Computational fluid dynamics modelling of flow and permeation for pressure-driven membrane processes Original Research Article

While models of membrane systems with varying degrees of complexity have been developed since the early 1960s, reports of the use of computational fluid dynamics to provide in-depth insights into the separation phenomenon have only recently appeared in the literature. This paper describes the validation and application of a computational fluid dynamics model of pressure-driven membrane processes involving selective removal of components in the feed channel and their transfer to the permeate channel. The effects of changes in rejection, wall permeation rates and solution properties on velocity and concentration profiles are presented for empty channels and channels with eddy promoters. For high polarisation applications typically encountered in conventional ultrafiltration applications, the results demonstrate the need for very fine meshes near the membrane wall, together with high order numerical schemes and accurate modelling of rejection and physical property variations in order to obtain accurate and reliable predictions of the polarisation and flow phenomenon.