Influence of spacer thickness on permeate flux in spiral-wound seawater reverse osmosis systems

Sablani, SS; Goosen, MFA; Al-Belushi, R; Gerardos, V

dc.contributor.author	Sablani, SS	en
dc.contributor.author	Goosen, MFA	en
dc.contributor.author	Al-Belushi, R	en
dc.contributor.author	Gerardos, V	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:17:59Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:17:59Z
dc.date.issued	2002	en
dc.identifier.issn	0011-9164	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/14740
dc.subject	Concentration polarization	en
dc.subject	Film theory	en
dc.subject	Mass transfer coefficient	en
dc.subject	Membrane separation	en
dc.subject	Reflection coefficient	en
dc.subject	Spacer thickness	en
dc.subject	Spiegler-Kedem model	en
dc.subject.classification	Engineering, Chemical	en
dc.subject.classification	Water Resources	en
dc.subject.other	Osmosis	en
dc.subject.other	Osmosis membranes	en
dc.subject.other	Polarization	en
dc.subject.other	Seawater	en
dc.subject.other	Turbulence	en
dc.subject.other	Water production	en
dc.subject.other	Desalination	en
dc.subject.other	permeability	en
dc.subject.other	reverse osmosis	en
dc.subject.other	sea water	en
dc.subject.other	spacer	en
dc.title	Influence of spacer thickness on permeate flux in spiral-wound seawater reverse osmosis systems	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/S0011-9164(02)00477-0	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(02)00477-0	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2002	en
heal.abstract	A primary reason for flux decline during the initial period of a membrane separation process is concentration polarization of the solute at the membrane surface. The objective of the present study was to analyze and model concentration polarization in spiral-wound seawater membrane elements. In particular, the influence of spacer thickness in the membrane units on permeate flow and its salinity was evaluated. Membrane parameters were also estimated using an analytical osmotic pressure model for high salinity applications. The effects of spacer thickness on permeate flux suggest that the observed flux decreases by up to 50% in going from a spacer thickness of 0.1168 to 0.0508 cm. The different geometry/configuration of the spacer may influence turbulence at the membrane surface that in turn affected concentration polarization. This suggests less turbulence with the smaller spacer thickness. The membrane module with an intermediate spacer thickness of 0.0711 cm was found to be the best economically since it gave the highest water production rate (L/h).	en
heal.publisher	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV	en
heal.journalName	Desalination	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/S0011-9164(02)00477-0	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000178347700035	en
dc.identifier.volume	146	en
dc.identifier.issue	1-3	en
dc.identifier.spage	225	en
dc.identifier.epage	230	en