Polyethyleneimine-enhanced silicon carbide membranes for efficient oil-water separation in high-temperature condensate

The primary objective of this research is to improve the efficiency of separating oil and water within the challenging environment of high-temperature condensate. This will be achieved through the innovative approach of surface modifying silicon carbide (SiC) membranes with polyethyleneimine (PEI). To begin, different concentrations of PEI aqueous solutions are formulated by mixing PEI with ultrapure water. Following this, a SiC ceramic membrane undergoes modification through immersion in the solution. This process yields a tailored separation membrane with hydrophilic and oleophobic properties, adjustable pore size, robust physicochemical stability, and surface anti-fouling attributes. This achievement stems from precise regulation of the reaction duration during the meticulous process. Notably, in the context of separating diesel-in-water emulsions across varying concentrations, the adapted membrane demonstrates an extraordinary separation efficiency surpassing 99.00 %. Additionally, it demonstrates impressive resilience against oil fouling, further highlighting its effectiveness. The membrane showcases commendable reusability, sustaining an oil interception rate that exceeds 99.00 % even after undergoing eight consecutive cycles. Furthermore, the coated membrane exhibits exceptional performance even in challenging conditions, including high salinity, extreme pH levels, and temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees C. At the same time, the membrane demonstrates outstanding mechanical properties. The findings from this study illustrate the promising real-world applications of this groundbreaking oil-water separation membrane.