Hydrodynamics study in a plane ultrafiltration module using an electrochemical method and particle image velocimetry visualization

 The wall shear stress is determined at the surface of a plane sheet of Plexiglas, taking the place of a membrane, using an electrochemical method. Several microelectrodes are mounted flush to this plane plate, and maps of shear stress are determined for two inlet and outlet configurations and three channel heights. The heterogeneity of the wall shear stress is observed for both configurations. Furthermore, the study of the turbulence features of the flow shows a decreasing fluctuating rate of velocity gradient when the channel height is decreased. The wall velocity gradients and turbulent intensity rates analysis are confirmed by a flow visualization using the particle image velocimetry method. Received: 25 September 2000 / Accepted: 23 April 2001