Hollow fiber membrane-based air gap membrane distillation

Membrane Distillation (MD) is a thermally-driven separation process. In this research, desalination of 1 % NaCl solution is achieved by one type of MD namely, Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD). The characteristics of AGMD are evaluated by using a hollow-fiber-set-based compact device. Hot brine solution and cold water are passed through two different fiber sets separately: porous hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fibers of the E type (PVDF E) and solid polypropylene (PP) hollow fibers. Vapor from the hot brine crosses the membrane pores of the PVDF fibers and the air gap, and finally condenses over the surface of solid hollow fibers. By connecting two or three AGMD modules differently, six different experimental setups are evaluated. Based on the relationship of brine-in temperature, cold water flow rate, water vapor flux and thermal efficiency, the performances of each condition are investigated and evaluated. Enhanced water vapor productivity and thermal efficiency are achieved in small laboratory devices.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering - (M.S.)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Xuan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kamalesh K. Sirkar
• Boris Khusid
• Xianqin Wang

• Membrane Distillation (MD)
• Air gap membrane distillation (AGMD)
• Porous hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fibers of the E type (PVDF E) fibers
• Solid polypropylene (PP) hollow fibers
• Chemical Engineering
• Pharmaceutics and Drug Design

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/154

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.njit.edu:theses-1153