Optimization of Magnetic Nanoparticles Draw Solution for High Water Flux in Forward Osmosis

Mhdammar Hafiz,Mohammed Talhami,Muneer M Ba-Abbad,Alaa H Hawari

doi:10.3390/w13243653

Abstract

In this study, bare iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a co-precipitation method and used as a draw solute in forward osmosis. The synthesis conditions of the nanoparticles were optimized using the Box-Behnken method to increase the water flux of the forward osmosis process. The studied parameters were volume of ammonia solution, reaction temperature, and reaction time. The optimum reaction conditions were obtained at reaction temperature of 30 °C, reaction time of 2.73 h and 25.3 mL of ammonia solution. The water flux from the prediction model was found to be 2.06 LMH which is close to the experimental value of 1.98 LMH. The prediction model had high correlation factors (R2 = 98.82%) and (R2adj = 96.69%). This study is expected to be the base for future studies aiming at developing magnetic nanoparticles draw solution using co-precipitation method.

Highlights

Water 2021, 13, 3653. https://Membrane separation processes are the most promising technology for desalination and wastewater treatment [1,2,3,4]
The experiment was repeated for several times to check the recyclability of the Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs), the water flux decreased by 7% after 3 cycles
The water flux increased as the reaction time of the forward osmosis process

Summary

Introduction

Water 2021, 13, 3653. https://Membrane separation processes are the most promising technology for desalination and wastewater treatment [1,2,3,4]. Forward osmosis (FO) has the least energy consumption and minimal membrane fouling because it operates based on the osmotic pressure gradient between the feed solution (FS) and draw solution (DS) [9,10,11]. Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) draw solutes could be a promising DS due to the easy regeneration, low reverse solute flux and long lifespan [12,13]. The magnetic nanoparticles can be regenerated using low-cost magnet unlike other draw solutes which requires energy intensive processes [14,15]. Guizani et al (2020) evaluated the performance of iron oxide (Fe3 O4 ) nanoparticles coated with polyethene glycol as a draw solute for the concentration of urine using FO process [16].

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Conclusion