Reference : A three-dimensional model for the heat and mass transfer in air-gap membrane distillation

	Document type :	Scientific journals : Article
	Discipline(s) :	Engineering, computing & technology : Mechanical engineering
	Focus Areas :	Sustainable Development
	To cite this reference:	http://hdl.handle.net/10993/51753

Title :	A three-dimensional model for the heat and mass transfer in air-gap membrane distillation
Language :	English
Author, co-author :	Cramer, Kerstin [University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE) >]
	Niceno, Bojan [Paul Scherrer Institut]
	Prasser, Horst Michael [ETH Zürich]
	Leyer, Stephan [University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE) >]
Publication date :	Nov-2021
Journal title :	Desalination and Water Treatment
Peer reviewed :	No
Audience :	International
Abstract :	[en] Membrane distillation (MD) is a process to desalinate sea water. Pilot plants are operated aiming at increasing the modules’ efficiency for large-scale applications. In air-gap membrane distillation (AGMD) the state-of-the-art modeling of mass and heat transfer is one-dimensional, combining evaporation and diffusion through the membrane and the condenser channel in one correlation. In this work, a numerical model is developed which computes AGMD modules in three dimen- sions. For evaporation and condensation, energy conservation equations at the interfaces are solved. Simulation results are compared to experimental data and a good agreement is found. The model is then employed to compare numerically two air-gap MD module configurations and evaluate their performance at different feed inlet temperatures, velocities and air-gap thicknesses. In the upside configuration, the hot feed flows above the membrane, while in the downside configura- tion it flows below the air-gap and membrane. In the latter, the feed solution is not in contact with the membrane but separated by the air-gap which is expected to improve the fouling resistance of the membrane. The three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic computation allows the visu- alization of the velocity profile in the air-gap due to buoyancy in the downside configuration
Permalink :	http://hdl.handle.net/10993/51753

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