Abstract
A theoretical study was carried out into membrane transport phenomena. Formulae for calculating the membrane transport resistance and transmembrane mass flux were given, variations in membrane resistance and moisture flux with the membrane sorption constant (C) under various humidity conditions were analyzed, and the value of C corresponding to the minimum membrane resistance or the maximum moisture flux was obtained. The results show that the membrane resistance and moisture flux relate not only to C but also to the relative humidities on both sides of the membrane. As C increases, membrane resistance initially decreases but then increases, i.e., a minimum occurs, while the moisture flux first decreases and then increases, i.e., a maximum occurs. The membrane resistance and moisture flux reach their extrema at the same value of C, which is determined by the relative humidities on both sides of the membrane. To reduce the membrane resistance, the value of C should be chosen based on the humidity conditions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Wang Z S, Gu Z L, Feng S Y, et al. Applications of membrane distillation technology in energy transformation process-basis and prospect. Chinese Sci Bull, 2009, 54: 2766–2780
Hu T, Min J C, Song Y Z. Analysis of the effects of mass transfer on heat transfer in the progress of moisture exchanger across a membrane. Chinese Sci Bull, 2010, 55: 1221–1225
Merritt A R. The design of high flux nanoporous carbon membranes and their application in small gas molecule separation. Doctoral Disseration. Ann Arbor: The Pennsylvania State University, 2007
Bitter J G A. Transport Mechanisms in Membrane Separation Processes. Plenum Press: New York, 1991
Zheng Z, Worek W M. Numerical simulation of combined heat and mass transfer process in a rotary dehumidifier. Numer Heat Transfer, Part A, 1993, 23: 211–232
Simonson C J, Besant R W. Energy wheel effectiveness, Part 1 — development of dimensionless groups. Int J Heat Mass Transfer, 1999, 42: 2161–2170
Simonson C J, Besant R W. Energy wheel effectiveness, Part 2 — correlations. Int J Heat Mass Transfer, 1999, 42: 2171–2185
Niu J L, Zhang L. Membrane-based enthalpy exchanger: material considerations and clarification of moisture resistance. J Mem Sci, 2001, 189: 179–191
Kadylak D, Cave P, Merida W. Effectiveness correlations for heat and mass transfer in membrane humidifiers. Int J Heat Mass Transfer, 2009, 52: 1504–1509
Min J C, Hu T, Liu X W. Evaluation of moisture diffusivities in various membranes. J Mem Sci, 2010, 357: 185–191
Min J C, Su M. Performance analysis of a membrane-based enthalpy exchanger: Effects of the membrane properties on the exchanger performance. J Mem Sci, 2010, 348: 376–382
Min J C, Hu T, Song Y Z. Experimental and numerical investigations of moisture permeation through membranes. J Mem Sci, 2011, 367: 174–181
Hu T, Min J C, Song Y Z. Modeling and analysis of dynamic adsorption during gas transport through a membrane. J Mem Sci, 2009, 39: 204–208
Gibson P, Kendrick C, Rivin D, et al. An automated water vapor diffusion test method for fabrics, laminates, and films. J Coat Fabrics, 1995, 24: 322–345
Majsztrik P W, Satterfield M B, Bocarsly A B, et al. Water sorption, desorption and transport in Nafion membranes. J Mem Sci, 2007, 301: 93–106
Liu L, Chen Y, Li S G, et al. The Effect of a support layer on the permeability of water vapor in asymmetric composite membranes. Sep Sci Technol, 2001, 36: 3701–3720
Zhang L Z. Fabrication of a lithium chloride solution based composite supported liquid membrane and its moisture permeation analysis. J Mem Sci, 2006, 276: 91–100
Larson M D, Simonson C J, Besant R W, et al. The elastic and moisture transfer properties of polyethylene and polypropylene membranes for use in liquid-to-air energy exchangers. J Mem Sci, 2007, 302: 136–149
Gibson P, Schreuder-Gibson H, Rivin D. Transport properties of porous membranes based on electrospun nanofibers. Colloids Surf, A: Physicochem Engin Aspects, 2001, 187–188: 469–481
Wang L N, Min J C. Studies of the process of moisture exchange across membrane using irreversible thermodynamics. Chinese Sci Bull, 2011, 56, doi: 10.1007/s11434-010-4238
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Min, J., Wang, L. Membrane sorption property effects on transmembrane permeation. Chin. Sci. Bull. 56, 2394–2399 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-011-4562-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-011-4562-4