Separation of binary mixtures by thermostatic sweeping gas membrane distillation I.: Theory and simulations

A mathematical model describing a novel sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD) configuration is presented and the separation of two volatile components from binary mixtures by this membrane process is theoretically investigated. SGMD configuration is modified using a thermostated sweeping gas in order to enhance the driving forces decrease along the module. A Stefan-Maxwell-based model that includes vapour-liquid equilibria and heat and mass transfer relations is used. This model that takes into account temperature and concentration polarisation effects as well as temperature and concentration variation along the module length is employed to predict the flux and selectivity under the relevant operating conditions. Finally, a theoretical evaluation of this particular configuration with respect to direct contact MD configuration is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.