scholarly journals Experimental Evaluation of the Thermal Polarization in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation Using Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes Doped With Molecular Probes

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Santoro ◽  
Ivan Vidorreta ◽  
Isabel Coelhoso ◽  
Joao Lima ◽  
Giovanni Desiderio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Electrospun Nanofiber ◽  
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation ◽  
Thermal Polarization ◽  
Nanofiber Membranes ◽  
The Impact

Membrane distillation (MD) has recently gained considerable attention as a valid process for the production of fresh-water due to its ability to exploit low grade waste heat for operation and to ensure a nearly feed concentration-independent production of high-purity distillate. Limitations have been related to polarization phenomena negatively affecting the thermal efficiency of the process and, as a consequence, its productivity. Several theoretical models have been developed to predict the impact of the operating conditions of the process on the thermal polarization, but there is a lack of experimental validation. In this study, electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) made of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and doped with (1, 10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (II) Ru(phen)3 were tested at different operating conditions (i.e., temperature and velocity of the feed) in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The temperature sensitive luminophore, Ru(phen)3, allowed the on-line and non-invasive mapping of the temperature at the membrane surface during the process and the experimental evaluation of the effect of the temperature and velocity of the feed on the thermal polarization.

scholarly journals Highly Saline Water Desalination Using Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD): Experimental and Simulation Study

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor A. Mohammad Ameen ◽  
Salah S. Ibrahim ◽  
Qusay F. Alsalhy ◽  
Alberto Figoli
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Water Desalination ◽  
System Of Nonlinear Equations ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

The path for water molecules transported across a membrane in real porous membranes has been considered to be a constant factor in the membrane distillation (MD) process (i.e., constant tortuosity); as such, its effect on membrane performance at various operating conditions has been ignored by researchers. Therefore, a simultaneous heat and mass transfer model throughout the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) module was developed in this study by taking into account the hypothetical path across the membrane as a variable factor within the operating conditions because it exhibits the changes to the mass transfer resistance across the membrane under the DCMD run. The DCMD process was described by the developed model using a system of nonlinear equations and solved numerically by MATLAB software. The performance of the poly-tetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane was examined to treat 200 g/L NaCl saline at various operating conditions. The simulation results in the present work showed that the hypothetical proposed path across the membrane has a variable value and was affected by changing the feed temperature and feed concentration. The results estimated by the developed model showed an excellent conformity with the experimental results. The salt rejection remained high (greater than 99.9%) in all cases. The temperature polarization coefficient for the DCMD ranged between 0.88 and 0.967, and the gain output ratio (GOR) was 0.893. The maximum thermal efficiency of the system was 84.5%.

scholarly journals Influence of Hydraulic Pressure on Performance Deterioration of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) Process

Membranes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Min Park ◽  
Sangho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydraulic Pressure ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Hydrophobic Membrane ◽  
Mass Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a membrane distillation (MD) configuration where feed and distillate directly contact with a hydrophobic membrane. Depending on its operating conditions, the hydraulic pressures of the feed and distillate may be different, leading to adverse effects on the performance of the DCMD process. Nevertheless, little information is available on how hydraulic pressure affects the efficiency of DCMD. Accordingly, this paper investigates the effect of external hydraulic pressure on the process efficiency of DCMD. Gas permeabilities of MD membranes were measured to analyze the effect of membrane compaction by external pressure. Mass transfer coefficients were calculated using experimental data to quantitatively explain the pressure effect. Experiments were also carried out using a laboratory-scale DCMD set-up. After applying the pressure, the cross-sections and surfaces of the membranes were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results showed that the membrane structural parameters such as porosity and thickness were changed under relatively high pressure conditions (>30 kPa), leading to reduction in flux. The mass transfer coefficients were also significantly influenced by the hydraulic pressure. Moreover, local wetting of the membranes were observed even below the liquid entry pressure (LEP), which decreased the rejection of salts. These results suggest that the control of hydraulic pressure is important for efficient operation of DCMD process.

scholarly journals Simulation of direct contact membrane distillation regeneration of liquid desiccant solutions used in air-conditioning

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 747
Author(s):  
Hung Cong Duong ◽  
Lan Thi Thu Tran
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Membrane Distillation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Liquid Desiccant ◽  
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Membrane distillation (MD) has great potential for the treatment of hyper saline waters, including liquid desiccant solutions used in air-conditioning systems. Previous experimental investigations have demonstrated the technical feasibility of MD for regeneration of liquid desiccant solutions. In this study, a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process of the LiCl liquid desiccant solution was simulated using MATLAB software. The simulation was first validated using data obtained from experimental tests. Then, it was used to elucidate the water temperatures, LiCl concentration, and water flux profiles along the membrane leaf inside the DCMD membrane module. Finally, with the help of the simulation, the effects of membrane properties and process operating conditions on the DCMD process performance were systematically examined. The results obtained from this simulation enrich the knowledge and hence facilitate the realization of MD for the liquid desiccant solution regeneration application.

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