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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Engineering : Postgrad (School of Engineering)

Postgraduate Course: Membrane Separation Processes (MSc) (PGEE11155)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Engineering CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryMembranes are applied in a range of processes from selective separation to solvent and material recovery. This course will enable students to understand membrane-based separation problems by acquiring in-depth knowledge in the area of membrane separation mechanisms, transport models, membrane materials and modules etc. The focus will be particularly on Environmental applications of membrane science and technology.
Course description 1) INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
Separation concepts; diffusion across a thin film; terminology; driving force;
2) GENERAL TRANSPORT MODELS
Concentration and pressure gradients; solution - diffusion models; concentration polarization;
3) MEMBRANE POLYMERS/PREPARATION/MODULES
Polymer selection; Phase inversion membranes; thermodynamics; interfacial polymerization; membrane morphology
4) ULTRAFILTRATION (UF) AND MICROFILTRATION (MF)
Membrane properties; concentration polarization and fouling; protein fouling; crossflow and deadend microfiltration; selected applications and economics.
5) REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) AND NANOFILTRATION (NF)
Membrane selection procedures; osmotic pressure; models; membrane fouling; design considerations and modules; pretreatment; applications (desalination, waste treatment, etc.); economic considerations.
6) PERVAPORATION (PV) / VAPOUR PERMEATION /GAS SEPARATION
Mechanisms; selectivity and flux; azeotrope separation; applications (alcohol concentration, VOC and other pollutant separations,etc.); design needs
7) MEMBRANE REACTORS / BIOREACTORS /DIALYSIS/ELECTRODIALYSIS
Catalytic membranes; nonporous and porous inorganic membrane; Membrane reactor for hazardous pollutant degradation
8) MEMBRANE CONTACTORS
Gas absorption/stripping; solvent extraction; key equations and mass-transfer correlations; mass transfer with chemical reaction; facilitated transport
9) MEMBRANE APPLICATIONS FOR WATER/WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SYSTEM DESIGN
Hybrid processes and novel applications; Selected Environmental applications involving for water reuse and material recovery; Membrane flux and separation optimization.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. apply various transport models for the calculation of membrane fluxes and the extent of separation for various membrane systems
  2. identify the types of experimental data needed for the calculation of membrane parameters
  3. select a membrane process and design components to carry out a specific separation
  4. be familiar with the relevant literature
  5. have an introduction to advancement of membrane techniques to solve environmental problems.
Reading List
Richard W. Baker Membrane Technology and Applications 2012

Marcel Mulder Basic Principles of Membrane Technology 1996

Additional reading:

H. Strathmann, Introduction to Membrane Science and Technology, 2011

E. Hoek, V. Tarabara, Encyclopedia of Membrane Science and Technology, 2013
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsMembranes,separation processes,water treatment
Contacts
Course organiserProf Maria-Chiara Ferrari
Tel: (0131 6)50 5689
Email:
Course secretaryMrs Shona Barnet
Tel: (0131 6)51 7715
Email:
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