CNT-Membrane: Nanoporous membranes with high specific flux of oriented CNTs for energy-efficient treatment of wastewater and process water in the oil and gas industry

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an important class of carbon-based nanomaterials for which numerous applications, particularly in the field of filtration, are being discussed.

If the project is successfully completed, CNT membranes will be available for the first time that can be used practically which have multiple advantages over conventional membranes and are suitable for the treatment of process water, especially for oil and natural gas production. Consideration of economic, ecological and ecotoxicological aspects during the development phase aims to ensure the sustainable development of the new filtration technology.

Objective

The aim is the development and testing of CNT-containing membranes for efficient water treatment by nanofiltration and ultrafiltration in the field of wastewater and process water treatment in the metalworking industry as well as oil and gas production.The project focuses on sustainable water management:

• Wastewater technology adapted to the specific conditions of crude oil and natural gas production and the metalworking industry
• by the multiple utilisation of water
• Closing the substance and water cycles associated with an examination of the ecotoxicological benefits and risks of the new technology

Focus of work

Aligned CNTs are to be generated in an impermeable matrix in order to realize a selective mass transfer through the interiors of the CNTs as well as through the network plane distances of the carbon. To minimize risk, three basic strategies are pursued:

• CNT/Polymer composite membranes
• CNT/ceramic composite membrane
• CNT/carbon composite membrane

The surface properties of CNT, matrix and carrier material are intended to be characterized and

specifically modified. The aim is to use an innovative method for predicting the CNT-

Dispersibility in matrices and the CNT interaction with surfaces through

analytical centrifugation. The novel CNT membranes will be used in combination with other treatment processes, such as centrifugation, flotation, microfiltration and ultrafiltration on real waters of oil and gas production as well as the metalworking industry to test and evaluated the entire process economically, ecologically and ecotoxicologically.