Abstract: In this study is presented a general methodology to
predict the performance of a continuous near-critical fluid extraction
process to remove compounds from aqueous solutions using hollow
fiber membrane contactors. A comprehensive 2D mathematical
model was developed to study Porocritical extraction process. The
system studied in this work is a membrane based extractor of ethanol
and acetone from aqueous solutions using near-critical CO2.
Predictions of extraction percentages obtained by simulations have
been compared to the experimental values reported by Bothun et al.
[5]. Simulations of extraction percentage of ethanol and acetone
show an average difference of 9.3% and 6.5% with the experimental
data, respectively. More accurate predictions of the extraction of
acetone could be explained by a better estimation of the transport
properties in the aqueous phase that controls the extraction of this
solute.
Abstract: This work deals with modeling and simulation of SO2 removal in a ceramic membrane by means of FEM. A mass transfer model was developed to predict the performance of SO2 absorption in a chemical solvent. The model was based on solving conservation equations for gas component in the membrane. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of mass and momentum were used to solve the model equations. The simulations aimed to obtain the distribution of gas concentration in the absorption process. The effect of the operating parameters on the efficiency of the ceramic membrane was evaluated. The modeling findings showed that the gas phase velocity has significant effect on the removal of gas whereas the liquid phase does not affect the SO2 removal significantly. It is also indicated that the main mass transfer resistance is placed in the membrane and gas phase because of high tortuosity of the ceramic membrane.