Direct Osmotic Desalination Technique by Solar Energy

Over the last decade direct (forward) osmosis has attracted much attention in practical applications including artesian water desalination, green power generation, industrial water purification etc. In comparison with the traditional reverse osmosis process the separation is due to natural osmosis, providing lower energy cost for external pressure that is needed for reverse osmosis and lower membrane fouling potential. The main problem for the direct osmosis application efficiency is a selection of appropriate draw solute (otherwise known as a working substance). In the present paper diethyl ether (C₂H₅)₂O has been considered as a working substance having a relatively high osmotic pressure. Heating regeneration has been explored to obtain fresh water and recover the proposed draw solution. The advantage of the diethyl ether over known draw solutes has been discussed. It was noted that for further commercial applications of the diethyl ether as a working substance the membrane should have better characteristics of water permeability, stability, selectivity, and mechanical strength. The pilot device based on the described direct (forward) osmosis technique with the productivity of 1 m³/hr has been manufactured. In the beginning of 2020 the pilot device was successfully installed in a village of Navoiy Region, Uzbekistan to provide its inhabitants with the clean water.

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