BMS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

(Autonomous Institution Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University)

NANOFILTRATION

By: Vittal S Bajantri

Semester IV
M. Tech.
Environmental Engineering
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 CONTENTS
• Inroduction
• Working principle
• Nanofiltration membrane materials and fabrication
• Advantageous of nanofiltration
• Limitations of nanofiltration
• Operational problems and troubleshooting
• Maintenance of nanofiltration
• Implementation of nanofiltration- case studies
• References

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 NANO-FILTRATION
INTRODUCTION
• Nanofiltration is a membrane filtration process that uses nanometer sized pores through which
particles smaller than about 1–10 nanometers pass through the membrane.
• Generally membranes possess pore size around 0.5 - 2 nm which corresponds to molecular
weight cut-off of 100–1000 Da.
• This was first recognized in the late 80’s with properties in between ultrafiltration and reverse
osmosis.
• Membranes used are predominantly polymer thin films.
 WORKING PRINCIPLE
• Membrane Pore Size: Pore size range of membrane allows nanofiltration membranes to
selectively separate ions and small molecules based on size and charge.

• Size Exclusion: Nanofiltration membranes primarily operate on the principle of size exclusion.
As they rejects the larger sized particles and allows smaller sized particles less than pore size of
membrane This makes nanofiltration useful for separating dissolved solutes, ions, and small
organic molecules from water or other solvents.

• Charge Selectivity: Typically, nanofiltration membranes reject divalent ions more effectively
than monovalent ions.

• Pressure-Driven Process: Feed solution is pushed through the membrane under pressure. The
pressure forces the solvent and smaller molecules to pass through the membrane, while larger
particles and ions are retain.

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NANOFILTRATION MEMBRANE MATERIALS AND FABRICATION
i. Polymeric Nanofiltration membrane
• Structure of nanofiltration membrane: A thin polyamide layer, a porous substrate layer (e.g.,
polysulfone or polyethersulfone) and a non woven support.
• Polyamide is generally fabricated by performing
the interfacial polymerization reaction between
an aqueous amine solution containing piperazine
or m-phenylenediamine and an organic solution
containing trimesoyl chloride. Schematic of interfacial polymerization process
• The formed polyamide layer plays crucial role in membrane separation performance.
Introducing Nanomaterials
• Nanomaterials can be introduced into the polyamide layer via adding them in the aqueous/organic phase during
interfacial polymerization reaction, it forms thin-film nanocomposite membranes.
• This membrane create vast nanochannels for enhanced water transport and makes it antimicrobial.
• In addition to polyamide, alternative polymers, such as polyurethanes, poly(bio-amides), polyanilines,
polyesters, and polyimides, can also be used as membrane rejection layer materials through interfacial 5
 Material Advantage Drawback Field of application
Polyamide Matured fabrication and high separation Vulnerable to chlorination Membranes mainly for NF and
performance RO
Poly(bio-amide) Biocompatibility and switchable properties Relatively high MWCO values NF applications with high
permeability
Polyester High resistance to chlorine Susceptibility to hydrolytic NF applications with improved
degradation chlorine stability
Polyimide High tolerance to organic solvent and Instability of amic acid groups in Instability of amic acid groups in
thermal stability water water
Polyaniline Electrochemical properties Difficult to control nanostructures Organic solvent NF and
electrically conductive
membranes

ii. Non polymeric Nanofiltration membranes

• Ceramic nanofiltration membranes generally possess average pore size of 1–2 nm with effective molecular
weigh cut-off of ranging from 200 to 1000 Da.

• Nanoparticles of metal oxides such as SiO2,TiO2, and ZrO2 are often used as the selective layer of ceramic
nanofiltration membranes, which are usually fabricated through the sol gel process.

• Composite ceramic nanofiltration membranes using mixed metal oxide, such as ZrO 2/TiO2, have also
been commercially produced to improve membrane separation performance. 6
• Water permeability of ceramic nanofiltration membrane is often lower than that of polymeric
nanofiltration membranes with similar molecular weigh cut-off, because of their lower porosity and
higher thickness.
• There are other advanced fabrication methods, such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical
vapor deposition (CVD) are there to prepare a more uniform and tight separation layer.
• Currently, polyamide-based nanofiltration membranes are most commonly used for drinking water
production because of their fabrication technique, successful applications in separation industries, and
reasonable cost-effectiveness.
• Ceramic nanofiltration membranes also have great potential for drinking water treatment because of
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their high chemical stability, which allows them to be used with oxidants like Chlorine for disinfection
ADVANTAGEOUS OF NANOFILTRATION

