Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

Roger C. Viadero, Jr.

Abstract

A parametric study was conducted to develop a more general modeling framework as a basis for comparison of ultrafiltration membrane modules and separation processes. Discrete experiments were performed to examine the effects of operating parameters on permeate flux behavior in the tubular and high-shear rotary ultrafiltration (HSRUF) systems using a synthetic metal working (MW) fluid as a surrogate feed stream due to its relevance in industrial process and treatment applications. The conventional thin-film model was successfully applied to permeate flux data collected at low feed oil concentrations; however, model predictions at high concentrations were physically meaningless due to the formation of a two phase limiting permeate flux. Application of the resistance-in-series (RIS) approach was examined as an alternative to the conventional model and was successful in predicting permeate flux values at all oil concentrations examined in this study. The RIS model was then modified by postulating an explicit form of the resistance index in terms of operating parameters characteristic of all ultrafiltration (UF) processes. Due to the general nature of the modified RIS approach, the relationships developed in this study were utilized as a means of comparison between the tubular and HSRUF modules resulting in the development of a technical operating scheme for a hybrid tubular-HSRUF separation system. The general form of the modified RIS approach enables application of the procedures presented in this study as a means for comparison between a wide range of UF modules. Further, the approach developed is a general foundation for future investigations of emerging focus areas in separations research, such as hybrid schemes.

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