Mass transfer coefficient with suction for laminar non-Newtonian flow in application to membrane separations Original Research Article

The expression of mass transfer coefficient is derived from first principles for the laminar non-Newtonian fluid flow in membrane modules. The effects of suction is incorporated in the mass transfer coefficient from a theoretical basis. The analysis is carried out for a power law fluid, the common rheology for fruit juices and other food products. The analysis shows that there is a significant effect of suction on mass transfer coefficient. The effects of the operating conditions, e.g., Reynolds number, permeate flux and the rheological nature of the fluid (pseudoplastic or dilatant) on the mass transfer coefficient are also investigated. Both rectangular thin channel and tubular modules are considered.