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Investigating the influence of fabrication parameters on the diameter and mechanical properties of polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow-fibre membranes

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Polysulfone hollow-fibre membranes were fabricated via the dry-wet solution
spinning technique. The objective was to demonstrate the influence of the various
fabrication parameters on the diameter and mechanical properties of the hollow-fibre
membranes and to optimize the spinning process by controlling these parameters with
a computer control system. The effects of the operation parameters were investigated
using an experimental design based on a fractional factorial method (Taguchi’s design
of experiments). The parameters that were considered are the spinneret size, dope
solution temperature, bore fluid temperature, coagulation bath temperature, dope
extrusion rate, bore flow rate and the take-up speed. A new pilot solution spinning
plant was installed and upgraded, and a computer control system, based on LabView,
was developed to control, monitor and log the experimental data. The diameter of the
hollow-fibres were determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) while the
mechanical properties were measured using a tensile tester. The effects of diameter
size and wall thickness of the hollow-fibres on the performance of the membranes
were studied.
The results showed the significance of the fabrication parameters that dominate the
diameter and strength of the hollow-fibres. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Polisulfoon holvesel membrane is met ‘n droë-nat oplossingspin proses vervaardig.
Die doel hiermee was om die invloed van verskeie vervaardigingsparameters op die
deursnee en meganiese eienskappe van die holvesel membrane te demonstreer asook
om die spin proses te optimeer deur gerekenariseerde beheer van die aanleg. ‘n
Eksperimentele ontwerp, gebaseer op ‘n gedeeltelike faktoriaal metode (Taguchi se
eksperimentele ontwerp) is gebruik om die invloed van die vervaardigingsparameters
te ondersoek. Die parameters wat oorweeg is, is spindop grootte, materiaal
temperatuur, boorvloeistof temperatuur, stolbad temperatuur, materiaal ekstrusie
tempo and opwen spoed. ‘n Nuwe oplossingspin loodsaanleg was geïnstalleer en
opgegradeer en ‘n rekenaar beheerstelsel, gebaseer op LabView, is ontwikkel om die
aanleg te beheer, moniteer en eksperimentele data te stoor. Die deursnee van die
holvesel is gemeet met ‘n skanderingelektron mikroskoop (SEM) terwyl die
meganiese eienskappe bepaal is met ‘n trektoets apparaat. Die effek van die deursnee
en wanddikte van die holvesels op die werkverrigting van die membrane is ook
bestudeer.
Die resultate toon watter vervaardigingsparameters is beduidend vir die deursnee en
sterkte van die holvesels.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2677
Date12 1900
CreatorsRugbani, Ali
ContributorsSchreve, K., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

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