Simulation of heavy metal extraction in membrane contactors using computational fluid dynamics

A new approach based on momentum and mass transfer for modeling of wastewater treatment was developed in this study. The model is based on solving governing equations for solutes using finite element method (FEM). Wastewater treatment medium considered in this study is a microporous membrane contactor made of polypropylene which is a hydrophobic polymer. Modeling was carried out for separation of water contaminants. With solving conservation equations, velocity and concentration distributions were obtained for the solute in the membrane contactor. Modeling findings showed high removal efficiency for copper extraction. The effect of process parameters on the extraction of copper was investigated. Furthermore, simulation results confirmed that membrane contactors are efficient in the removal of water contaminants. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.