• High Flux Rates: typically operate at lower pressures than reverse osmosis and consequently
achieve higher permeate flux rates.
• Lower Energy Consumption: Operates at low pressure leads to less energy consumption.
• Water softening: Softens water without adding extra sodium ions, unlike ion exchangers
• Versatility: Nanofiltration membranes are versatile and can be tailored to specific applications by
adjusting membrane material, pore size, and surface chemistry.
• Compatibility with Complex Feed Streams: Nanofiltration membranes can handle complex feed
streams with varying concentrations of dissolved solids, organic compounds, and suspended
particles.
• Environmental Benefits: Nanofiltration can contribute to environmental sustainability by enabling
water reuse and recycling, reducing freshwater consumption, and minimizing discharge of
pollutants into the environment.

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 LIMITATIONS OF NANOFILTRATION
• Selective Removal: Removes certain ions and molecules based on size and charge, they may not
provide complete removal of all contaminants.
• Membrane Fouling: Accumulation of particles, microorganisms, or other substances on the
membrane surface or within its pores.
• Limited Salt Rejection: Reject a significant portion of divalent ions like calcium, magnesium, they
are less effective at rejecting monovalent ions like sodium, chloride.
• pH Sensitivity: pH conditions can affect membrane stability, performance, and lifespan.
• Pressure Requirements: It requires sufficient pressure to achieve desired separation and flux rates.
High operating pressures can lead to increased energy consumption and operational costs.
• Limited Applicability to Dilute Solutions: May not be suitable for processing very dilute solutions
or high-volume feeds with low solute concentrations.
• Membrane Material Compatibility: Some membrane materials may not be compatible with certain
chemicals, temperatures, or operating conditions, limiting their applicability in specific industrial
processes.
• Cost Considerations: Generally more cost-effective than RO for certain applications.
• Scaling-Up Challenges: May pose challenges related to system design, membrane fouling
management, and overall process optimization. 9
 OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Membrane Fouling: Fouling occurs when particles, organic matter, or precipitates accumulate on
the membrane surface or within its pores.
• Consequence: Reduces permeate flux, increases pressure requirements, and necessitates more frequent
cleaning or replacement of membranes.
• Troubleshooting: Regular Cleaning, Enhanced Pre-treatment, Optimizing Operating Parameters and Use
Antifouling Additives.

Scaling: Scaling occurs when dissolved salts and minerals in the feed water precipitate onto the
membrane surface or within its pores under certain operating conditions.
• Consequence: Reduces membrane efficiency, increases pressure differentials, and can lead to irreversible
membrane damage.
• Troubleshooting: Chemical Cleaning with acid, Controlling Feed Water Chemistry, addition of anti-scaling
agents at upstream.

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Chemical Compatibility: Membranes may be sensitive to certain chemicals present in the feed
water, cleaning solutions, or process chemicals used upstream.
• Consequence: Membrane deterioration, reduced separation efficiency, or even membrane failure over time.
• Troubleshooting: Chemical handling, use membrane-compatible chemicals, optimize pH control

pH and Temperature Sensitivity: Membranes may have specific temperature ranges and pH
within which they operate effectively
• Consequence: Extreme Temperature and pH conditions can degrade membrane materials, alter surface
charges, flux rates, and affect rejection properties.
• Troubleshooting: Maintaining the operating temperature range and pH.

Pressure Requirements: Membranes require sufficient operating pressure to achieve desired

separation efficiency and permeate flux rates
• Consequence: low pressure- low productivity, higher pressure- high energy consumption and stress on
membrane.
• Troubleshooting: Removal of blocking materials in the upstream like sediments, sand etc.,

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Concentration Polarization: Rejected solutes accumulate near the membrane surface, creating a
layer.
Consequence: Pressure drop, head loss.
Troubleshooting: Regular cleaning and backwashing.
System Design Issues: Poor system design, including inadequate pretreatment, improper flow
distribution, or mismatched components like pumps, valves.
Consequence: Lead to suboptimal nanofiltration performance.
• Troubleshooting: Proper designing of system, maintaining optimum flow velocity, installing pumps and
valves at necessary locations.

Biofouling: Due to growth of microorganisms, algae, or biofilms on membrane surface.

• Consequence: Increased pressure, reduced flux, foul odor or taste in permeate.
• Troubleshooting: Apply disinfectants, enhanced cleaning, improved pre-treatment like UV.

