CFD simulation of acetone separation from an aqueous solution using supercritical fluid in a hollow-fiber membrane contactor

In the present study, separation and mass transfer of acetone using a polymeric hollow fiber membrane by a supercritical fluid as a dense solvent was simulated. The propane is used as supercritical fluid for extraction of acetone. The simulated hollow-fiber membrane contactor has three compartments: tube, porous membrane and shell. The aqueous solution and solvent pass in the lumen and shell sides, respectively. The model equations have been solved by CFD technique using a finite element as numerical method. The simulation results were compared with experimental data obtained from literature and showed great agreement with the measured values. The simulation results of acetone extraction also showed that reducing the feed rate and increasing the solvent velocity will enhance the separation of acetone.