Rotating reverse osmosis for water recovery in space: influence of operational parameters on RO performance Original Research Article

Rotating reverse osmosis (RO), which is based on Taylor-Couette flow, offers a means to minimize flux decline due to concentration polarization and membrane fouling. However, the operating conditions play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the system. In this study, the effect of operating conditions on system performance was explored using a theoretical model. Flux, rejection, recovery, and theoretical power consumption were calculated for a wide variety of operating parameters including transmembrane pressure, rotational speed, and concentrate flow rate. Flux and rejection increase with increasing transmembrane pressure and rotational speed. Operating in the vortical flow regime enhances the filtration performance. Higher concentrate flow increases flux, but decreases recovery. The power consumption for rotating RO is similar to that for conventional RO except at very high rotational speeds.