Getting the Salt Out (ILAP)

When two water (or other solvent) volumes are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, water will flow from the side of low solute concentration to the side of high solute concentration. This is known as osmosis. The flow of solvent across the membrane may be stopped, or even reversed, by applying external pressure on the side of higher solute concentration. This process is called reverse osmosis. We will use van't Hoff's equation to model osmosis.

Physical Concepts Examined:
1. Osmotic pressure
2. Permeability
3. Desalination

Table of Contents:

SETTING THE SCENE

YOUR JOB

PART 1: NUMERICAL AND GRAPHICAL ANALYSES
Requirement 1
Requirement 2
Requirement 3
Requirement 4

PART 2: LET'S GET EXPLICIT
Requirement 5
Requirement 6

PART 3: WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
Requirement 7

INSTRUCTOR'S SOLUTION

NOTES FOR THE INSTRUCTOR
Background on Reverse Osmosis
Notes on the Problem Solution
Pedagogical Advice

REFERENCES

ABOUT THE AUTHORS