Osmotic equilibrium in the forward osmosis process: Modelling, experiments and implications for process performance

Phuntsho, S; Hong, S; Elimelech, M; Shon, HK

Osmotic equilibrium in the forward osmosis process: Modelling, experiments and implications for process performance

Phuntsho, S

Hong, S Elimelech, M Shon, HK

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 453 pp. 240 - 252
Issue Date:: 2014-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Phuntsho, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3917-3916	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hong, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Elimelech, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Shon, HK https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-7169	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 453 pp. 240 - 252	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0376-7388	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117648
dc.description.abstract	Forward osmosis (FO) has gained significant research interest due to the wide range of potential applications in desalination and wastewater reuse. However, the FO process being concentration (osmosis) driven has its own intrinsic limitations. Net transfer of water across the membrane occurs until the point of osmotic equilibrium between the draw solution (DS) and the feed solution (FS). Without external intervention, it is impossible to dilute the DS beyond the point of osmotic equilibrium. In this study, the concept of osmotic equilibrium in the FO process is introduced by simulating conditions in a plate-and-frame FO membrane module using established mass transport models. The simulations evaluated the influence of various operating parameters on process performance, assessed in terms of water flux, feed recovery rate and the final concentration of the diluted DS. The counter-current crossflow mode of operation has been observed to be advantageous because it can achieve higher module average water flux, higher feed water recovery rates and higher DS final dilution. Based on the osmotic equilibrium concept and mass balance analysis, a modified equation for the water extraction capacity of a draw solute has been proposed. This study underscores the need for process optimisation for large-scale FO operations. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Membrane Science	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.memsci.2013.11.009	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Engineering	en_US
dc.title	Osmotic equilibrium in the forward osmosis process: Modelling, experiments and implications for process performance	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	453	en_US
utslib.for	090404 Membrane and Separation Technologies	en_US
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering	en_US
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	09 Engineering	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.declined	2015-04-30T13:15:13.424+1000
pubs.deleted	2015-04-30T13:15:13.455+1000
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	453	en_US

Abstract:

Forward osmosis (FO) has gained significant research interest due to the wide range of potential applications in desalination and wastewater reuse. However, the FO process being concentration (osmosis) driven has its own intrinsic limitations. Net transfer of water across the membrane occurs until the point of osmotic equilibrium between the draw solution (DS) and the feed solution (FS). Without external intervention, it is impossible to dilute the DS beyond the point of osmotic equilibrium. In this study, the concept of osmotic equilibrium in the FO process is introduced by simulating conditions in a plate-and-frame FO membrane module using established mass transport models. The simulations evaluated the influence of various operating parameters on process performance, assessed in terms of water flux, feed recovery rate and the final concentration of the diluted DS. The counter-current crossflow mode of operation has been observed to be advantageous because it can achieve higher module average water flux, higher feed water recovery rates and higher DS final dilution. Based on the osmotic equilibrium concept and mass balance analysis, a modified equation for the water extraction capacity of a draw solute has been proposed. This study underscores the need for process optimisation for large-scale FO operations. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117648