IS your new material actually a membrane which filter the water with a pore size you can characterize or is it mainly a sorbent material.

Interesting work! Before you move up to industrial scale, I would suggest you think of pilot-scale testing. Some of these questions can only (really) be answered then. 6000 liters per day is reasonable within pilot scale but a smaller pilot could be more affordable and still answer many of your questions, if that is a concern. As you mention, reaching out to a filter manufacturer may be your best bet to integrate it into existing technology and manufacturing processes. It may be a long shot from step-wise guidance, but a good reference is here: Article Performance evaluation of pilot-scale reverse osmosis spiral...

Le sugiero que establezca la mayor cantidad de diferencias fisicas y qumicas entre el producto alimentado y retenido a escala de laboratorio e industrial a diferentes presiones

As to me, to scale up a lab-scale nanocomposite membrane for industrial RO application, first optimize the membrane formulation for manufacturability, then employ scalable fabrication methods such as roll-to-roll casting or interfacial polymerization. Integrate membranes into industrial modules (e.g., spiral-wound), and conduct pilot-scale testing under real wastewater conditions to validate performance metrics like flux, rejection rate, and fouling resistance. Design the RO system with appropriate pretreatment, high-pressure pumps, and energy recovery devices. Optimize operational parameters (pressure, flow rate, recovery) for heavy metal removal efficiency, and ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations before full-scale deployment.

Siyum Shewakena Beshahwored Thank you for your kind suggestion. I have studied these things but I need details of scaling up. Like how to move from one step to another and details in each step.

Henrik Rasmus Andersen I have developed nanocomposite membrane like I have incorporated nanoparticles/sorbent material into the polymer and I have done its batch adsorption studies in the lab. Now I want to upscale it.

Edgar Daniel Peregrina Gonzalez Thank you so much for your guidance. Yes I will upscale stepwise from pilot to domestic scale and then industrial. So I need guidance about the equipment needed at different stages. how to scale all things for different stages ?

1. Fixed Bed Column Setup

Yes, a fixed bed column is an excellent intermediate step between lab-scale experiments and full industrial implementation. For your column:

• Start with 3-5 layers of your nanocomposite membrane, monitoring pressure drop
• Consider using a modular design that allows you to adjust the number of layers based on performance
• Include sampling ports between layers to analyze removal efficiency at different depths

2. Pump Selection

For your application:

• Peristaltic pumps are better for initial scale-up testing because they:Provide precise flow control Won't contaminate the fluid (fluid only contacts the tubing) Allow easy adjustment of flow rates Handle small particulates without clogging

Dosage pumps would be more suitable later for larger industrial applications.

3. Filtration System for 6000L

For treating 6000L of wastewater:

• A hybrid system might be most effective
• Start with your nanocomposite membrane filtration as pre-treatment
• Follow with RO for final polishing
• This combination would maximize heavy metal removal while optimizing energy usage

The decision depends on:

• Required water quality standards
• Types and concentrations of contaminants
• Energy availability and operational costs

4. Bulk Production

For scaling up membrane production:

• Consult specialized membrane manufacturing vendors who can adapt your formulation
• Consider roll-to-roll manufacturing processes for continuous membrane production
• Start with 5-7 layers per filter unit, adjusting based on pilot testing results
• Work with the manufacturer to develop a quality control protocol to ensure consistency

5. Column Equipment Needs

For a pilot-scale column setup:

• Glass column: 5-10 cm diameter, 50-100 cm height (borosilicate glass)
• Column supports: Stainless steel or chemical-resistant polymer
• Flow controllers and pressure gauges
• Sampling ports at 10-15 cm intervals
• Distribution plates at inlet and outlet
• Backwash capability
• Inline monitoring equipment (conductivity, pH, turbidity meters)
• Collection tanks (feed and permeate)
• Optional: automated data logging system

I recommend implementing a step-wise scale-up approach: