Abstract
Simulation via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) offers a convenient way for visualising hydrodynamics and mass transport in spacer-filled membrane channels, facilitating further developments in spiral wound membrane (SWM) modules for desalination processes. This paper provides a review on the use of CFD modelling for the development of novel spacers used in the SWM modules for three types of osmotic membrane processes: reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO) and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). Currently, the modelling of mass transfer and fouling for complex spacer geometries is still limited. Compared with RO, CFD modelling for PRO is very rare owing to the relative infancy of this osmotically driven membrane process. Despite the rising popularity of multi-scale modelling of osmotic membrane processes, CFD can only be used for predicting process performance in the absence of fouling. This paper also reviews the most common metrics used for evaluating membrane module performance at the small and large scales.
Highlights
Membrane-based desalination processes have gained global attention due to their simplicity and lower operating cost compared with thermal-based desalination processes [1]
This article provides an overview of the recent developments of the modelling of different osmotic membrane processes (i.e., reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO) and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO)) and summarises the different indicators used to evaluate the performance and efficiency of those membrane processes
Modelling of complex spacer geometries is still limited to hydrodynamics, due to the difficulties associated with generating high quality discretisation meshing near the intricate features of complex spacers
Summary
Membrane-based desalination processes have gained global attention due to their simplicity and lower operating cost compared with thermal-based desalination processes [1]. For the desalination using reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, spiral wound membrane (SWM) modules are the standard configuration. In this module design (as shown in Figure 1), two flat sheet thin film composite (TFC). RO membranes (labelled as “membrane leaf”) are sealed together on three sides (forming a type of envelope sheet), with the membrane porous layers (a.k.a. substrate) facing each other and a permeate collection material placed between them. Feed spacers are placed on top of the selective layer of each sheet, and this is followed by rolling the sandwiched sheets into a spiral format around a perforated central tube to complete the module fabrication. Schematic diagram a spiral wound membrane (SWM) module [2]. Schematic diagram ofof a spiral wound membrane
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