Ultrafiltration hollow fibre membrane based tap filter - drinking water application

Abstract

Ultrafiltration is becoming one of the more prominent and preferred technology for water treatment in recent times. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can undergo surface modifications easily. The hollow fiber membranes produced were of PAN. The process parameters which need to be optimized in Ultrafiltration are the Polymer concentration, Air gap distance variations, water and solvent concentration in bore side. The polymer concentration has an effect on the dope viscosity and in turn the stretching ability of the fibers. Fibers developed with a greater air gap distance, 100% water concentration in the bore fluid gave a better flux and rejection. Higher polymer concentration yielded in thinner fibers with a good cross section. Trials were carried out with spinneret plates of O.D 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm and needles of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm. Optimum flow rates for the tap filters were around 60l/h. The fibers and membranes will be having commercial applications as household tap filter. These filters developed will be having longer lifetime compared to existing tap filters and remove pathogens. These filters would also be cost effective hence making pure, clean drinking water easily available to all parts of under-developed and developing countries.