Analyzing the pressure drop in spacer stacks for electrodialytic processes considering the effect of mechanical compression: Experimental vs. free and porous flow model prediction

Abstract

There is a growing interest in using electromembrane processes in sustainable applications. However, it involves designing efficient cells with low pressure drops, which is particularly important in processes requiring high energy efficiency. In order to analyze the fluid dynamics in spacer-filled channels, manifolds and stacks used primarily in acid base flow batteries a free and porous flow model was developed. The predictive model composed by Navier-Stokes equations and Brinkman Forchheimer extended Darcy model closely follows the experimental pressure drop in a single spacer-filled channel. According to the model results, the entrance and exit zones of the spacer produce the highest pressure drop per axial longitude, highlighting the strong effect of the design of spacer in these zones. In the case of stacks the mechanical compression among spacers as revealed by measurement with compression film suggests some spacer deformation on entrance and exit zones that intensified the inlet and outlet effects.