Selection of potential fertilizer draw solution for fertilizer drawn forward osmosis application in Egypt

Fertilizer drawn forward osmosis desalination success is greatly affected by the choice of a suitable draw solution. This study focused only on nitrogenous-based fertilizers being by far the most dominant class of fertilizers used in Egypt. Four nitrogenous Egyptian fertilizers have been closely evaluated with respect to their availability, economics and performance. The three factors played a major role in the fertilizer selection. Ammonium sulpahte was selected to be the most suitable fertilizer draw solution exhibiting high osmotic pressure, being non-expensive, non-hygroscopic, resistant to valorization, highly soluble in water and containing sulphur, which is needed by the plant.