Full-scale direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) model including membrane compaction effects

While many models exist in the literature for description of lab-scale direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) performance, only a handful of modelling attempts at full-scale have been described. In this article a method is presented for the simulation of the flux and energy efficiency of a full-scale, counter-currently operated, spiral-wound DCMD module. The model is based on a previously calibrated lab-scale model. The geometry of the full-scale, spiral-wound module is discretized into small sections and the lab-scale model is applied in each section. It was found that the membrane used in this module compacts significantly under the operational conditions. This effect cannot be neglected, therefore the model had to be extended to account for it. It is noteworthy that, apart from this extension, no additional model calibration at full-scale was needed. Given its validity at full-scale the model can be safely used for extended scenario analysis with regard to the optimization of the module design. The developed model and method are powerful tools to decide on system design and operation.