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Numerical simulations for fluid dynamics and temperature patterns in membrane distillation channels

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Abstract

The effect of spacer orientation on flow behavior is studied at different spacer filament spacings using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. At high inlet velocity / Reynolds number the flow becomes transient and vorticity magnitude increases in a major portion of the two channels. The temperature and heat flux in this case also vary in time. The comparison of various spacer geometrical arrangements/orientations shows that the arrangements in which the spacer filaments are opposite to the membrane layers are more suitable due to higher heat transfer rates. Further appropriate turbulence models for predicting flow and heat transfer behavior in membrane channels are also proposed.

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Abbreviations

C p :

Specific heat (J/kg·K)

d f :

Filament diameter (m)

d h :

Hydraulic diameter (m)

h :

Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2·K)

h ch :

Channel height (m)

k t :

Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)

k-ω :

Turbulence model, turbulent kinetic energy (m2/s2) and specific dissipation rate (1/s)

L :

Channel length (m)

l f :

Mesh length / filament spacing (m)

Nu:

Nusselt number

Pr:

Prandtl number

q w :

Heat flux (W/m2)

Re:

Reynolds number

u av :

Average velocity (m/s)

T b :

Bulk temperature (K)

T m :

Temperature at membrane surface (K)

u :

x-component of velocity (m/s)

v :

y-component of velocity (m/s)

x :

x-coordinate (m)

y :

y-coordinate (m)

ρ :

Density (kg/m3)

μ :

Viscosity (kg/m·s)

ε :

Voidage of feed or permeate channel

εm :

Voidage of membrane

θ :

Flow attack angle

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Acknowledgements

The support provided by NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

    M. Shakaib & M. Ehtesham-ul Haque

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  1. M. Shakaib
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Correspondence to M. Shakaib.

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Shakaib, M., Haque, M.Eu. Numerical simulations for fluid dynamics and temperature patterns in membrane distillation channels. Heat Mass Transfer 55, 3509–3522 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-019-02678-y

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