The transverse flow microfiltration module, theory, design, realization and experiments

This study shows that the permeate flux in microfiltration can be inscreased without increasing energy consumption, by using the hollow fiber membranes themselves as turbulence promoters. This is realized by using shell-side fed hollow fibers, which are placed perpendicular to the feed stream. This module type is called the transversal flow module. The theoretical benefits of such a module have been calculated by applying the model proposed by Zydney and Colton to predict the permeate flux. Furthermore the technical realization of a module with a filtering area of 0.5 m2 as well as the first preliminary microfiltration results will be discussed.