Ben-gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority

Eliyahu Korin

Jack Gilron

Charles Linder

Ora Kedem

Yoram Oren

Viatcheslav Freger

The invention provides a process for purifying water containing soluble species capable of forming one or more sparingly soluble salts or minerals, said process comprising feeding a pressurized water stream into a treatment zone having one or more membranes disposed therein, passing said stream along said membrane(s) to recover a permeate and to withdraw a concentrate therefrom while periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said stream in said treatment zone, wherein the periodicity of the flow reversal is such that said one or more membranes are exposed to supersaturation conditions evolving in said water stream for a period of time which is less then the time required for said supersaturated water stream to precipitate one or more of said sparingly soluble salts and/or minerals therefrom.

Method and system for increasing recovery and preventing precipitation fouling in pressure-driven membrane processes

Process for producing ion exchange membranes. A matrix material that comprises a polymeric component chosen from the group consisting of monomeric and oligomeric polymer precursors and cross-linkable polymers is provided. Ion cation or anion exchange particles, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting particles, or cation or anion exchange polymers, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting polymers are introduced in the matrix. The particles are mixed or the polymer is dissolved with the matrix. The resulting mixture is formed into membrane configuration. The particles or the domains of the polymer formed by polymer-matrix phase separation upon solvent evaporation or cooling, are ordered by an electric field. If the matrix comprises or consists of a polymer precursor or a cross-linkable polymer, the precursor is cured concurrently with the ordering of the particles, or if the matrix comprises a polymer solution or polymer melt the polymer solution is evaporated or the polymer melt is maintained and then cooled concurrently with the ordering of the particles.

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Beer-Sheva, Israel

Eliyahu Korin