This project involves the manufacturing and field piloting of novel anti-fouling nanopatterned ultrasonic reverse osmosis membrane elements for efficient, high-recovery desalination of brackish…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $600,493.97 Cooperative Agreement to Pure Blue TECH Inc., doing business as Pure Blue, under the SECURE Water Act - Research Agreements program (CFDA 15.560). The funding supports the manufacturing and field piloting of novel anti-fouling nanopatterned ultrasonic reverse osmosis (RO) membrane elements for efficient, high-recovery desalination of brackish water and purification of surface water. The key innovation is the development of spiral wound RO membrane elements that incorporate nanoscale surface imprints and low-wattage ultrasound technology to resist membrane fouling, scaling, and concentration polarization. This technology is designed to increase sustained flux, reduce pressure drop, reduce chemical cleanings, and improve recovery rates in water treatment processes. The project is scheduled to run from March 2024 through September 2025.

This project involves the manufacturing and field piloting of novel anti-fouling nanopatterned ultrasonic reverse osmosis membrane elements for efficient, high-recovery desalination of brackish water and purification of surface water. The proposed nanopatterned ultrasonic reverse osmosis is a new spiral wound membrane element that includes membrane with nanoscale surface imprints and a low-wattage, thin, and flexible ultrasound transducer spirally wound with commercial off-the-shelf element components. These innovations inside the nanopatterned ultrasonic reverse osmosis enable the membrane element to resist membrane fouling, scaling, and concentration polarization by increasing nanoscale and macro turbulence and mixing at the membrane boundary layer and preemptively, continuously delay and reduce fouling, salt precipitation, and concentration polarization. As a result, this membrane element can increase sustained flux, reduce pressure drop, reduce chemical cleanings, and increase recovery.