Innovative polymer-complex draw solution for copper(II) removal using forward osmosis. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamid, Muhammad Faris; Abdullah, Norfadhilatuladha; Yusof, Norhaniza; Lau, Woei Jye; Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi; Wan Salleh, Wan Norhayati; Jaafar, Juhana; Aziz, Farhana
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Thin Film Composite -- Forward Osmosis -- Reverse Solute Flux -- Complexing Agent -- Polymer-complex Draw Solution; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2020.104854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: In forward osmosis (FO) process, reverse solute flux (RSF) is considered as a major disadvantage that limits the potential of FO. In this study, an innovative approach to reduce RSF was developed by introducing complexing agent into draw solution (DS) containing magnesium chloride (MgCl2 ). A water-soluble complexing agent namely poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was chosen for this study and its affinity towards complexation with MgCl2 was investigated in terms of its loadings (0.1–5.0 w/w%) and pH condition (3.0, 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0). It was found out that the addition of PSS was able to reduce the effect of RSF due to its complexation with MgCl2 which enhanced the molecular weight and inhibited the movement of MgCl2 across thin film composite (TFC) membrane. Under pH studies, it is demonstrated that the optimum DS condition for complexation affinity was at none-adjusted pH. Compared to RSF value without the PSS addition, reduced RSF value (0.3 g / m 2 . h ) was achieved at 1.0 w/w% PSS. When copper(II) sulphate was used as feed solution, the rejection was maintained at an average value of 95%. Based on these findings, this study promotes the feasibility of polymer-complex DS to be used in FO process for heavy metals removal. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: PSS complexing agent coupled with MgCl2 DS could reduce the RSF . None-adjusted pH DS was suggested to achieve optimum complexation affinity. At 1.0w/w% PSS loading, RSF demonstrated was the lowest with 4.4 LMH average water flux. Average rejections of 95% were observed across the Cu (II) removals via FO process.