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Performance Analysis, Mathematical Modeling and Economic Assessment of Developed Vacuum Membrane Distillation System for Water Desalination |
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PP: 43-58 |
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Author(s) |
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Elham El-Zanati,
Maaly Khedr,
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Abstract |
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| Membrane distillation is a thermal and pressure driven process through hydrophobic microporous membranes, it is a promising technology for water desalination. In this work, an experimental study of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD), was implemented on lab and pilot scales, using an early prepared hydrophobic microporous membrane (polyethersulfone/tetraethoxysilane). The system performance is assessed, using an aqueous NaCl solution, at different concentrations (25,000 - 40,000 ppm), different temperatures (298-338 K), different flow rates (0.000008 to 0.000028 m3s-1) and different permeate vacuum pressure (200-800 mbar). The obtained results proved that the designed and installed system reached a salt rejection of 99% with a membrane flux of 25 kg/m2hr at 338 K and 300 mbar gauge. Moreover, a mathematical model was developed to describe the VMD. The model was verified using the obtained experimental results. Furthermore, cost indicators were estimated based on a local offer for manufacturing a VMD unit of 2.6 m3d-1 capacity. Expected that, in comparison to RO, when MD is fully developed at a large scale and using low-grade energy source, it should be lower in capital cost and operating expenses. |
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