Membrane Distillation Using Nanostructured Membranes

In contrast with pressure-driven membrane processes such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration, membrane distillation (MD) is a desalting process that is driven by a thermal gradient. A particularly exciting application of MD is in the area of water reuse through the advanced treatment of wastewater or desalination of waste brines where diffuse heat can be tapped as the driving force for membrane separation. In addition to the ability to use diffuse heat as a driving force, MD offers several advantages over RO or NF as a desalting process. The project increases our knowledge base on a technology that holds significant promise for water reuse—membrane distillation (MD).

Originally funded as WERF project Reuse-07-05.