Desalination, Vol.294, 8-16, 2012
Three-dimensional simulation of turbulent flow in a membrane tube filled with semi-circular baffles
As qualitative and quantitative properties of fluid dynamics in baffle-filled channels can be obtained through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the effects of types of baffles on flow patterns, behavior and features can be fully understand. In this research, a three-dimensional (3D) simulation method based on CFD was applied for fluid flow in membrane tubes in which semi-circular baffles were inserted. In addition, the effects of flow geometric parameters on turbulent flow in a membrane tube equipped with semi-circular baffles were studied, and parameters involving pitch to baffle diameter ratio (L/D = 1,2 and 3) and baffle orientation angle (beta=90 degrees and 180 degrees) were considered. According to the obtained results from 3D simulation, it was found that the fluid average velocity, shear stress and mass transfer on the tube wall increased by further extension of the baffle angles from 90 degrees to 180 degrees. Subsequently, the filtration performance in these types of tubes was significantly improved by this arrangement. In addition, the obtained results from the simulation were in good agreement with the experimental data in a cross-flow micro-filtration process of calcium carbonate suspensions. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Membrane tube;Computational fluid dynamics;Filtration flux;Turbulent flow;Semi-circular baffle