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Micro-nanobubbles enhanced osmotically assisted reverse osmosis for high-salinity brine treatment: A multi-scale investigation into performance and mechanisms.

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Title: Micro-nanobubbles enhanced osmotically assisted reverse osmosis for high-salinity brine treatment: A multi-scale investigation into performance and mechanisms.
Authors: Du, Yawei1,2,3 (AUTHOR) sonicduyawei001@126.com, Cao, Qian1 (AUTHOR), Dai, Jiangbo1 (AUTHOR), Li, Yanping4 (AUTHOR), Liu, Jie1,2,3 (AUTHOR), Li, Jingde1,2,3 (AUTHOR), Ji, Zhiyong1,2,3 (AUTHOR) jizhiyong@hebut.edu.cn
Source: Chemical Engineering Science. Jun2026, Vol. 328, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Reverse osmosis, Microbubbles, Molecular dynamics, Nanofiltration, Mass transfer, Salt, Process optimization
Abstract: [Display omitted] • Osmotically assisted reverse osmosis enhanced by micro-nano bubbles is investigated; • Couple effects of MNBs with salinity, temperature, flow rate, pressure are numerical analyzed; • A maximum of 19.74% promotion ratio for water flux is achieved by MNBs; • Feasibility of MNBs-enhanced OARO process for high salinity brine at low pressure is explored. • Molecular dynamics simulation elucidates behavior and stability of nanobubble with temp., pressure and ions effects. Osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) presents an energy-efficient solution for high-salinity brine management, yet its practical application is significantly limited by concentration polarization. This study investigates a novel enhancement strategy using micro-nanobubbles (MNBs) in the OARO process. A comprehensive approach combining experimental membrane cell tests with a validated numerical model was employed to analyze the impact of key operating parameters on water flux and the promotion efficiency of MNBs. Results demonstrate that while the efficacy of feed-side MNBs diminishes markedly at elevated temperatures and applied pressure, draw-side MNBs sustain a significant performance improvement, enhancing water flux by up to 18.18% and reducing salt leakage by 21.3% as the feed temperature increases from 25 °C to 40 °C. Partial least squares analysis identified draw flow rate and applied pressure as the dominant factors governing system performance. Furthermore, the feasibility of employing a nanofiltration membrane for treating high-salinity brines containing multivalent ions under minimal pressure was successfully demonstrated. Complementing these macro-scale experiments, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provided fundamental insights into nanobubble stability, revealing that a low-temperature, low-salinity, and low-pressure environment optimally preserves bubble integrity and maximizes OARO enhancement. This multi-scale study confirms the potential of MNBs for mitigating mass transfer limitations in OARO and establishes operational guidelines for maximizing process efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:[Display omitted] • Osmotically assisted reverse osmosis enhanced by micro-nano bubbles is investigated; • Couple effects of MNBs with salinity, temperature, flow rate, pressure are numerical analyzed; • A maximum of 19.74% promotion ratio for water flux is achieved by MNBs; • Feasibility of MNBs-enhanced OARO process for high salinity brine at low pressure is explored. • Molecular dynamics simulation elucidates behavior and stability of nanobubble with temp., pressure and ions effects. Osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) presents an energy-efficient solution for high-salinity brine management, yet its practical application is significantly limited by concentration polarization. This study investigates a novel enhancement strategy using micro-nanobubbles (MNBs) in the OARO process. A comprehensive approach combining experimental membrane cell tests with a validated numerical model was employed to analyze the impact of key operating parameters on water flux and the promotion efficiency of MNBs. Results demonstrate that while the efficacy of feed-side MNBs diminishes markedly at elevated temperatures and applied pressure, draw-side MNBs sustain a significant performance improvement, enhancing water flux by up to 18.18% and reducing salt leakage by 21.3% as the feed temperature increases from 25 °C to 40 °C. Partial least squares analysis identified draw flow rate and applied pressure as the dominant factors governing system performance. Furthermore, the feasibility of employing a nanofiltration membrane for treating high-salinity brines containing multivalent ions under minimal pressure was successfully demonstrated. Complementing these macro-scale experiments, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provided fundamental insights into nanobubble stability, revealing that a low-temperature, low-salinity, and low-pressure environment optimally preserves bubble integrity and maximizes OARO enhancement. This multi-scale study confirms the potential of MNBs for mitigating mass transfer limitations in OARO and establishes operational guidelines for maximizing process efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00092509
DOI:10.1016/j.ces.2026.123778