Fluid dynamics of dilute suspensions and fouling of tubular membrane modules

The role of dilute suspensions in fouling a ultrafilter tubular membrane module is studied in detail for a wide range of wall permeation flux conditions. The inlet flow profiles are assumed to be either uniform (plug flow) or parabolic (fully developed) shape. It is assumed that the particles are neutrally buoyant and the concentrations are so low that it does not influence the fluid flow. Furthermore, the particle-particle interactions and the forces of interaction between the particle and the membrane wall are assumed to be unimportant. The governing equations of motion for the fluid are solved by a finite difference scheme. To compute the particulate fouling, the equations of motion for the particles are solved by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta-Gill method. Results are presented for both hydrodynamics and membrane fouling by dilute suspensions for conditions such as the effect of assumed inlet velocity profiles, and a wide range of wall permeation flux conditions.