(241a) CO2 Transport Through Hollow Fiber Membranes

CO₂ transport through hollow
fiber membranes

Studies on absorption of CO₂
into an aqueous solution using hydrophobic microporous
hollow fiber membranes (HFM's) were performed. 
The membrane modules were operated in a sealed-end, parallel flow configuration.  Several modules were constructed that ranged
in interfacial surface area from 466 to 1397 m²/m³.  The mass transfer coefficients were
calculated based on a model of the system that included a prediction of the
internal axial gas concentrations within the fiber lumen.  This model was validated by measuring bulk
gas velocity within fiber lumen.  A trend
of increasing mass transfer coefficients with internal pressure was
observed.  A correlation for predicting
this effect was developed.  The use of
HFM's for CO₂ transfer could significantly improve the biomass
growth rate for algal biofuel production. 
As a result, experiments were performed with a growing algal culture, to
investigate the extent of membrane performance reduction as a result of fouling.