(233f) 3D-Printed Modular Membrane Frames for Student Projects & Class Demonstrations

Various membrane separation technologies are gaining prominence industrially, so chemical engineering educators may be seeking ways to demonstrate membrane separation principles to their students. However, these membrane systems are often expensive, difficult to modify, and may only be able to demonstrate a single separation technique, collectively limiting access to hands-on membrane experiences and the learning objectives the equipment can fulfill. This presentation will showcase a low-cost, desktop-scale plate-and-frame membrane separation system that can be easily modified for demonstrations of most low-pressure membrane processes. The membrane frames were printed using a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and designed to be modular and modifiable, with parameters such as dimensions, support structures, and flow paths being easy to change using a CAD software. Flow is driven using a series of small aquarium pumps controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. These modules can be used for capstone laboratory experiments or in-class demonstration of membrane separation concepts. We will show the results of a student laboratory project that examined the impact of voltage on separation efficiency in electrodialysis. We will also show how we used this platform in our project-based membrane elective course developed by the authors. In the course, the modular platform was used to demonstrate the phenomenon of concentration polarization in forward osmosis and used by students to conduct short-term research projects.