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State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022
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State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 24120

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tomohisa Yoshioka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1, Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
Interests: inorganic membranes; gas separation; NF/RO/FO; transport mechanisms through micropores; molecular simulation on microporous membranes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

Membrane separation is known to be an energy-saving operation for the separation of a mixture of multiple components utilizing specific microstructures and physicochemical properties of membranes. Water treatment such as purification of wastewater and purification of water from seawater and river water has already been established as a large global market, and in Japan, there are many membrane suppliers of various types of MF, UF, NF, and RO membranes, which are key components for these water treatment processes.

In October 2020, the current Prime Minister of Japan declared that Japan would aim to realize a carbon-neutral society in 2050 under the initiative of the government. It is expected that membrane separation technology will greatly contribute to the realization of an energy conservation society through such endeavors as further sophistication and efficiency improvement of existing water treatment methods, process intensification in the chemical industry, and renewable energy production.

In this Special Issue, the current development of membranes and membrane processes for application not only to water treatment but also to various liquid separation, gas separation, energy production, food concentration, and pharmaceutical processes will be collected and shared across the world from Japan through publishing original research papers and review papers. By introducing the forefronts of research and development at universities, research institutes, and companies in Japan, we would like to promote the further development of membrane science and technology and look into the future of membranes.

Contributions for the topics below are welcome, which are related to advances in membrane preparation, characterization, and their application to membrane separation processes in Japan.

Membrane materials: organic polymer, ceramics, zeolite, carbon, metal, metal organic-frameworks, nanosheet, ionic liquid, biomimetics;

Membrane preparation: non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS), thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), interfacial polymerization, thermal pyrolysis, sol–gel, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), self-assembly, filtration and stacking, hydrothermal synthesis, surface modification, mixed matrix;

Membrane characterization: surface chemistry, morphology, layered structure, amorphous/crystalline structure, pore size and porosity;

Membrane separation processes: microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane distillation, pervaporation, vapor permeation, reverse/forward osmosis, gas separation, membrane reactor;

Applications: water treatment, dehydration, energy production/carrier, organic solvent separation, fuel cell, carbon capture and utilization.

