A thermodynamic benchmark for assessing an emergency drinking water device based on forward osmosis

摘要: Abstract Following the creation of first reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in 1960s, technique has been widely used for purposes both small scale and municipal seawater desalination. Forward (FO) is now also emerging as a possible contender, with potential much lower energy consumption. In this study, we have developed thermodynamic benchmark use assessing suitability potable water system purifying amounts brackish emergency situations. The light, portable re-usable purification driven by FO. A pouch filled draw solution immersed water; incorporates traditional RO membrane. ‘draw solution’ contains digestible salts and/or sugars to provide an osmotic pressure difference across membrane, thus drawing purified Three such solutions were produced tested, allowing be determined over succession dilutions. results could fitted power law function. order take account non-ideality non-linearity flux rates, relationship was conjunction transport model develop which describes ideal behaviour FO system. This benchmark, function, showed that safe, reasonable time interval without need source. study suggested possibility continuous based upon principle, drawn attention benefits novel solutes