Performance analysis of forward osmosis processes from the integral equation theory

Abstract

We solved the Ornstein–Zernike integral equation to investigate non-linear behavior of osmotic pressure of solutions containing high concentrations of inorganic salts. Net interactions between molecules are assumed to be Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential, and various force fields were used to determine the potential parameters. Relationship between the LJ parameters and permeate flux are discussed, and relative significance of the osmotic pressure and diffusion coefficient on water flux in forward osmosis was investigated.

Keywords:

• Forward osmosis
• Ornstein–Zernike equation
• Virial coefficient
• Osmotic pressure
• Concentration dependent diffusivity

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Kyung Hee University International Scholar Program and Undergraduate Intern Program of Dickson College. We appreciate Prof. Tzahi Cath at the Colorado School of Mines for providing simulation data of NaCl osmotic pressure using OLI software; and Prof. Yong Taek Lee and Ms. Min Jung Kim at Kyung Hee University for providing necessary information and running model simulations, respectively.

Notes

7th Aseanian Membrane Society Conference (AMS7), 4–7 July 2012, Busan, Korea