Simulation of cross-flow filtration for baffled tubular channels and pulsatile flow

Abstract Membrane filtration, for a baffled tubular system, has been rigorously simulated for Reynolds numbers up to 200. Concentration polarization effects have been included. Wall and central baffles with and without the addition of pulsations are the four cases considered. The numerical simulation generates the flow field by solving the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. Then the local flux, pressure and the wall concentration along the membrane are calculated by mass balances and an osmotic pressure model using the pre-generated flow field and a relationship between the mass transfer coefficient and the shear stress. Comparisons between the different geometrical arrangements and hydrodynamic conditions are drawn on a flux and power density basis. The addition of pulsations improved the fluxes, the relative improvement being greater for the wall baffles. The absolute values of the predicted fluxes were greater for the central baffles.