Water treatment systems and methods are provided to beneficially use the concentrate stream for other, non-potable, use. Embodiments of the invention use the distribution pressure to drive the membrane process and are configured in line with household plumbing so the concentrate is directed through the treatment system but bypassing the treatment mechanism to other uses in the building. In embodiments of this system, only the purified water that is needed for potable consumption is extracted from the water with the rest proceeding to its intended destination at the same pressure.

In a method of fabricating high performance CMS membranes, in which a dual-layer hollow fiber precursor fiber membrane that contains a nano-particle-filler containing core layer is extruded, a sheath layer is co-extruded with the core layer so that at least a portion of the core layer is surrounded by the sheath layer. The nano-particle filler is defect sealed. The dual-layer hollow fiber precursor fiber and the sheath layer are pyrolysed. A CMS membrane includes a core layer, a sheath layer surrounding at least a portion of the core layer and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed in the core layer.

A membrane including a support and an active layer. The active layer includes reacted units of a polyamine compound, a polyfunctional acid halide compound, and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs). A surface of the NiO NPs is functionalized with an amino silane compound. The polyamine compound, the polyfunctional acid halide compound, and the amino silane compound are interfacially polymerized on the support to form the membrane.

The present invention relates to a method for one-step regulation of a pore structure and surface properties of a silicon carbide (SiC) membrane. The method comprises: first, fully mixing SiC powder with a sintering aid, and then synergistically regulating a pore structure and surface wetting properties of a SiC membrane by controlling a molding pressure and a sintering condition. The amount of SiO.sub.2 generated by oxidation of SiC is controlled, and in situ reaction of SiO.sub.2 and the sintering aid is prompted to generate a neck connection, such that a sintering temperature of the SiC membrane can be reduced, and the strength and corrosion resistance properties of the SiC membrane can also be improved. The degree of sintering of the SiC membrane is effectively controlled by means of the regulation of the molding pressure and the sintering temperature. It is a simple method for one-step regulation of a pore structure and surface properties of a SiC membrane. The SiC membrane prepared has porosity adjustable in a range of 13% to 48% and a pore size adjustable in a range of 0.17 m to 1 m; and the SiC membrane has an initial dynamic water contact angle in a range of 12.01 to 66.8 and an underwater oil contact angle adjustable in a range of 120.3 to 155.1. The SiC membrane prepared has high bending strength and pure water permeation properties and show a broad application prospect in the field of oil-water separation and emulsion preparation.

Provided are a hollow fiber composite membrane for water vapor separation, comprising a hollow fiber membrane including two or more pores and a coating layer in which an interfacial polymer obtained from interfacial polymerization of water-soluble monomer and an organic monomer is coated on a surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and a chemical resistant substance is introduced in the interfacial polymer, and a method for manufacturing the same.

High-quality membranes of complex oxide and complex nitrides are provided. Also provided are method of making the membranes by releasing films of the complex oxides and nitrides from an epitaxial heterostructure using metal islands on the surface of the films as strain-absorbing supports. The methods facilitate the release of flat, large-area membranes characterized by the absence of, or a very low density of, cracks and/or wrinkles. The released membranes are free of the surface organic residues that are present on membranes released with the aid of a polymer support.