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*STTR Project:
Stabilizing Hydraulic Fluid by Removing Water—Compact Membrane Systems, Inc., 325 Water
Street, Wilmington, DE 19804;
302-999-7996; www.compactmembrane.com
Dr. Sudipto Majumdar, Principal
Investigator, smajumdar@compactmembrane.com
Mr. Stuart Nemser, Business Official, snemser@compactmembrane.com
DOE Grant No.
DE-FG02-06ER86268
Amount: $750,000
Research Institution
New Jersey Institute
of Technology
In the electrical power, steel, and aluminum industries, flame
retardant, phosphate ester hydraulic fluids are used to minimize fires. Although these fluids minimize fires, they
are unstable and cause losses in productivity.
This project will develop chemically resistant high flux membranes to
remove the chemical reactants that make these hydraulic fluids unstable. The membranes will operate on-line to enhance
stability in real time. In Phase I,
composite membrane modules – with excellent chemical and thermal resistance in
combination with desired flux and separation properties – were developed. Laboratory testing at representative
temperatures (e.g. 70-85ºC) showed that real time use of the membranes
dramatically enhanced the long term stability of hydraulic esters. An economic analysis indicated that the membrane
systems could be introduced in a low cost and cost effective manner. Phase II will fabricate larger scale
prototype hollow fiber membrane system.
These prototype membrane modules will be evaluated – first in extensive
laboratory tests, and then in actual field tests.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The resultant product would be a platform technology for removing small undesirable molecules (e.g. oxygen, water) from organic liquids. In addition to its use in stabilizing flame-retardant hydraulic fluids for power plants, steel plants, and aluminum plants, the technology should be applicable to many other petrochemical streams (e.g. oxygen removal from monomers, removal of gases from transformer oil).