Closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis draw solutions and their regeneration processes: A review

Zadeh, Ali Etemad; Touati, Khaled; Mulligan, Catherine N.; McCutcheon, Jeffrey R.; Rahaman, Md. Saifur

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2022.112191

Title: Closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis draw solutions and their regeneration processes: A review

Journal Article · 08 February 2022 · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112191 · OSTI ID:1977618

Zadeh, Ali Etemad ^[1]; Touati, Khaled ^[2];

^[2]; McCutcheon, Jeffrey R. ^[3]; Rahaman, Md. Saifur ^[4]

Concordia University, Montreal, QC (Canada); OSTI
Concordia University, Montreal, QC (Canada)
Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)
Polytechnique Montreal, QC (Canada)

Pressure-Retarded Osmosis (PRO) is an osmotic process that has been used to harvest energy from salinity gradients using a semi permeable membrane. A comparison between open-loop PRO (OLPRO) and closed-loop PRO (CLPRO) was made regarding their performance and costs. In CLPRO, where the diluted draw solution is re-concentrated in the regeneration system to be reutilized in the process, has recently received an intensive focus as the most viable configuration for a standalone power plant. The choice of the PRO draw solution in CLPRO is crucial to garner a high osmotic pressure as the key for the feasibility of the process. Here, in this review, the draw solutions are critically evaluated in the literature in terms of energy output as well as the method of regeneration used to recirculate them. A set of practical criteria has been suggested to appraise the adequacy of the solution for CLPRO application. It was concluded that NH₃ – CO₂ theoretically can produce 170 W/m² of power density. Inorganic draw solutes such as NaCl can generate high power density up to 87 W/m². Organic draw solutes with their remarkably low reverse salt flux (RSF) have promising potential for future application in PRO. Similarly, the regeneration systems of the diluted draw solutions have also been reviewed and discussed. How the energy consumption of the regeneration process affects the feasibility of CLPRO is explained. For the specific case of osmotic heat engines (OHEs), when the energy of the regeneration process is supplied by heat waste, the range of applicability of the heat waste in CLPRO in terms of efficiency is defined and compared to Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The results showed that CLPRO has better efficiency than ORC for temperatures T < 80 °C, which makes it a promising process or low-grade heat energy recovery. In addition, a PRO-RO hybrid system coupled with solar power can reduce the net specific energy consumption (SEC) to 0.39 kWh/m³. The conditions that regeneration processes should operate under to make PRO viable are discussed in the last section. Overall, the study indicates the key factors for optimizing the performance of CLPRO process.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Cite

Export

Save

Research Organization:: Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008400

OSTI ID:: 1977618

Journal Information:: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal Name: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Journal Issue: C Vol. 159; ISSN 1364-0321

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (66)

