Long-Term Performance Prediction of Mixed Matrix Membranes at Different Adsorbent Dose and Operating Conditions

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with nanoparticles showing adsorption property of small sized solute can find wide application in large-scale water purification. The breakthrough behavior of the membrane dictates its life indicating need for regeneration or eventual replacement. A two-dimensional transient model was developed using equations of continuity, motion and convective-diffusive-adsorption based solute transport. The governing partial differential equations has been solved using finite element method by COMSOL v5.3® software package. The model was verified for adsorptive removal of chromium(VI) from synthetic solution using graphene oxide incorporated MMM hollow fibers. The model parameters were evaluated using experimental data of long-term filtration the solution with respect to throughput and rejection characteristics. The validated model was extended for simulation of large-scale filter interrelating feed concentration, adsorbent dose, trans-membrane pressure drop and cross flow rates. From the simulation, at a fixed operating condition, a performance curve was generated linking and breakthrough volume of the MMMs. It can be extended for design of any large-scale hollow fiber MMM based filtration system.