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MAINTENANCE OF NANOFILTRATION
Routine Monitoring and Inspection
• Daily Checks:
• Monitor operating parameters such as pressure, flow rates, and permeate quality.
• Check for any abnormalities in system performance or alarms.
• Inspect feed water quality and adjust pretreatment processes if necessary.
• Weekly Checks:
• Conduct visual inspection of membranes for fouling, scaling, or physical damage.
• Inspect system components (pumps, valves, pressure gauges) for leaks or malfunction.
• Review operational logs and trends to identify any deviations.
Regular cleaning
• A routine cleaning schedule based on operational hours or performance indicators using appropriate
cleaning chemicals and protocols recommended by manufacturers.
• Monitor cleaning efficiency through flux recovery tests or performance assessments post-cleaning.

Enhance Pre-treatment: Improving pretreatment processes to remove suspended solids, organic

matter, and particles that contribute to fouling and scaling.
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Membrane Integrity and Replacement
• Perform membrane autopsies or integrity tests periodically to assess membrane condition.
• Establish a membrane replacement schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and operational
lifespan.
• Replace membranes that show irreversible fouling, decreased performance, or physical damage.
Chemical Management
• Ensure chemicals used for cleaning, pH adjustment, or pretreatment are compatible with membrane
materials.
• Maintain proper storage and handling procedures for chemicals to prevent degradation or contamination.
• Adjust chemical dosing rates based on feed water quality and system operating conditions.
Instrumentation and Controls
• Regularly calibrate instrumentation such as pressure gauges, flow meters, and conductivity probes.
• Verify accuracy of control systems and alarms to ensure prompt detection of anomalies or system
failures.
Optimize Operating Conditions
• Adjusting operating parameters such as pressure, temperature, and pH within recommended ranges to
improve membrane performance and longevity.

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Training and Documentation
• Provide training to operators on nanofiltration system operation, maintenance procedures, and
troubleshooting techniques.
• Ensure operators understand the importance of maintaining operational parameters and following
established protocols.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, cleaning schedules, performance data, and
operational logs.
• Document any deviations from normal operation, corrective actions taken, and lessons learned for
continuous improvement.
Emergency Preparedness
• Develop contingency plans for handling unexpected failures, system shutdowns, or water quality
issues.
• Maintain spare parts inventory e.g., membranes, seals, O-rings and emergency repair kits on-site.
Enhance Pre-treatment
• Improving pretreatment processes to remove suspended solids, organic matter, and particles that
contribute to fouling and scaling.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF NANOFILTRATION- CASE STUDIES
1. Textile Industry in Tirupur
• Tirupur, a major textile hub in Tamil Nadu, faces significant water pollution issues due to the discharge of
untreated or partially treated wastewater from dyeing and bleaching units.
• Problem: The textile industry generates a large volume of wastewater containing dyes, chemicals, and other
pollutants.
• Solution: Nanofiltration membranes were installed to treat the wastewater, targeting the removal of color,
salts, and organic matter.
• Results: Significant reduction in colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD).Improved water quality
suitable for reuse in industrial processes & reduction in environmental pollution and compliance with
regulatory standards.

2. Nanofiltration system for surface water treatment

• In 1999, the world’s first large-scale water treatment plant using NF, i.e., Méry-sur-Oise plant, was built in
France.
• The plant had a production capacity of 140,000 m3d–1 and could effectively remove the natural organic
matter and pesticides in the feed river water.
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RELATIVE PORE SIZES OF THE VARIOUS FILTRATIONS

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WHAT DO THESE THREE PROCESSES REMOVE?

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 REFERENCES

• Hao Guo, Xianhui Li, Wulin Yang, Zhikan Yao, Ying Mei, Lu Elfa Peng, Zhe Yang, Senlin Shao, Chuyang
Y. Tang. Nanofiltration for drinking water treatment: a review. Chem. Sci. Eng. 2022, 16(5): 681–698.
• Yeit Haan Teow, Jing Yao Sum, Kah Chun Ho, Abdul Wahab Mohammad. 3 - Principles of nanofiltration
membrane processes. Osmosis Engineering 2021, Pages 53-95.
• A.W. Mohammad, Y. H. Teow, W. L. Ang, Y.T. Chung, D.L. Oatley-Radcliffe, N. Hilal. Nanofiltration
membranes review: Recent advances and future prospects. DesalinationVolume 356, 15 January 2015,
Pages 226-254.
• Nanofiltration – Wikipedia
• Fane A, Tang C, Wang R. Membrane technology for water: microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration,
and reverse osmosis. Treatise on Water Science. Oxford: Academic Press, 2011.
• Schäfer A, Fane A G, Waite T D. Nanofiltration: Principles and Applications. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2005

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THANK YOU

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