Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/79612
Title: Evaluation of hollow fiber-based direct contact and vacuum membrane distillation systems using aspen process simulation
Authors: Guan, Guoqiang
Yang, Xing
Wang, Rong
Field, Robert
Fane, Anthony Gordon
Keywords: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
Issue Date: 2014
Source: Guan, G., Yang, X., Wang, R., Field, R., & Fane, A. G. (2014). Evaluation of hollow fiber-based direct contact and vacuum membrane distillation systems using aspen process simulation. Journal of Membrane Science, 464, 127-139.
Series/Report no.: Journal of membrane science
Abstract: Among four membrane distillation (MD) configurations, direct contact MD (DCMD) and vacuum MD (VMD) exhibit attractive characteristics from different perspectives and have great potential in treating reverse osmosis (RO) brine. Aiming at establishing a quick approach to predict the key output parameters associated with MD module performance and process efficiency, Aspen plus was employed to conduct systematic evaluation for both DCMD and VMD. Due to the lack of built-in MD operation models in Aspen Plus, one dimensional transport models were developed and complied as user customized units to simulate the hollow fiber-based DCMD and VMD modules. The corresponding programming was coded in FORTRAN language. The mathematical models for DCMD and VMD were verified by comparing the simulations results with the experimental and literature data, respectively. By incorporating the boundary-layer effect into the newly-established transport models, steady-state simulations of the respective DCMD and VMD flowsheets were carried out. The results showed that the DCMD presented much lower process efficiency than VMD in terms of permeation flux and specific energy consumption per kg distillate generated, even though it is considered as the simplest and most commonly employed configuration. With the same module specifications and operating conditions at equivalent energy cost, the VMD system demonstrated a minimal 2.5-fold higher average vapor flux (e.g., water recovery capacity) when compared to DCMD. The fundamental difference between the two configurations was revealed through MD mass- and heat-transfer analysis. Based on simulated temperature profiles, it was found that the VMD configuration presented a much higher driving force (transmembrane temperature difference) and negligible conductive heat loss to the membrane, which is a promising feature for achieving high thermal efficiency.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/79612
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/19595
ISSN: 0376-7388
DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.054
Schools: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering 
Research Centres: Singapore Membrane Technology Centre 
Rights: © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. This is the author created version of a work that has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by Journal of Membrane Science, Elsevier Ltd. It incorporates referee’s comments but changes resulting from the publishing process, such as copyediting, structural formatting, may not be reflected in this document. The published version is available at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.054].
Fulltext Permission: open
Fulltext Availability: With Fulltext
Appears in Collections:CEE Journal Articles

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
GGQ_paper2_Revised submission.pdfMain article440.75 kBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open
GQ_Paper2_ figures_Revised submission.pdfFigures882.81 kBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open
Tables_revised submission.pdfTables112.73 kBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open

SCOPUSTM   
Citations 10

43
Updated on Mar 21, 2024

Web of ScienceTM
Citations 10

39
Updated on Oct 29, 2023

Page view(s) 50

523
Updated on Mar 28, 2024

Download(s) 20

271
Updated on Mar 28, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric


Plumx

Items in DR-NTU are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.