Mathematical modelling of backflushing in membrane separation

A mathematical model of pressure driven membrane separation is presented. Concentration polarization is well known to reduce the flux, and thereby the performance of the separation process, due to an increase in osmotic pressure. Therefore, back shocking where the pressure difference and the flow through the membrane is reversed, is known to decrease the concentration polarization and increase the performance of the membrane. The interplay between back shocking amplitude, frequency and reduction in concentration polarization at the membrane surface is investigated.