Modeling hollow fiber membrane separations using Voronoi tessellations
Richard L. Long · AIP conference proceedings · 2000
Hollow fiber membrane modules have their filaments randomly packed in the shell. The maldistribution of flow on the shell side leads to different mass transfer driving forces on the individual fibers. This makes the correct sizing of HFM contactors for process applications uncertain. By use of the method of Voronoi tessellations each fiber can be treated individually and the results summed. This puts us one step closer to an a priori design algorithm. The goal of this work is to develop a self-contained design procedure that will allow chemical process engineers to correctly predict the performance of the unit without the use of totally ad hoc methods.