Resistance Coefficients of Polymer Membrane with Concentration Polarization

Evaluation of Transport Properties and Energy Conversion of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane Using Peusner Network Thermodynamics

We evaluated the transport properties of a bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane for aqueous ethanol solutions. Using the R^r version of the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner formalism (KKP) for the concentration polarization (CP) conditions of solutions, the osmotic and diffusion fluxes as well as the membrane transport parameters were determined, such as the hydraulic permeability (L_p), reflection (σ), and solute permeability (ω). We used these parameters and the Peusner (Rijr) coefficients resulting from the KKP equations to assess the transport properties of the membrane based on the calculated dependence of the concentration coefficients: the resistance, coupling, and energy conversion efficiency for aqueous ethanol solutions. The transport properties of the membrane depended on the hydrodynamic conditions of the osmotic diffusion transport. The resistance coefficients R11r, R22r, and Rdetr were positive and higher, and the R12r coefficient was negative and lower under CP conditions (higher in convective than nonconvective states). The energy conversion was evaluated and fluxes were calculated for the U-, F-, and S-energy. It was found that the energy conversion was greater and the S-energy and F-energy were lower under CP conditions. The convection effect was negative, which means that convection movements were directed vertically upwards. Understanding the membrane transport properties and mechanisms could help to develop and improve the membrane technologies and techniques used in medicine and in water and wastewater treatment processes.

Management of Energy Conversion Processes in Membrane Systems

The internal energy (U-energy) conversion to free energy (F-energy) and energy dissipation (S-energy) is a basic process that enables the continuity of life on Earth. Here, we present a novel method of evaluating F-energy in a membrane system containing ternary solutions of non-electrolytes based on the Kr version of the Kedem–Katchalsky–Peusner (K–K–P) formalism for concentration polarization conditions. The use of this formalism allows the determination of F-energy based on the production of S-energy and coefficient of the energy conversion efficiency. The K–K–P formalism requires the calculation of the Peusner coefficients Kijr and Kdetr (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}, r = A, B), which are necessary to calculate S-energy, the degree of coupling and coefficients of energy conversion efficiency. In turn, the equations for S-energy and coefficients of energy conversion efficiency are used in the F-energy calculations. The Kr form of the Kedem–Katchalsky–Peusner model equations, containing the Peusner coefficients Kijr and Kdetr, enables the analysis of energy conversion in membrane systems and is a useful tool for studying the transport properties of membranes. We showed that osmotic pressure dependences of indicated Peusner coefficients, energy conversion efficiency coefficient, entropy and energy production are nonlinear. These nonlinearities were caused by pseudophase transitions from non-convective to convective states or vice versa. The method presented in the paper can be used to assess F-energy resources. The results can be adapted to various membrane systems used in chemical engineering, environmental engineering or medical applications. It can be used in designing new technologies as a part of process management.

The Rr Form of the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner Model Equations for Description of the Membrane Transport in Concentration Polarization Conditions

The paper presents the Rr matrix form of Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner equations for membrane transport of the non-homogeneous ternary non-electrolyte solutions. Peusner's coefficients Rijr and det [Rr] (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}, r = A, B) occurring in these equations, were calculated for Nephrophan biomembrane, glucose in aqueous ethanol solutions and two different settings of the solutions relative to the horizontally oriented membrane for concentration polarization conditions or homogeneity of solutions. Kedem-Katchalsky coefficients, measured for homogeneous and non-homogeneous solutions, were used for the calculations. The calculated Peusner's coefficients for homogeneous solutions depend linearly, and for non-homogeneous solutions non-linearly on the concentrations of solutes. The concentration dependences of the coefficients Rijr and det [Rr] indicate a characteristic glucose concentration of 9.24 mol/m3 (at a fixed ethanol concentration) in which the obtained curves for Configurations A and B intersect. At this point, the density of solutions in the upper and lower membrane chamber are the same. Peusner's coefficients were used to assess the effect of concentration polarization and free convection on membrane transport (the ξij coefficient), determine the degree of coupling (the rijr coefficient) and coupling parameter (the QRr coefficient) and energy conversion efficiency (the (eijr)r coefficient).

Membrane Transport of Nonelectrolyte Solutions in Concentration Polarization Conditions: Hr Form of the Kedem–Katchalsky–Peusner Equations

In this paper, the Kedem–Katchalsky equations in matrix form for nonhomogeneous ternary nonelectrolyte solutions were applied for interpretation of transport through the membrane mounted in horizontal plane. Coefficients Hijr, Hijr, and Hdetr=detHr (for nonhomogeneous solutions), Hij and Hdet=detH (for homogeneous solutions) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}, r = A, B), ψij=HijA−HijB/Hij, and ψdet=HdetA−HdetB/Hdet were calculated on the basis of experimentally determined coefficients (Lp, σ1, σ2ω11, ω22, ω21, ω12, ζ1r, and ζ2r) for glucose in aqueous ethanol solutions and two configurations of the membrane system. From the calculations, it results that the values of coefficients H12r, H13r, H22r, H23r, H32r, H33r, and Hdetr depend nonlinearly on solution concentration as well as on a configuration of membrane system. Besides, the values of coefficients H21r, H12, H21, H22, H33r, and Hdet depend linearly on solution concentration. The value of coefficients H13, H23, and H33 do not depend on solution concentration. The coefficients ψ12, ψ13, ψ22 = ψ23, ψ32 = ψ33, and ψdet depend nonlinearly on solution concentration and for C¯1 ≈ 9.24 mol m−3 are equal to zero. For C¯1 < 9.24 mol m−3, the values of coefficients ψ12 and ψ13 are negative and for C¯1 > 9.23 mol m−3, positive. In contrast, the values of coefficients ψ22 = ψ23, ψ32 = ψ33, and ψdet for C¯1 < 9.24 mol m−3 are positive and for C¯1 > 9.24 mol m−3, negative. For ψ = 0, we can observe nonconvective state, in which concentration Rayleigh number reaches the critical value RC = 1691.09, for ψ<0 is convective state with convection directed straight down and for ψ>0 is convective state with convection directed straight up.

The mathematical model of concentration polarization coefficient in membrane transport and volume flows

In this paper, the authors investigate the membrane transport of aqueous non-electrolyte solutions in a single-membrane system with the membrane mounted horizontally. The purpose of the research is to analyze the influence of volume flows on the process of forming concentration boundary layers (CBLs). A mathematical model is provided to calculate dependences of a concentration polarization coefficient (ζ _s ) on a volume flux (J _vm ), an osmotic force (Δπ) and a hydrostatic force (ΔP) of different values. Property ζ _s  = f(J _vm ) for J _vm  > 0 and for J _vm  ≈ 0 and property ζ _s  = f(ΔC ₁) are calculated. Moreover, results of a simultaneous influence of ΔP and Δπ on a value of coefficient ζ _s when J _vm  = 0 and J _vm  ≠ 0 are investigated and a graphical representation of the dependences obtained in the research is provided. Also, mathematical relationships between the coefficient ζ _s and a concentration Rayleigh number (R _C ) were studied providing a relevant graphical representation. In an experimental test, aqueous solutions of glucose and ethanol were used.

Laser interferometric investigation of solute transport through membrane-concentration boundary layer system

We investigate diffusive transport in a membrane system with a horizontally mounted membrane under concentration polarization conditions performed by a laser interferometry method. The data obtained from two different theoretical models are compared to the experimental results of the substance flux. In the first model, the membrane is considered as infinitely thin, while in the second one as a wall of finite thickness. The theoretical calculations show sufficient correspondence with the experimental results. On the basis of interferometric measurements, the relative permeability coefficient (ζ_s) for the system, consisting of the membrane and concentration boundary layers, was also obtained. This coefficient reflects the concentration polarization of the membrane system. The obtained results indicate that the coefficient ζ_s of the membrane-concentration boundary layer system decreases in time and seems to be independent of the initial concentration of the solute.