The invention relates to a system and method of use for concentrating a solution that is eluted from an ion exchange process (elution solution) during an ion exchange regeneration using the osmotic pressure of the salt saturator. This method recovers solvent from the elution solution that could be used in a future ion exchange regeneration process. The concentration of the elution solution may include the precipitation and removal of solids from the elution solution.

A method for extracting a determined compound contained in a liquid solution, referred to as the feed solution, by forward osmosis. The feed solution is circulated in contact with a first face of a membrane configured to selectively allow the transfer of the compound by osmosis. A second liquid solution containing potassium lactate, referred to as the extraction solution, is circulated in contact with a second opposing face of the membrane opposite the first face.

Devices and methods herein remove water from human or animal biological waste fluids using one or more forward osmosis filters. The devices allow for the volume of liquid or semi-liquid waste, including potentially infectious liquid waste, to be filtered to reduce potential exposure of healthcare staff to infectious liquid waste. On a hospital, healthcare staff, or individual patient basis, removing water and concentrating the waste can reduce challenges in management and disposal of the waste. Devices herein use forward osmosis to manage and filter, using one or more suitably sized filter(s), biological fluid exudate from wounds. The devices can be constructed to transport water present in the exudate away from a wound. The wound treatment devices herein not only allow for fluid from wounds to be filtered but also provide structures that can protect wounds from external contaminants, including bacteria and viruses. The wound treatment devices can be incorporated into negative pressure wound therapy systems, if desired.

A system for extracting ions from an aqueous solution without utilizing ion exchange. A semi-permeable membrane with 0.1 to 1000 nm diameter pores separates an aqueous salt solution from a chelating gel. The gel has un-crosslinked polymer (e.g. 1-10% by weight) and the balance water. The semi-permeable membrane lets ions diffuse into the chelating gel where the ions become trapped. The gel has a molecular weight that prevents its diffusion through the semi-permeable membrane.

This system for concentrating solvent-containing articles involves a first step in which: a supply flow (a) comprising solvent-containing articles containing a solute and a solvent (b) is caused to flow counter to or parallel with a permeant flow (d) through a forward osmosis membrane (o); the solvent (b) contained in the supply flow (a) is made to pass through the forward osmosis membrane (o) and to move into the permeant flow (d); and a concentrate flow (c) formed from the concentrated solvent-containing articles and a flow (e) formed from the diluted permeant flow (d) are obtained, wherein the permeant flow (d) is an inorganic salt solution containing multivalent cations, and the temperature of the permeant flow (d) in the aforementioned first step is 5-60 C.

A hydrogel composite draw material for forward osmosis comprising: a porous elastic polymeric foam element including a three-dimensional continuous network of pores interpenetrated with a polymer hydrogel. In use, the hydrogel composite draw material draws a water flux of at least 3.5 L/m.sup.2h.

Methods and systems are described that produce an ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverage from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream using an efficient, low waste, combination reverse osmosis and forward osmosis system. Utilizing a reverse osmosis system prior to using a forward osmosis system in removing water content from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream significantly reduces a draw solution load when compared to a process that utilizes a forward osmosis system alone or prior to using any other dewatering system.

Provided herein is forward osmosis-based water purification process, that includes contacting a solution of a soluble draw agent with a dehydrated insoluble draw agent, separating the now hydrated insoluble draw agent from the now concentrated draw solution, and exerting a stimulus on the hydrated insoluble draw agent for extracting water therefrom, thereby regenerating a dehydrated insoluble draw agent, wherein the osmotic concentration (osmolality) of the insoluble draw agent is greater than the osmotic concentration of the diluted draw solution, and the insoluble draw agent is impermeable to the soluble draw agent.

A process for the generation of power is disclosed. The process comprises receiving a wastewater stream containing organic matter and passing the wastewater stream to an anaerobic digester in which the organic matter contained therein is broken down to produce biogas. The liquid content of said wastewater stream is reduced before said stream enters the anaerobic digester by passing the wastewater stream through an osmotic power unit. The said stream is passed over one side of a semi-permeable membrane which permits the passage of water but not the passage of salts, an aqueous stream of higher salinity than said wastewater stream being passed over the other side of said membrane such that latent osmotic energy present in said aqueous stream of higher salinity is converted into electricity.

The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a covalently functionalized coated magnetic nanoparticle and to said particles and uses thereof. The preparation method includes forming a shell of a hydrophilic polymer coating layer on top of a magnetic metal core coated with a carbon coating. In the method a particle comprising a magnetic metal core coated with a carbon coating is provided. The surface of the particle is subjected to covalent functionalization by generating amino reactive groups via diazonium chemistry and subsequently an irreversible attachment of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator is carried out on said surface. A hydrophilic polymer layer is formed) by a surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) reaction with a monomer comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM).