TY - JOUR
T1 - Membrane filtration with complex branching pore morphology
AU - Sanaei, Pejman
AU - Cummings, Linda J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American Physical Society.
PY - 2018/9
Y1 - 2018/9
N2 - Membrane filters are in widespread industrial use, and mathematical models to predict their efficacy are potentially very useful, as such models can suggest design modifications to improve filter performance and lifetime. Many models have been proposed to describe particle capture by membrane filters and the associated fluid dynamics, but most such models are based on a very simple structure in which the pores of the membrane are assumed to be simple circularly cylindrical tubes spanning the depth of the membrane. Real membranes used in applications usually have much more complex geometry, with interconnected pores that may branch and bifurcate. Pores are also typically larger on the upstream side of the membrane than on the downstream side. We present an idealized mathematical model, in which a membrane consists of a series of bifurcating pores, which decrease in size as the membrane is traversed. Feed solution is forced through the membrane by applied pressure and particles are removed from the feed by adsorption within pores (which shrinks them). Thus, the membrane's permeability decreases as the filtration progresses. We discuss how filtration efficiency depends on the characteristics of the idealized branching structure.
AB - Membrane filters are in widespread industrial use, and mathematical models to predict their efficacy are potentially very useful, as such models can suggest design modifications to improve filter performance and lifetime. Many models have been proposed to describe particle capture by membrane filters and the associated fluid dynamics, but most such models are based on a very simple structure in which the pores of the membrane are assumed to be simple circularly cylindrical tubes spanning the depth of the membrane. Real membranes used in applications usually have much more complex geometry, with interconnected pores that may branch and bifurcate. Pores are also typically larger on the upstream side of the membrane than on the downstream side. We present an idealized mathematical model, in which a membrane consists of a series of bifurcating pores, which decrease in size as the membrane is traversed. Feed solution is forced through the membrane by applied pressure and particles are removed from the feed by adsorption within pores (which shrinks them). Thus, the membrane's permeability decreases as the filtration progresses. We discuss how filtration efficiency depends on the characteristics of the idealized branching structure.
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U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.3.094305
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.3.094305
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85054483966
SN - 2469-990X
VL - 3
JO - Physical Review Fluids
JF - Physical Review Fluids
IS - 9
M1 - 094305
ER -