Choi Yongjun, Cho Hyeongrak, Shin Yonghyun, Jang Yongsun, Lee Sangho
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kookmin University, Jeongneung-Dong, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-702, Republic of Korea.
Membranes (Basel). 2015 Dec 29;6(1):3. doi: 10.3390/membranes6010003.
This study seeks to evaluate the performance and economic feasibility of the forward osmosis (FO)-reverse osmosis (RO) hybrid process; to propose a guideline by which this hybrid process might be more price-competitive in the field. A solution-diffusion model modified with film theory was applied to analyze the effects of concentration polarization, water, and salt transport coefficient on flux, recovery, seawater concentration, and treated wastewater of the FO process of an FO-RO hybrid system. A simple cost model was applied to analyze the effects of flux; recovery of the FO process; energy; and membrane cost on the FO-RO hybrid process. The simulation results showed that the water transport coefficient and internal concentration polarization resistance are very important factors that affect performance in the FO process; however; the effect of the salt transport coefficient does not seem to be large. It was also found that the flux and recovery of the FO process, the FO membrane, and the electricity cost are very important factors that influence the water cost of an FO-RO hybrid system. This hybrid system can be price-competitive with RO systems when its recovery rate is very high, the flux and the membrane cost of the FO are similar to those of the RO, and the electricity cost is expensive. The most important thing in commercializing the FO process is enhancing performance (e.g.; flux and the recovery of FO membranes).
本研究旨在评估正渗透（FO）-反渗透（RO）混合工艺的性能和经济可行性；提出一项指导方针，以使该混合工艺在该领域更具价格竞争力。应用基于膜理论修正的溶解扩散模型，分析浓度极化、水和盐传输系数对FO-RO混合系统中FO工艺通量、回收率、海水浓缩度和处理后废水的影响。应用一个简单的成本模型，分析通量、FO工艺回收率、能源和膜成本对FO-RO混合工艺的影响。模拟结果表明，水传输系数和内浓差极化阻力是影响FO工艺性能的非常重要的因素；然而，盐传输系数的影响似乎不大。还发现，FO工艺的通量和回收率、FO膜以及电力成本是影响FO-RO混合系统水成本的非常重要的因素。当该混合系统的回收率非常高、FO的通量和膜成本与RO相似且电力成本昂贵时，它在价格上可以与RO系统竞争。将FO工艺商业化最重要的是提高性能（例如，FO膜的通量和回收率）。
