Network modeling for studying the effect of support structure on internal concentration polarization during forward osmosis: Model development and theoretical analysis with FEM

► The effect of support layer substructure on ICP during FO process is quantitatively studied. ► Support layer is simulated by a well-defined network accounting for stochastic properties. ► Finite element analysis is employed to deal with the convective diffusion in the complex network. ► The macroscopic permeation parameters are statistically related to microscopic substructure. ► Dynamic simulations are carried out for investigating the transient processes.