Elsevier

Desalination

Volume 104, Issue 3, May 1996, Pages 141-154
Desalination

Salt and water permeability in reverse osmosis membranes

https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-9164(96)00037-9Get rights and content

Abstract

The permeate flux, permeate concentration, brine flux, and brine concentration have been experimentally determined. A pilot-scale reverse osmosis configuration consisting of 18 tubular-type cellulose acetate membranes has been used for the desalination of brackish water. The transport parameters (i.e., mass transfer coefficients) as well as the permeability coefficients (of water and salt) in reverse osmosis membranes, useful for the prediction of the membrane performance and membrane characterization, have been calculated by fitting the model predictions to the experimental results. A classical model, applicable for reverse osmosis systems, has been used. The effect of the operating conditions (pressure, flowrate, and concentration) on the model parameters has also been studied. Through the incorporation of six adjustable parameters to the model, the prediction results have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental data within the accuracy of the experimental determination. Finally, a study of the membrane performance on the rejection of six different ions (chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulphate) has also been made. The permeability parameter values for these ions have been determined and are reported. This option also yielded quite satisfactory predictions, as far as the permeate concentrations and flowrates are concerned.

References (14)

  • D. Pepper

    Desalination

    (1990)
  • S.K. Gupta

    Desalination

    (1992)
  • W. Pusch

    Desalination

    (1990)
  • J.M. Dickson et al.

    Desalination

    (1992)
  • B.A.Q. Darwish et al.

    Desalination

    (1989)
  • M. Brusilovsky et al.

    Desalination

    (1989)
  • S. Velikova et al.

    Desalination

    (1993)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (39)

  • Energy Efficiency of Reverse Osmosis

    2018, Sustainable Desalination Handbook: Plant Selection, Design and Implementation
  • Comparative design of plug and recirculation RO systems; thermoeconomic: Case study

    2017, Energy
    Citation Excerpt :

    This method improves the design and performance of the system. Voros et al. [9] identified permeability parameter values for six different ions. The mass flow rate and concentration of desalinated water and brine are found experimentally.

  • Energy efficiency breakdown of reverse osmosis and its implications on future innovation roadmap for desalination

    2015, Desalination
    Citation Excerpt :

    Reverse Osmosis and nanofiltration membranes are thin film composite membranes where a thin separation layer is interfacially polymerized on a support structure [36]. The transport of salt and water through the membrane follows the solution-diffusion model [37–44]. The solution diffusion model has evolved over the years to account for imperfections [45–48] and layered membrane structures [48,49] for example coatings with tailored surface properties [50].

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text