dimethylformamide solution of the polymer through double orifice spinneret using water or water-DMF mixture as gelation medium. The membrane surface was modified by in situ interfacial polymerisation of m-phenylenediamine with trimesoyl chloride. The nominal molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values of the virgin fibres were 44,000–94,000 g/mol, which were decreased to 10,000–14,000 g/mol upon surface modification. The contact angle of the virgin fibres was about 87° and was decreased to about 65° by surface modification. HF modules exhibited pure water fluxes of 40–70 litre/m²h at 25 psi, and 4–5 log reduction for microorganisms like cocci, E. coli and bacillus when tested with water containing 10¹⁰ cfu/ml of bacteria. Fibres were tested for the treatment of municipal sewage water for a period of 20 days and constant rejection-flux profile was observed throughout the period.

Keywords: hollow fibres; spinning; polysulphone; surface modification; water purification; water reclamation; fibre membranes; safe drinking water; water disinfection; interfacial polymerisation; wastewater treatment; municipal sewage; rejection-flux profile.

DOI: 10.1504/IJND.2010.035173

International Journal of Nuclear Desalination, 2010 Vol.4 No.2, pp.149 - 161

Published online: 10 Sep 2010 *

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