Using internal concentration polarization model to optimize fo membrane property at different operating conditions

Abstract

Internal concentration polarization (ICP) is a major contributor to flux declination. Due to the asymmetric property of the membrane and the complexity of porous support layer, ICP could be hardly removed and it plays dominant role on membrane reduction. Previous study has developed ICP model however difficult to interpret due to its complicated format and lack of physical meaning. This FYP project aims to modify the current ICP model and identify the four factors which may affect the flux level and the efficiency of forward osmosis process. These four factors are named flux factor, concentration factor, diffusion factor and dilution factor according to their corresponding developing mechanism. The reliability of the ICP model will be tested by fitting the experimental data achieved from 56 sets of batch experiments carried out at different salt concentration. Results indicate at different solution concentration, different factors will dominate the ICP effect and suggestions to optimize specific membrane property and process efficiency at corresponding condition are provided based on the model analysis.