Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Study of the Efficiency of Multi-Layer Membrane Filtration in Desalination Processes

by Salma Moushi^1,*, Jaouad Ait lahcen¹, Ahmed El Hana¹, Yassine Ezaier¹, Ahmed Hader^1,2, Imane Bakassi¹, Iliass Tarras¹, Yahia Boughaleb^1,3

1 Bio-Geosciences and Materials Engineering Laboratory, Higher Normal School, Hassan II University, Casablanca, 50069, Morocco
2 Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, Settat, 26002, Morocco
3 Engineering Sciences for Energy Laboratory, ENSA, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, 24000, Morocco

* Corresponding Author: Salma Moushi. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Materials and Energy an Updated Image for 2023)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2024, 20(11), 2509-2521. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2024.053501

Received 01 May 2024; Accepted 17 July 2024; Issue published 28 October 2024

Abstract

Multi-layer membrane filtration is a widely used technology for separating and purifying different components of a liquid mixture. This technique involves passing the liquid mixture through a series of membranes with decreasing pore sizes, which allows for the separation of different components according to their molecular size. This study investigates the filtration process of a fluid through a two-dimensional porous medium designed for seawater desalination. The focus is on understanding the impact of various parameters such as the coefficient of friction, velocity, and the number of layers on filtration efficiency. The results reveal that the number of layers plays a crucial role in desalination, with an increase in layers leading to enhanced filtration quality, following a power law relationship. The study explores the influence of the coefficient of friction on filtration performance, emphasizing its significant effect on the number of particles filtered over time. Additionally, the role of the initial velocity in filtration efficiency is examined, showing distinct effects at both high and low velocities. Biofouling is identified as a factor influencing filtration, with an initial increase in filtered particles followed by a decline due to particle accumulation in pores.

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Keywords

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