Hydrodynamical behaviour of non Newtonian flows in a cross-flow filtration tubular module

Friction factors of Newtonian and non Newtonian fluid flows in a cross-flow filtration module composed of seven tubular membranes connected in parallel were measured during runs with and without suction and modelled by classical laws. With the aim of understanding mass transfer phenomena during cross-flow filtration of non Newtonian fluids, the "flowing" concentration polarisation layer was characterised in terms of concentration and rheological parameters from pressure drops measured under laminar conditions.