The Future of Watermakers - Nanoporous Graphene

[ohYes]

I've been reading about this (and wishing for one for the boat). This will do away with the membrane issues. Here's hoping it is available to cruisers soon! Nanoporous graphene could outperform best commercial water desalination techniques
I'm also wondering if there is DIY potential.

[zboss]

Based on the water permeability and salt ion rejection rates, you could fill your tank as fast as you could pump the water.

"Overall, the results show that nanoporous graphene can theoretically outperform RO membranes in terms of water permeability, which is expressed in liters of output per square centimeter of membrane per day and per unit of applied pressure. Whereas high-flux RO has a water permeability of a few tenths, the simulations showed that nanoporous graphene’s water permeability ranged from 39 to 66 for pore configurations that exhibited full salt rejection (23.1 Å2 hydrogenated pores and 16.3 Å2 hydroxylated pores). Graphene with the largest hydroxylated pores reached 129, but allowed some passage of salt ions."

[Flem.S.Coyle]

Originally Posted by ohYes

I've been reading about this (and wishing for one for the boat)...

Nice find. High marks for being a phys.org subscriber!

Dittos regarding the hopeful outlook. You think Katadyne or Spectra is on this?

[barnakiel]

But 2012 old. Is there any follow up?

I think low homebrew potential - try to get graphene.

b.

[Tellie]

I think a lot of the major players are in on this. But how long will it take to filter down to the boat based market after it is perfected enough to use commercially is another thing. Most of your major watermaker companies are looking at much larger projects to be a part of. Boat based systems are still part of their bread and butter but my feeling is they are moving further away from it. What I would find interesting about this technology is the environmental impact it will have. There are already small fringe groups that protest RO plants around the world. If nanoporous graphene works as well as it's touted and can be applied to much larger commercial and community plants, I wonder if these groups won't grow with some interesting complaints. Even nanoporous graphene leaves a concentrated brine. It has to go somewhere and impact the environment somehow.

[nimblemotors]

Like most all research, it leads to nowhere. This was a simulation.
In the real world, a one-atom layer of graphene might disintegrate under pressure for example, or a hundred other problems. Does look promising. If works will be a huge deal to get 100x more efficient desailination, boat systems insignificant.
DIY? You can probably DIY your own simulation.

[ohYes]

Originally Posted by Flem.S.Coyle

Nice find. High marks for being a phys.org subscriber!

Dittos regarding the hopeful outlook. You think Katadyne or Spectra is on this?

Thanks, Flem. If they aren't looking into it, they should be! There's some massive money to be made if it pans out.
Graphene can even be used to distill alcohol. Graphene: The perfect water filter | ExtremeTech

[ohYes]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

But 2012 old. Is there any follow up?

I think low homebrew potential - try to get graphene.

b.

Finding graphene:
Buy Graphene Products | Graphenea

This is my first time looking for graphene for sale. You think you can find it on Alibaba cheaper or make you own according to a scientist on YouTube.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by ohYes

Thanks, Flem. If they aren't looking into it, they should be! There's some massive money to be made if it pans out.
Graphene can even be used to distill alcohol. Graphene: The perfect water filter | ExtremeTech

OhYes...

Be careful with your words.... With this distilling angle...

I think Flem the "clear juice in the Mason jar man" just fainted ....

[Flem.S.Coyle]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

OhYes... I think Flem the "clear juice in the Mason jar man" just fainted ....

Deep breaths...deep breaths...

[SaltyMonkey]

You need the G-oxide, not G

[ohYes]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

You need the G-oxide, not G

You're right, Salty. In my excitement, I'm being overly brief.

[SaltyMonkey]

i want one, though!

[Dsanduril]

Pick it up here:

Lockheed Martin Achieves Patent for Perforene? Filtration Solution, Moves Closer to Affordable Water Desalination · Lockheed Martin

http://lockheedmartin.com/content/da...-datasheet.pdf

Wanted: Clean Drinking Water · Lockheed Martin

Note the nasty little note:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently issued Lockheed Martin a patent for the Perforene membrane’s application to water filtration

I'm still interested. From what I glean in the reading Lockheed is producing a fair amount of the stuff but hasn't yet figured out how to package, ship, and utilize it on a commercial scale. But they are expecting (time will tell) to do so by late this year or early 2015.

[nimblemotors]

>> 10-20% reduction in energy consumption due to
pressure reduction

A far cry from the 100x more efficient possibility claims in the research.
And even 10-20% represents marketing literature claims.
And if actually 10% more efficient, guess what, they will charge a LOT more for the membrane, particularly if they claim patent monopoly.
Unfortunately, not a game changer.

I note that a power recovery watermaker is 50% to 80% more efficient than
the ones most boats have at roughly about twice the cost.