Fundamentals of RO membrane separation process: problems and solutions

Abstract

It is the intention of the authors to let the students understand the underlying principles of membrane separation processes by solving the problems numerically, in general. In particular, in this article problems and answers are presented for reverse osmosis (RO), one of the membrane separation processes driven by the transmembrane hydraulic pressure difference. The transport theories for RO were developed in early nineteen sixties, when the industrial membrane separation processes emerged. These problems are solved step by step using a simple calculator or Excel in computer.