Organic fouling in forward osmosis: Governing factors and a direct comparison with membrane filtration driven by hydraulic pressure

The fouling behavior of osmotically-driven forward osmosis (FO) is widely believed to be superior with respect hydraulic pressure-driven membrane applications, based on a number experiments reported in the literature. However, experimental confounders often exist, preventing fair comparison between different processes, one being deployment non-comparable membranes. This study systematically investigates conditions influencing organic FO and compares process, under equivalent conditions. same state-of-the-art polyamide membranes were used tests, which run real feed solutions varying observe effect initial flux, draw solution, ionic composition. results suggest that flux calcium have strongest influence extent decline recovery. becomes apparent when relatively low. Analysis indices effective driving force, as well direct observation following fouling, support conclusion process not necessarily better compared an analogous one, especially relevant operational two processes work similar fluxes.