Content area
Abstract
Spacers are used in membrane modules to keep membrane leaves separated. Introduction of a spacer between membrane layers create a flow channel of definite height. Typically, conventional spacers are woven or layered filaments. The spacer also disrupts fluid flow and can thereby improve mixing. The improvement in mixing comes at the cost of an increase in pressure drop. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to investigate the flow of water in symmetric and asymmetric spacer channels. In PIV, motion of the tracer particles in the fluid is captured to obtain the spatial distribution of velocity. 2D-PIV provides details of two components of velocity in a planar layer while 2D-3C-PIV provides details of all three components of velocity. Velocity profiles obtained from the PIV and simulations of fluid flow in spacer-filled channels are compared in terms of flow direction and velocity magnitude for different positions within the channel. Analysis of the velocity profile from PIV validates the simulations conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics and the assumptions made therein.
