Ceramic nanofiltration membranes: Creating a resilient future for drinking water supply PhD

Nanofiltration membranes play an important role in the removal of colour from drinking water, which is vital to protect customers and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. However, polymeric nanofiltration membranes are expensive due to low water productivities, while their construction makes them difficult to clean and subject to breakage. This PhD is a rare opportunity to have a major impact on an industrial scale, by accelerating the development of ceramic nanofiltration membranes as a disruptive solution for colour removal. The differential mechanical and chemical robustness, and higher water production rates, promise to create a resilient future for drinking water production.

Polymeric nanofiltration (NF) membranes are used to produce drinking water as they are highly selective for organic colour, and so can provide excellent water quality. However, surface fouling, constraints on cleaning methods, mechanical breakage, and low membrane permeabilities make this an expensive solution, that can risk resilience in water supply putting customers and the operating water utility at risk. An increase in organics levels in raw water linked to climate change, population growth and tighter regulations on water quality, has also increased the strain on drinking water production by NF.

The aim of this project is to develop ceramic nanofiltration membranes as an alternative strategy to the widely deployed polymeric membranes as they are mechanically stronger, more resistant to fouling and can be readily cleaned. The enhanced robustness extends service life, reduces the risk of supply, and the improved water productivities should reduce cost sufficiently to warrant considering ceramic nanofiltration as a solution for a broader set of industrial challenges. While ceramic ultrafiltration membranes have been demonstrated at scale, ceramic nanofiltration, which is a more selective membrane technology, has yet to be developed for drinking water. Working with three water utilities, and several ceramic nanofiltration suppliers, this PhD will aim to accelerate the adoption of ceramic nanofiltration for colour removal to revolutionise drinking water treatment.

Cranfield overview and Sponsor Information/Background: This PhD is funded by EPSRC and three major UK Water Utilities (Anglian, Scottish and Welsh Water) that are seeking to deploy ceramic NF as a direct replacement for their existing asset base.

Expected impact/results of research project: The project will: (i) evaluate the selectivity mechanism for nanofiltration, by linking water characteristics to membrane properties that will determine the separation efficiency; (ii) evaluate and compare water permeability of ceramic to polymeric membranes; (iii) develop a business case for investment, including regulatory approach, supply chain evaluation and whole life cost. Full training will be provided and there may also be an opportunity to scale-up the technology for industrial scale demonstration to determine viability for early stage adoption, providing a rich experience for the successful candidate in driving innovation through to market.

The candidate will take a leading role in driving an innovative and disruptive technology into industry, through the science that is generated. This will provide an opportunity to generate genuine industrial and environmental benefit through the research, whilst gaining experience of working in collaboration with industry partners. Some UK and international travel is expected – for example, to deliver scientific presentations at overseas conferences, to national conferences to engage with industry and other UK based academics, in addition to frequent engagement with industrial partners.

In addition to the transferrable skills programme on offer at Cranfield, the candidate will work with their academic supervisors to tailor a personal development plan based on experience, and career aspirations. Specific laboratory skills training will be provided. Our aspiration is to train leading research talent, with advanced analytical and communication skills, that are marketable for both academia and industry.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry, environmental science or a related discipline. 

How to apply  

For further information please contact:

Name: Professor Ewan McAdam Email: [Email Address Removed] T: (0) 1234 750111 Ext: 4546 

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form stating ref no SWEE0174