Abstract
Forward osmosis (FO) using locally available nanofiltration (NF) membrane and magnesium chloride as draw solution has been carried out for concentration of wastewater. Maximum water flux of 11.8 L m−2h−1 with pure water feed at 55°C using 1 mol L−1 MgCl2 draw solution was observed. Water flux of 7.58 L m−2h−1 was obtained for industrial wastewater feed. Membrane fouling was found to be reversible and >90 % water flux could be easily recovered by cleaning with deionised water. Specific energy consumption in the FO process was 0.26 kWh m-3. The membrane could effectively reject feed solutes for synthetic dye wastewater feed, allowing only pure water to pass through. Draw solute recovery and better quality water generation (<1000 mg L−1 TDS) was achieved by a low pressure nanofiltration process (≤ 10 bar). Recovery of MgCl2 by an alternate chemical method is also demonstrated. Morphology of the membrane was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy of the membrane surface and cross-section. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) investigation of the membrane is attempted to understand micro-phase-separated structures of this membrane. Overall, the coupled FO-NF process could produce good quality pure water from industrial wastewater with a prolonged membrane life.
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