(241d) Enhancing Membrane Performance - IDEAS THAT FIT the Bill

The Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) has a broad interest in the development of membrane processes for water and the environment. Advancing new ideas, scrutinizing old ones and their communication are keys to our activities. In these tasks Bill Krantz has been a guide and a guru. This presentation highlights some Krantz-inspired (K-i) developments at SMTC to enhance membrane performance. Characterization of membranes and process phenomena provides valuable insights. Techniques, such as evapoporometry to measure pore sizes and ultrasonic time domain reflectometry (UTDR) for fouling detection are powerful K-i techniques. At SMTC we have used UTDR to observe the metastability of colloidal fouling and to monitor biofilm development using a novel approach. Our membrane integrity sensor can be used to detect 1 broken fibre in 106 fibres, and is more sensitive than particle counting or turbidity, thanks to novel K-i design and performance metrics. In order to better control membrane fouling we are evaluating vibrations for both low pressure and high pressure membranes. To reduce energy in desalination we are examining reflux and recycle concepts. Our interests include membranes for special needs (acute and chronic water supply), and one K-i approach is to combine hydrogels and membranes. These projects illustrate how curiosity and enquiry can enhance the performance of membranes for mankind.