Comparison of nonhomogeneous and homogeneous mass transfer in reverse osmosis membrane processes

    Authors

    Y. M. Fang;S. J. Duranceau

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Desalin. Water Treat.

    Keywords

    Membrane active-layer; Reverse osmosis; Mass transfer coefficients; Nonhomogeneous; Gaussian random vector; Concentration polarization; CONCENTRATION POLARIZATION LAYER; TURBULENT CROSS-FLOW; ULTRAFILTRATION; MODEL; RO; Engineering, Chemical; Water Resources

    Abstract

    Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are pressure driven, diffusion controlled processes. Current diffusion controlled solute mass transfer models assume a homogeneous membrane surface. This study evaluated mass transfer processes assuming mass transport is not a homogeneous process, which is dependent on the thickness variation of the membrane's active layer. Three-dimensional ridge and valley active layer morphologies were created numerically using Gaussian random vectors. A nonhomogeneous solution diffusion model (NHDM) was then developed to account for surface variation through the active layer. NHDM was further modified by incorporating concentration polarization (CP) effects. A comparison of the NHDM and the NHDMCP with the commonly accepted homogeneous solution diffusion model (HSDM) using pilot-scale brackish water RO operating data indicated that the NHDM is more accurate, when the solute concentration in the feed stream is low, while NHDMCP appears to predict better with a high solute feed concentration.

    Journal Title

    Desalination and Water Treatment

    Volume

    51

    Issue/Number

    34-36

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    6444

    Last Page

    6458

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000326371800002

    ISSN

    1944-3994

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