Increasing Rejection in Microfiltration Using Vibrating Membrane

A new method is proposed to increase rejection in microfiltration by applying membrane oscillation using a new type of microfiltration membranes with slotted pores. The oscillations applied to the membrane surface result in reducing membrane fouling and increasing separation efficiency. An exact mathematical solution of the flow in the surrounding solution outside the oscillating membrane is developed. The oscillation results in appearance of the lift velocity, which moves oil particles away from the membrane. The latter results in both reducing membrane fouling and increasing oil droplets rejection. This developed model was supported by the experimental results for oil water separation in produced water treatment. It was proven that oil droplet concentration reduced notably in the permeate due to the membrane oscillation and that applied shear rate caused by the membrane oscillation is also reduce pore blockage. New generation of microfiltration membranes with slotted pores was used in the experiments.