MODELING NON-IDEAL FORWARD OSMOSIS PROCESSES WITH NOVEL DRAW SOLUTES
Open Access
Author:
Denagamage, Sachira
Millennium Scholars Program:
Biology (BIOL)
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisor:
Tak Sing Wong, Thesis Supervisor Pak Kin Wong, Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Desalination Nanoparticles Forward Osmosis Hydration Force
Abstract:
Forward osmosis desalination is a promising technology for tackling the lack of access to freshwater that much of the world population faces. However, there is a significant need for new low-cost, non-toxic draw solutes that can generate large osmotic pressures. An accurate computational model would be indispensable in the development of such draw solutes, as it would shed insight into how best to optimize their structure. Here, a computational model is proposed that accounts for both aspects of draw solute surface chemistry and concentration polarization gradients. Osmotic pressure and flux predictions generated with this model indicate that maximizing interaction between the draw solute surfaces and the water molecules of the draw solution is essential for optimizing water flux. These results are then discussed within the context of future endeavors aiming to develop novel draw solutes.
