Search results for " Temperature polarization"

ASSESMENT OF TEMPERATURE POLARIZATION IN MEMBRANE DISTILLATION CHANNELS BY LIQUID CRYSTAL THERMOGRAPHY

2014

AbstractThe measurement of local temperature distributions within a membrane distillation (MD) channel is a crucial step for the optimization of the channel and spacer geometry. This information allows the estimation of temperature polarization phenomena, which can dramatically influence the thermal efficiency of the process and the optimal choice of the geometric configuration (net spacer features, channel size, etc.). In the present work, a recently presented experimental technique, based on the use of thermochromic liquid crystals and digital image analysis, has been employed in order to assess the temperature polarization phenomena. The local heat transfer coefficient distribution on th…

CFD parametrical study of the spacer geometry for Membrane Distillation

Membrane Distillation (MD) is a thermal process that separates water from aqueous solutions containing non-volatile components such as salt. Water vapor from the hot feed channel permeates through a hydrophobic membrane thanks to a partial pressure gradient, and condenses in the cool channel. One of the main advantages of MD is the easy coupling with renewable resources, as the solar thermal energy. In the various MD configurations developed, net spacers are used in order to support the membrane, thus creating the channels; moreover, they can counteract the side effects of temperature polarization by promoting mixing. However, the presence of the spacer involves an increase of pressure drop…

Membrane Distillation efficiency increase by enhanced heat transfer

2009

A Thermochromic Liquid Crystals Image Analysis technique to investigate temperature polarization in spacer-filled channels for Membrane Distillation

2013

The analysis of flow fields and temperature distributions is of paramount importance in the development and optimization of new spacer-filled channel geometries for Membrane Distillation modules. The literature reports only few studies on the experimental characterization of such channels and, to the authors’ knowledge, none of them presents local information concerning the temperature distribution on the membrane surface. In the present work, a non-intrusive experimental technique named TLC-IA-TP is presented: it is based on the use of Thermochromic Liquid Crystals (TLCs) and digital Image Analysis (IA) and it is applied here for the first time to the analysis of Temperature Polarization (…

Application of computational fluid dynamics technique in membrane distillation processes

2022

This Chapter illustrates the application of CFD to spacer-filled channels for membrane distillation. The topics discussed cover finite volume grids and grid independence, the unit-cell treatment of spatially periodic net spacers, and the dependence of flow and thermal fields and overall performance parameters (pressure drop and mean heat transfer coefficients) upon geometry and operating conditions (Reynolds number, flow attack angle, pitch-to-height ratio, spacer thermal conductivity, thermal boundary conditions, and one-side vs. two-side heat transfer).

Effect of spacer geometry on the process performance of pervaporation membrane modules

2009

CFD simulation of a membrane distillation module channel

2009

The interest towards the use of membrane distillation (MD) processes for seawater desalination has been rising recently due to the ease of coupling MD with waste and/or solar thermal energy. Notwithstanding the flexibility of the process and its potential for further developments in membrane performances, one of the main drawbacks is the thermal efficiency reduction caused by temperature polarization. Because of such phenomenon, only a small amount of the driving force potentially available for the separation process, i.e. the temperature difference between evaporating and condensing fluids, is actually used for the separation. In order to reduce temperature polarization a study on the effe…

Membrane distillation heat transfer enhancement by CFD analysis of internal module geometry

2011

Module geometry optimisation can be a crucial matter in all separation processes using selective or hydrophobic membranes, e.g. reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane distillation (MD). In fact the choice of suitable channel shape and size can dramatically affect the performance of the process. With reference to the membrane distillation process, temperature polarization phenomena and pres¬sure drops along the channels largely affect the process efficiency (i.e. the efficient use of temperature driving force for the passage of vapour through the membrane) as well as pressure distribution, module mechanical resistance and pumping costs. Several works have been presented so far in literature on th…