Commercialization of a high-performance forward-osmosis (FO) membrane, as a next step towards the introduction of disruptive, lower cost desalination and water reuse technology, was announced on 10 May 2010 by Oasys Water Inc of Cambridge, USA.
Forward osmosis development has been limited to date by absence of a recoverable solute and a membrane offering both high flow rates and high salt rejection. Last year, Oasys announced a solution for solute recovery; a patented ammonia carbonate formulation producing high osmotic pressure which is recoverable using low-grade heat.
Now, the company says it has commercialized an FO membrane developed by Yale University and has published performance specifications for the production of these membranes at full scale in this month’s Environmental Science & Technology journal.
This advancement now paves the way for commercialization of next generation desalination products using the company’s patented Engineered Osmosis™ platform.
“We are excited about the performance of this first generation FO membrane using thin film composite polyamide chemistry, and we’ve tested modules produced on existing membrane manufacturing lines without modifications. By releasing performance specifications we are further encouraging the development of new FO membranes and accelerating the deployment of lower cost desalination,” says Lisa Sorgini, vice president of markets and strategy for Oasys Water.
For more information, contact: Lisa Sorgini, VP Markets and Strategy
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.oasyswater.com