DCMD modelling and experimental study using PTFE membrane

AbstractThis research work aims to investigate the performance of direct contact membrane distillation (MD) unit under different conditions. A mathematical model was developed to evaluate the experimental values of the membrane water mass flux, heat transfer coefficients, the membrane/liquid interface temperatures, the temperature polarisation coefficient and the evaporation efficiency. This model was solved numerically using MATLAB® software, and its results were used to predict the actual performance of the membrane unit. The MD coefficient was evaluated from the computer model data and was subsequently used to estimate water fluxes. Experimental tests were performed using 0.0572 m2 of PTFE membrane manufactured by membrane solution (85% porosity, 45 μm thickness, 0.22 μm nominal pore size). Feed solutions were aqueous NaCl solutions with 1,000–200,000 mg/L (0.1–20%) in concentration and its temperatures were 40–80°C, and feed flow rate was 2 L/min. The temperature and flow rate of permeate water was fi...