Abstract
A porous media approach based on the volume-averaging theory has been proposed to investigate spiral-wound reverse osmosis processes. A set of the governing equations, namely, the continuity, momentum and concentration equations, are derived for three distinctive phases, namely, brine, permeate and membrane phases, exploiting a volume averaging approach. An analytical expression is derived for the permeate salinity, flow rate and pressure drop in spiral-wound reverse osmosis modules. Available experimental data and numerical results based on a finite difference method are found to agree well with the present analysis. The present model can be used to design an efficient spiral-wound reverse osmosis desalination system, without resorting to extensive finite difference calculations.
