APPLICATION OF CERAMIC MEMBRANES TO REVERSE-OSMOSIS

Colloidal TiO2 sols which contain stable particles that are ca. 50 A in diameter have been produced. Scanning electron photomicrographs indicate that supported membranes which are free from flaws can be fabricated from these TiO2 sols. These photomicrographs indicate that the membranes thus formed are approximately 1 micron thick. Furthermore, these photomicrographs indicate that total coverage of the support has been obtained. In order to assess potential uses of ceramic membranes, it is necessary to determine if they are capable of achieving separations of industrial significance. A surface-force pore-flow model has been employed to predict the rejections expected for these TiO2 membranes when used to process solutions containing polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights. These results were then used to predict the expected performance of these membranes when used to concentrate the permeate from the ultrafiltration of cheese whey.