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A. Seppälä, M. El Haj Assad

The Effect of Solute Leakage on the Thermodynamical Performance of an Osmotic Membrane

We derive an equation for the Second Law efficiency of an osmotic membrane. This expression of efficiency depends on the ratio between the solvent and solute flux, but remains independent of the actual values of the fluxes and of any transport model. The equation can be used to find the magnitude of solute leakage that can be accepted for optimally performing osmotic membranes. Special emphasis is given to osmotic power generation systems. We additionally compare the fraction of total power destruction that occurs inside the selective layer of the membrane, and the fraction that occurs inside the support material of the membrane.

Journal of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Walter de Gruyter

Print ISSN: 0340-0204
Volume: 28, 07/2003
Pages: 269 - 278

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