Pore-scale modeling and simulation of flow, transport, and adsorptive or osmotic effects in membranes: the influence of membrane microstructure

Abstract

KAUST RepositoryPore-scale modeling and simulation of flow, transport, and adsorptive or osmotic effects in membranes: the influence of membrane microstructureReceived: date / Accepted: date Abstract The selection of an appropriate membrane for a particular application is a complex and expensive process. Computational modeling can significantly aid membrane researchers and manufacturers in this process. The membrane morphology is highly influential on its efficiency within several applications, but is often overlooked in simulation. Two such applications which are very important in the provision of clean water are forward osmosis and filtration using functionalized micro/ultra/nano-filtration membranes. Herein, we investigate the effect of the membrane morphology in these two applications. First we present results of the separation process using resolved finger-and sponge-like support layers. Second, we represent the functionalization of a typical microfiltration membrane using absorptive pore walls, and illustrate the effect of different microstructures on the reactive process. Such numerical modeling will aid manufacturers in optimizing operating conditions and designing efficient membranes.

Topological and network analysis of lithium ion battery components: the importance of pore space connectivity for cell operation

“…Finally, lithium ion battery separators are just one example of a component in energy and environmental systems that can benefit from the topological and network analysis presented here 42,43 . Connectivity can also improve understanding and design of separators in other electrochemical systems such as fuel cells 44,45 or ion-selective membranes for desalination 46,47 , providing insights such as how thick a membrane should be or how transport paths can be designed to prevent mixing of product/reactant streams. Furthermore, beyond separator technology, we propose that all electrochemical systems (catalysis stacks for fuel generation, sensitised solar cells, lithium ion battery anodes and cathodes, etc.)…”

Modeling of the Contact Removal of Iron From Groundwater

“…There are a wide variety of factors affecting the physical and chemical composition of such water: contact time with different rocks and soils, depth of the media, dissociation in aquifers, contact with the atmosphere and surface waters, etc. For most cases the main problem of groundwater is the high content of iron, hydrogen sulfide and free carbon dioxide (see [1], [2], [3], [4], [6], [7]). In our time there are a wide variety of water treatment methods, which can be grouped as follows: reagent-free; reagent; cation exchange; biochemical (see [3], [4], [5], [6], [12]).…”

“…This method can be used if the iron content is up to 10 mg / dm 3 and the pH is above 7 (see [5]). Contact iron removal is provided by filtration of water with high pH and alkalinity and involves the supply of aeration water immediately to the filters without its preliminary retention (see [1], [2], [3], [4], [7]). The process of iron removal can be carried out with the help of a filter of any design with different granular media -gravel, crushed stone, quartz sand, anthracite, granular plastics, foam polystyrene, etc.…”

Spatial modeling of multicomponent pollution removal for liquid treatment under identification of mass transfer coefficient

“…To avoid such risks it is necessary to develop new methods that assist the intensification of mechanisms of water solution cleaning and increasing of work efficiency of water-purifying stations, creation of mathematical models of filtration processes through porous media. Analysis of the results presented in [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] indicates about complicated structure of mutual dependence of different factors which determine filtration through porous media and were not taken into account on conventional (phenomenological) models. The motivation for constructing the mathematical model of multicomponent pollutant removal for liquid treatment in spatial filter is the absence of "modeling mechanisms" which consider inverse influence of different kinds of the process and the media characteristics.…”