MASS-TRANSFER LIMITATIONS IN A MEMBRANE MODULE

Application of reverse osmosis in the manufacture of sugar from cane juice and beet juice is emerging as a major potential field for energy conservation. The effect of flow velocity and pressure of operation is closely related for any reverse osmosis separation. Reduced separation at lower circulation velocity due to increased polarisation could be compensated only by increased pressure of operation. A mathematical model to describe the flow condition through the experimental cell has been developed to predict the mass transfer limitations for the separation of sugar. The predicted mass transfer limitations were confirmed by experimental findings.