Prof. Dr. Tomohisa Yoshioka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2670 KiB  
Article
Power Generation Performance of Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) Using Various Ion Exchange Membranes and Power Output Prediction for a Large RED Stack
by Yu Sugimoto, Ryo Ujike, Minato Higa, Yuriko Kakihana and Mitsuru Higa
Membranes 2022, 12(11), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12111141 - 13 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2942
Abstract
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) power generation using seawater (SW) and river water is expected to be a promising environmentally friendly power generation system. Experiments with large RED stacks are needed for the practical application of RED power generation, but only a few experimental results [...] Read more.
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) power generation using seawater (SW) and river water is expected to be a promising environmentally friendly power generation system. Experiments with large RED stacks are needed for the practical application of RED power generation, but only a few experimental results exist because of the need for large facilities and a large area of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs). In this study, to predict the power output of a large RED stack, the power generation performances of a lab-scale RED stack (40 membrane pairs and 7040 cm2 total effective membrane area) with several IEMs were evaluated. The results were converted to the power output of a pilot-scale RED stack (299 membrane pairs and 179.4 m2 total effective membrane area) via the reference IEMs. The use of low-area-resistance IEMs resulted in lower internal resistance and higher power density. The power density was 2.3 times higher than that of the reference IEMs when natural SW was used. The net power output was expected to be approximately 230 W with a pilot-scale RED stack using low-area-resistance IEMs and natural SW. This value is one of the indicators of the output of a large RED stack and is a target to be exceeded with further improvements in the RED system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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14 pages, 2383 KiB  
Article
Design and Evaluation of Two-Stage Membrane-Separation Processes for Propylene–Propane Mixtures
by Takehiro Yamaki, Nguyen Thuy, Nobuo Hara, Satoshi Taniguchi and Sho Kataoka
Membranes 2022, 12(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020163 - 29 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3976
Abstract
Propylene is industrially produced in a mixture with propane and generally separated from the mixture via distillation. However, because distillation is an energy-consuming process, a more efficient separation process should be developed to mitigate both carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and production [...] Read more.
Propylene is industrially produced in a mixture with propane and generally separated from the mixture via distillation. However, because distillation is an energy-consuming process, a more efficient separation process should be developed to mitigate both carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and production costs. In this study, a two-stage membrane-separation process was designed, and its CO2 emission and production costs were evaluated. The separation processes were designed to minimize energy consumption using different membrane combinations (two recently developed membranes each). To evaluate the separation processes using various membrane combinations, two indicators, i.e., CO2 emissions and total annual costs (TACs), were estimated based on the process simulation (Pro/II, version 10.1.1) results, including energy consumptions, operation expenditure, and capital expenditure. These results were compared to the distillation processes as benchmarks, and the advantages of the membrane-separation process were discussed. In the comparison, carbon taxes were implemented for assessing these two independent indicators as a single indicator, i.e., TAC with carbon tax. Furthermore, using the same scheme, model membranes were also employed in the two-stage membrane-separation process as case studies of technological forecasts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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14 pages, 32813 KiB  
Article
The Evaluation of Counter Diffusion CVD Silica Membrane Formation Process by In Situ Analysis of Diffusion Carrier Gas
by Katsunori Ishii and Mikihiro Nomura
Membranes 2022, 12(2), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020102 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2372
Abstract
A new evaluation method for preparing silica membranes by counter diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was proposed. This is the first attempt to provide new insights, such as the decomposition products, membrane selectivity, and precursor reactivity. The permeation of the carrier gas used [...] Read more.
A new evaluation method for preparing silica membranes by counter diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was proposed. This is the first attempt to provide new insights, such as the decomposition products, membrane selectivity, and precursor reactivity. The permeation of the carrier gas used for supplying a silica precursor was quantified during the deposition reaction by using a mass spectrometer. Membrane formation processes were evaluated by the decrease of the permeation of the carrier gas derived from pore blocking of the silica deposition. The membrane formation processes were compared for each deposition condition and precursor, and the apparent silica deposition rates from the precursors such as tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), hexyltrimethoxysilane (HTMOS), or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were investigated by changing the deposition temperature at 400–600 °C. The apparent deposition rates increased with the deposition temperature. The apparent activation energies of the carrier gas through the TMOS, HTMOS, and TEOS derived membranes were 44.3, 49.4, and 71.0 kJ mol−1, respectively. The deposition reaction of the CVD silica membrane depends on the alkoxy group of the silica precursors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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16 pages, 6362 KiB  
Article
Hollow-Fiber RO Membranes Fabricated via Adsorption of Low-Charge Poly(vinyl alcohol) Copolymers
by Takashi Ohkame, Kazushi Minegishi, Hideki Sugihara, Keizo Nakagawa, Takuji Shintani, Hideto Matsuyama and Tomohisa Yoshioka
Membranes 2021, 11(12), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11120981 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3122
Abstract
We report a new type of alkaline-stable hollow-fiber reverse osmosis (RO) membrane with an outside-in configuration that was established via adsorption of positively charged poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers containing a small amount of quaternary ammonium moieties. Anionic sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone nitrile) hollow-fiber membranes [...] Read more.
