Hydrodynamic based calculation of steady state permeate flux in microfiltration process

Abstract

Crossflow microfiltration experiments were performed with aqueous titanium dioxide dispersions and alumina tubular membranes. Intensification effect of twophase gas-liquid flow was studied on this system. The results of experiments show a positive effect of constant gas-liquid two-phase flow on the permeate flux values; both the immediate and steady state ones. The maximum increase in flux values up to 90% was reached during the experiments in the slug flow regime of gas-liquid flow, which was found the most efficient regime applied during intensification experiments. The empirical model for steady state permeate flux and cake thickness prediction was developed from analysis of experimental results without gas flow. this model is based on Darcy's Law and on Mass balance over a membrane module. Dimensionless numbers covering all the basic operating conditions that influence permeate flux and cake thickness were introduced, and from their regression in the range of experimental feed concentrations final equations were derived. The results show good agreement between model prediction and experimental data with gas-liquid flow tested on the same apparatus.