Pressure retarded osmosis(PRO) has attracted much attention as potential technology to reduce the overall energy consumption for reverse osmosis(RO) desalination. The RO/PRO hybrid process is considered as the most logical next step for future desalination. The PRO process aims to harness the osmotic energy difference of two aqueous solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane. By using the concentrated water(RO brine) discharged from existing RO plants, the PRO process can effectively exploit a greater salinity gradient to reduce the energy cost of processing concentrated water. However, in order to use RO brine as the draw solution, PRO membrane must have high water flux and enough mechanical strength to withstand the high operational pressure. This study investigates the development of a thin film composite PRO membrane and spiral wound module for high power density. Also, the influence of membrane backing layer on the overall power density was studied using the characteristic factors of PRO membranes. Finally, the performance test of an 8-inch spiral wound module was carried out under various operating conditions(i.e. hydraulic pressure, flow rate, temperature). As the flow rate and temperature increased under the same hydraulic pressure, the PRO performance increased due to the growth of water permeability coefficient and osmotic pressure. For a high performance PRO system, in order to optimize the operating conditions, it is highly recommended that the flow pressure be minimized while the flow rate is maintained at a high level.

염도차가 있는 두 용액을 멤브레인을 통해 혼합시 염도차에너지를 생산할 수 있다. 특히, 삼투현상을 기본으로 하는 압력지연삼투(PRO) 공정을 사용하면 염도차에너지를 수력에너지로 변환할 수 있다. 이 압력지연삼투 기술의 핵심은 PRO 멤브레인으로, 이 멤브레인의 성능에 따라 생산되는 전력량이 결정된다. 본 연구에서는 개발중인 PRO 멤브레인 모듈의 성능인 물플럭스 기반의 전력밀도(W/m2)를 분석하여 평가를 수행하였다. PRO 멤브레인 모듈의 성능은 삼투압차가 클수록 커지지만, 삼투압차에 비례하지는 않았다. 이론적으로는 삼투압차의 절반 정도에서 최고의 전력밀도를 보이지만, 실제로는 멤브레인의 특성에 따라 최적 압력은 영향을 받는 것으로 보였다. 삼투압차와 압력차외에도 두 용액의 유량은 성능에 영향을 미쳤다.