Modeling and Simulation of Membrane Contactor Employed to Strip CO2 from Rich Solvents via COMSOL Multiphysics®

N. Ghasem[1], M. Al-Marzouqi[1], N. A. Rahim[1]
[1]United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
Published in 2014

A mathematical model is developed for the stripping of CO2 from rich solvent. The rich solvent (aqueous NaOH) is used in CO2 absorption from natural gas through gas-liquid hollow fiber membrane contactor. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane was fabricated via thermally induced phase separation techniques. COMSOL Multiphysics software package is used in solving the set of partial, ordinary and algebraic equations. The model development is based on "non-wetted mode" in which the gas mixture filled the membrane pores for countercurrent gas-liquid contact. Axial and radial diffusion inside the hollow fiber membrane, through the membrane skin, and within the shell side of the contactor is considered in the model. Model predictions and experimental data were in good agreement.

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