Explicit flux expressions in tubular reverse osmosis desalination

Calculation of actual fluxes in reverse osmosis desalination through membrane tubes involves considerable iteration due to the existence of concentration polarization. Explicit flux expressions have been developed for such cases on the basis of the flux expressions of Lonsdale , Sourirajan, and Johnson to eliminate iteration. Low levels of solvent flux in existing membranes allow approximations leading to such explicit expressions. The computer flow diagram for reverse osmosis plant design with membrane tubes in series has been simplified by means of the explicit flux expressions.