Forward Osmosis Case Study
2.3. Membranes and modules for forward osmosis:
2.3.1. FO Membranes
Generally, any dense, non-porous, selectively permeable material can be used as a membrane for FO. Such membranes have been tested (in flat sheet and capillary configurations) in the past for various applications of FO. In early studies, the researchers applied various FO membrane materials, including bladders of pigs, cattle, and fish; collodion (nitrocellulose); rubber; porcelain; and goldbeaters’ skin [36].
By 1960, Loeb and co-workers [37] investigated the use of asymmetric aromatic polyamide membranes for FO and PRO. In the 1970s, Votta et al. [38] and Anderson [36] used several commercially Available RO membranes and an in-house cellulose acetate membrane to treat dilute wastewater by FO using a simulated seawater draw solution. Goosens and Van-Haute [39] used cellulose acetate membranes reinforced with mineral fillers to evaluate whether membrane performance under RO conditions can be predicted through FO testing. …show more content…
(Albany, Oregon) (currently Hydration Technologies Inc. (HTI)). This membrane has been tested in a wide variety of applications by different research groups. It is also used successfully in commercial applications of water purification for military, emergency relief, and recreational purposes [40]. A cross-sectional SEM image of the membrane is shown in figure (5) [4]. This proprietary membrane is thought to be made of cellulose triacetate (CTA). It can be seen that the thickness of the membrane is less than 50 µm and it is evident that the structure of the CTA FO membrane is quite different from standard RO membranes. RO membranes typically consist of a very thin active layer (less than 1µm) and a thick porous support layer. The CTA FO membrane lacks a thick support layer. Instead, the embedded polyester mesh provides mechanical
2.3.1. FO Membranes
Generally, any dense, non-porous, selectively permeable material can be used as a membrane for FO. Such membranes have been tested (in flat sheet and capillary configurations) in the past for various applications of FO. In early studies, the researchers applied various FO membrane materials, including bladders of pigs, cattle, and fish; collodion (nitrocellulose); rubber; porcelain; and goldbeaters’ skin [36].
By 1960, Loeb and co-workers [37] investigated the use of asymmetric aromatic polyamide membranes for FO and PRO. In the 1970s, Votta et al. [38] and Anderson [36] used several commercially Available RO membranes and an in-house cellulose acetate membrane to treat dilute wastewater by FO using a simulated seawater draw solution. Goosens and Van-Haute [39] used cellulose acetate membranes reinforced with mineral fillers to evaluate whether membrane performance under RO conditions can be predicted through FO testing. …show more content…
(Albany, Oregon) (currently Hydration Technologies Inc. (HTI)). This membrane has been tested in a wide variety of applications by different research groups. It is also used successfully in commercial applications of water purification for military, emergency relief, and recreational purposes [40]. A cross-sectional SEM image of the membrane is shown in figure (5) [4]. This proprietary membrane is thought to be made of cellulose triacetate (CTA). It can be seen that the thickness of the membrane is less than 50 µm and it is evident that the structure of the CTA FO membrane is quite different from standard RO membranes. RO membranes typically consist of a very thin active layer (less than 1µm) and a thick porous support layer. The CTA FO membrane lacks a thick support layer. Instead, the embedded polyester mesh provides mechanical