Efficient operation and control of membrane processes plays a key in the widespread of membrane technology for sustainable applications, e.g. in biorefining, wastewater treatment and recovery of valuable compounds, e.g. in downstream processing. Membrane fouling is inevitable and results in loss of water permeation in water and wastewater treatment, and a loss of products transmission in separation and purification of products, especially in downstream processing.

In interdisciplinary collaborations with industrial and academic partners we aim to enhance the control of membrane separation processes by monitoring, predicting and controlling membrane fouling. This includes:

• Understanding of fouling mechanisms and development of mathematical models to predict fouling formation
• Development of state-of-the-art techniques to monitor fouling formation and removal
• Optimization of membrane operational conditions to ensure efficient separation and purification
• Thermocatalytic membranes to degrade fouling
• Non-chemical strategies to remove fouling