• Membrane Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.377-388
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• 2011

Flat sheet microfiltration membranes were prepared with polysulfone (PSF), polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylsulfone (PPS) by an immersion precipitation phase inversion method. In this method, dimethyl formamide (DMF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as a solvent and a wetting polymer additive, respectively. 2-butoxyethanol (BE) was used as a nonsolvent additive catalyst to form pore. The morphology of membranes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and micropermporometer. The permeability of the membranes was evaluated with the flux of pure water. When the BE was added, the pore size of membranes became larger than blank membranes. The changes in the morphology of membrane due to the BE addition depend on polymer structure. All membranes have similar mean pore size and porosity. The mean pore sizes of PSF, PES, and PPS membranes were 0.282, 0.330 $0.308{\mu}m$, respectively. The porosities of PSF, PES and PPS membranes were 68.5, 66.1, 66.4%, respectively. However, the PPS membrane showed higher pore density on surface and narrower pore size distribution than PSF or PES membrane does. As a result, the pure water flux of PPS membrane ($357L/m^2\;hr$) was higher than that of PSF ($196L/m^2\;hr$) or PES membrane ($214L/m^2\;hr$).

• Membrane Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Poly(ether imide) (PEI)-poly(dimethylsioxane) (PDMS) composite membranes and their modules were prepared, which are capable of selective $CO_2$ separation from the mixture gas. The gas flow rate, concentration, recovery ratio of $H_2$ and removal ratio of $CO_2$ outflowing by stage-cut were characterized at $25^{\circ}C$ and the constant pressure. In addition, to increase the recovery ratio of $H_2$, one stage, two stage series connection, and three stages series + parallel connection tests were carried out. When the stage-cut was 0.32 for the three stages connection operation, the concentration $H_2$ of the produced gas and the recovery ratio of $H_2$ was 97% and 85%, respectively. And also the removal ratio of $CO_2$ was 90% was obtained and the recycled gas concentration was similar with that of the feed gases.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated permeation of single gas ($N_2$, $O_2$, $CF_4$, and $SF_6$) through flat sheet membrane composed of PDMS (poly-dimethylsiloxane) and PEBAX (polyether block amides). Gas permeation experiment was performed with various feed pressure. Permeability was estimated using permeation flux measured by continuous-flow technique. The permeability of gases except $SF_6$ in PDMS were decreased with the upstream pressure increased. $SF_6$ is much more permeable than $CF_4$, which is due to higher critical temperature of $SF_6$. The permeability decreased in the following order: $O_2$ > $N_2$ > $SF_6$ > $CF_4$. On the other hand, the permeability of gases in PEBAX followed the order: $O_2$ > $N_2$ > $CF_4$ > $SF_6$ which are opposite of the order of kinematic diameter (${\AA}$)($SF_6$ > $CF_4$ > $N_2$ > $O_2$). The $SF_6/CF_4$ pure gas selectivity in PDMS was 2.1 at 0.7 MPa.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.379-387
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• 2018

This study was conducted to improve the membrane characteristics and performance by increasing hydrophilicity by adding additives to the ultrafiltration polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membrane. The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by dispersing 15 nm of fumed silica (FS) in the spinning solution at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. SEM analysis was carried out to confirm the cross-section and surface condition. It was confirmed that mean pore radius of the hollow fiber increased by 4 nm as FS was added. In addition, contact angle measurement was carried out for the hydrophilicity analysis of hollow fiber membranes, and it was confirmed that the hydrophilicity of MMMs were increased by adding of FS. In the case of water permeability, the membrane including FS showed 91~96 LMH and showed 5~11% more increase than PSf membrane. In the antifouling performance test, relative flux reduction ratios of FS mixed hollow fiber membranes were lower than that of PSf membranes, and it was confirmed that increase of hydrophilicity hinders adsorption of hydrophobic BSA on the membrane surface.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2019

The experiment was conducted to determine the performance of DME combustion gas when used as a fuel for DME burner for raising temperature and $CO_2$ concentration in greenhouse and also to examine its effects on chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage. DME-1 and DME-2 treatments consisted of average DME flow quantity in duct were $17.4m^3min^{-1}$ and $10.2m^3min^{-1}$ respectively to greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2 and no DME gas was supplied to greenhouse-3 which was left as control (DME-3). DME supply times were $0.5hr\;day^{-1}$, $1hr\;day^{-1}$, $1:30hrs\;day^{-1}$ and $2hrs\;day^{-1}$ on week 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Chlorophyll content and fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage were measured for each treatment and analyzed through analysis of variance with a significance level of P<0.05. The result of the study showed that $CO_2$ concentration increased up to 265% and 174% and the level of temperature elevated $4.8^{\circ}C$ and $3.1^{\circ}C$ in greenhouse-1 and 2, respectively as compared to greenhouse-3 due to application of DME combustion gas. Although, the same crop management practices were provided in greenhouse-1, 2 and 3 at a same rate, the highest change (p<0.05) of chlorophyll content, fresh weight and dry weight were found from the DME-1 treatment, followed by DME-2. As a result, DME combustion gas that raised the level of temperature and $CO_2$ concentration in the greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2, might have an effect on growth of lettuce and Chinese cabbage. At end of experiment, the highest fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage were measured in greenhouse-1 and followed by greenhouse-2. Similarly chlorophyll content of greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2 were more compared to greenhouse-3. In general, DME was not producing any harmful gas during its combustion period, therefore it can be used as an alternative to conventional fuel such as diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for both heating and $CO_2$ supply in winter season. Moreover, endorsed quantify of DME combustion gas for a specified crop can be applied to greenhouse to improve the plant growth and enhance yield.