SiC: can SiC membranes function as a filter for stable water emulsions?

Status: Finished Chemistry

We tested the behaviour of Silicon Carbide membranes across various pilots during this project – more specifically, we tested their behaviour when they function as filters for stable water emulsions. We examined their fouling tendency, cleaning options, the required cleaning frequency and the consequences for long-term and economic performance.  

Focal points of this project

It can be challenging to separate oil in stable water emulsions. Ceramic membranes, especially Silicon Carbide (SiC) membranes, could offer a solution as a filter. That material can withstand extreme pH values and temperatures.

Earlier projects have demonstrated that SiC membranes are suitable for treating oil in water emulsions. However, we didn’t have enough knowledge about the behaviour of these membranes over a longer period of time yet, nor about the cleaning options for these membranes. 

That’s why we studied the following in a pilot project:

  • how the membranes respond to fouling
  • what the cleaning options are,  
  • which cleaning frequency is required,  
  • how membranes perform in the long run
  • what the economic impact is. 

SiC membranes in other industries

Because SiC membranes are so robust, it’s interesting to examine whether they can be used in other industries, such as the food industry, pharmaceuticals and chemistry. That’s why the application of SiC membranes was also examined at a smaller scale within those industries during this project.  

This project illustrated the potential of SiC membranes as a filter for stable water emulsions. It also demonstrates the potential applications in other industries. Moreover, by focusing on the long term, we limited the technological risk.

The end goal of this project was to prepare the SiC membrane technology for a large-scale application.  

Funding

This project was co-funded by TKI-E&I, with an additional grant ‘TKI-Toeslag’ (TKI bonus) for the Ministry of Economy and Climate’s Top consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI).  

Partners

  • Saudi Aramco
  • Institute for Sustainable Process Technology
  • KWR (Watercycle Research Institute)
  • Carbogen Amcis
  • ESD
  • LiQTech
  • Semco Maritime
  • Friesland Campina
  • Wageningen Food & Biobased Research
  • University Twente
  • Shell Global Solutions
  • ESD-SiC