Research programme
Research activities of the Membrane Innovation Centre is divided into three research programmes to ensure faster transfer of the results of research and development activities of the Centre to the real industrial applications.
Research programme 1
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEMBRANES AND MEMBRANE MATERIALS
Focus of the programme:
- Development and validation of new modified heterogeneous ion exchange membranes for electromembrane processes based on improved nano-and micro-structures of heterogeneous polymeric membrane composites or by surface modification of membranes or on the basis of development of multilayer systems
- Development and validation of the technology for preparation and production of new and modified heterogeneous ion exchange membranes for electromembrane processes in different shape forms
- Creating a knowledge database of membranes for electromembrane processes membrane pressure processes and separation of gases including a comparison of their technical and economic parameters
- Implementation of research of materials and membranes for gas separation based on the polymer membranes, which will be directed to the separation of particular implementation systems and comparison of their properties with the available materials on the world market
- Defining of engineering standards to describe the characteristics and rheological properties of heterogeneous ion exchange membranes and bipolar ion exchange membranes and characteristics of membranes for pressure membrane processes and gas separation processes
- Development and implementation of new or optimized methods for the measuring of characteristics and rheological properties of heterogeneous ion exchange and bipolar membranes, the characteristics of membranes for pressure membrane processes and gas separation processes, into the laboratories of the Center
Research programme 2
RESEARCH OF MEMBRANE MODULES, DEVICES AND PROCESSES
Focus of the programme:
- To develop and implement into Centre laboratories new methods of membrane module characterization and membrane processes including development and implementation of new mathematical models and SW for their description and design to systematize and define engineering standards and opportunities to clear up relevant physical and chemical effects
- To optimize current electro-membrane modules to improve their technical and economical parameters in relation to a type of the membrane process and their technological and application potential (e.g. hybrid processes, modules for extreme concentration, tubular EPC cage, etc.)
- Development and validation of new membrane modules pro EMP (e.g. unusual structure of membrane stack or for opportunity of realization ion substitution so-called methataze direct in the stack with opportunity of implementation of bipolar heterogeneous membranes with potential of intensification of EMP, regulation pH without addition of chemicals and development of new technologies in processing of fluid systems) and modules for membrane gas separation
- Development of knowledge database of commercial membrane modules for electromembrane processes, pressure membrane processes and membrane gas separation including characterization of their technical parameters suitable for their effective use in different application fields
- Development of knowledge database of commercial membrane modules for electromembrane processes, pressure membrane processes and membrane gas separation including characterization of their technical parameters suitable for their effective use in different application fields
Research programme 3
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR APPLICATION
Focus of the programme:
- Research and implementation of membrane technologies consisting of the following membrane processes:
- Electromembrane processes (electrodialisys applied as ED, ED(R) and ED-C , electrodeionization – EDI, electrodialisys with bipolar membranes – EDBM)
- Pressure driven membrane process (reverse osmosis – RO, nanofiltration – NF, ultrafiltration – UF, microfiltration – MF)
- Separation of gases – GMS
- Research and implementation of integrated energy efficient technologies and zero discharge membrane technologies with benign influence on environment:
- Combination of several types of membrane processes into one technology
- Integration of several processes into one hybrid membrane process
- Combination of conventional and membrane processes for low or zero discharge technologies
- Research and implementation of membrane technologies in two main application areas:
- Membrane separation of liquids
- Membrane separation of gases
- Water treatment for power and chemical industry and for environmental protection
- Applications for food and beverage industry
- Applications in pharmaceutics and other industry
- Gas separation for biogas, air and hydrogen applications
