Reverse osmosis in multicomponent systems

Abstract

A mathematical analysis based on boundary layer theory is presented for the case of reverse osmosis in multicomponent systems. The integral method is used to solve the nonlinear convective diffusion problem. Typical results are shown for ternary systems. Numerical examples are given to illustrate how one of the solutes could exceed the saturation concentration and precipitate. The analysis assumes flat velocity and concentration profiles at the entrance, two dimensional laminar flow, steady state and constant physical properties. The analysis is applicable to both short- and long-conduit cases.