CFD simulation of the desalination process of salt water by Direct Contact Membrane Distillation(DCMD)

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Engineering and Technology Imam Khomeini International University , qazvin . iran

2 Faculty of Engineering and Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering qazvin . iran

Abstract

In this research, the desalination process has been solved by the direct contact membrane distillation process in the flatThis research models the desalination process using a direct contact membrane distillation method in a flat plate configuration with a PTFE membrane. The model employs computational fluid dynamics to solve the differential equations for momentum, heat, and mass transfer. Convective heat transfer in the membrane region is neglected, and mass transfer is described by empirical equations. The simulation results were then validated against available experimental data. Increasing the feed saltwater temperature from 42°C to 78°C led to a significant rise in permeate flux, from 3.59 L.m-2.hr-1 to 18.64 L.m-2.hr-1. The results demonstrates that the distillation flux is directly proportional to the stream velocities and membrane porosity, but inversely proportional to the feed salt concentration, permeate inlet temperature, membrane thickness, pore tortuosity, and membrane conductive heat transfer coefficient.

Keywords

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References

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Journal of Separation Science and Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 June 2024

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