Method and System for Enhanced Osmotic Mass Transfer

A process for facilitating mass transfer comprising:

• a. placing a membrane against a membrane support medium, the membrane support medium having piezoelectric properties and having a textured surface on one side and a non-textured surface on the other side;
• b. immersing the membrane support medium in an oscillating electric field to induce vibratory motion of the membrane support medium;
• c. conveying a first fluid across one side of the membrane and a second fluid across the other side of the membrane, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different osmotic pressures;
• d. transferring vibratory motion of the membrane support medium to the membrane, thereby facilitating mass transfer through the membrane and removing foulants from the membrane.

A process for facilitating mass transfer comprising the steps of:

• a. placing a membrane against a membrane support medium, the membrane support medium having piezoelectric properties;
• b. conveying a first fluid across one side of the membrane and a second fluid across the other side of the membrane, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different osmotic pressures;
• c. positioning a first electrode in contact with at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid and positioning a second electrode adjacent to the membrane support medium;
• d. applying an oscillating voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode and generating an oscillating electric field permeating the membrane support medium between the conductive fluid and the electrode adjacent to the membrane support medium, thereby causing the membrane support medium to vibrate;
• e. wherein the vibration facilitates mass transfer through the membrane and removes foulants from the membrane.

A process for facilitating mass transfer comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning a first electrode and a second electrode one side of a membrane and positioning a membrane support medium having piezoelectric properties on the other side of the membrane
• b. conveying a first fluid across one side of the membrane and a second fluid across the other side of the membrane, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different osmotic pressures;
• c. applying an oscillating voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate an oscillating electric field permeating the membrane support medium causing vibration thereof;
• d. wherein the vibration facilitates mass transfer through the membrane and removes foulants from the membrane.

A process for facilitating mass transfer comprising the steps of:

• a. placing a membrane on one side of a spacer and a membrane support medium having piezoelectric properties on the other side of the spacer;
• b. immersing the membrane support medium in an oscillating electric field to induce vibratory motion of the membrane support medium;
• c. conveying a first fluid across the side of the membrane adjacent to the spacer and a second fluid across the other side of the membrane, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different osmotic pressures;
• d. vibratory motion of the membrane support medium transfers vibratory motion to the membrane, spacer, first fluid and second fluid thereby resulting in enhanced mass transfer between the fluids through the membrane and the removal of foulants from the membrane.

A process for facilitating mass transfer comprising the steps of:

• a. placing a membrane on one side of a spacer and a membrane support medium having piezoelectric properties on the other side of the spacer
• b. conveying a first fluid across one side of the membrane and a second fluid across the other side of the membrane, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different osmotic pressures and wherein at least the first fluid is electrically conductive;
• c. applying an oscillating voltage between a first electrode contacting the first fluid and a second electrode adjacent to the membrane support medium, the oscillating voltage generating an oscillating electric field permeating the membrane support medium between the first fluid and the second electrode, thereby inducing piezoelectric vibration thereof;
• d. the vibratory motion of the membrane support medium transferring vibratory motion to the membrane, first fluid and second fluid resulting in enhanced mass transfer between the fluids through the membrane and assisting in the removal of foulants from the membrane.