Gas sparging to enhance permeate flux and reduce fouling resistances in cross flow microfiltration

The effects of different two-phase flow patterns on the permeate flux were studied in a microfiltration process. The filtration flux was increased in the slug flow pattern mostly due to the cake reduction and disruption of concentration polarization. Depending on liquid velocity, slug flow enhanced permeability when fouling problem was severe. However, a contrary result was obtained for bubbly flow where gas introduction did almost nothing in higher liquid velocities. Different trends were observed in the dimensionless groups’ plane (N′sN′s, Nf), indicating different effects of gas–liquid two-phase flow on the resistances and fouling.

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