Numerical and Experimental Fluid-Dynamic Analysis To Improve the Mass Transfer Performances of Pd−Ag Membrane Modules for Hydrogen Purification

Abstract

This work is aimed at investigating the impact of the fluid flow features on the behavior of gas separation membrane modules. The investigation is carried out by particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The experimental velocity data collected in a laboratory scale membrane module confirm the reliability of the gas velocity field calculated numerically solving the Navier-Stokes equations by a general-purpose finite volume CFD code, and the effect of the observed nonideal flow distribution on the module separation performances is discussed. Afterward, the case of a pilot scale module equipped with three Pd-Ag membranes, which are well-suited for the separation of H 2 from methane steam reforming gas mixtures, is considered. The appropriateness of the selected CFD method for the design and the geometric optimization of membrane modules of pilot size is demonstrated.

Modeling of a combined ion transport and porous membrane reactor for oxy-combustion

“…The CFD methods have been applied to the simulation of separation of gas from the gas mixture only in a few cases [12,[20][21][22]. So far the CFD application to these membranes modeling study gives promising results, thus adopting CFD methodology for design and optimization of ion transport membranes for oxy-combustion power generation technologies.…”

Computational fluid dynamics study of hydrogen generation by low temperature methane reforming in a membrane reactor

“…The steady-state 2D CFD model employed in our study is based on the previously reported CFD models [26,27,34]. We assume a pseudo-homogeneous description of the catalytic bed [22,29], therefore the computational domain representing the catalytic packed bed is solved as a continuum.…”

“…Goto et al [28] studied H 2 permeation rate through a composite membrane with a Pd film coated on a porous ceramic tube and defined a numerical model based on the combined resistances of the Pd film and the composite support. Coroneo et al [26,27] investigated mass transfer characteristics of PdeAg membrane H 2 separation modules experimentally and numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Though porous ceramic membranes provide higher permeabilities, dense Pd membranes perform much better in SMR due to their exceptional selectivity.…”

Simulation of binary gas separation through multi-tube molecular sieving membranes at high temperatures

“…Given this situation, the concentration variation in radial direction (or concentration polarisation phenomena) is very weak as discussed elsewhere [9][10][11][12][13]. Therefore, we assume there was negligible concentration variation in the radial direction.…”

“…Literature related to gas separation on this topic is generally limited, whilst the majority of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) investigations have focused on liquid separation [8]. To date, CFD simulation has been carried out for molecular sieve silica [9,10], Pd [11] and polymeric [12] membranes. These studies showed the significant benefit of distributed-parameter simulation in modelling membrane gas separation processes, thus replacing the averaged or ''lumped'' parameter model.…”