We report a new type of alkaline-stable hollow-fiber reverse osmosis (RO) membrane with an outside-in configuration that was established via adsorption of positively charged poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers containing a small amount of quaternary ammonium moieties. Anionic sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone nitrile) hollow-fiber membranes were utilized as a substrate upon which the cationic copolymer layer was self-organized via electrostatic interaction. While the adsorption of the low-charge copolymer on the membrane support proceeded in a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) fashion, it was found that the adsorbed amount by one immersion step was enough to form a defect-free separation layer with a thickness of around 20 nm after cross-linking of vinyl alcohol units with glutaraldehyde. The resultant hollow-fiber membrane showed excellent desalination performances (NaCl rejection of 98.3% at 5 bar and 1500 mg/L), which is comparable with commercial low-pressure polyamide RO membranes, as well as good alkaline resistance. The separation performance could be restored by repeating the LbL treatment after alkaline degradation. Such features of LbL membranes may contribute to extending RO membrane lifetimes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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12 pages, 2974 KiB  
Article
Water Transport and Ion Diffusion Investigation of an Amphotericin B-Based Channel Applied to Forward Osmosis: A Simulation Study
by Hao-Chen Wu, Tomohisa Yoshioka, Keizo Nakagawa, Takuji Shintani and Hideto Matsuyama
Membranes 2021, 11(9), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090646 - 24 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2571
Abstract
The use of an Amphotericin B_Ergosterol (AmBEr) channel as an artificial water channel in forward osmosis filtration (FO) was studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Three channel models were constructed: a common AmBEr channel and two modified C3deOAmB_Ergosterol (C3deOAmBEr) channels with different diameters [...] Read more.
The use of an Amphotericin B_Ergosterol (AmBEr) channel as an artificial water channel in forward osmosis filtration (FO) was studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Three channel models were constructed: a common AmBEr channel and two modified C3deOAmB_Ergosterol (C3deOAmBEr) channels with different diameters (12 Å and 18 Å). During FO filtration simulation, the osmotic pressure of salt-water was a driving force for water permeation. We examined the effect of the modified C3deOAmBEr channel on the water transport performance. By tracing the change of the number of water molecules along with simulation time in the saltwater region, the water permeability of the channel models could be calculated. A higher water permeability was observed for a modified C3deOAmBEr channel, and there was no ion permeation during the entire simulation period. The hydrated ions and water molecules were placed into the channel to explore the ion leakage behavior of the channels. The mean squared displacement (MSD) of ions and water molecules was obtained to study the ion leakage performance. The Amphotericin B-based channels showed excellent selectivity of water molecules against ions. The results obtained on an atomistic scale could assist in determining the properties and the optimal filtration applications for Amphotericin B-based channels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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13 pages, 5638 KiB  
Article
Development of Methanol Permselective FAU-Type Zeolite Membranes and Their Permeation and Separation Performances
by Ayumi Ikeda, Chie Abe, Wakako Matsuura and Yasuhisa Hasegawa
Membranes 2021, 11(8), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080627 - 15 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4018
Abstract
The separation of non-aqueous mixtures is important for chemical production, and zeolite membranes have great potential for energy-efficient separation. In this study, the influence of the framework structure and composition of zeolites on the permeation and separation performance of methanol through zeolite membranes [...] Read more.
The separation of non-aqueous mixtures is important for chemical production, and zeolite membranes have great potential for energy-efficient separation. In this study, the influence of the framework structure and composition of zeolites on the permeation and separation performance of methanol through zeolite membranes were investigated to develop a methanol permselective zeolite membrane. As a result, the FAU-type zeolite membrane prepared using a solution with a composition of 10 SiO2:1 Al2O3:17 Na2O:1000 H2O showed the highest permeation flux of 86,600 μmol m−2 s−1 and a separation factor of 6020 for a 10 wt% methanol/methyl hexanoate mixture at 353 K. The membrane showed a molecular sieving effect, reducing the single permeation flux of alcohol with molecular size for single-component alcohols. Moreover, the permeation flux of methanol and the separation factor increased with an increase in the carbon number of the alcohols and methyl esters containing 10 wt% methanol. In this study, the permeation behavior of FAU-type zeolite membranes was also discussed based on permeation data. These results suggest that the FAU-type zeolite membrane has the potential to separate organic solvent mixtures, such as solvent recycling and membrane reactors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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11 pages, 2712 KiB  
Article
Simulation on Pore Formation from Polymer Solution at Surface in Contact with Solid Substrate via Thermally Induced Phase Separation
by Yasushi Mino, Naruki Fukukawa and Hideto Matsuyama
Membranes 2021, 11(7), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11070527 - 13 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3525
Abstract
The formation of porous structures from polymer solutions at the surface in contact with various solid surfaces via a thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS) process is investigated. The pore formation process at the bulk and the surface of the poly(methyl methacrylate)/cyclohexanol solution is simulated [...] Read more.
The formation of porous structures from polymer solutions at the surface in contact with various solid surfaces via a thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS) process is investigated. The pore formation process at the bulk and the surface of the poly(methyl methacrylate)/cyclohexanol solution is simulated with a model based on the phase field method. When the compatibilities between the polymer-rich phase formed by the phase separation and the solid surface are high or low, surface porosity decreases. In contrast, for the solid surface having similar compatibilities with the polymer and solvent, high surface porosity is achieved. This indicates that the compatibility between the solid surface and polymer solution is important, and that optimal compatibility results in high surface porosity. The knowledge obtained in this work is useful to design the coagulation bath component in the membrane preparation process by TIPS for achieving high surface porosity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Membrane Science and Technology in Japan 2021, 2022)
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