Our research allows us to address these issues. We have used the algorithm to succesfully obtain many macroscopic properties on systems like aqueous and methanolic solutions of various electrolytes and many model systems. T he separation, concentration and purification of the chemical species present in a mixture is a major problem in the chemical industry. Conventional mass separation techniques, in recent years, have been supplemented by a class of processes which utilize semi-permeable membranes as separation barriers. S eparation in membrane processes are the result of differences in the transport rate of chemical species through the membrane interphase.
Reverse osmosis is one such process which can be used as a very efficient means for separation.
T he transport rate of different particles through the membrane is determined by the driving force on the components, and their mobility and concentration within the interphase. The primary factor determining separation using reverse osmosis is the size of the molecules and the molecular interactions of the components with the semi-permeable membrane. Since these can differ significantly, they can be used as a means of separating comppounds that are otherwise difficult to separate. A t present, the applications of membranes is still impaired by high costs and shortcomings in the membrane performance, as well as the inability to predict accurately the degree of separation achieved. Although many theoretical methods are available to explain and correlate experimental observations in reverse osmosis, they cannot be used to answer some more fundamental questions.