Membrane Science Commons^™

Turning Down The Heat: Fine-Tuning Tempo-Modified Nanocellulose And Emim-Ac Ionic Liquid Membranes For Kidney Dialysis, Olivia Reid

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

TEMPO modified nanocellulose membranes are utilized across various laboratory and industrial applications from protein purification to advancements in kidney dialysis. This study investigates the effect of varying coagulation temperatures on the morphology and transport properties of these membranes to enhance their performance for targeted filtration. It was hypothesized that higher temperatures would accelerate the solvent-nonsolvent exchange during phase inversion, resulting in larger pore structures. Conversely, lower temperatures were expected to slow solvent diffusion, yielding smaller, more uniform pores. The membranes[JH1]  were synthesized using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) to improve selectivity and antifouling characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) served as the primary …

Strengthening Kidney Dialysis One Membrane At A Time: Enhancing Tempo-Oxidized Nanocellulose And Ionic Liquid Membrane Strength Through The Variation Of Cosolvents, Bailey M. Butler

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys lose the ability to effectively filter the blood, which causes waste build up. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the most severe case of kidney disease and requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Hemodialysis, the most common form of dialysis, is an extremely time-intensive and physically burdensome process that is currently limited by membrane performance. The polysulfone (PSf) membranes that are widely used for dialysis today have many limitations, including fouling, toxin rejection, and essential protein loss. Recently, new membranes made from TEMPO-Oxidized nanocellulose dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIM-Ac) have shown promising characteristics, …

Polymer Charge Effects On Scaling In Membrane Distillation, Lucia Milans Del Bosch

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research evaluates the effectiveness of polymeric inhibitors at suppressing scaling during direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Anionic polyacrylic acid (PAA), neutral polyethylene glycol (PEG), and cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI), were investigated. Experiments were conducted using both hypersaline single-salt and multi-component mixed-salt feeds to determine how the presence of different ions influences performance. Results from single-salt experiments showed that PAA and PEG effectively maintained permeate flux through chelation and steric hindrance, respectively, while PEI caused rapid membrane failure due to interfacial aggregation and pore wetting. In complex mixed-salt solutions, PEG was the additive, maintaining a steady flux with only a 7.33% …

Modeling Cell Buildup And Release In An Ultrafiltration Cartridge, Holiday B. Derosier

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

While membrane filtration has improved greatly and has been incorporated into many modern practices, there isn’t much data on material exchange in and out of the lumen and how that effects the overall efficiency of the process. This data may help to accurately measure the reliability and efficiency of a filtration membrane system, which can lead to improvements in filtration sustainability, process lifespan, and product quality.

This project aims to model the material balance within a perfusion bioreactor ultrafiltration system in MATLAB, with a focus on bioreactors and cell buildup and release from the lumen. The results of this study …

Measuring Selectivity Of Ion Exchange Resin For Use In Activated Wafer Electrodeionization, Hope M. Coffman

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ion exchange resins are a type of ion exchange material used throughout industry. Their insolubility allows for the exchange of ions and an easy separation of the resin itself. They are used alone in industry, but they are also found in processes such as electrodialysis and electrodeionization. This research investigates the selectivity of chloride form ion exchange resin in the presence of solutions of lactate and formate ions. The work of this thesis is a part of a larger study investigating the conversion and separation of glucose into lactic acid via coupled electrocatalysis and electrodialysis. The results of this study …

Utilization Of Electrodeionization To Separate And Concentrate Cellobionic And Gluconic Acid, Andie Veeder

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Biofuel production is currently an expensive and inefficient process with many drawbacks. It is water and land intensive, competes with food production, and requires large energy inputs decreasing its relative sustainability. This paper explores the use of electrodeionization (EDI) to improve the biofuel process by separating and concentrating large, organic sugar acids that are important materials for the production of bioethanol. An EDI device was assembled for the purpose of separating and concentrating gluconic, cellobionic and lactobionic acid. Several trials were conducted and samples were analyzed to determine the success of this experiment. The results for the separation and concentration …

Separation Of Organic Acids Through Direct Catalysis From Sugars, Katelyn Robinson

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Society relies on plastic products, whether they are single use or durable. A downside of plastic is that the most common type is a product of oil and oil is not only a limited resource but also a climate-damaging resource. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based, biodegradable plastic. However, the process of converting biomass to polylactic acid polymer has the largest environmental impact of the PLA production process, so alternative methods of conversion are needed (Moretti et al., 2021). The polylactic acid polymer can be made with lactic acid, which can be converted from glucose.

