Semipermeable filtration membrane with integrated producing circuit

1. A semipermeable filtration membrane ( 102 ) suitable for the purification of a liquid capable of producing ozone, the filtration membrane ( 102 ) including an ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) having a plurality of electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) disposed directly upon an active surface ( 102 a ) of the filtration membrane ( 102 ), the active surface ( 102 a ) being made of a dielectric material, the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) forming interleaved anodes ( 122 ) and cathodes ( 124 ) that are spaced apart from one another.

2. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least some of the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) of the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) are substantially rectilinear and parallel to one another.

3. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 2 , wherein the substantially rectilinear and parallel lines are substantially regularly spaced, the spacing between each adjacent anode ( 122 ) and cathode ( 124 ) defining an area permitting liquid passage through the filtration membrane ( 102 ).

4. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 2 or 3 , wherein the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) includes a first trunk portion ( 130 ) to which are attached at least some of the anodes ( 122 ), and includes a second trunk portion ( 132 ) to which are attached the cathodes ( 124 ) that are adjacent to the anodes ( 122 ) attached to the first trunk portion ( 130 ).

5. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 4 , wherein the first and second trunk portions ( 130 , 132 ) are substantially parallel to one another and are substantially perpendicularly disposed with reference to the corresponding electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ).

6. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 5 , wherein the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) covers most of the area of the active surface ( 102 a ).

7. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 6 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) of the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) are attached to the active surface ( 102 a ).

8. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) are glued onto the active surface ( 102 a ).

9. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) are printed electrically conductive lines.

10. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) are formed directly onto the active surface ( 102 a ).

11. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) are located between etched portions of the active surface ( 102 a ).

12. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) are laser carbonized portions of the active surface ( 102 a ).

13. The filtration membrane ( 102 ) as defined in any one of claims 10 to 12 , wherein the filtration membrane ( 102 ) is made of an organic material, selected from Teflon™ (PTFE from DuPont), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polyimide and/or cellulose base material.

14. A method of filtering a liquid containing water, the method including:

passing the liquid through a semipermeable filtration membrane ( 102 );

generating ozone and other mixed oxidants using electrical power provided to an ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) disposed directly upon an active surface of a dielectric material ( 102 a ) of the filtration membrane ( 102 );

whereby the generated ozone and the other mixed oxidants kill microorganisms and chemically break down organic molecules that may be present on the active surface ( 102 a ).

15. The method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the filtration membrane ( 102 ) is used in a membrane distillation process, a reverse osmosis process, an ultrafiltration process or a nanofiltration process.

16. The method as defined in any one of claims 14 to 15 , wherein the liquid includes contaminated water selected from the group consisting of waste water and salt water.

17. A method of manufacturing a device ( 100 ) suitable for the purification of a liquid capable of producing ozone, the method including:

providing a semipermeable filtration membrane ( 102 ) having an active surface ( 102 a ) made of a dielectric material; and

disposing an ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) directly upon the active surface ( 102 a ) of the filtration membrane ( 102 ), the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) having a plurality of electrically conductive lines ( 122 , 124 ) forming spaced-apart and interleaved anodes ( 122 ) and cathodes ( 124 ).

18. The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein the act of disposing the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) directly upon the active surface ( 102 a ) includes prefabricating the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) and gluing the prefabricated ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) onto the active surface ( 102 a ).

19. The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein the act of disposing the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) directly upon the active surface ( 102 a ) includes printing the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) onto the active surface ( 102 a ).

20. The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein the act of disposing the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) directly upon the active surface ( 102 a ) includes etching the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) onto the active surface ( 102 a ).

21. The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein the act of disposing the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ) directly upon the active surface ( 102 a ) includes laser carbonizing portions of the active surface ( 102 a ) to dispose the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ).

22. The method as defined in any one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the method further includes:

providing an electrical power source ( 134 ); and

electrically connecting the electrical power source ( 134 ) to the ozone producing circuit ( 120 ).