Forward Osmosis Membrane with Draw Solute Affinity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reverse osmosis methods for desalinating seawater require high energy due to the need for pressure to overcome osmotic pressure, whereas forward osmosis, which relies on natural osmosis, is less energy-intensive but faces challenges with internal concentration polarization and water flux efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A forward osmosis water treatment device with a separation membrane featuring a polymer layer composed of a copolymer of aromatic polysulfone and a hydrophilic polymer, or a polymer with ionic functional groups, enhancing affinity for the draw solute and hydrophilicity to improve water permeability and reduce internal concentration polarization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reverse osmosis is used to desalinate seawater, then water treatment effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater treatment effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional reverse osmosis approach by using forward osmosis, where water naturally moves from the feed solution to the draw solution through the membrane driven by osmotic pressure difference, eliminating the need for high-pressure pumping and significantly reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from high-pressure reverse osmosis to low-pressure forward osmosis by modifying the membrane properties and draw solution concentration, enabling natural osmosis-driven water separation without energy-intensive pressurization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If forward osmosis is used for water treatment, then energy consumption is reduced, but water flux efficiency decreases due to internal concentration polarization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidwater flux efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous hollow fiber membrane structure with controlled porosity and pore size distribution that reduces internal concentration polarization by facilitating efficient solute diffusion while maintaining high water flux, addressing the productivity limitation of forward osmosis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite membrane materials combining hydrophilic polymers with selective separation layers to enhance water permeability while maintaining rejection performance, thereby improving water flux efficiency without increasing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If a standard separation membrane is used in forward osmosis, then device complexity is reduced, but water permeability and draw solute affinity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane structure simplicityVSAvoidwater permeability and draw solute affinity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies membrane parameters including hydrophilicity, pore size, and surface charge by selecting appropriate polymer materials and controlling membrane fabrication conditions, thereby enhancing water permeability and draw solute affinity while maintaining relative structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating a selective separation layer with specific properties on the membrane surface that provides high water permeability and draw solute affinity, while the bulk membrane structure remains relatively simple and easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The enhanced separation membrane increases water permeability and draw solute affinity, leading to higher energy efficiency and effective water treatment with reduced energy consumption, addressing the limitations of traditional reverse osmosis methods.

Implementation Method 1

a forward osmosis water treatment device which uses a separation membrane including a polymer layer having affinity for a draw solute

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

a separation membrane including a polymer layer having affinity for a draw solute

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAffinity interaction: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9540255B2Separation membrane and water treatment device including the same

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A forward osmosis water treatment device may use a separation membrane including a polymer layer introduced with a functional group having an affinity for an osmosis draw solute present in an osmosis draw solution.