Isolation And Production Of Tandem Collagen Binding Domain From Clostridial Collagenase Colg And Developments In C1q Reagent Production For Future Molecule Characterization Work, Stephanie Beitle

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis covers a two part project: the production methods to create a double collagen binding domain molecule with a growth factor for wound healing applications and the development of a new in-house production method for isolating C1q from bovine blood. The wound healing molecule was created using transformation, sonication, and purification before being tested via electrophoresis SDS page and Western blots to confirm the molecule’s presence. The C1q in-house production method utilizes an ultrafiltration flow cell rather than dialysis at a critical point in the process, allowing for researchers to not only be able to use a single small …

Synthesis And Phase Transition Characterization Of Liquid Crystal Membranes With Slit-Like Pores, Isaac Hopwood

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Membranes with slit-like pores have been of interest for some time due to their ability to reject smaller particles than traditional cylindrical-pored membranes at the same fluid flux. However, using liquid crystals as a template for this sort of membrane has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the liquid crystal mixture of RM257 (2-Methyl-1,4-phenylene bis(4-(3-(acryloyloxy)propoxy)benzoate)) and 5CB (4-Cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl) for the purpose of manufacturing membranes with slit-like pores, the phase transition behavior of this LC mixture at various mole fractions of RM257, and the impact of mole fraction of RM257 in the liquid crystal (LC) mixture and membrane manufacturing conditions …

Quantification Of Slit-Like Pores Through Using Liquid Crystals As A Template, Dominique Savage

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to manufacture a membrane with slit-like pores to achieve particle filtration. Slit-like pore membranes are preferred over conventional membranes with cylindrical pores since slit-like pores have two length scales that can be manipulated to better control cut off and flux through the membrane. This project focuses on manufacturing slit-like pore membranes through the use of two liquid crystals, 1,4-bis[4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy]-2-methylbenzene (RM257) and 4-Cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB). This method for making slit-like pores has not been widely investigated nor has the morphology of the membrane pores and mechanical properties of such a membrane been addressed. It was found …

Garver Industrial Design Project: Designing A Full-Scale Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility For The City Of Lawton, Oklahoma, Kayliana Warden, Marlando Collins, Sandrina Depaz, Reid Eakin, Reed Leasure, Vera Rodriguez

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A groundwater treatment facility was designed for Lawton, Oklahoma to address potential water scarcity due to drought conditions in southwest Oklahoma. The facility will produce five million gallons per day (MGD) of treated water. The plant will have the capacity of treating 4,085 gallons per minute of influent water at an 86% recovery. The water to be treated will come from the Arbuckle-Timbered Hills Aquifer. Studies have been conducted around the aquifer to identify the best well site locations.

A centralized treatment facility using reverse osmosis filtration as the main treatment technology has been designed. To prevent reverse osmosis membrane …

Scale-Up Of Polyaniline Cellulose Membranes, Isaac Bodemann

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polyaniline coated cellulose membranes show impressive conductive properties that may be used to innovate traditional charged separation techniques, such as electrodeionization. However, these membranes are not sold to consumers, so they cannot be easily integrated into such systems. This research focuses on the scale-up and development of positively charged anion exchange membranes to be used in EDI cells. Novel cellulose membranes were made using lab-specific cellulose. These membranes were then coated using a polyaniline technique adopted from a paper titled, “Flexible Electrically Conductive Nanocomposite Membrane Based on Bacterial Cellulose and Polyaniline." This paper details the methods used to add the …

Silver-Based Microbial Check Valve For Spacecraft Potable Water Systems, Jennifer Gaines

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

As human space exploration increases, the development of a more efficient potable water treatment system suited for spacecraft becomes crucial. This Waste-management Education Research Consortium (WERC) challenge was designed to explore the viability of microbial control through the utilization of silver ions as a biocide for possible integration into the Tranquility Node 3 water purification system aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Current systems using iodine risk causing hyperthyroidism from overexposure; however, silver can be safely ingested without this side effect. After researching silver delivery methods including electrochemical ion production, controlled release, or a combination of the two, our team …

