The robustness, reliability and efficiency of modern numerical methods for obtaining solutions to flow problems have given rise to the adoption of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a widely used analysis tool for membrane separation systems. In the past decade, many two-dimensional (2D) flow studies employing CFD have been published. Three-dimensional (3D) solutions are also slowly emerging. This paper reviews recent research utilizing 3D CFD models to simulate the flow conditions in narrow spacer-filled channels, such as those encountered in Spiral Wound Membrane (SWM) modules. Many of these studies have focused on optimizing spacer geometric parameters, while others have attempted to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms giving rise to mass transfer enhancement. Applications of 3D CFD to complex spacer geometries and multiple ionic component diffusion are also discussed.

Review of 3D CFD modeling of flow and mass transfer in narrow spacer-filled channels in membrane modules

http://nht.xjtu.edu.cn/paper/en/2009213.pdf

A performance evaluation plot of enhanced heat transfer techniques oriented for energy-saving

Numerical study of mass transfer in three-dimensional spacer-filled narrow channels with steady flow

http://nht.xjtu.edu.cn/paper/en/2009208.pdf

3D numerical simulation on shell-and-tube heat exchangers with middle-overlapped helical baffles and continuous baffles – Part I: Numerical model and results of whole heat exchanger with middle-overlapped helical baffles

A numerical investigation of air side performance of strip fin surface is presented. Three-dimensional numerical computation was made for a model of a two-low. finned tube heat exchanger. The tube configuration is simulated with step-wise approximation, and the fin efficiency is also calculated with conjugated computation. Four types of fin surfaces were studied: A-the whole plain plate fin; B-the strip fin with strips located in the upstream part of the fin; C-the strip fin with strips located in the downstream part of the fin; and D-the strip fin with strips covering the whole fin surface

Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation on Laminar Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Characteristics of Strip Fin Surface With X-Arrangement of Strips

In this paper, heat/mass transfer and pressure drop characteristics for arrays of nonuniform plate length, aligned at an angle of 25 deg to the flow direction, are investigated experimentally via a naphthalene sublimation technique. The measurements of cyclic average Sherwood numbers and friction factors in the fully developed regime are conducted for nine geometric configurations. The following parameter ranges are studied: length ratio of successive plates; ratio of the transverse pitch to the longitudinal pitch, and Reynolds number based on shortplate length. Comparisons with the results for arrays with uniform plate length are conducted

An experimental study on heat/mass transfer and pressure drop characteristics for arrays of nonuniform plate length positioned obliquely to the flow direction

Huai-Zhang Huang

Papers

An experimental study on heat/mass transfer and pressure drop characteristics for arrays of nonuniform plate length positioned obliquely to the flow direction