Modeling the performance of flat and capillary membrane modules in vacuum membrane distillation

Once validated, the mathematical model was used to predict the performance of modules with higher membrane areas (up to 5 m2). The flat module resulted to perform better than the capillary one in terms of energy consumption/permeate flow rate ratios, the lowest value being 130 kW h/m3distillate for a 5 m2 membrane area, at 80 °C of feed temperature and 10 mbar of vacuum pressure.