posted on 2009-09-02, 10:46authored byRichard J. Wakeman, Steve Tarleton
Results from an experimental study of the effects of the principal process and suspension
characteristics on crossflow microfiltration augmented by electrical and ultrasonic force fields are
presented. It has been found that both fields, either in isolation or in combination, can reduce
membrane fouling: the extent of filtration improvement is affected by field strengths, acoustic
frequency, suspension concentration, liquid viscosity, and particle size and surface charge.
Synergistic effects were observed when the fields were applied simultaneously. As well as
increasing filtrate fluxes, use of either or both force fields allows lower crossflow velocities to be
used. This implies that smaller equipment can be used for a given throughput, reduced energy
consumption is possible by the recirculation pump, there is a lesser tendency to degrade shear
sensitive streams, and heat transfer duties may be reduced for recirculation loop exchangers.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Chemical Engineering
Citation
WAKEMAN, R.J. and TARLETON, E.S., 1991. An experimental study of electroacoustic crossflow microfiltration. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 69a, pp. 386-397.