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Multiscale Modeling of Membrane Distillation: Some Theoretical Considerations

Field, R.; Wu, H.; Wu, J.J.

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Authors

R. Field



Abstract

First, it is shown that the effective thickness of the membrane is the sum of the actual thickness, k0/UL, and λC/(UL) where k0 is the thermal conductivity of the membrane matrix, λ is the latent of vaporization of water, C is a parameter (defined as flux per unit thickness of membrane per unit of temperature driving force), and UL is a coefficient combining the heat-transfer coefficients on the feed side and the permeate side film. For typical conditions, the sum of the additional terms exceeds 100 μm, which clearly shows that the flux is not inversely proportional to membrane thickness. Also, to a first approximation, the thermal efficiency is independent of membrane thickness. This work and the development of an overall mass-transfer coefficient for direct contact membrane distillation build upon the pioneering work of Giulio Sarti. Second, a reassessment of the traditional method for combining the Knudsen diffusion coefficient and the molecular diffusion coefficient suggests that the traditional sum of resistances approach engages in some double counting and thereby overestimates the resistance and consequently underestimates the flux.

Citation

Field, R., Wu, H., & Wu, J. (2013). Multiscale Modeling of Membrane Distillation: Some Theoretical Considerations. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 52(26), 8822-8828. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie302363e

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 6, 2013
Online Publication Date Feb 6, 2013
Publication Date Jul 3, 2013
Deposit Date May 8, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Industrial and engineering chemistry research.
Print ISSN 0888-5885
Electronic ISSN 1520-5045
Publisher American Chemical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 52
Issue 26
Pages 8822-8828
DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/ie302363e

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Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see [insert ACS Articles on Request author-directed link to Published Work, see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ie302363e.





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