EFFECT OF OPERATING CONDITIONS ON WALL CONCENTRATION OF RO SYSTEMS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt.

Abstract

Desalination using reverse osmosis membranes has become very popular for producing fresh water
from brackish and sea water. Concentration polarization occurs in any pressure driven membrane
separation process. It describes an increase in the concentration at the membrane wall due to the
rejection of ionic species transported there by the convective flux. Accurate prediction of
concentration polarization (CP) phenomenon is critical for properly designing reverse osmosis
GO) processes because it enhances transmembrane osmotic pressure and solute passage, as well
as surface fouling and scaling phenomena. Membrane life time and permeate flux, however, are
primarily affected by the phenomena of concentration polarization and fouling at the membrane
surface. This paper aims to investigate the effect of the following parameters on concentration
polarization phenomenon such as; feed specifications (flow rate and concentration), operating
conditions (feed pressure and temperature) and Membrane dimensions (length and diameter).

Keywords