화학공학소재연구정보센터
Separation Science and Technology, Vol.33, No.1, 67-81, 1998
Electronanofiltration : A new process for ion separation
Nanofiltration (NF) is a new pressure-driven process which typically concerns the separation of species having a size of about 1 nanometer. Applications have been proposed in the fields of biotechnology, drinkable water production, and brackish water treatment. As regards size exclusion of neutral solutes, NF membranes have characteristics intermediate between those for ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Most of them also have a charge density which explains their typical use in salt solution filtration. Thus nanofilters can distinguish ionic species according to their size and/or valence. This pioneering work aims to study the influence of an additional electric field on NF performance in the case of single or mixed ionic solutions. This is the so-called "electronanofiltration (ENF) process," here experimented with using a new type of organo-inorganic membrane. Results are given in terms of fluxes, ion rejections, pH of solutions, and current densities. General trends are emphasized and discussed.