THE PRESSURE-DROP IN MEMBRANE MODULE WITH SPACERS

The pressure drop in channels with a spacer has been investigated. The experimental data of the pressure drop dependence on the volumetric flow rate were expressed in the dimensionless form of the friction factor dependence on the Reynolds number. The influence of spacer orientation on the friction factor has also been studied; this effect has not been described in the literature. For evaluation of experimental data, spacers have been characterized by their thickness, porosity and hydraulic diameter. Quantitative relations between the friction factor and parameters of a spacer were not obtained because of the complexity of the mathematics. Nevertheless, the experimental data of the friction factor dependence on the Reynolds number make it possible to choose a suitable spacer for several membrane processes. Practical applications of the obtained results with respect to module design and optimization are discussed.