Physical network modeling of a reverse osmosis purification unit

Abstract: The use of computer models in research and development is a powerful tool to make the engineering process more effective. By providing accurate simulations, the need for working prototypes and extensive testing is reduced. This Master’s Thesis investigates the Gambro WRO 300 H reverse osmosis water purification system with the aim of creating a working and easily adaptable computer model of the machine. For this purpose, the physical network modeling approach provided by the MathWorks Simscape environment has been used, and the experimental data from the machine is fitted to an a priori model of the reverse osmosis process - the solution-diffusion model. The result is a Simscape model of the WRO 300 H as well as four experimental model designs implemented using the same custom Simscape library. While the models do capture the overall behaviour of the WRO 300 H and provide interesting insights in the experimental designs at a qualitative level, there are significant improvements that could be made to enhance the accuracy of the membrane model by modeling its internal physical phenomena.