Concept of osmosis
Osmosis is the transport of water from an area with low concentration of dissolved substances (e.g. salt) through a membrane to an area with a higher concentration.
Osmosis can be utilised to create pressure which in turn can drive a turbine.
The membrane is semi-permeable. It allows some substances to pass through, but stops other substances.
Nature will seek to equalise the difference in concentration between the two sides of the membrane. It is this mechanism which enables plants to absorb moisture through their leaves and retain it.
As water is drawn through the membrane one way only, a pressure is generated on the “inside”, which in an osmotic power plant can be utilised to generate electricity.
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URL: http://www.statkraft.com/pub/innovation/tecnology/osmotic_power.concept_of_osmosisasp