Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a desalination system comprising a plurality of elongated pressure vessels (PV). Each PV has a longitudinal axis, oriented such that the longitudinal axis thereof is of a vertical orientation. Each of the PVs is adapted to receive therein a plurality n of desalination membranes. The membranes located above the lowermost membrane within the PV have a total weight allowing them to function as a mechanism limiting axial expansion of the lowermost membrane, whereby the PV is free of any additional limiting mechanism.

Abstract: A desalination system based on forward osmosis, that uses a draw solution at high osmotic and gauge pressures to generate mechanical power from the expansion of the draw solution due to water extracted from feed water through a semi-permeable membrane. The extracted water is produced during the regeneration of the draw solution. The generated power may be used to desalinate additional feed water, e.g. via reverse osmosis, such that most power needed for the reverse osmosis is supplied from the expanding draw solution, e.g. via a work exchanger. After power recovery, partly dilute draw solution may be used to extract additional water from feed water via an additional forward osmosis module.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a desalination system comprising a plurality of elongated pressure vessels (PV). Each PV has a longitudinal axis, oriented such that the longitudinal axis thereof is of a vertical orientation. Each of the PVs is adapted to receive therein a plurality n of desalination membranes. The membranes located above the lowermost membrane within the PV have a total weight allowing them to function as a mechanism limiting axial expansion of the lowermost membrane, whereby the PV is free of any additional limiting mechanism.