UROP Project

Identifying Mass Transfer Correlations for Spacer-filled Ducts in Reverse Osmosis Membrane Channels by Numerical Simulations

Self-similarity and scaling laws are powerful tools in engineering and thus useful for the design of apparatus. This self-similarity is well understood for the heat and mass transfer in laminar empty channel flows, including the fully developed region as well as inlet length effects in the developing region (Graetz problem). In a prior study, the validity of the scaling behavior arising from the Graetz solution for channel flows disturbed by periodic obstructions was studied. Simulation results show that entrance length effects and scaling laws do not change due to the presence of obstructions if the flow field remains steady in time. The Nusselt number in the inlet region scales similar to the empty channel flow. The limit of the classical self-similarity is the onset of temporal oscillations (instability) in the flow field. Beyond this limit, the length of the thermal entrance region is strongly reduced.

Task

Conduct and evaluate direct numerical simulations of spacer-filled ducts in order to: - identify the scaling for wall-attached obstacles and/or - identify the scaling behavior und instationary flow conditions. The numerical simulations shall be conducted using the open-source CFD Code OpenFOAM

Requirements

Strong enthusiasm for fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer and numerical simulations.