A Comprehensive Review on Forward Osmosis Water Treatment: Recent Advances and Prospects of Membranes and Draw Solutes

Yang Xu, Yingying Zhu, Zhen Chen, Jinyuan Zhu and Geng Chen
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Yang Xu: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Yingying Zhu: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Zhen Chen: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Jinyuan Zhu: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Geng Chen: Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-38

Abstract: Forward osmosis (FO) is an evolving membrane separation technology for water treatment and reclamation. However, FO water treatment technology is limited by factors such as concentration polarization, membrane fouling, and reverse solute flux. Therefore, it is of a great importance to prepare an efficient high-density porous membrane and to select an appropriate draw solute to reduce concentration polarization, membrane fouling, and reverse solute flux. This review aims to present a thorough evaluation of the advancement of different draw solutes and membranes with their effects on FO performance. NaCl is still widely used in a large number of studies, and several general draw solutes, such as organic-based and inorganic-based, are selected based on their osmotic pressure and water solubility. The selection criteria for reusable solutes, such as heat-recovered gaseous draw, magnetic field-recovered MNPs, and electrically or thermally-responsive hydrogel are primarily based on their industrial efficiency and energy requirements. CA membranes are resistant to chlorine degradation and are hydrophilic, while TFC/TFN exhibit a high inhibition of bio-adhesion and hydrolysis. AQPs are emerging membranes, due to proteins with complete retention capacity. Moreover, the development of the hybrid system combining FO with other energy or water treatment technologies is crucial to the sustainability of FO.

Keywords: forward osmosis; draw solute; membrane material; water treatment; water reuse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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