Academy Project: Estimating influence of operating conditions on reverse solute flux in forward osmosis process using design of experiments

Aquaporin A/s is a global pioneer in manufacturing biomimetic membranes that incorporates nature’s own water channels, aquaporin proteins. One way to use these membranes is the Forward Osmosis (FO) process, where water transport is facilitated by osmosis principle. FO is an emerging process and can be used in several industrial applications that require volume reduction or valued resource concentrations.

Objective

FO process works on the principle of osmosis where transfer happens between a low concentrated solution (referred as ‘feed’) and a high concentrated solution (referred as 'draw’) in order to achieve equilibrium. Therefore, one way of achieving equilibrium is water transfer from feed to draw, but another way is transfer of solute from draw to feed. The latter is referred to as Reverse Solute Flux (RSF) in a FO process. The objective of this internship/project is to study the influence of different operating conditions on transfer of RSF during the FO process. The study is further divided into two sections, experimental and analytical. The results obtained during the internship/project will highly contribute to Aquaporin’s FO know-hows thereby leading to further process optimization.

Part 1: Experimental study

Here the actual data will be collected by changing the operating conditions. The number of variables and levels in each variable would determine the number of experiments that need to be performed. Each experiment will be a specific combination of operation conditions that will give an experimental estimation of the RSF.

Part 2: Analytical study

Based on the data gathered from part 1, thorough data processing is required, this includes data structuring and analyzing. Thereafter conducting a statistical analysis to map the influence of the variables on the RSF.

Tasks

1. Literature review: FO process, RSF transport, etc.
2. Conducting experiments as per the experimental design on equipment at Aquaporin.
3. Final data analysis, presenting results and a report.

Student Opportunities and Profile

We are looking for a student doing a technical master's degree and having access to JMP software for Design of Experiment (DOE).

Additionally, an opportunity to have a hands-on project with an interesting opportunity to explore fundamentals of novel biomimetic FO membrane. This internship/project will not only help in executing a successful project but also foster communication, presentation, reporting skills. The student will be part of a dynamic group of FO experts who can be coordinated for any input or feedback.

Project Type

• Internship, or
• Master's Thesis

Project timing

Autumn semester

All work will be conducted in a safe manner according to Danish safety standards.