DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/TD8D-7681
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9499-8830
Defense Date
2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
First Advisor
Sheng-Chieh Chen
Abstract
This research focused on ultrafiltration (UF) for particles down to 2 nm against membranes with larger pore size in water and IPA, which has the potential to save up to 90% of energy. This study developed electrospray (ES) - scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) method to fast and effective measure retention efficiencies for small particles (ZnS, Au and PSL) on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polycarbonate (PCTE) in different liquids. Theoretical models that could quantitatively explain the experimental results for small particles in medium-polarity organic solvents were also developed. Results showed that the highest efficiency was up to ~80% with 10 nm Au nanoparticle challenged on 100 nm rated PTFE, which demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed sustainable UF. The theoretical models were validated by experimental results and indicated that a higher efficiency was possible by enhancing material properties of membranes, particles, or liquids. Therefore, optimization on filtration condition was performed. A hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) models was firstly applied in this case. The dataset includes all the experimental results and some additional calculated retention efficiencies. Optimization parameters include membrane zeta potential, pore size, particle size, particle zeta potential, and Hamaker constant. The ANN model provided highly correlated predicted values with target values. The PSO model showed that a filtration efficiency of 99.9% could be achieved by using a 52.2 nm filter with a -20.3 mV zeta potential, 5.5 nm nanoparticles with a 41.4 mV zeta potential, and a combined Hamaker constant
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-11-2023