title: Experimental study of a 4040 spiral-wound forward-osmosis membrane module.
abstract: This paper analyzes the structural features of a spiral-wound forward-osmosis (SW FO) membrane module via an experimental approach and presents the relationships between the water flux and operating conditions for design and operation of a large-scale FO process. The SW FO module has four ports: an inlet/outlet for the draw solution and an inlet/outlet for the feed solution. Accordingly, two strongly interacting flow streams existed on either side of the membrane with spatially variable properties. Unlike the operation of a membrane cell device loaded with a small membrane coupon, it was appropriate to operate a housing-type FO unit loaded with a 4040 SW FO module with a lower draw flow rate than feed flow rate. Because of the structural features of the SW FO module, the draw solution flowed inside of the membrane envelope under a considerable pressure in order to overcome the flow resistance. The effect of operating conditions on the water flux in a 4040 SW FO module was investigated. A water flux equation based on a temperature-correction factor (TCF) was proposed to predict the water flux at a given temperature. Our study is a good reference point for designing the FO process and FO membrane module.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thermal Systems, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, 156 Gajungbukno, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-343, Republic of Korea. kimyc@kimm.re.kr
authors.forename: Yu Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000737:chemistry; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009995:Osmosis; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D006878:Hydroxides; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C027043:ammonium bicarbonate; D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide