Evaluation of the effect of feed canal height on membrane clarification efficiency of pomegranate juice using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Abstract

Pomegranate juice in its turbid appearance is difficult to preserve; hence, it should be clarified. Microfiltration is a pressure-driven process which can be used to clarify pomegranate juice. Computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate the effect of feed canal height on efficiency of the membrane clarification of pomegranate juice. Geometry of membrane unit was plotted in Gambit software and meshed with quad-mapped meshes, and the problem was solved using FLUENT software. Boundary conditions were identified in both Gambit and FLUENT. Two-dimensional double precisions procedure was selected in FLUENT software. Selected solver was segregated one at steady state. Membrane was defined with three parameters in FLUENT including face permeability, membrane thickness, and pressure jump coefficient. Results of simulation showed that permeate volume was directly dependent on feed canal height. Experimental results were in agreement with the results which were obtained from simulation.

Keywords:

• Clarification
• CFD
• Membrane
• Pomegranate
• Simulation