Permeation of greywater constituents in an aquaporin based biomimetic forward osmosis membrane process: experimental performance and modeling

Abstract

BACKGROUND An aquaporin based biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membrane was tested with 11 greywater constituents to evaluate the membrane performance. The effects of solute type and concentration on water flux and rejection were investigated. A model was developed to predict the rejection of greywater constituents in the FO process. RESULTS The aquaporin based biomimetic membrane (ABBM) presented high water flux (16.1–17.4 L m‐2 h−1) for greywater. Inorganic ions had little effect on permeability of the ABBM. For the tested organic solutes, while lactic acid, glucose and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate showed a positive impact on permeability of the ABBM, sodium dodecyl sulfate had a negative effect. After the tests of 11 selected constituents in greywater, the ABBM showed good chemical stability. Steric hindrance and electrostatic interaction both governed the diffusion of feed solutes through the ABBM. The mathematical model developed in this study accurately predicted the solute with small permeability coefficient (Bp value <3 L m‐2 h−1) transport through the ABBM. And it was suitable for predicting the rejections of target solutes at low FS concentration (≤ 6 mmol L–1). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the ABBM could be used in greywater treatment and the developed model could contribute to greywater reuse. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Aquaporin‐Based Biomimetic Membranes for Low Energy Water Desalination and Separation Applications

“…It was revealed that when the FS contains SDS, it has a negative effect on the ABM permeability since it was absorbed on the membrane surface, and the water channel of AQPs was blocked by its single molecules. [200,201] On the other hand, water permeability and salt rejection values of AQP-based hollow fiber membrane (fabricated by IP) were maintained constant after a chemical cleaning with SDS upon fouling. [39] Recently, the effect of SDS on membrane fouling was assessed, and results showed that SDS could cause reversible and irreversible fouling when it exists in the FS with sodium alginate (SA) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) simultaneously.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Forward Osmosis Water Treatment: Recent Advances and Prospects of Membranes and Draw Solutes

“…Aquaporin (AQP) membrane, a transmembrane protein with extremely high selectivity and permeability to water molecules, is fabricated by directly or indirectly embedding AQP in the organic matrix membranes (such as those for NF, RO, and FO). The selective permeability of the AQP can achieve a higher water flux and solute interception [124,125].…”