A versatile solar-powered vapor generating membrane for multi-media purification
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | 117952 |
Journal / Publication | Separation and Purification Technology |
Volume | 260 |
Online published | 28 Oct 2020 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2021 |
Link(s)
Abstract
Water evaporation driven by solar energy is an efficient, renewable, and environmentally friendly method to purify polluted or saline water. However, current solar-powered evaporation systems generally suffer from the poor stability, high materials cost, and complex fabrication processes. In this work, an inexpensive and versatile photothermal membrane (PTM) is prepared with basalt-fibers, which are prepared from natural basalt and synthesized by fiber forming and annealing. Owing to the special chemical composition and physical structure, the basalt-fiber PTM is very robust and corrosion resistant in extreme environments such as a strong acid, organic solvent, and alkali. The water evaporation processes are investigated and the floating-with-insulator mode shows the lowest heat dissipation and highest water evaporation rate. The basalt-fiber fabric is optimized by carbonization and a vaporization rate of 1.50 kg·m−2·h−1 and energy utilization efficiency of 82.5% are achieved for evaporation of pure water. The basalt-fiber PTM can be hand washed at least 30 times without efficiency deterioration and the process can be readily scaled up to address commercial needs.
Research Area(s)
- Basalt, Desalination, Photothermal, Solar energy, Water purification
Citation Format(s)
A versatile solar-powered vapor generating membrane for multi-media purification. / Wan, Peng; Gu, Xiaobin; Ouyang, Xiaolong; Shi, Shuyu; Deng, Baolin; Liu, Jiaqi; Chu, Paul K.; Yu, Xue-Feng.
In: Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 260, 117952, 01.04.2021.Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review