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Photocatalytic Membranes for Producing Ultrapure Water--Technology Assessment & Transfer, Inc., 133 Defense Highway, Suite 212, Annapolis, MD  21401; 410-224-3710

Dr. Mark Patterson, Principal Investigator

Mrs. Sharon S. Fehrenbacher, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER83108

Amount:  $99,922

 

Current methods to produce ultrapure water are energy intensive and limited to minimum TOC levels in the range 2-5 ppb.  Semiconductor plants are currently in need of ultrapure water with <2ppb TOC and will require <1 ppb TOC in the next year or two.  A novel photocatalytic membrane will be developed that provides intimate mixing of the dilute stream with the catalyst and activating photons.  This membrane design will enable reduction of TOC levels from the 20 ppb output of RO/DI systems to <1ppb at processing costs substantially lower than the current photolysing methods that can only reach 2 ppb levels at best.  Phase I will demonstrate the capability to apply adherent TiO₂ coatings on the catalyst support structure.  Coatings must withstand the turbulent water flow required to achieve high contact efficiency with the dilute organic contaminants in the high purity (20ppb TOC) water stream.  Adhesion testing simulating turbulent flows during use will be used to compare coating methods and parameters.  Coated samples will be tested for photocatalytic activity using target contaminants indilute water streams.

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  The three primary industries that use ultrapure water are semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical/biotechnology and power generation.  The total estimated market for ultrapure water equipment used specifically for organic destruction/disinfection is $190 Million annually.  The semiconductor industry will benefit from the new water purity levels enabled by the proposed technology for both raw water and recycled water.  This technology is needed in order to keep pace with the water purity guidelines set forth in the National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors.