Membrane distillation: theory and experiments

A theoretical approach is presented that describes membrane distillation processes due to the simultaneous action (in a proactive or in a counteractive way) of temperature and concentration differences through porous hydrophobic membranes. The model developed emphasizes the importance of the boundary layers, shows the existence of a coupling term between the two thermodynamic forces acting on the system, and permits the definition and characterization of the so-called steady states. In order to check the model, two membranes have been studied in different experimental conditions. The influence of some relevant parameters, such as solution concentration, stirring rate, mean temperature and temperature difference has been considered and the theoretical predictions of the model have been applied to the obtained results. The accordance may be considered good.