A research team from the Center for Advanced Water Technology at Masdar Institute at Khalifa University has successfully developed new desalination technology through reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, which are instrumental in the desalination process, using panels that separate membranes. Used in water purification and made in three-dimensional printing, and patented for the modern design of the purification panels at the US Patent Office and the Office of registered trademarks.

The team included Dr. Rashed Abu Al-Rub, Dr. Hector Hernandez and Dr. Giovanni Balmezzano, in addition to a number of researchers: Oraib Al-Qattan, Sridar Nivya Thomas and Mahendra Mukar.Mr.

Dr. Hassan Arafat said: “Purification panels play a key role in the treatment of feed water, which in turn affect the effectiveness of water flow through the membranes, which directly reflects the amount of energy consumed in desalination plants, especially those that rely on the process of reverse osmosis.” Used in water desalination is made using 3D printing, which is characterized by printing complex geometric shapes and different sizes.

“Reverse osmosis removes salt from seawater by pushing water under pressure to allow water molecules to pass through the semi-permeable membrane, while solid salts and impurities are prevented from passing through the membrane. Water requires very high pressure to overcome its osmotic properties, as is the membrane blockage, which also requires an enormous amount of energy to overcome. The accumulation of organic and inorganic sediments and impurities on the outer surface of the membranes reduces the membrane's ability to purify water. E of salts and impurities ».

Arafat pointed out that the purification plates made by researchers using three-dimensional printing, are mesh sheets made of polymeric materials placed between two layers of membranes for water to flow through, where clogging is usually caused by impurities in the purification plates first, also contributes to the engineering design of these plates Effect on water flow and passage through membranes.

“Membrane panels contributed to 16% water flow using reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, which also increased the water flow rate to 38% compared to other conventional purification panels. Sediment and impurity membranes by up to 91% compared to other membrane plates, emphasizing that 3D printing technology has allowed researchers to print purifying plates in a network of interconnected cells, unlike other conventional purification plates whose cells often do not match.

Through their ability to control the geometry of the cell, the team was able to find curves within the cells of the purification panels, which in turn contributed significantly to the promotion of hydrodynamics, leading to an increase in water flow, as 3D printing has a unique advantage. Compared to other traditional industries, the ability to create models in complex shapes that allow fluid flow, which enables researchers to obtain new applications that were not used before the era of 3D printing, and engineering curves in 3D designs contribute to the rotation movement "In this model, two-dimensional models create water resistance."

He stressed that these panels have proven their ability to develop and strengthen the processes of reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration in the areas of water flow and energy consumption and disposal of unwanted materials, and therefore, researchers are exploring new ways to take advantage of three-dimensional designs in applications related to wastewater treatment Health.

- Panels have proven their ability to develop and enhance my process

Reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration.