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Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sethi, S; Wiesner, MR; Dennis, JE
Published in: Journal of Environmental Engineering
June 1, 2001

An approach is presented for the numerical optimization of low-pressure membrane filtration processes. A multidimensional optimization of an ultrafiltration system is formulated for cost minimization and numerically solved for key optimal design and operating variables. Hollow-fiber ultrafiltration operation under steady-state conditions is assumed and optimized with respect to fiber radius, fiber length, crossflow velocity, transmembrane pressure, and system recovery. Optimizations are performed over variable raw water conditions using a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm. For typical small to moderately sized low-pressure membrane facilities (≈ 1 mgd), optimal fiber design and membrane system operation is predicted to be largely influenced by the characteristic dominance of capital costs over operating costs. Thus, total treatment costs tend to be optimal at values of decision variables where permeate fluxes are maximized, within the constraints prescribed by the system, and assuming a fixed membrane cost per unit area. For raw waters demonstrating apparent to significant membrane fouling, optimal membrane treatment is predicted to be achieved by using relatively narrow hollow fibers and relatively high crossflow velocities. For relatively clean raw waters demonstrating very high sustainable permeate fluxes, operating at low crossflow velocities-or perhaps even under the dead-end mode of operation-appears to provide the most cost-effective operation.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI

ISSN

0733-9372

Publication Date

June 1, 2001

Volume

127

Issue

6

Start / End Page

485 / 492

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 4004 Chemical engineering
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0904 Chemical Engineering
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Sethi, S., Wiesner, M. R., & Dennis, J. E. (2001). Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 127(6), 485–492. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2001)127:6(485)
Sethi, S., M. R. Wiesner, and J. E. Dennis. “Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation.” Journal of Environmental Engineering 127, no. 6 (June 1, 2001): 485–92. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2001)127:6(485).
Sethi S, Wiesner MR, Dennis JE. Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 2001 Jun 1;127(6):485–92.
Sethi, S., et al. “Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation.” Journal of Environmental Engineering, vol. 127, no. 6, June 2001, pp. 485–92. Scopus, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2001)127:6(485).
Sethi S, Wiesner MR, Dennis JE. Optimization of hollow-fiber design and low-pressure membrane system operation. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 2001 Jun 1;127(6):485–492.

Published In

Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI

ISSN

0733-9372

Publication Date

June 1, 2001

Volume

127

Issue

6

Start / End Page

485 / 492

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 4004 Chemical engineering
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0904 Chemical Engineering