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<p>Forward osmosis (FO) is an emerging and energy-efficient desalination technology, yet the absence of an ideal draw solution (DS) continues to limit its large-scale application. Although individual DS properties are known to influence FO performance, the cumulative effects of DS characteristics have not been systematically explored under identical experimental conditions. This study investigates how the type of inorganic DS and its physicochemical attributes—concentration, osmotic pressure, density, diffusivity, and viscosity—collectively affect FO performance. Experiments were conducted using deionized water and synthetic brackish water as feed solutions, with NaCl, MgCl₂, and CaCl₂ serving as representative draw solutes. Optimal DS concentrations were identified as 0.25 M for MgCl₂ and CaCl₂, and 0.35 M for NaCl, enabling high water recovery (≥ 90%) during brackish water desalination. However, a higher osmotic driving force did not necessarily translate into improved water flux or recovery. Despite their higher osmotic pressures, the divalent salts did not yield superior flux due to intensified internal concentration polarization (ICP), driven by increased viscosity and reduced diffusivity in concentrated MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ solutions. Increasing feed salinity further exacerbated external concentration polarization (ECP), diminishing overall performance. Overall, the findings demonstrate that beyond osmotic pressure, the type and physicochemical properties of the DS are critical determinants of flux behavior in FO systems.</p>

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Correlating the Performance of Forward Osmosis Process to the Characteristics of Inorganic Draw Solutions

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月28日

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  • Bilal Ejaz Khan,
  • Asif Mahmood,
  • Muhammad Zaman,
  • Niaz Muhammad,
  • Mohamed Shaban,
  • Sameerah I. Al-Saeedi,
  • A. M. Elbasiony,
  • Woei Jye Lau

摘要

Forward osmosis (FO) is an emerging and energy-efficient desalination technology, yet the absence of an ideal draw solution (DS) continues to limit its large-scale application. Although individual DS properties are known to influence FO performance, the cumulative effects of DS characteristics have not been systematically explored under identical experimental conditions. This study investigates how the type of inorganic DS and its physicochemical attributes—concentration, osmotic pressure, density, diffusivity, and viscosity—collectively affect FO performance. Experiments were conducted using deionized water and synthetic brackish water as feed solutions, with NaCl, MgCl₂, and CaCl₂ serving as representative draw solutes. Optimal DS concentrations were identified as 0.25 M for MgCl₂ and CaCl₂, and 0.35 M for NaCl, enabling high water recovery (≥ 90%) during brackish water desalination. However, a higher osmotic driving force did not necessarily translate into improved water flux or recovery. Despite their higher osmotic pressures, the divalent salts did not yield superior flux due to intensified internal concentration polarization (ICP), driven by increased viscosity and reduced diffusivity in concentrated MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ solutions. Increasing feed salinity further exacerbated external concentration polarization (ECP), diminishing overall performance. Overall, the findings demonstrate that beyond osmotic pressure, the type and physicochemical properties of the DS are critical determinants of flux behavior in FO systems.