Numerical simulation and optimisation of spiral-wound modules

✍ Scribed by M.Ben Boudinar; W.T. Hanbury; S. Avlonitis

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 968 KB
• Volume: 86
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0011-9164
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-9164(92)80038-b

✦ Synopsis

The performance of spiral-wound (SPW) modules can be improved by optimising some key geometrical parameters for given operating conditions. To this effect, a computer simulation program, which takes into account the spiral geometry of the module as well as the main physical phenomena occurring inside SPW modules, was developed. The differential equations for the transport involved have been solved numerically using finite differences methods. The resulting computer program enables concentrations, pressures and flow rates in the brine and permeate channels to be obtained at any point in the module.

The investigation covered a wide range of feed conditions by using experimental data provided from two different types of SPW modules. These were the ROGA-4160HR and Filmtec FT30SW2.5" modules. The former type dealt with data typical of brackish water desalination whereas the second type provided data typically encountered in seawater desalination.

The predictions, based on the spiral model, agree very well for both modules with the experimental data. Very good agreement was obtained for the ROGA-4160HR module with deviations from experimental data of less than 5% with respect to permeate flow and less than 7% with respect to permeate concentration.

For the FT30 module, the results were somewhat less accurate with maximum deviations of about 10% and 15% for the permeate flow and concentration, respectively. Based on some preliminary experimental