(527c) Enhancement of Fouling Mitigation through Real-Time Induced Magnetic Vibrations in Spin-Coated Magnetized Membranes

Despite the advanced capabilities of membrane technologies, which can produce billions of gallons of water daily, fouling remains a significant challenge. Fouling reduces membrane separation efficiency by compromising permeability and rejection, thereby shortening membrane lifespan and escalating process costs through heightened washing requirements. Chemical modification of membranes, while promising, may lead to drawbacks like reduced stability, selectivity, and flux due to structural changes. In this study, we report a physical and in-situ antifouling approach by investigating the effects of real-time induced magnetic vibrations on the membrane surface to hinder or delay the deposition of foulants. Our previous research demonstrated that attaching iron particles to the backside of the membrane and applying vibrations via an external magnet at 5 Hz, during treatment with 45 ppm of humic acid (HA), led to a significant reduction in fouling. This resulted in only a 10 % decline in flux over 6 hours of filtration, compared to a substantial 33.9 % flux reduction observed over 6 hours with no vibrations for the blank membrane. In continuation with the previous work, we focused on synthesizing magnetic membranes by incorporating iron particles on the backside of the membrane using the spin coating technique to get a uniform distribution of iron nanoparticles across the membrane, unlike mixed matrix membrane (MMM). The primary emphasis of this work is on synthesizing a magnetic membrane utilizing a spin coater with a two-layer coating without altering the pore structure of the membranes and evaluating the vibrational antifouling mechanisms at different frequencies. The performance of the magnetic membranes was investigated under a magnetic field, comparing water flux, rejection, and antifouling properties with blank membranes and mixed-matrix membranes. The iron membrane, when spin-coated, demonstrated an improved flux rate with just a 2% reduction over a 6-hour period at a 10 Hz applied frequency, compared to a 26% reduction observed without vibration.