- Home
- Companies
- Sterlitech Corporation
- Products
- Sterlitech - Model FTSH2O - Forward ...
Sterlitech - Model FTSH2O -Forward Osmosis (FO) Membranes
Sterlitech forward osmosis (FO) flat sheet membranes are used in separations that require low energy, and low pressure. Forward osmosis, which is also known as engineered osmosis, is a membrane separation process which takes advantage of a pressure gradient between two solutions of different concentrations to make the solvent move from one side of the membrane to the other. The pressure gradient that powers the process is naturally generated by the tendency of the solvent to permeate over to the side of the membrane with the higher concentration of solute. Relying on this natural tendency means that FO requires much lower pressures than other membrane processes to operate (such as reverse osmosis) and, consequently, lower energy requirements.
Sterlitech carries one brand of forward osmosis (FO) membranes:
-
Aquaporin Inside™ flat sheet membranes
The Aquaporin Inside™ technology is based on the aquaporin protein--nature`s own selective and extremely effective water channel. Aquaporin water channels have been developed through billions of years of evolution, and are now ready to revolutionize industrial water treatment.
*Note: Aquaporin Inside FO membranes are still in the development stage and are relatively fragile; care should be taken when handling. Aquaporin A/S suggests avoiding the use of a spacer on the active side of the membrane (draw side is OK) as it can damage the Aquaporin Inside coating. It is also recommended to run at lower cross flow velocities/flow rates to keep the shear stress low at the membrane surface. If high cross flow velocities/flow rates are not required for fouling control, flow rates should be lowered as much as possible.
Forward Osmosis technology is most commonly used for an array of wastewater recycling and water reclamation applications. Areas in which an FO cell may be used include:
- Water reclamation from oil and gas exploration
- Landfill wastewater
- Alternative energy/biogas wastewater
- Medical/dental wastewater
- Membrane bioreactors
- Seawater desalination
- Radioactive wastewater
- Carpet manufacturing wastewater
- Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) to generate electricity
Other uses for Forward Osmosis Cells:
- Pretreatment for Reverse Osmosis procedure
- Concentrating juices (grape juice to wine, tomato paste)
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nutraceuticals
General
- Base Membrane Material: Polyethersulfone (PES)
- Membrane thickness: 110 micron (±15 micron)
- Water flux: >7 L/m2/hr (H2O vs 1 M NaCl; FO mode)
- NaCl reverse flux: <2 g/m2/hr (H2O vs 1 M NaCl; FO mode)
- Boron rejection: >70%
- Arsenic rejection: >95%
- Operating conditions: Temperature range: 5-50 °C
- Short term exposure maximum: 65 °C
- pH range: 2-11 (short term exposure)
- Packaging: Stored in a dry, flat, watertight bag
- Storage*: Can be stored at room temperature, but preferably stored at 4 °C.
- *Do not allow membrane to dry as this will compromise performance
- Shelf life: Minimum 6 months