The thermal performance of air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) desalination is dominated by heat and mass transfer across the air gap between the membrane and the condensing surface. However, little is known about the impact of condensate flow patterns in some design variations of the air gap. In this study, air gap membrane distillation experiments were performed at various inlet temperatures, varying module inclination angle, condensing surface hydrophobicity, and gap spacer design to identify the effect of each on the permeate production rate and thermal efficiency of the system. Energy efficiency modeling was performed as well. Additionally, this study is one of the first with enhanced visualization of flow patterns within the air gap itself, by using a transparent, high thermal conductivity sapphire plate as the condenser surface. System-level numerical modeling is used to further understand the impact of these flow regimes on overall energy efficiency, including flux and GOR. A brief review of membrane distillation condensation regimes is provided as well. For tilting the AGMD flat-plate module, permeate flux was barely influenced except at extreme positive angles (>80ᵒ), and moderate negative angles (<-30ᵒ), where condensate fell onto the membrane surface. The surface with the hydrophobic coating (for dropwise condensation) was shown to have better droplet shedding (with very small nearly spherical droplets) and fewer droplets bridging the gap. Superhydrophobic surfaces (for jumping droplet condensation) were similar, with much smaller droplet sizes. Meanwhile, the hydrophilic surface for small gap sizes (< 3 mm) often had pinned regions of water around the hydrophilic surface and plastic spacer. Overall, the various results imply that the common assumption of a laminar condensate film poorly describes the flow patterns in real systems for all tilt angles and most spacer designs. Real system performance is likely to be between that of pure AGMD and permeate gap membrane distillation (PGMD) variants, and modeling shows that better condensing in air gaps may improve system energy efficiency significantly, with strong relative advantages at high salinity.

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Within the SIM RMO, certain NMIs/ DIs have indicated the need to demonstrate their measurement capability for the determination of ethanol in aqueous matrices. Reflecting upon the current situation, the SIM Chemical Metrology Working Group (CMWG) conducted a second regional Key Comparison in 2016 linked to the CCQM-K27, SIM.QM-K27. The RMO Key Comparison SIM.QM-K27 was coordinated by INMETRO, who demonstrated capability in the CCQM-K27.2 subsequent study: determination of ethanol in aqueous media. INMETRO also coordinated the first SIM RMO Key Comparison SIM.QM-K1. For SIM.QM-K27, two levels of ethanol in water solutions were gravimetrically prepared by INMETRO with a concentration range between 0.5 mg/g and 5 mg/g. The gravimetric value of the aqueous ethanol solutions was used to link SIM.QM-K27 to the CCQM-K27 Key comparison reference value (KCRV). The gravimetric values for SIM.QM-K27 Level 1 and Level 2 were (0.814 ± 0.008) mg/g (U k =2 ) and (3.818 ± 0.038) mg/g (U k =2 ), respectively. The KCRV was determined using the purity-corrected gravimetric preparation values. The KCRV uncertainty was assigned as 1 % from the reference values in order to give the same uncertainty as in the CCQM-K27.2 comparison. Fourteen laboratories took part in this regional KC, from SIM and other RMOs. One participant (INACAL) did not send results and thus it's capability was not evaluated. Ten of the thirteen participants in the SIM.QM-K27 demonstrated their ability to measure ethanol in aqueous matrix in the concentration range of 0.5 mg/g to 5 mg/g (both levels). One participant (ISP) demonstrated its ability to measure ethanol in aqueous matrix only at the low level (0.5 to 1.5 mg/g) and another participant (INM) demonstrated its ability to measure ethanol in aqueous matrix only at the high level (1.5 to 5.0 mg/g). NIMT did not demonstrate its ability to measure ethanol in aqueous matrix from 0.5 mg/g to 5 mg/g (both levels). The abilities demonstrated by the participants should be indicative of their ability to provide reference measurements for ethanol content in aqueous samples for both forensic and commodities applications. This report presents the results of the SIM Key comparison SIM.QM-K27. Successful participation in SIM.QM-K27 demonstrates the following measurement capabilities in determining mass fraction of ethanol in mass fraction range from 0.5 mg/g to 5 mg/g in an aqueous matrix. KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH Key comparison and ethanol in water Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).