Computational thermal fluid enabled multi-physics transport processes analysis of ceramic hollow fiber membrane for oxygen separation

A comprehensive hollow fiber membrane model is developed using an experimental system as a physical base, where Multiphysics transport processes in the membrane are coupled with a large-scale thermal fluid transport processes in the test assembly and furnace. Systematic parametric studies are carried out to understand fundamental mechanisms and membrane performance. Results indicate that oxygen partial pressure at the permeate side asymptotically increases from the inlet toward the outlet of hollow fiber membrane. Longitudinal distribution of oxygen vacancy concentration follows the opposite trend to that of oxygen partial pressure at the permeate side while oxygen flux distribution follows the profile of oxygen vacancy distribution at the permeate surface. High air pressure at the feed side and low gas pressure at the permeate side facilitate to enhance oxygen permeation performance. Surface exchange resistance at the permeate side dominates the total resistance of the membrane while the bulk diffusion resistance accounts for the minimum contribution in substrate-supported thin film hollow fiber membrane. The modeling study may obtain an insightful understanding of fundamental mechanisms and can provide guidance for membrane design and operations to achieve better performance for oxygen production.