King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Zhenyu Li

Noreddine Ghaffour

Lijo Francis

Ahmad S Alsaadi

Gary Amy

Muhannad Abu Ghdaib

Rodrigo Valladares

An integrated forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) module and systems and methods incorporating the module is disclosed providing higher efficiencies and using less energy. The FO-MD module is osmotically and thermally isolated. The isolation can prevent mixing of FO draw solution/FO permeate and MD feed, and minimize dilution of FO draw solution and cooling of MD feed. The module provides MD feed solution and FO draw solution streams that flow in the same module but are separated by an isolation barrier. The osmotically and thermally isolated FO-MD integrated module, systems and methods offer higher driving forces of both FO and MD processes, higher recovery, and wider application than previously proposed hybrid FO-MD systems.

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Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Zhenyu Li