Abstract
The performance of FO is predicted numerically by one-dimensional model. Mass balance equation for the feed and draw side are coupled with the water flux model considering concentration polarization. Results of the present study showed the flow rate of the feed and draw solution should be determined by considering the water flux and the water recovery efficiency. Using the draw solution of as high concentration as possible is helpful to improve the water flux. As increasing the membrane module length, the averaged water flux per membrane length decreases but the water production increases. Therefore, in order to determine the membrane length, it is required to consider the water flux reduction, total water production, membrane size and the number of membrane. The water flux of counter-current flow is about 10% higher than that of co-current flow. Forming feed solution into series and draw solution into rows are effective in increasing water flux.
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Recommended by Associate Editor Jae Dong Chung
Sung-Min Shim graduated from Hanyang University with a major in Mechanical Engineering in 2003. Now, he is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Hanyang University and is working for STX Institute of Technology as a researcher.
Woo-Seung Kim graduated from Hanyang University with a major in Mechanical Engineering in 1981. He got a Ph.D at North Carolina State University in 1989. Prof. Kim is the director of the Office of Industry-University Foundation at Hanyang University. He is currently interested in the research topics of desalination and CCS.
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Shim, SM., Kim, WS. A numerical study on the performance prediction of forward osmosis process. J Mech Sci Technol 27, 1179–1189 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0305-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0305-6