Computer-aided Simulation for Optimizing Nanofiltration Processes

✍ Scribed by M. Noronha; V. Mavrov; H. Chmiel

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 233 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0930-7516
• DOI: 10.1002/1521-4125(20021105)25:11<1065::aid-ceat1065>3.0.co;2-e

✦ Synopsis

The modeling of membrane filtration processes is only possible by applying black-box models or short-cut methods, because of its complexity due to molecular interactions on and inside the membrane. The assumptions made for the short-cut methods are applicable for reverse osmosis, whereas the simulation of nanofiltration processes leads to unreliable results, which sometimes deviate highly from real conditions.

A steady-state process simulation ªNF-PROJECTº, which is based on input information from membrane characterization, was developed. The individual separation characteristics of every membrane element are calculated in iteration, which leads to a reduction in the permeability and retention of the elements inside the pressure vessel. The simulation provides information on the increasing feed concentration and osmotic pressure, the hydraulic pressure loss, the deterioration of the flow conditions in the vessel and the combined performance of the membrane elements to be analyzed. As an example, the simulation was applied in a two-stage nanofiltration pilot plant, the results of which are presented.