Coupling of forward osmosis with desalination technologies: System-scale analysis at the water-energy nexus

Couplings of forward osmosis (FO) with reverse (RO) or membrane distillation (MD) are investigated at the water-energy nexus. The treatment low and hypersaline feed solutions was assessed, followed by discussion most effective hybrid scheme for different conditions. Two FO configurations presented, suggesting potential applicability a versatile multi-stage approach treating low-saline wastewater sources under co-current module design. Subsequently, energy exergy consumption post-treatment RO / MD were evaluated. Finally, coupling units is investigated, highlighting dependence two systems upon operating parameters in FO. While FO-RO efficient solution terms power consumption, it narrowed choice salinity gradient draw solution. A 2 order magnitude higher required to drive back while saline wastewater. When dealing instead, FO-MD becomes more competitive, mostly from standpoint, ability use low-grade heat. Overall, versatile, showing broader application range potentially approaching zero liquid discharge. • desalination water Multi-stage operation valuable large-scale systems. ~100-fold energy-efficient than treatment. system flexible FO-RO, able work extended levels. comparable when hyper water.