Novel Membrane Separation Technique-Forward Osmosis and Its Application

Forward osmosis is a novel membrane separation technique,which uses the osmotic pressure differential across the membrane as the driving force for transport of water from a region of higher water chemical potential to a region of lower one. The mechanism and feature of forward osmosis as well as its recent applications in science and engineering are introduced,including wastewater treatment and water purification,seawater desalination,food processing,pharmaceutical industry,pressure-retarded osmosis for power generation and so on. With the further progress of membrane material and draw solution study,the forward osmosis will be applied in more and more fields.