Nanotech membranes for clean water
Population rise, industrial growth and a changing climate have all increased demand for safe, clean water around the world. This has resulted in the growing importance of the water purification sector and an increased need for innovative water treatment technologies. The CERAWATER(opens in new window) (Fouling resistant ceramic honeycomb nanofilters for efficient water treatment) project developed innovative membranes for water purification. They feature greatly increased surface area and longer working life. Moreover, the membrane price per membrane area is considerably lower. A nanofiltration coating enables surface water to be filtered directly and used as drinking water with the help of a low-volume, low-energy filtration process. An additional benefit is that the ceramic material is resistant to fouling, resulting in lower operating costs and less time lost for membrane cleaning. The membrane is also strong enough to support backflushing during cleaning and sterilisation with chemicals or hot steam, thus requiring lower maintenance. This means less cleaning chemicals are needed and therefore in need of disposal, so reducing the environmental impact. The membrane is also able to operate at low pressure thanks to its high permeability and low fouling tendency, thereby saving energy and reducing operation costs. CERAWATER's nanofilter can be used to provide emergency water supply and local water treatment, as well as for large-scale production of drinking water through the filtration of surface water. The membrane can also be used for treating wastewater from specific processes characterised by high temperatures, extreme pH values, aggressive chemicals and/or extreme fouling behaviour. Successful development of the CERAWATER nanofilter will help the European water purification sector to be more sustainable, reduce costs, and develop its products and services. This will enable the industry to become more competitive in the global marketplace. At present, the membrane market represents a small fraction of the global water purification market. However, as membranes have already proven their worth in many water purification processes, this situation is set to change. It is expected therefore that the membrane market will grow at a faster rate than other water treatment technologies.
