From seawater to drinking water – new membrane technology

A new ceramic membrane that can desalinate seawater, can solve lack of drinking water. The ceramic membrane is robust and energy efficient and provides high-efficient filtration. Today desalination of seawater across the globe is performed by reverse osmosis (RO) membranes made mainly of polymer. The seawater is turned into drinking water and the byproduct salt. The aim of the project is to further develop an existing ceramic membrane with unique abilities for e.g. oil-water separa- tion, towards use in desalination with great energy savings compared to state-of-the-art technologies. Both parties have installed all equipment for production of small-scale prototypes, among which a high-temperature furnace (above 2400°C) for production of new ceramic membrane-carrier prototypes and a small lab unit for applying a new ceramic membrane layer on top of the membrane-carrier. The first prototypes have been produced, proving an important point: the ability of producing a foundation for the ceramic RO-membrane. The prototypes are now tested, and the results will form the basis for further development of the RO-membrane.