High-gradient magnetic separation of coated magnetic nanoparticles Moeser, Geoffrey D.; Roach, Kaitlin A.; Green, William H. AIChE Journal, Vol. 50, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.10270	journal	October 2004
Solar energy-A look into power generation, challenges, and a solar-powered future Hayat, Muhammad Badar; Ali, Danish; Monyake, Keitumetse Cathrine International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 43, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4252	journal	November 2018
Design and operating comparison of MSF and MED systems Morin, O. J. Desalination, Vol. 93, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-9164(93)80097-7	journal	August 1993
One hundred and thirty benign and renewable megawatts from Great Salt Lake? The possibilities of hydroelectric power by pressure-retarded osmosis Loeb, Sidney Desalination, Vol. 141, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(01)00392-7	journal	December 2001
Solar thermal-driven desalination plants based on membrane distillation Koschikowski, Joachim; Wieghaus, Marcel; Rommel, Matthias Desalination, Vol. 156, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(03)00360-6	journal	August 2003
Energy production at the Dead Sea by pressure-retarded osmosis: challenge or chimera? Loeb, Sidney Desalination, Vol. 120, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(98)00222-7	journal	December 1998
RO-PRO desalination: An integrated low-energy approach to seawater desalination Prante, Jeri L.; Ruskowitz, Jeffrey A.; Childress, Amy E. Applied Energy, Vol. 120 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.013	journal	May 2014
Conceptual demonstration of novel closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis process for sustainable osmotic energy generation Han, Gang; Ge, Qingchun; Chung, Tai-Shung Applied Energy, Vol. 132 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.07.029	journal	November 2014
Energy recovery by pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) in SWRO–PRO integrated processes Wan, Chun Feng; Chung, Tai-Shung Applied Energy, Vol. 162 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.10.067	journal	January 2016
Single and dual stage closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis for power generation: Feasibility and performance Altaee, Ali; Palenzuela, Patricia; Zaragoza, Guillermo Applied Energy, Vol. 191 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.01.073	journal	April 2017
Techno-economic evaluation of various RO+PRO and RO+FO integrated processes Wan, Chun Feng; Chung, Tai-Shung Applied Energy, Vol. 212 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.124	journal	February 2018
Energetic and economic feasibility of a combined membrane-based process for sustainable water and energy systems Touati, Khaled; Usman, Haamid Sani; Mulligan, Catherine N. Applied Energy, Vol. 264 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114699	journal	April 2020
Energy requirements of ammonia–carbon dioxide forward osmosis desalination McGinnis, Robert L.; Elimelech, Menachem Desalination, Vol. 207, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.08.012	journal	March 2007
Status of solar thermal-driven reverse osmosis desalination Delgado-Torres, Agustín M.; García-Rodríguez, Lourdes Desalination, Vol. 216, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.12.014	journal	October 2007
Desalination process using super hydrophilic nanoparticles via forward osmosis integrated with ultrafiltration regeneration Ling, Ming Ming; Chung, Tai-Shung Desalination, Vol. 278, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.05.019	journal	September 2011
Switchable polarity solvents as draw solutes for forward osmosis Stone, Mark L.; Rae, Cathy; Stewart, Frederick F. Desalination, Vol. 312 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2012.07.034	journal	March 2013
Application of Membrane Distillation for desalting brines from thermal desalination plants Adham, Samer; Hussain, Altaf; Matar, Joel Minier Desalination, Vol. 314 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2013.01.003	journal	April 2013
Assessing the current state of commercially available membranes and spacers for energy production with pressure retarded osmosis Hickenbottom, Kerri L.; Vanneste, Johan; Elimelech, Menachem Desalination, Vol. 389 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2015.09.029	journal	July 2016
On the present and future economic viability of stand-alone pressure-retarded osmosis Chung, Hyung Won; Banchik, Leonardo D.; Swaminathan, Jaichander Desalination, Vol. 408 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.01.001	journal	April 2017
Finding better draw solutes for osmotic heat engines: Understanding transport of ions during pressure retarded osmosis Gong, Hui; Anastasio, Daniel D.; Wang, Kaijun Desalination, Vol. 421 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.03.030	journal	November 2017
Design and optimization of autonomous solar-wind-reverse osmosis desalination systems coupling battery and hydrogen energy storage by an improved bee algorithm Maleki, Akbar Desalination, Vol. 435 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.05.034	journal	June 2018
Osmotic's potential: An overview of draw solutes for forward osmosis Johnson, Daniel James; Suwaileh, Wafa Ali; Mohammed, Abdul Wahab Desalination, Vol. 434 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.09.017	journal	May 2018
Economic framework for net power density and levelized cost of electricity in pressure-retarded osmosis Chung, Hyung Won; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Banchik, Leonardo D. Desalination, Vol. 448 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2018.09.007	journal	December 2018
Facultative hybrid RO-PRO concept to improve economic performance of PRO: Feasibility and maximizing efficiency Blankert, Bastiaan; Kim, Youngjin; Vrouwenvelder, Hans Desalination, Vol. 478 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.114268	journal	March 2020
