Effects of temperature fluctuations on performance of reverse osmosis membranes

Abstract EN

A mathematical model has been developed to predict the performance of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes subjected to fluctuations in feed water temperature.

The model takes into account temperature effects on relevant process variables and parameters such as solution diffusivity, viscosity, osmotic pressure as well as membrane permeability.

The mathematical model is solved numerically using a computer program and the results are presented in the form of dimensionless flow and quality factors which are introduced to describe membrane performance.

Flow and quality factors assume the value of unity at design temperature and the deviation from unity represents the membrane performance at the prevailing conditions of temperature.

Results indicate that flow and salinity factors both increase with temperature rise and decrease with temperature fall at a given inlet salinity and design temperature.

The effects of temperature rise and fall on performance factors have also been studied for different inlet salinity and design temperature and results are presented and discussed.

The model can be used to predict the performance of existing membranes operating with temperature fluctuations about design values.

Good agreement with available data has been demonstrated.