Table 1.

Comparative properties and performances of concentration processes.

	UF/MF	NF/RO	MD/OD	Evaporation	Cryo-Concentration	Forward Osmosis
Temperature	Ambient	Ambient	Moderate	High	Low	Ambient
Pressure	Moderate	High	No	No	No	No
Concentration capability		Limited	High	High	Medium	High
Organoleptic preservation	Good	Good	Good–moderate	Poor	Good	Good
Applications	WW, food, waste streams, desalination	WW, food, waste streams. desalination	Desalination (MD)/food (OD)	Food, Desalination	Food	WW, food, waste streams, desalination
Energy	Moderate	High	Low–high	Very high	High	Low–high
Technology readiness level	Established technology	Established technology	Pilot scale	Established technology	Established technology	Reaching market