Enhancing the Capabilities of Portable SWRO Systems with Advanced TFX Membranes and Machine Learning based Performance Monitoring
Abstract
This project aims to research two innovative technologies to enhance the performance of systems that purify seawater into potable water, known as sweater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination units. The first technology is a new type of reverse osmosis membrane called Thin Film Crosslinked Composite (TFX) membrane. TFX membranes are created using cross-linked layers of strong polymers to give them greater mechanical strength and thermal resistance. These membranes do not suffer from the same plastic deformation known as plastic creep as conventional SWRO membranes. The second technology is the development of a smart water quality monitoring system. We propose using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors to collect data on five water quality parameters that can tell users how well the membranes work and indicate the potability of the produced water. We propose using water quality sensors to measure before and after filtration to develop machine learning algorithms to evaluate how well the membrane works and when to replace it. Continuous monitoring is crucial for maintaining optimal performance in desalination units because issues like filter malfunction can impedeoperations. Integrating MEMS sensors helps to address these challenges This research will include engineering and optimizing the novel membranes and will consist of material selection, membrane structure design, lab-scale fabrication, characterization/testing, and optimization. The data we collect using the sensors will be used to train machine learning algorithms over 12+ months for featuressuch as filter performance indicators, contaminant detection/classification, and predictive maintenance schedules. The research effort will contribute to developing a commercially viable portable SWRO system with the benefits of advanced membranes and filter performance monitoring.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 09, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412773
Entities
People
- Erik Hook
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, Los Angeles