Image Theses and Dissertations Computational Study of Water Desalination Using Forward Osmosis Forward Osmosis is a natural phenomenon that takes places across a semi-permeable membrane when there is a concentration difference across the membrane. Pure water permeates to the highly concentrated channel until the concentration across the membrane equilibrates. In water desalination applications, the same principle is applied. Spiral-wound membrane, flat sheet, or hollow fiber module are typical configurations in forward osmosis desalination modules. View Item