Modeling the impacts of feed spacer geometry on reverse osmosis and nanofiltration processes

Maximizing mass transfer and minimizing hydraulic losses in spiral wound elements is critical for designing effective and efficient reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) processes. Herein we describe a multi-scale modeling approach, which links microscopic and macroscopic transport phenomena in spiral wound elements. Model simulations elucidate the impacts of feed spacer geometry on full-scale RO/NF system performance considering four representative water treatment scenarios: (1) RO membranes used to desalt ocean water, (2) low-pressure RO membranes used to desalt brackish water, (3) ultra-low pressure RO membranes used to purify wastewater, and (4) NF membranes used to soften a hard, fresh water. According to model simulations, feed spacer geometry had little impact on mass transfer; hence, engineering spacers to improve concentration polarization, trans-membrane osmotic pressure, or product water quality may prove difficult and yield limited benefits. In contrast, thinner filaments spread further apart significantly reduced hydraulic losses with negligible impacts to mass transfer. In addition, a few non-circular filament shapes produced even lower hydraulic losses, which might prove beneficial for RO/NF treatment of low salinity waters where hydraulic losses through spiral wound elements contribute significantly to the total process energy consumption. In high salinity waters, improved spacer designs may not significantly reduce energy consumption because hydraulic losses through spiral wound elements are relatively small.