Modeling and Simulation of CO2 Absorption Enhancement in Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactors using CNT–Water-Based Nanofluids

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Department of Chemical and Petroleum Eng. UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE

Abstract

Absorption of CO2 from a gas mixture containing CO2 and nitrogen by water-based CNT nanofluids in gas–liquid hollow fiber membrane contactor was modeled and solved using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4. The model assumed partial wetting of the membrane, along with diffusion in the axial and radial directions. In addition, Brownian motion and grazing effects were both considered in the model. The main contribution to the mass transfer resistance for the case of external diffusion-controlled adsorption is the stagnant liquid layer around the particles, despite the layer being very thin. Accordingly, the nanofluid flows in the lumen tube side of the hollow fiber membrane was modeled as a solid-free zone and dense solid phase. The simulations were performed using 7% wetting of the membrane thickness. The results showed a significant increase in CO2 absorption with increasing concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNT). At a fixed inlet gas flow rate (20 L/h), increasing the CNT concentration from 0.1 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% increased the CO2 removal from around 20% to 45%. Comparison of the model predictions with experimental data available in the literature confirmed the validity of the developed model. 

Graphical Abstract

Modeling and Simulation of CO2 Absorption Enhancement in Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactors using CNT–Water-Based Nanofluids

Keywords

Main Subjects

Journal of Membrane Science and Research
Volume 5, Issue 4
October 2019
Pages 295-302

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 23 December 2018
  • Revise Date: 15 May 2019
  • Accept Date: 19 May 2019

Share

How to cite

Statistics