Numerical simulation of organic compounds separation from water in membrane using finite element method

This paper presents mathematical modeling and numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of mass transfer for caffeine extraction process carried out in a hollow fiber membrane contactor (HFMC). Simulations were based on solving the conservation equations for solute (caffeine) in the membrane contactor. Simulations were performed for extraction of caffeine by subcritical carbon dioxide in a three-fiber module. Finite element method (FEM) was used for solving differential equations. Simulation results compared with the experimental data obtained from literature to validate mass transfer model. Simulation results showed the average deviation of 13% for extraction efficiency with experimental data. Effect of membrane physical properties on the extraction of caffeine investigated in order to estimate optimum conditions. Simulations indicated that membrane parameters greatly affect the extraction efficiency of caffeine.

Keywords:

Caffeine , Finite element , Membrane , Numerical simulation , Separation