posted on 2012-01-24, 13:21authored byRichard Holdich, Iain W. Cumming, Stefano Perni
Seeded microfiltration combines the processes of microfiltration and sorption of a solute onto a solid particle, including ion exchange. The process can be performed for investigations in simple stirred cells, for laboratory mass transfer analysis, and for process-scale applications in crossflow filtration systems. Seeded microfiltration of boron at feed concentrations of up to 4 ppm using a N-glucamine type ion exchange resin showed that the process was dependent on the internal diffusion of boron inside the resin particle, with an effective particle diffusivity of 5.5 x 10−10m2 s−1. The kinetics of the process were modelled by a coupled mass transfer model, based on a well mixed stirred system, aqueous film diffusion, particle diffusion and a Langmuir type isotherm for the equilibrium conditions. The modelling suggests that a resin particle diameter of 50μm would provide improved boron extraction performance, whilst easily being retained within the microfiltration process. A comparison of the analysis of mass transfer between a conventional batch stirred cell and the continuously fed seeded microfiltration system shows that the continuously fed system has many advantages for the laboratory investigation of mass transfer parameters.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Chemical Engineering
Citation
HOLDICH, R.G., CUMMING, I.W. and PERNI, S., 2006. Boron mass transfer during seeded microfiltration. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 84 (A1), pp. 60 - 68