Integrated piezoelectric vibration system for fouling mitigation in ceramic filtration membranes

Abstract Membranes used in separation processes are subjected to fouling which decreases the efficiency of the process and the membrane's lifespan. To reduce this fouling, vibrating membranes made from piezoelectrics, have recently been proposed. In this study we propose an innovative and flexible design where a conventional alumina membrane vibrates under the influence of electrically driven lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectrics, which are integrated outside the filtering area. This design makes it possible to isolate the piezoelectric and electrical interconnections from the fluid during the operation. The vibration system was analysed using “hard” and “soft” PZT compositions. Both the numerical model and the measurements of the membrane vibrations in air confirmed higher vibration amplitudes in the case of the “soft” PZT. We demonstrate that the vibration system with “soft” PZT actuators also resonates under water pressure, but at amplitudes lower than those measured in air. Filtration tests with humid acid showed that when the membrane is subjected to piezoelectric vibration, the decline in the flux was reduced by 59%, compared to the situation without the piezoelectric effect, suggesting that the novel vibration system with a built-in piezoelectric can be used in fluid-separation systems to minimise the fouling of ceramic membranes.