Numerical Simulation of Direct Contact Membrane Desalination in Conjugate Heat Transfer Configuration: Role of Membrane Conductivity

Abstract

The Abstract- Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) is modeled using the conjugate heat transfer Navies-stokes flow model. A uniform salty and relatively hot feed and colder fresh permeate flow are driven by the peristaltic pump are considered in parallel configuration across the membrane. Depending on the membrane parameters (permeability, thickness, pour size, and conductivity) the resulted temperature difference leads to a pressure gradient responsible for the vaporizing fraction of the feed and transport to the permeate side through the hydrophobic membrane. Under different flow conditions and membrane conductivity mass flux, heat flux, temperature polarization, and thermal efficiency are evaluated. Results showed a good agreement with the published theoretical work on the mass flow this followed with sensitivity study to two parameters one is operational and the other is designed to gain a better understanding of the system performance and metrics including temperature polarization, convective and conductive heat flux, and associated latent heat of evaporation.