Implementation of the Finite Element Method for Simulation of Mass Transfer in Membrane Contactors

Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of gas separation by means of polymeric membrane contactors is presented. The finite element method is implemented for numerical simulation. COMSOL Multiphysics is used for simulation. Continuity equations are solved via computational fluid dynamics techniques based on the finite element method. A laminar velocity profile is applied for the solvent. Velocity distribution of the gas flow in the contactor is obtained by Happel's model. The predictions of percent CO2 removal obtained by the modeling were compared with the experimental values from literature for CO2 removal from CO2/N2 gas mixtures with amines. The modeling predictions were in good agreement with experimental data for different values of liquid flow rates.