New membrane accelerates purification of industrial solvents
Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering, working with an international team led by KU Leuven, have developed a membrane technology to improve the efficiency of purifying widely used solvents.
Researchers from KU Leuven's Department of Chemical Engineering have created a new graphene oxide membrane technology to improve the efficiency of purifying solvents, particularly isopropanol, which is widely used in industries such as pharmaceuticals and electronics. The membrane enables water to be separated more quickly and efficiently from isopropanol, a process that is currently energy-intensive and contributes to 10% to 15% of global energy use in industrial chemistry.
The graphene oxide membrane combines two functions: narrow channels to block larger molecules and regions that allow water to pass through. The membrane selectively transports water, producing a permeate containing about 99.6% water, with faster separation than existing methods. This advancement could help reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in the chemical industry, supporting the transition to more sustainable production processes.
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