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Toward a universal framework for evaluating transport resistances and driving forces in membrane-based desalination
Kian P Lopez1, Ruoyu Wang2, Elizabeth A Hjelvik3
1Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0428, USA.
Science Advances
|January 4, 2023
Summary
This review offers a universal framework for comparing membrane desalination technologies. It quantifies driving forces and resistances to identify optimal processes for various freshwater production scenarios.
Area of Science:
- Water treatment technologies
- Membrane science and engineering
- Sustainable water resources
Background:
- Membrane-based desalination is crucial for freshwater supply.
- Existing comparisons of desalination technologies yield inconsistent results.
- Advancements in membrane processes require a unified evaluation framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess various membrane desalination technologies.
- To establish a universal framework for comparing different driving forces and membrane types.
- To provide quantitative comparisons for diverse desalination scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of thermodynamic driving forces (pressure, concentration, temperature gradients).
- Examination of water transport resistances in liquid- and air-filled membranes.
- Calculation of water fluxes across membranes under different conditions.
Main Results:
- A quantitative framework for comparing desalination technologies has been developed.
- Thermodynamic driving forces and membrane resistances were systematically analyzed.
- Water fluxes were calculated for various desalination scenarios.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a clear comparison of membrane desalination processes.
- Specific scenarios favoring particular desalination technologies have been identified.
- This framework aids in selecting the most advantageous desalination method.
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