Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Supervisor

Dr. Madhumita B. Ray

2nd Supervisor

Dr. Shahram Karimi

Affiliation

Lambton College

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

This research addresses the needs of Petro Techna Co., an industrial joint venture operating globally in oil and gas plants, focusing on managing hot saltwater separated from crude oil. The study aimed to develop a durable and cost-effective membrane for Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) to reduce sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations from several hundred thousand ppm to less than 100 ppm. Electrospinning was chosen as the fabrication method due to its ability to produce highly porous and flexible membranes suitable for incorporating diverse materials. A novel aspect of this research was the use of cinnamon powder as a superhydrophobic additive in membrane desalination. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and linalool, which enhance hydrophobicity and anti-wetting properties. Membranes were initially fabricated using polypropylene (PP), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PVDF-HFP was selected as the base polymer for further modifications based on its superior durability. Additives such as cinnamon powder, reduced graphene oxide (heat-treated and untreated), and silane-treated SiO₂ and TiO₂ were incorporated into the membranes to evaluate their synergistic effects. Advanced characterization techniques and desalination performance tests were conducted using a 100 g/L NaCl solution in the DCMD setup. The results revealed that membranes incorporating cinnamon powder exhibited 1.7 times greater longevity compared to other additives. Furthermore, PVDF-HFP membranes combining cinnamon powder, rGO, and SiO₂ demonstrated improved compatibility and the highest longevity (89 hours), highlighting the potential of these materials for advanced membrane desalination applications.

Summary for Lay Audience

Every day, industries generate vast amounts of wastewater containing harmful salts, which pose a challenge for recycling and reuse. Cleaning this water is essential, but current methods are often expensive and energy intensive. This research focuses on creating innovative filters, or membranes, that are not only more efficient but also environmentally friendly and long-lasting.

One breakthrough in this project involved using a natural material, cinnamon powder, to improve the performance of these membranes. Cinnamon contains unique compounds like cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which enhance the membrane's superhydrophobicity, making it water-repellent. This property is crucial in preventing the filter from getting clogged or "wet," a common issue in conventional water treatment membranes. By combining cinnamon with other advanced materials like graphene oxide and silica, the researchers developed membranes that are highly effective and durable.

The superhydrophobic nature of these membranes has applications beyond wastewater treatment. For instance, they can be used in energy-efficient desalination plants to turn seawater into freshwater or in industrial cooling systems to recover clean water from vapor. Additionally, their ability to resist wetting makes them suitable for use in harsh environments, such as treating brines from oil and gas operations or producing ultrapure water for pharmaceuticals.

Testing these membranes on highly salty water from industrial processes showed remarkable results. They successfully removed nearly all the salt and maintained functionality for significantly longer than conventional options. By integrating natural and advanced materials, this research offers a sustainable solution to industrial water recycling, addressing water shortages and reducing environmental impacts.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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