Modeling, simulation and mSLA 3D printing of TPMS membranes destined for microfiltration

Abstract

Fouling limits the efficiency of pressure-driven filtration. This work studies TPMS geometries (Gyroid and Diamond) as deterministic pore architectures to improve antifouling behavior in microfiltration membranes, and explores their fabrication via mSLA 3D printing. Geometries were generated in Python and evaluated numerically (CFD, ANSYS Fluent) at Re = 100–1000, comparing pressure drop and wall shear stress (WSS). The Diamond geometry offered a larger wetted surface (+16.89%) and higher WSS peaks, at the cost of greater pressure drop. Undulating the Gyroid surface increased overall fouling risk despite improved localized cleaning. Membranes down to 220 μm were successfully printed using a dedicated printing and post-processing protocol.