Characterization (2D-3D) of ceramic microfiltration membrane by synchrotron radiation: new and abraded membranes

Membranes are used in many industrial fields and, when performances of these processes decrease, the issue of modifying the porous structure is often raised. Many optical or microscopic techniques allow us to perfectly characterize the membrane's surface but very few allow the characterization of its depth. Through the comparison between a new and an abraded membrane, this paper presents the post-processing of images obtained by radiation synchrotron and associated dimensions that can be obtained by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Thus, the whole thickness of the membrane is obtained from the skin to the permeate exit and a morphological analysis of the solid and pore phase is proposed at the heart of the membrane. The two-dimensional characterization allows one to perfectly define the mapping of the pores and to quantify by different comparisons the modification of the skin of a membrane after usage. The 3D characterization by X-ray tomography at the scale of the thickness of the membrane allows us to obtain the granulometric distribution of the different phases of the porous matrix. This ability to characterize both the solid and the pores is relevant to the study of membranes, showing not only the modification of the solid matrix but also highlighting pore fouling.

Jérôme Vicente, Yvan Wyart, Philippe Moulin. Characterization (2D-3D) of ceramic microfiltration membrane by synchrotron radiation: new and abraded membranes. Journal of Porous Media, 2013, 16 (6), pp.537-545. ⟨10.1615/JPorMedia.v16.i6.50⟩. ⟨hal-00994249⟩

Journal: Journal of Porous Media

Date de publication: 01-01-2013

Auteurs:
  • Jérôme Vicente
  • Yvan Wyart
  • Philippe Moulin

Digital object identifier (doi): http://dx.doi.org/10.1615/JPorMedia.v16.i6.50

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