Abstract
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides a flexible tool for investigation of separation processes within membrane hollow fiber modules. By enabling a three-dimensional and time dependent description of the corresponding transport phenomena, very detailed information about mass transfer or geometrical influences can be provided. The high level of detail comes with high computational costs, especially since species transport simulations must discretize and resolve steep gradients in the concentration polarization layer at the membrane. In contrast, flow simulations are not required to resolve these gradients. Hence, there is a large gap in the scale and complexity of computationally feasible geometries when comparing flow and species transport simulations. A method, which tries to cover the mentioned gap, is presented in the present article. It allows upscaling of the findings of species transport simulations, conducted for reduced geometries, on the geometrical scales of flow simulations. Consequently, total transmembrane transport of complete modules can be numerically predicted. The upscaling method does not require any empirical correlation to incorporate geometrical characteristics but solely depends on results acquired by CFD flow simulations. In the scope of this research, the proposed method is explained, conducted, and validated. This is done by the example of CO2 removal in a prototype hollow fiber membrane oxygenator.
Highlights
Design optimization of hollow fiber membrane modules is crucial to improve separation performance as well as energy and resource efficiency of membrane processes
In Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the geometry is decomposed into finite volumes
The discretization of a geometry into finite volumes provides CFD with the necessary grade of flexibility that is a prerequisite for the performance evaluation of new prototype designs
Summary
Design optimization of hollow fiber membrane modules is crucial to improve separation performance as well as energy and resource efficiency of membrane processes. Compared to the porous media approach, CFD simulations of resolved hollow fiber packings are often limited to small packings when including transmembrane transport [12] or are only investigating hydrodynamic phenomena if larger packings are examined [13,14,15]. EFxopretrhime leansttaslteapn,dnoNeummpeirriiccaall cMorertehloatdisons that incorporate geometric parameters have to be utilized While this upscaling method is, in general, suitable for membrane processes where hydrodynamic tra2n.1s.pEoxrtViisvonoTtesintsfluenced by transmembrane transport, it has been developed, conducted, and vaTliodavtaeldidfaotre tthhee CpOre2dricetmioonvcaalpparboicleitsiessoof fanthoexpyrgoepnoasteodr purpostcoatlyinpge.method, data sets of ex vivo 2.teEsxtps e(treismtseonutatsliadnedthNe ulimvinergicteasltManeitmhaold)swere exploited. In these tests, the CO2 removal performance of a prototype oxygenator (see Figure 2) was determined. Tangential and radial spacing between the fibers measures 200 μm
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