Water Flux
Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane in desalination Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0081 m/day/kPa; applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,060 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,110 kPa, determine the water flux (F_w) in m/day.
Given
Find
water flux (F_w), in m/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except F_w is given, so isolate F_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for F_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0081 m/day/kPa, applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,060 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,110 kPa.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_w = 7.6950 m/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 15.3900 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 3.8475 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 8.4645 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux through the membrane driven by net applied pressure Given applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,020 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 800.0 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 70.0500 m/day, determine the membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) in m/day/kPa.
Given
Find
membrane permeability coefficient (K_w), in m/day/kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except K_w is given, so isolate K_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for K_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,020 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 800.0 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 70.0500 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning K_w = 0.3184 m/day/kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.6368 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.1592 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.3503 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux calculation for a membrane treatment system Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0334 m/day/kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 350.0 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 76.2200 m/day, determine the applied pressure differential (deltaP) in kPa.
Given
Find
applied pressure differential (deltaP), in kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except deltaP is given, so isolate deltaP symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for deltaP:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0334 m/day/kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 350.0 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 76.2200 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning deltaP = 2,632 kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 5,264 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1,316 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 2,895 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane in desalination Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0130 m/day/kPa; applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,050 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,140 kPa, determine the water flux (F_w) in m/day.
Given
Find
water flux (F_w), in m/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except F_w is given, so isolate F_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for F_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0130 m/day/kPa, applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,050 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,140 kPa.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_w = -1.1700 m/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -2.3400 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -0.5850 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -1.2870 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux through the membrane driven by net applied pressure Given applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 3,890 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 400.0 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 95.1500 m/day, determine the membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) in m/day/kPa.
Given
Find
membrane permeability coefficient (K_w), in m/day/kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except K_w is given, so isolate K_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for K_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 3,890 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 400.0 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 95.1500 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning K_w = 0.0273 m/day/kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.0545 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0136 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0300 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux calculation for a membrane treatment system Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0456 m/day/kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 370.0 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 56.8500 m/day, determine the applied pressure differential (deltaP) in kPa.
Given
Find
applied pressure differential (deltaP), in kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except deltaP is given, so isolate deltaP symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for deltaP:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0456 m/day/kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 370.0 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 56.8500 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning deltaP = 1,617 kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 3,233 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 808.4 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1,778 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane in desalination Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0075 m/day/kPa; applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,800 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 510.0 kPa, determine the water flux (F_w) in m/day.
Given
Find
water flux (F_w), in m/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except F_w is given, so isolate F_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for F_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0075 m/day/kPa, applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,800 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 510.0 kPa.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_w = 17.1750 m/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 34.3500 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 8.5875 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 18.8925 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux through the membrane driven by net applied pressure Given applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,300 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,260 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 31.3000 m/day, determine the membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) in m/day/kPa.
Given
Find
membrane permeability coefficient (K_w), in m/day/kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except K_w is given, so isolate K_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for K_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 2,300 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,260 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 31.3000 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning K_w = 0.0301 m/day/kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.0602 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0150 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.0331 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux calculation for a membrane treatment system Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0492 m/day/kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,410 kPa; water flux (F_w) = 97.5400 m/day, determine the applied pressure differential (deltaP) in kPa.
Given
Find
applied pressure differential (deltaP), in kPa
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except deltaP is given, so isolate deltaP symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for deltaP:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0492 m/day/kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,410 kPa, water flux (F_w) = 97.5400 m/day.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning deltaP = 3,393 kPa to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 6,785 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1,696 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 3,732 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux
water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane in desalination Given membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0374 m/day/kPa; applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,710 kPa; osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,120 kPa, determine the water flux (F_w) in m/day.
Given
Find
water flux (F_w), in m/day
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Water Flux.
- Everything except F_w is given, so isolate F_w symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Water flux across a reverse osmosis membrane is driven by the net pressure differential minus the osmotic pressure differential.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for F_w:
Step 3 — List the givens: membrane permeability coefficient (K_w) = 0.0374 m/day/kPa, applied pressure differential (deltaP) = 1,710 kPa, osmotic pressure differential (deltapi) = 1,120 kPa.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_w = 22.0660 m/day to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 44.1320 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 11.0330 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 24.2726 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Water Flux