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Forward osmosis: an alternative sustainable technology and potential applications in water industry

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Abstract

This paper presents an advancing sustainable membrane-based separation process, which is forward osmosis (FO). The review begins with an introduction of the basic principles of the FO process. Then, a comparison to the most currently well-known desalination technology (RO) is presented. Following section summarizes potential applications of FO in the water desalination field, producing either potable water or irrigation water from brackish/saline feeds. Next, two major FO applications in the domain of water reuse are discussed: wastewater and industrial applications. Wastewater applications are such as OSMBR and landfill leachate treatment; and Industrial applications include oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries. These different FO applications are briefly reviewed and assessed. Although FO has attracted growing attention in many potential applications, it still experiences several considerable limitations, including concentration polarization, membrane fouling, reverse solute diffusion, and need for membrane and draw solution development.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of Mr. Yousef Jameel for PhD fellowship award in Environmental Engineering program. Gratitude is further extended to the Center of Sustainable Development members for their constant guidance and encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering Program, Department of Construction and Architectural Engineering, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

    Peter Nasr

  2. American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

    Hani Sewilam

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Correspondence to Peter Nasr.

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Nasr, P., Sewilam, H. Forward osmosis: an alternative sustainable technology and potential applications in water industry. Clean Techn Environ Policy 17, 2079–2090 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-0927-8

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