Mass transfer modeling of ion transport through nanoporous media

The present work deals with the development of a mass transfer model for the prediction of ion transport through the nanoporous medium. The model considers concentration polarization phenomenon to study its influence on the ion separation. The developed model is a combination of two comprehensive models, i.e. extended Nernst-Planck equation and convection-diffusion in conjunction with the Navier-Stokes equations. The model equations were numerically solved utilizing CFD techniques in two sub-domains of feed and membrane. The model is capable to predict the local concentration of ions, flux of permeate, and rejection of ions in a rectangular cross flow membrane module. The simulation results revealed that the developed model is more accurate than the previous ones provided in literature for the prediction of ion separation by means of nanofiltration. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.