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Unit II: Concentration Polarization

Concentration polarization occurs when solutes accumulate at the membrane surface during filtration. This creates a boundary layer that causes back diffusion of solutes and reduces flux. The concentration polarization modulus compares the solute concentration at the membrane surface (Cm) to the bulk concentration (Cb). Mass transfer coefficient (k) is important for reducing concentration polarization by increasing flow velocity or turbulence. Limiting flux is the maximum flux achieved before concentration polarization significantly reduces flow.

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250 views15 pages

Unit II: Concentration Polarization

Concentration polarization occurs when solutes accumulate at the membrane surface during filtration. This creates a boundary layer that causes back diffusion of solutes and reduces flux. The concentration polarization modulus compares the solute concentration at the membrane surface (Cm) to the bulk concentration (Cb). Mass transfer coefficient (k) is important for reducing concentration polarization by increasing flow velocity or turbulence. Limiting flux is the maximum flux achieved before concentration polarization significantly reduces flow.

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AMOL RASTOGI 19BCM0012
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Unit II

CONCENTRATION POLARIZATION
Concentration polarization
 Membrane separation – Concentration of solute in permeate (Cp) is
lower than the concentration of solute in the bulk (Cb).

 Concentration of retained solutes at membrane surface gets increased


gradually and results in dense layer. This is Concentration Polarization
(CP). CP builds causes a diffusive back flow of solute and after a
given period of time steady state sets in.

 At steady state, balance of solute is given as

Solute flow to membrane surface by convective flow


= Solute flow through the membrane +
Diffusive back flow from membrane surface to bulk
Concentration polarization

At steady state, Solute


balance is given as

dc
Jc  D  JC p (1)
dx

The BC are at x = 0, c = Cm and at x = δ, c = Cb


Concentration polarization
Upon integration and solving for constants, we get

Cm  C p J
ln  (2)
Cb  C p D

Cm  C p  J 
 exp  (3)
Cb  C p  D

Ratio of the diffusion coefficient D to the thickness of the boundary layer δ is


called the mass transfer coefficient k, i.e.

D
k (4)

Concentration polarization
The measure of intrinsic retention is given as
Cp
Rint  1  (5)
Cb

Introducing the mass transfer coefficient and the intrinsic retention in the
equation of Cm / Cb (eq (3)), we get

J
exp 
Cm k
 (6)
Cb J
Rint  (1  Rint ) exp 
k

The ratio Cm / Cb is called the concentration polarization modulus. The ratio


increases with increasing flux J, with increasing intrinsic retention Rint and
with decreasing mass transfer coefficient, k
Concentration polarization
Expectation of a membrane => complete solute rejection

When the solute is completely retained by the membrane i.e. Cp = 0, so that


Rint = 1

Cm J
 exp  (7)
Cb k
Eq (7) is the basic equation for CP which illustrates CP is a function of two
factors

J – Flux (Membrane part)


k – Mass Transfer coefficient (hydrodynamics part)

Mass transfer coefficient depends strongly on the hydrodynamics of the


system and hence it could be varied & optimized
Concentration polarization
Mass transfer coefficient is usually given by Sherwood number
kd h (8)
Sh   a Re b Sc c
D
Where
Re = Reynolds Number = (ρ v dh / μ)
Sc = Schmidt Number = (γ / D)
a, b ,c = adjustable constants

Mass transfer coefficient (k) is a function of the


Feed flow velocity (v)
Diffusion coefficient of the solute (D)
Viscosity (μ, γ)
Density (ρ)
Shape and dimensions of the module
Concentration polarization
Factors affecting ‘k’ hardly change in tangential direction. However, varies
considerably in normal direction (along main feed flow direction) due to
concentration polarization.

Hence classical mass transfer correlations (developed mainly for non porous
systems) does not yields correct relationships.

Modified semi empirical relationships frequently used for calculation of ‘k’ are
Gratez – Leveque equation for laminar flow and Deissler equation for
turbulent flow.

Laminar flow Turbulent flow


0.33
 d 
Sh  1.62 Re Sc  h  (Tube) Sh  0.023 Re 0.875 Sc 0.25
 L
0.33
 d  (Channel)
Sh  1.86 Re Sc  h 
 L
Concentration polarization
Reducing Concentration Polarization:

Manipulating flux (J) and mass transfer coefficient (k).

Mass transfer coefficient (k) mainly depends on flow velocity and Diffusion
coefficient (D).

Mass transfer coefficient (k) is mainly varied by


- Increasing flow velocity
- Change module shape and dimensions
(Decreasing module length or increasing the hydraulic diameter)

Other methods of increasing ‘k’ are


- using turbulence promoters
- breaking the boundary layer (using corrugated membranes)
- using pulsating flow

Increase in feed temperature will also generally reduce CP because of


increase in the value of ‘k’ as the diffusion coefficient (D) increases.
Concentration polarization
Mass transfer coefficient ‘k’ for various pressure driven process:

Value of ‘k’ is attributed indirectly to the solute particle size

Micro and Ultra filtration = 10-10 to 10-11 m2 /s

Reverse osmosis = 10-9 m2 /s

Pervaporation = 10-5 m2 /s

Gas separation = 10-3 to 10-4 m2 /s


Concentration polarization
Concentration polarization
Model Description:
P
Pure water flux for a membrane is given as J w 
 Rm

Rm is membrane constant and does not depend on the feed composition


or applied pressure

Usually when the applied pressure increases, the flux increases. But
after certain pressure has been attained the flux does not increase
further on increasing pressure. This maximum flux is called as the
Limiting flux, J∞
Concentration polarization
Model Description:

Increasing the feed concentration but keeping the mass transfer


coefficient and the concentration at the membrane as constant,
decreases the limiting flux, J∞

On the other hand the limiting flux, J∞ increases when the mass transfer
coefficient ‘k’ is increased at constant feed concentrations.
Concentration polarization
Model Description:
Replacing the flux ‘J’ in the concentration polarization modulus equation
with that of limiting flux, J∞, we get

Cm J 
 exp  
Cb  k 
J   k ln Cm  k ln Cb
Concentration polarization
Model Description:
The concept of Limiting flux is applicable in case of microfiltration and
ultrafiltration.

However, in case of Reverse osmosis, it could be seen that the


membrane flux increases with increasing pressure as the impact of the
CP is very low in case of reverse osmosis.

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