Task 1: Silver-Based Microbial Check Valve For Spacecraft Potable Water Systems, Eric Beitle

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

As human space exploration increases, the development of a more efficient potable water treatment system suited for spacecraft becomes crucial. This Waste-management Education Research Consortium (WERC) challenge was designed to explore the viability of microbial control through the utilization of silver ions as a biocide for possible integration into the Tranquility Node 3 water purification system aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Current systems using iodine risk causing hyperthyroidism from overexposure; however, silver can be safely ingested without this side effect. After researching silver delivery methods including electrochemical ion production, controlled release, or a combination of the two, our team …

Wafer Enhanced Electrodeionization For Conversion Of Co2 Into Bicarbonate Feed For Algae Cultured Photobioreactors, Kayvan Afrasiabi

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The world has acknowledged climate change as a global crisis that demands considerable attention, with one of the largest culprit being carbon emissions from industrial processing and power generation. While reduction in carbon emissions is the principal action towards mitigating the effects of climate change, scientists and engineers have given increased attention to alternative sources of energy as well as methods of carbon sequestration to coax traditional manufactory and industry into environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. One technology of this nature is the use of wafer-enhanced electrodeionization (WE-EDI) membranes to convert gaseous carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial flue …

Sulfate Removal From Mine Impacted Waters, Tyler Shock

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Woo Pig Sulfate (WPS) has developed two methods for reducing levels of calcium sulfate in mine impacted waters, a “hot process” and a two-stage nanofiltration process. Both processes were designed to treat gypsum saturated water that is currently being pumped via interceptor wells to prevent the spread of a sulfate plume into a nearby community. Each solution was designed for Freeport McMoran’s Sierrita mine in Green Valley, Arizona, which was visited in order to gain insight about the problem. Below 250 ppm on the treated stream, nanofiltration and the hot process achieve overall recoveries of 84 and 99%, respectively. The …

Direct Potable Reuse Of Wastewater, Dakota Rusk, Molly Churchwell, Lauren Clark, Sabrina Castle, Boyce Bethel, Aaron Henry

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Water is essential to our societies and mankind. Currently, 844 million people across the globe lack access to potable water. By 2025, it is projected that half of the world population will be in a region of water stress. The water crisis is often thought of as a problem limited to places that have always struggled to have clean water, but it is now affecting new areas such as the southwest United States. With increasing population demands and drought, the feasibility of direct potable reuse (DPR) of wastewater is being considered. According to an EPA report in 2017, there are …

Direct Potable Reuse Of Wastewater, Aaron Henry, Molly Churchwell, Lauren Clark, Boyce Bethel, Dakota Rusk, Sabrina Castle

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Water is essential to our societies and mankind. Currently, 844 million people across the globe lack access to potable water. By 2025, it is projected that half of the world population will be in a region of water stress.5 The water crisis is often thought of as a problem limited to places that have always struggled to have clean water, but it is now affecting new areas such as the southwest United States. With increasing population demands and drought, the feasibility of direct potable reuse (DPR) of wastewater is being considered. According to an EPA report in 2017, there are …

Direct Potable Reuse Of Wastewater, Molly Churchwell

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Water is essential to our societies and mankind. Currently, 844 million people across the globe lack access to potable water. By 2025, it is projected that half of the world population will be in a region of water stress.5 The water crisis is often thought of as a problem limited to places that have always struggled to have clean water, but it is now affecting new areas such as the southwest United States. With increasing population demands and drought, the feasibility of direct potable reuse (DPR) of wastewater is being considered. According to an EPA report in 2017, there are …

Removal Of Carbamazepine From Drinking Water, Paola Marrero-Rivera, Adam Johnson, Jordan Alex Gadberry, Juan Rodriguez, Thomas Krumpolc, Zach Wiese

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to the increasing prevalence of prescription medication over the past few decades, pharmaceuticals have accumulated in various water sources. This has become a public health concern because many pharmaceuticals have limited research on the effects of chronic low-level exposure.One pharmaceutical of interest that has been detected in water sources is carbamazepine. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a common pharmaceutical prescribed for the treatment of seizure disorders, neuropathic pain, and various psychological disorders. It’s mechanism of action is “sodium channel blocking,” which is the impairment of conduction of sodium ions in sodium channels. This, in effect, reduces nervous-system conductivity in key areas …

