Membrane-assisted crystallization: Membrane characterization, modelling and experiments

Fatemeh Anisi, K.M. Thomas, Herman Kramer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A hollow fiber membrane module was assessed for its potential in assisting crystallization processes. The membrane module was characterized in the sweeping gas membrane distillation configuration considering various solution and sweeping gas flow rates, temperatures and solution concentrations. A model, coupling mass and heat transfer, was developed to predict the membrane flux. The effect of the process conditions on the membrane flux was experimentally determined and the results were used to validate the model. Feed temperature and air flow rate were found to have a significant effect on the membrane flux. Having found the optimal process conditions for membrane distillation process, batch seeded crystallization experiment were performed to confirm the potential of membrane distillation in the generation of adequate rate and level of supersaturation. Since the desired supersaturation level could be maintained in the crystallizer while seeds were growing, it is confirmed that membrane distillation can be an efficient alternative to conventional supersaturation generation processes. Finally, comparing the modelling results with experiments confirms the acceptable accuracy and predictability capability of the developed model.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-286
JournalChemical Engineering Science
Volume158
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Crystallization
  • Sweeping Gas Membrane Distillation
  • Hollow fiber contactor
  • Transverse flow
  • Heat and mass transfer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Membrane-assisted crystallization: Membrane characterization, modelling and experiments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this