Superhydrophobic Nanofiber

SUPERHYDROPHOBIC NANOFIBER TUBESFOR SEPARATING OIL FROM WATER

Compact and effective materials for separation of oil dispersed in water is important to the petrochemical industries for safety, ecological and economic reasons.

At the University of Akron, nanofiber mat filters are fabricated in flat sheet and cylindrical geometries and tested for separation of water dispersions in diesel fuel. The nanofiber mats are formed by electrospinning. Due to the fiber size, pore size, and material composition, the nanofiber mat surfaces are super hydrophobic (repell water) which aids in the separation of the oil from water. The super hydrophobic surfaces have an affinity for oil and not water due to their low surface energy.

SUPERHYDROPHOBIC NANOFIBER TUBESFOR SEPARATING OIL FROM WATER

The cylindrical nanofiber filters performed with separation efficiency as high as 98% on a total mass basis for water drops in the range of 7–50 lm in ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) with a face velocity of 1.55 cm/min.

The flat filter geometry performed at about 92% separation efficiency at a similar face velocity.

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The tubular geometry is unique for nanofiber mats and the tubular geometry allows the separators to be designed into compact sizes. This work shows practical water–diesel separation filters can be constructed in tubular geometries.

Proof of concept experiments have been conducted.

Prototype tube holders have been fabricated.