Sulfate Removal From Mine Impacted Waters, Luis Sagarnaga

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Woo Pig Sulfate (WPS) has developed two methods for reducing levels of calcium sulfate in mine impacted waters, a “hot process” and a two-stage nanofiltration process. Both processes were designed to treat gypsum saturated water that is currently being pumped via interceptor wells to prevent the spread of a sulfate plume into a nearby community. Each solution was designed for Freeport McMoran’s Sierrita mine in Green Valley, Arizona, which was visited in order to gain insight about the problem. Below 250 ppm on the treated stream, nanofiltration and the hot process achieve overall recoveries of 84 and 99%, respectively. The …

Direct Potable Reuse Of Wastewater, Boyce Bethel

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Water is essential to our societies and mankind. Currently, 844 million people across the globe lack access to potable water. By 2025, it is projected that half of the world population will be in a region of water stress.⁵ The water crisis is often thought of as a problem limited to places that have always struggled to have clean water, but it is now affecting new areas such as the southwest United States. With increasing population demands and drought, the feasibility of direct potable reuse (DPR) of wastewater is being considered. According to an EPA report in 2017, there …

Hollow Fiber Membranes For Artificial Lung Applications, Lauren Reed

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Artificial lungs are in use, but difficult issues remain in the field of membrane development related to fouling issues. Currently there are external artificial lungs circulating blood outside the body, taking out the carbon dioxide, and inserting oxygenated blood back into the body. An example of this type of machine is the ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine currently used in hospitals. The ECMO takes over the functions for both the lungs and the heart but is only available for short term use by patients with respiratory failure due to infections [1]. The fibers in the machine develop fouling due to …

Plasmonic Pervaporation For Sustainable Mixture Separation, Ty Austin

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that ca. 40% of the total energy consumed in the chemical and refining industries is used for distillation.¹ One potentially energy efficient alternative is pervaporation, a membrane separation process that uses differences in solvent permeability and vaporization rates to encourage mixture separation. Pervaporation has become a valuable tool in the processes of producing biofuels, recovering water, and removing solvent.^2,3 However, implementation has been hindered by heating the feed to the membrane and cooling the unpermeated retentate to increase membrane throughput at a higher energy cost. Preliminary research has shown that locally heating …

Separation Of Oil From A Brackish Water Stream, Kayli A. Quinton

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the past 40 years, a variety of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods have been developed and applied to mature and mostly depleted oil reservoirs. Chemical and sonic stimulation are two enhanced oil recovery methods in which emulsions are created either as a primary or secondary effect. The resulting emulsion viscosity is considerably lower than that of dry crude thus increasing permeability of and recovery from pay zones. During Chemical enhanced oil recovery, caustic or preformed surfactants are injected into oil reservoirs, which results in flooding and periodic breakthrough of stable oil-water emulsions. The emulsions from chemical enhanced oil recovery …

Evapoporometry: An Effective Analytical Technique For Membrane Pore Size Characterization Of Hollow Fiber Membranes, Alex J. Moix

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A new analytical technique called evapoporometry has shown to be an effective and inexpensive method for membrane pore size characterization. This technique is based on the correlation between vapor pressure and pore size as described by the Kelvin equation. Evapoporometry has many advantages over tradition pore size characterization techniques. This technique allows for large sample sizes, uses minimal equipment, is capable of analyzing membranes within a wide range of pore sizes, and provides a highly descriptive representation of the pore distribution. This research looks at the application of evapoporometry as a technique for characterization of hollow fiber membranes. Using the …

Recycling Wastewater For Hydraulic Fracturing By Use Of Nanofiltration Membranes, Haley D. Cleous

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hydraulic fracturing creates large volumes of produced water, contaminated with organics, suspended solids, and dissolved minerals. This water must either be disposed of in injection wells or treated for reuse. One option is to use a combination of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to treat this water and reuse it in future hydraulic fracturing wells. The object of this study was to test and characterize commercial nanofiltration membranes. The work done for this project will lead to future work in modifying membranes to improve the rejection of desired components.