Fabrics of polyester, polyacrylics, nylon and cotton were tested to investigate the possibility of using these materials as a membrane support sheet.
Considering the physical properties such as compaction rate, membrane embossing, water flux and the chemical and mechanical properties, 50 denier polyester fabrics was found to be the appropriate material as a membrane support sheet among the test.
There was 2-3% decrease in salt rejection due to membrane embossing under the pressure of 50 atm when 50 denier polyester fabrics was used as a membrane support sheet.
The experimental parameters such as pressure drop, compression pressure and viscosity were changed to investigate the effects of these parameters on the flow pattern in this membrane support sheet.
As a result, it was shown that Darcy's law could be satisfactorily applied to describing the flow pattern in this membrane support sheet.
The permeability (K) and porosities with the pressure changes were as follows in the case of 50 denier polyester with 55% initial porosity:
