LAUSR

Abstract A two-layer membrane model was applied to a hollow fiber forward osmosis (FO) module for the first time, and its mass transport characteristics were analyzed. This model is a result of applying the irreversible thermodynamics to both the active layer and the support layer of the asymmetric FO membrane. Two membrane properties of the support layer are added as model parameters, namely the solute convective coefficient and the solute diffusive permeability. Actual numerical calculations were performed using the module model including this membrane model. Consistency between the module model and the actual measurements was good in both water flux and solute flux. This model clarified the effect of the support layer structure on FO performance. Iso-water-flux diagrams with the two properties as variables provided an effective means for increasing the FO membrane permeability.