Modelling water filtration and purification devices
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Mathematical Sciences
Abstract
This projects focusses on the mathematical, numerical and experimental modelling of portable water purification devices.
The aim is to set up a robust and reliable modelling tool that would allow to simulate different working configurations of the device in view of optimizing its performance.
In the first part of the project, a correct modelling framework will be set up including suitable equations to describe the flow of an incompressible fluid through the device and an appropriate model to represent the membrane filtration process.
Then, a computational environment based on finite elements will be developed to allow to simulate the behaviour of the filtration device in different working conditions. Numerical results will be validated using experimental data from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Finally, possible ways to optimize the performance of the device will be studied.
The aim is to set up a robust and reliable modelling tool that would allow to simulate different working configurations of the device in view of optimizing its performance.
In the first part of the project, a correct modelling framework will be set up including suitable equations to describe the flow of an incompressible fluid through the device and an appropriate model to represent the membrane filtration process.
Then, a computational environment based on finite elements will be developed to allow to simulate the behaviour of the filtration device in different working conditions. Numerical results will be validated using experimental data from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Finally, possible ways to optimize the performance of the device will be studied.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1809172 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Antonios Parasyris |
| Description | A computational modelling framework for membrane filtration systems has been developed. Fluid-dynamics aspects of a circular cross-flow module are modelled and simulated. Computer simulations support experiments in quantifying specific flow features. Computational modelling permits to characterise strategies to enhance the performance of the filtration system. |
| Exploitation Route | The model that we have proposed can now be used by other for optimisation purposes of the device. Also it can be coupled with other models to simulate the existence of impurities in the filtration device and predict the long term behaviour of the device, in terms of fouling and concentration polarisation. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2019.11.016 |
| Title | comsol |
| Description | The team worked on choosing the right boundary and coupling conditions, in a commercial solver environment (COMSOL), to set up the Navier-Stokes/Darcy (NSD) coupled model, in order to simulate a hybrid filtration device. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | The software built in COMSOL has been used to obtain results that will be published, and they are compared with experiments to assess the model's accuracy and effectiveness. The problem that is tackled is the shortage of clean potable water, especially in developing countries under emergency situations, and to that end, the optimization through mathematical modeling of a more efficient filtration device is cumbersome. |
| Description | interpore conference 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 2 Presentations were given 1 in each year so far at the National Interpore conferences at Warwick University and at the University of Aberdeen respectively. 50-100 people attended, that were mostly Chemical engineers and applied Mathematicians, experts in the field of porous media, which sparked interesting discussions on modelling techniques that can be used for filtration applications. An opportunity was given to communicate our findings, and our modelling results and we were glad to see that they were very well received. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| URL | https://www.interpore.org/activities/national-chapters/uk |
| Description | talks at Loughborough university |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 10-30 Professors, Lecturers and Postgraduate students attend each week the Mathematical modelling group in Loughborough University. I have communicated my research on this 40 minute presentation style, 3 times so far in since 2016, and it has helped with my talking skills, as well as the preparation of the presentation itself. It also gave this research a platform for communication, so that other scientists in similar fields to give us their opinion and guidance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |