METHOD FOR CLEANING MEMBRANE

Abstract

A method for cleaning membrane is provided. The method includes, providing a membrane, introducing a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid to contact the membrane and perform a cleaning procedure to collect a cleaning solution, and layering the cleaning solution to form an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid layer at a specific temperature.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a membrane, comprising: providing a membrane; introducing a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid having a cation and an anion to contact the membrane to proceed to a cleaning procedure to collect a cleaning solution; and layering the cleaning solution to form an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid layer at a specific temperature.

2. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises foulants.

3. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the foulants comprise organics, inorganics or a combination thereof.

4. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, a nanofiltration (NF) membrane or a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane.

5. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid has a concentration from 1 wt % to 30 wt %.

6. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cation of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid comprises phosphonium salts or ammonium salts.

7. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cation of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid comprises ##STR00011##

8. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anion of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid comprises carboxylate salts or sulfonate salts.

9. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 8, wherein the anion of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid comprises ##STR00012##

10. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid comprises ##STR00013##

11. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning procedure has a temperature from 20° C. to 30° C.

12. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning procedure comprises a soaking step and a washing step.

13. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 12, wherein the soaking step has a period from 1 minute to 30 minutes.

14. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 12, wherein the washing step has a period from 1 minute to 30 minutes.

15. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cleaning solution comprises the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid and the foulants.

16. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is in a range from 25° C. to 90° C.

17. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ionic liquid layer comprises the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid, and the aqueous layer comprises the foulants.

18. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, further comprising performing a first water rinse step before the step of introducing the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid.

19. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first water rinse step has a temperature from 20° C. to 30° C.

20. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first water rinse step has a period from 1 minute to 30 minutes.

21. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 1, further comprising performing a second water rinse step after the cleaning procedure.

22. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second water rinse step has a temperature from 20° C. to 30° C.

23. The method for cleaning a membrane as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second water rinse step has a period from 1 minute to 30 minutes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows curves of phase-transition temperature of thermo-sensitive ionic liquids in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a relationship between concentration and viscosity of various thermo-sensitive ionic liquids in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows cleaning effects of various membrane cleaning agents on a membrane (using a flat membrane) in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows cleaning effects of membrane cleaning agents with various concentrations on a membrane (using a flat membrane) in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 5 shows cleaning effects of various cleaning procedures on a membrane (using a flat membrane) in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 6 shows cleaning effects of various cleaning agents on a membrane (1812 spiral-wound module) in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 7 shows recovery and reuse effects of membrane cleaning agents in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning a membrane is provided, including, providing a membrane; introducing a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid to contact the membrane to proceed to a cleaning procedure to collect a cleaning solution; and layering the cleaning solution to form an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid layer at a specific temperature.

[0024] In one embodiment, the membrane includes foulants, for example, organics, inorganics or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the membrane may include an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, a nanofiltration (NF) membrane or a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane.

[0025] In one embodiment, the concentration of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid is in a range from about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %. In one embodiment, the cation of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid may include phosphonium salts or ammonium salts. In one embodiment, the cation of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid may include

##STR00004##

[0026] In one embodiment, the anion of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid may include carboxylate salts or sulfonate salts. In one embodiment, the anion of the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid may include

##STR00005##

[0027] In one embodiment, the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid may include

##STR00006##

[0028] In one embodiment, the temperature of the cleaning procedure is in a range from about 20° C. to about 30° C. In one embodiment, the cleaning procedure may include a soaking step and a washing step. In one embodiment, the period of the soaking step is in a range from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes. In one embodiment, the period of the washing step is in a range from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes. In one embodiment, the cleaning solution may include the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid and the foulants. In one embodiment, the specific temperature for layering the cleaning solution to form the aqueous layer and the ionic liquid layer is in a range from about 25° C. to about 90° C. In one embodiment, the ionic liquid layer may include the thermo-sensitive ionic liquid, and the aqueous layer may include the foulants.

[0029] The present disclosure utilizes structural tunability, extraction ability and temperature-sensitive phase-transition characteristics of thermo-sensitive ionic liquids to allow the membrane to be cleaned in a milder environment. After the cleaning process, the thermo-sensitive ionic liquids were recovered by the phase-separation characteristics, reducing the risk of membrane damage and environmental hazards caused by traditional cleaning agents.

Example 1

[0030] Phase-Transition Characteristics of Thermo-Sensitive Ionic Liquids

[0031] First, anions

##STR00007##

were respectively mixed with a cation

##STR00008##

in a molar ratio of 1:1 and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Next, each of the above mixtures was placed in an oven at 70° C. to remove water from the solution, and ionic liquids (named [P.sub.4444][Mal], [P.sub.4444][TFA] and [P.sub.4444][TsO]) composed of the above anions and cations were obtained. The ionic liquids of various weights were respectively mixed with water to observe the phase-transition temperature of the ionic liquids with various concentrations, as shown in FIG. 1. The curves of the phase-transition temperature in FIG. 1 show that all of the disclosed ionic liquid aqueous solution had the phase-transition characteristics of lower critical solution temperature (LCST).

Example 2

[0032] Viscosity Characteristics of Thermo-Sensitive Ionic Liquids

[0033] First, anions

##STR00009##

were respectively mixed with a cation

##STR00010##

in a molar ratio of 1:1 and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Next, each of the above mixtures was placed in an oven at 70° C. to remove water from the solution, and ionic liquids (named [P.sub.4444][Mal], [P.sub.4444][TFA] and [P.sub.4444][TsO]) composed of the above anions and cations were obtained. The ionic liquids of various weights were respectively mixed with water to observe the variation of viscosity of the ionic liquids with various concentrations, as shown in FIG. 2. The results of viscosity measured in FIG. 2 show that when the concentration of the ionic liquid was higher than 50 wt %, its viscosity was already greater than 10 cps. Excessive viscosity will cause a pump to consume more power to maintain a high cross-flow velocity, or the energy-consumption cost will increase due to a significant decrease in flow rate, or it will not be able to effectively remove foulants from the membrane. Therefore, for nanofiltration (NF) membranes, the concentration of the ionic liquid during cleaning was less than about 30 wt %.

Example 3

[0034] Evaluation of Cleaning Effects of Various Membrane Cleaning Agents on a Membrane (Using a Flat Membrane)

[0035] First, a fully wetted flat membrane (50 cm.sup.2) was put into a system, and an initial performance test of the new membrane was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 as a feed. The initial flux J.sub.0 was measured. Next, the feed was altered to 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 and 1,000 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants, and a fouling experiment was performed. A flux J.sub.F after fouling was measured over time. After a flux decline ratio (FDR) reached 20%, a cleaning procedure was started. Next, the fouled flat membrane was washed with RO water for 10 minutes. After washing, a post-fouled performance test was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4. A flux J.sub.C1 after washing with RO water was measured, and confirmed that the foulants on the membrane cannot be removed by water. Next, the prepared membrane cleaning agents (HCl (pH=1), NaOH (pH=12), 0.2 wt % EDTA-Na.sub.4/NaOH (pH=12), 0.4 wt % EDTA-Na.sub.4/NaOH (pH=12), 0.6 wt % EDTA-Na.sub.4/NaOH (pH=12), 0.025 wt % SDS-Na/NaOH (pH=12), 0.03 wt % SDS-Na/NaOH (pH=12), 20 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal], 20 wt % [P.sub.4444][TFA] and 20 wt % [P.sub.4444][TsO]) were introduced into the system respectively, and the foulants were removed by performing a cleaning procedure of soaking and stirring for 30 minutes (at the cleaning temperature of 25° C.). After cleaning, the cleaning agent was discharged, and then RO water was introduced to remove the cleaning agent solution remaining in the system. After cleaning, a membrane efficacy test was performed with 2,000 ppm MgSO.sub.4, and a flux J.sub.C2 after cleaning with the cleaning agent was measured. The flux recovery rate (FDR) of the flat membrane was calculated under the effects of various cleaning agents, and the results are shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] J.sub.0: initial flux; J.sub.F: flux after fouling; J.sub.C1: flux after washing with RO water; J.sub.C2: flux after cleaning with a cleaning agent; FDR: Flux Decline Ratio; Flux Decline Ratio (%): (1−(J.sub.F/J.sub.0))×100%; and Flux Recovery Rate (%): J.sub.C2/J.sub.0×100%.

[0037] The results in FIG. 3 show that, for the BSA-fouled membrane, the traditional cleaning agents were often accompanied by an acid-base concentration of pH=1 or 12, which easily damaged the membrane. The disclosed ionic liquids can reach pH=5-8 through the control of anions and cations, reducing the chance of membrane damage. From the experimental results of the ionic liquids ([P.sub.4444][Mal], [P.sub.4444][TFA], and [P.sub.4444][TsO]), it was found that the cleaning effects of the ionic liquids were greater than 66%, which were better than the traditional cleaning agents such as acids, alkalis, chelating agents (EDTA) (the higher the concentration of EDTA, the lower the pH value), and surfactants (SDS), etc.

Example 4

[0038] Evaluation of Cleaning Effects of Ionic-Liquid Membrane Cleaning Agents with Various Concentrations on a Membrane (Using a Flat Membrane)

[0039] First, a fully wetted flat membrane (50 cm.sup.2) was put into a system, and an initial performance test of the new membrane was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 as a feed. The initial flux J.sub.0 was measured. Next, the feed was altered to 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 and 1,000 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants, and a fouling experiment was performed. A flux J.sub.F after fouling was measured over time. After a flux decline ratio (FDR) reached 20%, a cleaning procedure was started. Next, the fouled flat membrane was washed with RO water for 10 minutes. After washing, a post-fouled performance test was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4. A flux J.sub.C1 after washing with RO water was measured, and confirmed that the foulants on the membrane cannot be removed by water. Next, the prepared ionic-liquid membrane cleaning agents with various concentrations (20 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal], 10 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal] and 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal]) were introduced into the system respectively, and the foulants were removed by performing a cleaning procedure of soaking for 25 minutes and washing for 5 minutes (at the cleaning temperature of 25° C.). After cleaning, the ionic-liquid cleaning agent was discharged and collected, and then RO water was introduced to remove the ionic-liquid solution remaining in the system. After cleaning, a membrane efficacy test was performed with 2,000 ppm MgSO.sub.4, and a flux J.sub.C2 after cleaning with the ionic liquid was measured. The formula (J.sub.C2/J.sub.0×100%) of the flux recovery rate disclosed in Example 3 was used to calculate the flux recovery rate of the flat membrane under the effects of the ionic-liquid cleaning agents with various concentrations, and the results are shown in FIG. 4.

[0040] The results in FIG. 4 show that the three ionic-liquid cleaning agents with various concentrations of the present disclosure have the cleaning effects on the membrane, and the flux recovery rate will increase as the concentration of the ionic liquids decreases. Among them, the cleaning effect of 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal], the flux recovery rate of the membrane can reach 90%.

Example 5

[0041] Evaluation of Cleaning Effects of Various Cleaning Procedures on a Membrane (Using a Flat Membrane)

[0042] First, a fully wetted flat membrane (50 cm.sup.2) was put into a system, and an initial performance test of the new membrane was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 as a feed. The initial flux J.sub.0 was measured. Next, the feed was altered to 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 and 1,000 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants, and a fouling experiment was performed. A flux J.sub.F after fouling was measured over time. After a flux decline ratio (FDR) reached 20%, a cleaning procedure was started. Next, the fouled flat membrane was washed with RO water for 10 minutes. After washing, a post-fouled performance test was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4. A flux J.sub.C1 after washing with RO water was measured, and confirmed that the foulants on the membrane cannot be removed by water. Next, the prepared ionic-liquid membrane cleaning agent with the specific concentration (5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal]) was introduced into the system. At the cleaning temperature of 25° C., the foulants were removed by performing the following cleaning procedures: (1) washing for 1 minute, (2) soaking for 1 minute and washing for 1 minute, (3) soaking for 5 minute and washing for 5 minute, and (4) soaking for 25 minute and washing for 5 minute. After cleaning, the ionic-liquid cleaning agent was discharged and collected, and then RO water was introduced to remove the ionic-liquid solution remaining in the system. After cleaning, a membrane efficacy test was performed with 2,000 ppm MgSO.sub.4, and a flux J.sub.C2 after cleaning with the ionic liquid was measured. The formula (J.sub.C2/4×100%) of the flux recovery rate disclosed in Example 3 was used to calculate the flux recovery rate of the flat membrane under various cleaning procedures, and the results are shown in FIG. 5.

[0043] The results of FIG. 5 show that when the ionic-liquid cleaning agent of the present disclosure was further matched with appropriate cleaning conditions (for example, soaking for 5 minutes and washing for 5 minutes), the flux recovery rate of the flat membrane can reach 93%.

Example 6

[0044] Evaluation of Cleaning Effects of Various Membrane Cleaning Agents on a Membrane (1812 Spiral-Wound Membrane)

[0045] First, a fully wetted membrane (0.4 m.sup.2) was put into a system, and an initial performance test of the fresh membrane was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 as a feed. The initial flux J.sub.0 was measured. Next, the feed was altered to 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 and 1,000 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants, and a fouling experiment was performed. A flux J.sub.F after fouling was measured over time. After a flux decline ratio (FDR) reached 20%, a cleaning procedure was started. Next, the fouled membrane was washed with RO water for 10 minutes. After washing, a post-fouled performance test was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4. A flux J.sub.C1 after washing with RO water was measured, and confirmed that the foulants on the membrane cannot be removed by water. Next, the prepared membrane cleaning agents (5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal], 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][TFA], 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][TsO] and 0.03 wt % SDS-Na/NaOH (pH=12)) were introduced into the system respectively. In this example, the foulants were removed using various types of membrane cleaning agents matched with various cleaning conditions. After cleaning, the cleaning agent was discharged, and then RO water was introduced to remove the cleaning agent solution remaining in the system. After cleaning, a membrane efficacy test was performed with 2,000 ppm MgSO.sub.4, and a flux J.sub.C2 after cleaning with the cleaning agent was measured. The formula (J.sub.C2/J.sub.0×100%) of the flux recovery rate disclosed in Example 3 was used to calculate the flux recovery rate of the membrane under the effects of various cleaning agents, and the results are shown in FIG. 6.

[0046] The results in FIG. 6 show that, under the effect of the traditional cleaning agent SDS-Na/NaOH (at the cleaning temperature of 30° C.; soaking for 25 minutes and washing for 5 minutes), the flux recovery rate of the membrane was about 93%. Under the effect of 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][TsO] (at the cleaning temperature of 25° C.; soaking for 5 minutes and washing for 5 minutes), the flux recovery rate of the membrane was about 93%. Under the effect of 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][TFA] (at the cleaning temperature of 25° C.; soaking for 10 minutes and washing for 5 minutes), the flux recovery rate of the membrane was about 95%. Under the effect of 5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal] (at the cleaning temperature of 25° C.; soaking for 5 minutes and washing for 5 minutes), the flux recovery rate can be as high as 98%.

Example 7

[0047] Evaluation of Recovery and Reuse Effects of Ionic-Liquid Membrane Cleaning Agent (Using a 1812 Spiral-Wound Membrane)

[0048] First, a fully wetted membrane (0.4 m.sup.2) was put into a system, and an initial performance test of the fresh membrane was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 as a feed. The initial flux J.sub.0 was measured. Next, the feed was altered to 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4 and 1,000 ppm of bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants, and a fouling experiment was performed. A flux J.sub.F after fouling was measured over time. After a flux decline ratio (FDR) reached 20%, a cleaning procedure was started. Next, the fouled membrane was washed with RO water for 10 minutes. After washing, a post-fouled performance test was performed with 2,000 ppm of MgSO.sub.4. A flux J.sub.ci after washing with RO water was measured, and confirmed that the foulants on the membrane cannot be removed by water. Next, the prepared ionic-liquid membrane cleaning agent with the specific concentration (5 wt % [P.sub.4444][Mal]) was introduced into the system. At the cleaning temperature of 25° C., the foulants were removed by performing a cleaning procedure of soaking for 5 minute and washing for 5 minute. After cleaning, the ionic-liquid cleaning agent was discharged and collected, and then RO water was introduced to remove the ionic-liquid solution remaining in the system. After cleaning, a membrane efficacy test was performed with 2,000 ppm MgSO.sub.4, and a flux J.sub.C2 after cleaning with the ionic liquid was measured. The formula (J.sub.C2/J.sub.0×100%) of the flux recovery rate disclosed in Example 3 was used to calculate the flux recovery rate of the membrane. Next, the bovine serum albumin (BSA) fouling experiment was performed using the same membrane repeatedly, and the recovered ionic liquid ([P.sub.4444][Mal]) was used to perform a cleaning procedure on the membrane again. After cleaning, the flux recovery rate was also calculated, and the results are shown in FIG. 7.

[0049] The results in FIG. 7 show that, after cleaning again with the recovered ionic liquid, the flux recovery rate of the membrane can still reach 97%, indicating that the disclosed ionic liquid as a membrane cleaning agent had the effect of being recyclable and reusable.

[0050] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.