Investigating the pilot-scale performance of a hydroponic nutrient solution as potential draw solution for fertilizer drawn forward osmosis and hydroponic agriculture of lettuce

Abstract The objective of this research is to test the feasibility a large-scale application fertilizer drawn forward osmosis using concentrated hydroponic nutrient solution as draw solution. This will help mitigate ever-growing issue freshwater resources, by providing an alternative source for agriculture. method can then be used grow crops hydroponically in arid regions that have access both brackish groundwater and freshwater. was prepared dissolving industrial-grade salts dechlorinated tap water tested (DS) on pilot-scale membrane module. feed (FS) process NaCl dissolved water, 10 g/L (10% w/w) concentration represent salinity level groundwater. performance measured based flux, recovery, specific solute salt rejection. Two basins were utilized lettuce. first basin grown commercial solution, while other diluted from pilot-scale. growth lettuce compared wet dry weights stem, percent reduction weight drying, total length, stem ratio between lengths. Results showed average flux found 1.11 L/m 2 /hr (LMH), it 7.7 LMH previous bench-scale; line with experiments conducted bench-scale osmosis. highest value reverse 7.48 g/m /h K + ion, which also comparable results obtained bench-scale. Finally, rejection high, lowest 90.7%, indicating high selectivity against ions. resultant being 16.23% less terms than lettuce, 27.18% length. decrease size attributed macro- micro-nutrients Resh Florida/California not optimized species (loose leaf). It concluded valid osmosis, mitigates some drawbacks increases desalination technology. Graphical abstract