Presentazioni e Articoli Tecnici

Feasibility studies in the field of membrane processes are generally first carried out with bench-scale membrane filtration cells. These small laboratory cells also allow evaluating the influence of operational parameters and the membrane performances. Smart design of the cell geometry may improve the flow distribution and consequently the membrane filtration performances by increasing shear stress and reducing fouling. CFD simulation was carried out in COMSOL to describe the complex 3D flow in a flat circular nanofiltration cell with cylindrical inlet/outlet pipes. The study focused mainly on the influence of the feed chamber thickness, the number and location of the inlet/outlet pipes and the modification of the cell top surface.