NUMERICAL STUDY OF AN UNSTEADY CONFINED JET - APPLICATION TO CROSS-FLOW FILTRATION

This paper deals with the influence of a new flow unsteadiness on the permeate flux in crossflow filtration. A pneumatically controlled valv e generates intermittent jets from the main flow, leading to the forma tion of large vortices moving downstream along the tubular membrane. A numerical calculation of this flow is achieved using a finite differe nce scheme. Influences of tube diameter and jet velocities are discuss ed. Application of this technique is carried out by filtering a benton ite suspension through an ultrafiltration membrane.