Effect of the operating temperature on hydrodynamics and membrane parameters in pressure retarded osmosis

Abstract

The osmotic energy recovered by pressure-retarded osmosis from flows of different salinities is affected by the temperature, so its effect on hydrodynamic and membrane parameters is studied here. It is shown by models and experimental results that raising the temperature of the solutions leads to a variation in the mass transfer coefficient, the boundary layer, the diffusion coefficient, the solute resistivity, and the permeability, therefore, affecting the water flux. Consequently, the expected power density is improved at high temperatures, although, the salt flux diffusion increases. Laboratory results are presented using solutions at different concentrations and temperatures to validate the analysis.