Experimental validation of CFD mass transfer simulations in flat channels with non-woven net spacers

Li, F.; Meindersma, G.W.; Haan, A.B. de; Reith, T.

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2003.11.015

Cited by 93 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…In this range, for woven spacers and overlapped spacers at q = 45° reliable results were obtained by our research group [36,38] while, for overlapped spacers at q = 0°-90°, results obtained by Li et al [20] for a similar configuration (but with P/H = 2.2), suitably converted to suit the present definitions of Re and f, are reported.…”

Section: Friction Coefficientsupporting

confidence: 72%

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Performance comparison between overlapped and woven spacers for membrane distillation

Gurreri¹,

Tamburini²,

Cipollina³

et al. 2017

dwt

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a b s t r a c tThe sustainable production of freshwater from seawater desalination is receiving increasing attention. Recently, some desalination technologies are taking advantage from the coupling with renewable resources; among them, membrane distillation (MD) is one of the most promising since it can be easily powered by low-grade thermal energy. MD being an emerging technology, efforts are required to optimize geometry and operating conditions of real units in order to reduce the unitary freshwater production cost. In particular, temperature polarization is a well-known detrimental effect for the process driving force; spacers are traditionally used to enhance mixing and make temperature boundary layers thinner, at the cost of higher pressure losses. The present work is devoted to testing and comparing the performance of two different two-layer net spacers: overlapped and woven. Investigations were carried out both by experiments and by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at different Reynolds numbers, ranging from creeping flow to turbulent flow regimes. Experiments (for intermediate to high Re) made use of thermochromic liquid crystals along with digital image processing. Computational results (for low to intermediate Re) were obtained via steady state (low Re) or direct numerical simulations (intermediate Re) along with the unit cell approach. A good agreement between experiments and CFD results was obtained in the range of superposition. Results showed that woven spacers guarantee a better mixing than overlapped ones, especially in the low to intermediate Re range, thus resulting in Nusselt numbers 2.5-3 times higher. On the other hand, the less disturbed flow field induced by overlapped spacers was found to yield friction coefficients up to 4 times lower, thus allowing lower pumping costs. The choice between the two configurations depends crucially on the relative importance attributed to savings in membrane surface area and in pumping energy for any specific application.

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Section: Friction Coefficientsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Starting with the work of Schock and Miquel [18], Da Costa et al [17], Li et al [20], much research effort has been devoted to understanding the effects of spacer geometry on fluid dynamics and heat or mass transfer in membrane-based processes involving cross flow in plane or spiral-wound modules.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance comparison between overlapped and woven spacers for membrane distillation

Gurreri¹,

Tamburini²,

Cipollina³

et al. 2017

dwt

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show abstract

“…However, use of such devices is associated with increased pressure drop and flow maldistribution in the module. Several experimental (Da Costa et al 1991, 1994Li et al, 2004) as well as CFD studies (Karode and Kumar, 2001;Cao et al, 2001;Schiwinge et al, 2002) have been reported. CFD studies have focused on ascertaining the effects of different geometric arrangements of the spacers in thin channels and their impact on improving the hydrodynamic conditions in the module.…”

Section: Modelling and Simulation In Membrane Separation Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamentals of Membrane Processes

Kumar¹

2012

Membrane Technology and Environmental Applications

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“…In order to optimize the trade-off between enhanced mass transfer and increased crossflow power consumption, CFD modelling [7,8], [9], [10], [11,12], [13], [14], [15,16] has been used extensively. However, computational techniques have rarely been used to investigate the other issue of SWM, that is bio-fouling, arising from their extensive use in municipal water treatment plants and in industrial food processing.…”

Section: Figure 1: Sketch Of Net-type Spacer's Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

DEM simulations of initial deposition of colloidal particles around non-woven membrane spacers

Chaumeil¹,

Crapper²

2013

Journal of Membrane Science

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The modelling of the initial deposition on membrane spacers of colloidal size particles immersed in a liquid is investigated using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The ability of this method to model surface interactions allows the modelling of particle agglomeration and deposition at the particle scale. The numerical model adopts a mechanistic approach to represent the forces involved in colloidal suspension by including near wall drag retardation, surface interaction and Brownian forces. The model is implemented using the commercially available DEM package EDEM 2.3®, so that results can be replicated in a standard and user-friendly framework. The effect of different spacer orientation with respect to feed direction is examined and results show that deposition of particles are increased around the spacer joints when feed orientation bisects the spacers' angle; when one of the spacer filaments is aligned with the feed inflow deposition occurs exclusively and uniformly on it. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of such method to describe the small-scale behaviour of micro-particles around spacers.

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Experimental validation of CFD mass transfer simulations in flat channels with non-woven net spacers

Cited by 93 publications

References 29 publications

Performance comparison between overlapped and woven spacers for membrane distillation

Performance comparison between overlapped and woven spacers for membrane distillation

Fundamentals of Membrane Processes

DEM simulations of initial deposition of colloidal particles around non-woven membrane spacers

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