A comparative study between classical stirred and ultrasonically-assisted dead-end ultrafiltration

The aim of this work was to determine mass transfer coefficients in the cas es of ultrasonically-assisted and classical stirred dead-end ultrafiltratio n. A comparative study was then performed, and mass transfer coefficients o btained under ultrasonic conditions are described by an empirical model. Th is correlation results from an analogy with what is observed using a stirre d cell and involves the ultrasonic power as the main parameter. The hydrody namics are assumed to depend on the intensity of the ultrasound effects ill ustrated by the agitation arising within the cell. This agitation is due to convective currents as well as physical effects due to cavitation. The con centration polarization phenomenon is therefore affected by this action of ultrasonic waves. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.