Conclusion
• Switchable polarity solvents are draw solutes that allows an entirely new
FO process for the purification of water and concentration of solutions.
– The SPS FO system is expected to save costs because its driven by
heat rather than electricity. Heat is at least 1/10th the cost of
electricity.
• The SPS FO system demonstrated substantial osmotic pressures and
FO flux.
– This osmotic pressure allows for greater concentration of the feed
solution reducing the waste volume compared to RO and
conventional FO systems.
• The material compatibility remains the greatest challenge but can be
solved by:
– designing and selecting materials/membranes stable to
dimethylcyclohexylamine.
– or designing a better SPS based on our structure function study.