Microchannel membrane separation applied to confined thin film desorption

The concept of a confined thin film to enhance the desorption process is based on a reduced mass diffusion resistance. A wide thin film is formed into a microchannel by using a porous membrane as one wall of the channel enabling vapor extraction along the flow. Heat added to the channel results in vapor generation and subsequent extraction through the membrane. This experimental study investigates the performance of vapor extraction as a function of confined thin film thickness, pressure difference across the membrane and inlet concentration to the microchannel. In addition, heat added to the system was varied and results are presented in terms of the wall superheat temperature relative to the inlet saturated conditions of the binary fluid. The test section was equipped with a transparent window to observe bubble formation and vapor extraction. Results show that the performance, measured by the vapor release rate, increases for reduced channel thickness, for increased pressure difference across the membrane, and for lower inlet concentration. Results show that lower wall superheat correspond to higher heat transfer coefficients. Trends of Nusselt number and Sherwood number versus both channel Reynolds number and the product of the Reynolds number and Schmidt number are presented. Bubble formation in the channel does not degrade overall performance provided a critical heat flux condition does not occur.