The effect of feed spacer geometry on membrane performance and concentration polarisation based on 3D CFD simulations

Gu, Boram; Adjiman, Claire S.; Xu, Xiao Yun

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2016.12.058

Cited by 121 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(89 reference statements)

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“…The region adjacent to the transverse filaments wall has much higher concentrations [18]. Boram et al [19] compared the water flux in four classic types of feed spacer configurations, which included nonwoven, partially woven, middle-layer, and fully woven spacers, and showed concentration contours near the transverse filaments using COMSOL Multiphysics. Van Gauwbergen et al [20] reported the same situation using potassium and calcium chloride as tracers in the experimental research.…”

Section: Feed Spacer Design-related Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Feed Spacer on Hydrodynamics in Spiral Wound Membrane Modules

Han

Terashima

Liu

et al. 2018

MCA

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Spacers are designed to create a feed channel, but they are also obstacles to the flow in spiral wound membrane modules. The geometry of the feed spacer influences the flow pattern, which was investigated by using a three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. For the conventional feed spacer, unavoidable disadvantages were caused by its line contact with the membrane. The pillar-like feed spacer was designed to achieve area contact, which made it possible to enhance the porosity and minimize the adverse effects from the dead zone caused by the transverse filament. Through reductions in the connecting filament’s diameter, the channel porosity reached 0.979. Regarding the maximum porosity, the dimensionless power number was reduced by 47.31% at Reynolds number 150 in comparison with a previously studied commercial spacer. Furthermore, a modified friction factor, as a dimensionless parameter, was employed to investigate the shear stress at the membrane’s surface. At dimensionless power number 106, the enhancement of the modified friction factor increased by approximately 22.27% in comparison with the results of a previous study. Based on the numerical prediction, the homogenization of shear stress distribution, which changed the flow profile near the membrane, was featured through contour plots.

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Section: Feed Spacer Design-related Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Feed Spacer on Hydrodynamics in Spiral Wound Membrane Modules

Han

Terashima

Liu

et al. 2018

MCA

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“…A limitation of this approach is the very long computational time required to solve the model equations, thus making the tool unsuitable for practical applications . Recently, Gu et al reported that simulation of a three‐dimensional periodic domain of a spacer‐filled channel takes more than 3 hr by a RAM‐96GB workstation . So a number of simplified Nernst‐Planck and Maxwell‐Stefan mathematical models have been developed to study the mass transfer through ion‐exchange membranes .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 Recently, Gu et al reported that simulation of a three-dimensional periodic domain of a spacerfilled channel takes more than 3 hr by a RAM-96GB workstation. 26 So a number of simplified Nernst-Planck and Maxwell-Stefan mathematical models have been developed to study the mass transfer through ionexchange membranes. [27][28][29] However, the discrepancy between theoretical results and experimental data always occurs due to unreasonable assumption in transport modeling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ion transfer modeling based on Nernst–Planck theory for saline water desalination during electrodialysis process

Zhu

Yang²,

Gao

et al. 2020

Asia-Pacific J Chem Eng

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Electrodialysis, an efficient and environmental friendly separation technology, plays a significant role in water treatment. In order to reveal ion transfer mechanism and predict electrodialysis behavior, a mathematical model for steady transport of a binary electrolyte during the desalination process was developed. The Nernst–Planck, electroneutrality equations, and other hydrodynamic equations were coupled and solved with appropriate boundary conditions using the finite element method. This model is capable to predict the local ion concentration, electric potential, and ion flux in a rectangular electrodialysis unit. The effects of voltage drop (0.4–1.0 V), inlet velocity (0.03–0.06 m/s), and initial feed concentration (500–700 mol/m3) are investigated, which could provide valuable guidance for electrodialysis operation in the practical project. Moreover, this model is validated by comparing its simulation result with experimental data of electrodialysis, and it could predict the desalination of saline water accurately. Ion transfer modeling provides an effective way to study the transfer mechanism, estimate the effects of various parameters conveniently, and realize the target‐oriented operation optimization.

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“…In the feed channel of membrane system spacers influence the flow regime by imposing mixing and increased back diffusion of solutes from the membrane surface into the bulk solution. The use of feed spacers increases mass transfer [11] by reducing the CP [12], but also enhances the development of fouling in the feed channel [13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construction and validation of a long-channel membrane test cell for representative monitoring of performance and characterization of fouling over the length of spiral-wound membrane modules

Siebdrath¹,

Ding²,

Pietsch³

et al. 2017

Desalination and Water Treatment

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a b s t r ac tA long-channel membrane test cell (LCMTC) with the same length as full-scale elements was developed to simulate performance and fouling in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis spiral-wound membrane modules (SWMs). The transparent LCMTC enabled simultaneous monitoring of SWM performance indicators: feed channel pressure drop, permeate flux and salt passage. Both permeate flux and salt passage were monitored over five sections of the test cell and were related to the amount and composition of the accumulated foulant in these five sections, illustrating the unique features of the test cell. Validation experiments at various feed pressures showed the same flow profile and the same hydraulic behaviour as SWMs used in practice, confirming the representativeness and suitability of the test cell to study SWM operation and fouling. The importance to apply feed spacers matching the flow channel height in test cell systems was demonstrated. Biofouling studies showed that the dosage of a biodegradable substrate to the feed of the LCMTC accelerated the gradual decrease of membrane performance and the accumulation of biomass on the spacer and membrane sheets. The strongest permeate flux decline and the largest amount of accumulated biomass was found in the first 18 cm of the test cell. The LCMTC showed to be suitable to study the impact of biofilm development and biofouling control strategies under representative conditions for full-scale membrane elements.

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The effect of feed spacer geometry on membrane performance and concentration polarisation based on 3D CFD simulations

Cited by 121 publications

References 44 publications

CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Feed Spacer on Hydrodynamics in Spiral Wound Membrane Modules

CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Feed Spacer on Hydrodynamics in Spiral Wound Membrane Modules

Ion transfer modeling based on Nernst–Planck theory for saline water desalination during electrodialysis process

Construction and validation of a long-channel membrane test cell for representative monitoring of performance and characterization of fouling over the length of spiral-wound membrane modules

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