At the department meeting on November 13, third-year graduate student Yasenchuk Vitaliy presented the interim results of his dissertation on the topic “Transport Processes in Membrane Module Channels” (scientific supervisor – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Gulienko Serhiy Valeriyovych).
In work using computational fluid dynamics methods, it was found that channel curvature does not significantly affect hydraulic resistance. This allows us to focus on the spacer geometry itself as a key factor in the energy efficiency of membrane systems.
Flow visualization demonstrated that spacers with a triangular cross-section of threads significantly reduce the volume of stagnant zones in areas where concentration polarization most often occurs. Active fluid circulation around the sharp corners of the triangular geometry contributes to the destruction of the boundary layer and significantly improves mass transfer to the membrane surface. This is critically important for increasing productivity and preventing fouling.
Studies have also shown that the use of triangular spacers does not increase the hydraulic resistance of the channel. Moreover, at low flow rates, the resistance was lower compared to traditional designs, which emphasizes their energy potential.
Further work will be aimed at determining the conditions under which the flow structure changes in channels with a triangular spacer, and at developing recommendations for their optimal use in membrane technologies.