Critical flux of hard sphere suspensions in crossflow filtration: Hydrodynamic force bias Monte Carlo simulations

A Monte Carlo method is developed for crossflow membrane filtration to determine the critical flux of hard sphere suspensions. Brownian and shear-induced diffusion are incorporated into an effective hydrodynamic force exerted on the hard spheres in a concentrated shear flow. Effects of shear rate and particle size on the critical flux are investigated using hydrodynamic force bias Monte Carlo simulations, providing a baseline of the critical flux.