Question

A membrane module comprised of several tubular membranes has an effective surface area of 12 m². The membrane system is operated in cross-flow, under a constant flux regime to yield 1,500 L/h of water. The treated water is 20 °C.

1. Each tubular membrane is 2 m long and is operated in an outside-in regime. If the tubes have an outer diameter of 3.0 cm, how many tubes does each unit contain? (Round your answer UP to the next whole number)
2. If the membrane resistance is 7.15 ×10¹² m^-1, what is the operational pressure that must be applied across the membrane to achieve a flux of 1,500 L/h? (answer in kPa)
3. What pressure must be applied to keep the flux constant if membrane fouling doubles the membrane’s resistance?

Answer 1