Modeling of forward osmosis (FO) membrane system is significantly affected by various factors such as membrane properties of materials (A, B), structure parameter (S), concentration polarization (CP), fouling, spacer design. etc. In this study, FO performance of a plate and frame type membrane is investigated via a numerical simulation based on mass conservation theorem and finite element method (FEM). To evaluate the FO membrane performance, permeate flux and recovery rate are simulated according to membrane orientation, flow direction of feed and draw solutions, flow rates, membrane structure parameter (S), and design of spacers. The modeling results can help to expand insights into FO separation characteristics and to suggest further strategy for FO process development.

• 김준하(광주과학기술원) | Joon Ha Kim