MASS-TRANSFER IN SEPARATION DEVICES WITH REACTIVE HOLLOW FIBERS

Fully developed, laminar flow mass transfer in separation devices containing reactive hollow fibers is analyzed. Mass transfer in inert, membrane-based, separation devices can be limited by solute transport through the hollow fiber membrane. The introduction of a mobile carrier species, which reacts rapidly and reversibly with the solute species, into the membrane can enhance the solute mass transfer rate. The effect of diffusion and reaction parameters on the separation in hollow fiber devices is investigated. The advantage of a carrier-facilitated system is shown to depend on the wall Sherwood number. When the wall Sherwood number is below ten, the presence of a carried-facilitated system is desirable.