Modeling of multi-electrolyte transport in charged ceramic and organic nanofilters using the computer simulation program NanoFlux

• Published in: Desalination Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 231 - 236
• Main Authors: Palmeri, J., Sandeaux, J., Sandeaux, R., Lefebvre, X., David, P., Guizard, C., Amblard, P., Diaz, J.-F., Lamaze, B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.01.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Chemical Sciences; Computer modeling; Electro-transport theory; Exact sciences and technology; Hindered transport; Ion rejection; Membrane separation (reverse osmosis, dialysis...); Nanofiltration; Nanofiltration; Hindered transport; Electro-transport theory; Computer modeling; Ion rejection; Polymeric membrane; Sodium Nitrates; Porous membrane; Theoretical study; Experimental study; Calcium Chlorides; Oxide ceramics; Titanium Oxides; Hydrochloric acid; Transport process; Rejection; Membrane separation; Numerical simulation; Aqueous solution; Performance; Inorganic membrane; Sodium Chlorides
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/S0011-9164(02)00541-6

We present a comparative study of the filtration performance of one ceramic and two organic nanofilters. The results of a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of the rejection of single salts (NaCl, NaNO 3, and CaCl 2) and multi-electrolyte mixtures (NaCl/CaCl 2/HCl and NaNO 3/NaCl/CaCl 2) by a loose ceramic TiO 2 nanofilter (Membralox SCT) are compared with similar results obtained using two organic nanofilters (Desal 5 and NF200). We modelion transport in nanoscale pores using a hybrid Hindered Electro-Transport Theory (HETT) that accounts for the charge and size of ions. Theoretical ion rejections for multi-electrolyte mixtures are obtained by solving numerically the Hindered Transport extended Nernst-Planck ion flux Eqs. using a computer simulation program, NanoFlux, that we have developed to simulate transport in the nanofiltration range. The ion rejection in binary and ternary mixtures is reasonably well predicted by the theory, over a wide range of pH and relative salt mole fraction, from the single salt results, using an appropriate weighting and interpolation scheme.