A Comprehensive Review on Forward Osmosis Water Treatment: Recent Advances and Prospects of Membranes and Draw Solutes

Abstract

Forward osmosis (FO) is an evolving membrane separation technology for water treatment and reclamation. However, FO water treatment technology is limited by factors such as concentration polarization, membrane fouling, and reverse solute flux. Therefore, it is of a great importance to prepare an efficient high-density porous membrane and to select an appropriate draw solute to reduce concentration polarization, membrane fouling, and reverse solute flux. This review aims to present a thorough evaluation of the advancement of different draw solutes and membranes with their effects on FO performance. NaCl is still widely used in a large number of studies, and several general draw solutes, such as organic-based and inorganic-based, are selected based on their osmotic pressure and water solubility. The selection criteria for reusable solutes, such as heat-recovered gaseous draw, magnetic field-recovered MNPs, and electrically or thermally-responsive hydrogel are primarily based on their industrial efficiency and energy requirements. CA membranes are resistant to chlorine degradation and are hydrophilic, while TFC/TFN exhibit a high inhibition of bio-adhesion and hydrolysis. AQPs are emerging membranes, due to proteins with complete retention capacity. Moreover, the development of the hybrid system combining FO with other energy or water treatment technologies is crucial to the sustainability of FO.

Weaponising microbes for peace

“…Human communities that are located in deserts and coastal regions may have limited access to fresh water. Desalination of seawater or other saline waters is an obvious solution in some instances, but traditional reverse osmosis technology is energy‐intensive and expensive, so is unaffordable by many communities (Xu et al, 2022 ). Microbial desalination cells couple wastewater treatment to desalination and thus solve two problems simultaneously.…”

Inhibition Strategies of Reverse Solute Flux in Osmotic Microbial Fuel Cells: Take Forward Osmosis as Reference

“…18 Xu et al reviewed the RSF and recovery methods of different solutes in FO as well as the properties of different kinds of membranes. 19 However, OsMFCs were put forward later, 10 and the research related to its RSF is far from enough (Figure 1). The technology is still in the laboratory stage, and some of its mechanisms are not fully understood.…”

APTMS‐Modified Silica as a Thin‐Film Nanocomposite Forward Osmosis Membranes: Towards Enhanced Selectivity and Dye Rejection Stability for Congo Red and Rhodamine B

“…[2,3] Its direct discharge not only causes severe environmental pollution but also leads to significant wastage of water and salt resources. [4][5][6] Forward osmosis (FO) is an osmotic-driven membrane process that requires little to no hydraulic pressure, making it convenient and eco-friendly separation approach. Currently, researchers have utilized various FO membranes for applications such as desalination, power generation, food processing, and wastewater treatment.…”

“…Printing and dyeing wastewater is characterized by a complex composition, including high salt content, refractory contaminants, and heavy metals [2,3] . Its direct discharge not only causes severe environmental pollution but also leads to significant wastage of water and salt resources [4–6] . Forward osmosis (FO) is an osmotic‐driven membrane process that requires little to no hydraulic pressure, making it convenient and eco‐friendly separation approach.…”