Dynamic modeling of direct contact membrane distillation processes

Abstract Membrane distillation (MD) for desalination is an emerging thermally driven process exhibiting various advantages in comparison with traditional processes. Most of the MD configuration processes have been modeled as steady-state one-dimensional systems using empirical heat and mass transfer equations. Stationary two-dimensional MD models have been considered only in very few studies. In this work, a dynamic model of a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process in plate-and-frame configuration is developed. It aims at giving insight into the underlying coupled physico-chemical phenomena at a level of detail. The model is implemented in the modeling package gPROMS. Numerical simulations are conducted for different operational parameters at the module inlets such as the feed and permeate temperature or feed and permeate flow rate. The results are compared with experimental data published in the literature.