A NEW ROBUST DESIGN-MODEL FOR GAS SEPARATING MEMBRANE MODULES, BASED ON ANALOGY WITH COUNTERCURRENT HEAT-EXCHANGERS

This paper presents a simple and robust algebraic design model for hol low fibre membrane modules used in gas separation. A major rationale f or making such a model is that membrane separation is an area of incre asing importance, but still there does not yet seem to exist any multi component model which is simple and robust enough to be useful in synt hesis applications. The presented model has been verified against nume rical and experimental results from the literature. The results presen ted here show that product purity is typically predicted within 2%. Mo dule capacity prediction compares favourably with other models from th e literature. It has been shown how the model can be extended to take into account pressure drop on the bore side of the hollow fibers. To o ur knowledge, this is the first reliable algebraic model for gas membr ane separation systems able to handle multicomponent mixtures. The alg ebraic nature of the model and its simplicity should hereafter make it easier to optimize membrane system structures and operating condition s.