PREDICTION OF REVERSE OSMOSIS SEPARATION OF SALTS IN AN UNSTIRRED BATCH CELL.

Research into solute buildup at the membrane surface, termed concentration polarization (CP), and cake or gel layer formation, known as membrane fouling (MF), has been going on for a number of years. The objective of this research was to develop a model that incorporates both concepts of CP and MF. Studies were performed on an unstirred batch RO unit. Systems of soluble and sparingly soluble salts were studied, with both neutral and charged membranes. Experimental and theoretical results are given, along with a discussion of present and future research objectives.