A critical review of reductionist approaches for assessing the progress towards sustainability Gasparatos, Alexandros; El-Haram, Mohamed; Horner, Malcolm Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 28, Issue 4-5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2007.09.002	journal	May 2008
Highly effective organic draw solutions for renewable power generation by closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis Islam, Md. Shahidul; Sultana, Sormin; Adhikary, Suman Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 171 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.06.031	journal	September 2018
Stand-alone seawater RO (reverse osmosis) desalination powered by PV (photovoltaic) and PRO (pressure retarded osmosis) He, Wei; Wang, Yang; Shaheed, Mohammad Hasan Energy, Vol. 86 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.04.046	journal	June 2015
Weather forecasting for optimization of a hybrid solar-wind–powered reverse osmosis water desalination system using a novel optimizer approach Maleki, Akbar; Khajeh, Morteza Gholipour; Rosen, Marc A. Energy, Vol. 114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.06.134	journal	November 2016
Efficiency of geothermal power plants: A worldwide review Zarrouk, Sadiq J.; Moon, Hyungsul Geothermics, Vol. 51 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2013.11.001	journal	July 2014
Exergoeconoenvironmental analysis as a new concept for developing thermodynamically, economically, and environmentally sound energy conversion systems Aghbashlo, Mortaza; Rosen, Marc A. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 187 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.214	journal	June 2018
Thermodynamic analysis of a solar thermal facilitated membrane seawater desalination process Tong, Xin; Liu, Su; Chen, Yongsheng Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 256 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120398	journal	May 2020
Copper sulfate as draw solute in forward osmosis desalination Alnaizy, Raafat; Aidan, Ahmed; Qasim, Muhammad Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol. 1, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2013.06.005	journal	September 2013
A review on the recovery methods of draw solutes in forward osmosis Luo, Huayong; Wang, Qin; Zhang, Tian C. Journal of Water Process Engineering, Vol. 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2014.10.006	journal	December 2014
A framework for better understanding membrane distillation separation process El-Bourawi, M. S.; Ding, Z.; Ma, R. Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 285, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.08.002	journal	November 2006
A novel ammonia–carbon dioxide osmotic heat engine for power generation McGinnis, Robert L.; McCutcheon, Jeffrey R.; Elimelech, Menachem Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 305, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2007.08.027	journal	November 2007
Selection of inorganic-based draw solutions for forward osmosis applications Achilli, Andrea; Cath, Tzahi Y.; Childress, Amy E. Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 364, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2010.08.010	journal	November 2010
Organic fouling in pressure retarded osmosis: Experiments, mechanisms and implications She, Qianhong; Wong, Yew Kong Willis; Zhao, Shuaifei Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 428 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.10.045	journal	February 2013
Osmotic power generation by pressure retarded osmosis using seawater brine as the draw solution and wastewater retentate as the feed Wan, Chun Feng; Chung, Tai-Shung Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 479 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.12.036	journal	April 2015
Impact of temperature on power density in closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis for grid storage Anastasio, Daniel D.; Arena, Jason T.; Cole, Emily A. Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 479 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.12.046	journal	April 2015
Assessment of alternative draw solutions for optimized performance of a closed-loop osmotic heat engine Hickenbottom, Kerri L.; Vanneste, Johan; Cath, Tzahi Y. Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 504 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.01.001	journal	April 2016
Techno-economic assessment of a closed-loop osmotic heat engine Hickenbottom, Kerri L.; Vanneste, Johan; Miller-Robbie, Leslie Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 535 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2017.04.034	journal	August 2017
Investigation of the reduced specific energy consumption of the RO-PRO hybrid system based on temperature-enhanced pressure retarded osmosis Wang, Qun; Zhou, Zongyao; Li, Jinqiang Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 581 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.03.079	journal	July 2019
Thin film composite on fluorinated thermally rearranged polymer nanofibrous membrane achieves power density of 87 W m−2 in pressure retarded osmosis, improving economics of osmotic heat engine Moon, Sun Ju; Kim, Ji Hoon; Seong, Jong Geun Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 607 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118120	journal	July 2020
As a renewable energy hydropower for sustainable development in Turkey Yuksel, I. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 14, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.07.056	journal	December 2010
On the use of wind energy to power reverse osmosis desalination plant: A case study from Ténès (Algeria) Dehmas, Djamila Abdeslame; Kherba, Nabila; Hacene, Fouad Boukli Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.004	journal	February 2011
Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems Quoilin, Sylvain; Broek, Martijn Van Den; Declaye, Sébastien Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 22 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.01.028	journal	June 2013
Key challenges and prospects for large wind turbines McKenna, R.; Ostman v. d. Leye, P.; Fichtner, W. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 53 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.09.080	journal	January 2016
Viability of pressure-retarded osmosis for harvesting energy from salinity gradients Touati, Khaled; Rahaman, Md. Saifur Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 131 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109999	journal	October 2020
A conceptual demonstration of freeze desalination–membrane distillation (FD–MD) hybrid desalination process utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energy Wang, Peng; Chung, Tai-Shung Water Research, Vol. 46, Issue 13 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.04.042	journal	September 2012
Thermodynamic and Energy Efficiency Analysis of Power Generation from Natural Salinity Gradients by Pressure Retarded Osmosis Yip, Ngai Yin; Elimelech, Menachem Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 46, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1021/es300060m	journal	April 2012
Fast Deswelling of Nanocomposite Polymer Hydrogels via Magnetic Field-Induced Heating for Emerging FO Desalination Razmjou, Amir; Barati, Mohammad Reza; Simon, George P. Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 47, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1021/es4005152	journal	May 2013
Desalination and Reuse of High-Salinity Shale Gas Produced Water: Drivers, Technologies, and Future Directions Shaffer, Devin L.; Arias Chavez, Laura H.; Ben-Sasson, Moshe Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 47, Issue 17 https://doi.org/10.1021/es401966e	journal	August 2013
Hybrid Pressure Retarded Osmosis–Membrane Distillation System for Power Generation from Low-Grade Heat: Thermodynamic Analysis and Energy Efficiency Lin, Shihong; Yip, Ngai Yin; Cath, Tzahi Y. Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 48, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1021/es405173b	journal	April 2014
Comparison of Energy Efficiency and Power Density in Pressure Retarded Osmosis and Reverse Electrodialysis Yip, Ngai Yin; Elimelech, Menachem Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 48, Issue 18 https://doi.org/10.1021/es5029316	journal	August 2014
Membrane-Based Osmotic Heat Engine with Organic Solvent for Enhanced Power Generation from Low-Grade Heat Shaulsky, Evyatar; Boo, Chanhee; Lin, Shihong Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 49, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1021/es506347j	journal	April 2015
Highly Water-Soluble Magnetic Nanoparticles as Novel Draw Solutes in Forward Osmosis for Water Reuse Ling, Ming Ming; Wang, Kai Yu; Chung, Tai-Shung Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 49, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1021/ie100438x	journal	May 2010
Green chemistry: Reversible nonpolar-to-polar solvent Jessop, Philip G.; Heldebrant, David J.; Li, Xiaowang Nature, Vol. 436, Issue 7054, p. 1102-1102 https://doi.org/10.1038/4361102a	journal	August 2005
Harvesting low-grade heat energy using thermo-osmotic vapour transport through nanoporous membranes Straub, Anthony P.; Yip, Ngai Yin; Lin, Shihong Nature Energy, Vol. 1, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.90	journal	June 2016
Thermodynamic limits of extractable energy by pressure retarded osmosis Lin, Shihong; Straub, Anthony P.; Elimelech, Menachem Energy Environ. Sci., Vol. 7, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1039/C4EE01020E	journal	January 2014
CO₂-triggered switchable solvents, surfactants, and other materials Jessop, Philip G.; Mercer, Sean M.; Heldebrant, David J. Energy & Environmental Science, Vol. 5, Issue 6, p. 7240-7253 https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ee02912j	journal	January 2012
Green energy generation by pressure retarded osmosis: State of the art and technical advancement—review Touati, Khaled; Tadeo, Fernando International Journal of Green Energy, Vol. 14, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2016.1255633	journal	November 2016
Draw solute recovery by metathesis precipitation in forward osmosis desalination Alnaizy, Raafat; Aidan, Ahmed; Qasim, Muhammad Desalination and Water Treatment, Vol. 51, Issue 28-30 https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.770238	journal	August 2013
Efficient Wind Energy Conversion: Evolution to Modern Design Gupta, Ashwani K. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol. 137, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030109	journal	September 2015
The Future of Seawater Desalination: Energy, Technology, and the Environment Elimelech, M.; Phillip, W. A. Science, Vol. 333, Issue 6043 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1200488	journal	August 2011
A review on biomass: importance, chemistry, classification, and conversion Tursi, Antonio Biofuel Research Journal, Vol. 6, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.18331/BRJ2019.6.2.3	journal	June 2019
A review on green liquid fuels for the transportation sector: a prospect of microbial solutions to climate change Kazemi Shariat Panahi, Hamed; Dehhaghi, Mona; Kinder, James E. Biofuel Research Journal, Vol. 6, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.18331/BRJ2019.6.3.2	journal	September 2019

Similar Records

Membrane-Based Osmotic Heat Engine with Organic Solvent for Enhanced Power Generation from Low-Grade Heat

Journal Article · 2015 · Environmental Science and Technology · OSTI ID:1211143

Shaulsky, E; Boo, C; Lin, SH; +1 more

SWITCHABLE POLARITY SOLVENTS AS DRAW SOLUTES FOR FORWARD OSMOSIS

Journal Article · 2013 · Desalination · OSTI ID:1079632

Stewart, Frederick F.; Stone, Mark L.; Wilson, Aaron D.; +1 more

Comparison of Energy Efficiency and Power Density in Pressure Retarded Osmosis and Reverse Electrodialysis

Journal Article · 2014 · Environmental Science and Technology · OSTI ID:1211140

Yip, NY; Elimelech, M

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
Closed-loop PRO
Cost effectiveness
Draw solution
Regeneration process
Specific energy

Title: Closed-loop pressure retarded osmosis draw solutions and their regeneration processes: A review

Citation Formats

References (66)

Similar Records

Related Subjects