Water transport in porous and non-porous membranes

G. Thau, R. Bloch, O. Kedem

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Osmotic water flow, giving the filtration coefficient, and the diffusion of isotopic water were measured in a number or membranes. It is shown that the ratio, g, between osmotic and self-diffusion flux, observed under forces of equal magnitude, may serve as a measure for the mutual interaction between water molecules penetrating the membrane, as compared to the interaction with the membrane constituents. High values were found for g in porous films. In liquid membranes, g is small but does not equal unity. Hence, in diffusion of water through these organic liquids, water-water interactions are of the same order as water-solvent interactions. In one polymer membrane, polyethylacrylate, g is close to one, as would be expected for molecular diffusion in dilute solulion. In cellulose acetate films, g is only slightly higher than in an analogous liquid membrane (triacetine) indicating that here water transport is essentially diffusion in a homogeneous phase.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-138
Number of pages10
JournalDesalination
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1966
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering

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