MODELING AND SIMULATION OF CO2 SEPARATION FROM FLUE GAS USING HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE CONTACTORS

A comprehensive 2D mathematical model was developed to study separation of CO2 from flue gas in hollow fiber membrane contactors. The model was based on “non-wetted mode” in which the gas mixture filled the membrane pores. Laminar parabolic velocity profile was used for the liquid flow in the tube side; whereas, the gas flow in the shell side was characterized by Happel’s free surface model. Axial and radial diffusion inside the shell, through the membrane, and within the tube side of the contactor were considered in the model. The equations of model were solved by numerical method based on finite element method (FEM). The simulation results were compared with the experimental data reported by S.Yan et al. [2007]. They reported the experimental results for the separation of CO2 from flue gas by aqueous solutions using polypropylene membrane contactor. The simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental results for different values of gas and liquid flow rates.