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Enhancing microscale flows and heat/mass transfer efficiency in membrane distillation modules through spacer optimization
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Jiaqi Xu, Xiao Hu*, Junjie Li, Rongze Fu, Zuchao Zhu
Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics | 2026, 40(4) : 88 - 96
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Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics | 2026, 40(4): 88-96
• Special Issue on Microscale and Nanoscale Flows •
Enhancing microscale flows and heat/mass transfer efficiency in membrane distillation modules through spacer optimization
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Jiaqi Xu, Xiao Hu*, Junjie Li, Rongze Fu, Zuchao Zhu
Affiliations
  • Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Multiflow and Fluid Machinery, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Published: 2026-08-25 doi: 10.11729/syltlx20250122
Outline
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This study explores how optimized spacer design enhances heat and mass transfer efficiency in microscale flows within membrane distillation seawater desalination modules. Various microscale flow channels exist inside these modules, such as gaps between spacer filaments and spaces between the membranes, influencing the water production performance of the membrane modules significantly. A lab-scale direct contact membrane distillation system is built to assess key parameters including spacer structure, feed temperature, salt concentration, and flow conditions on permeate flux. Higher feed temperature markedly increases water production. Introducing spacers improves flow distribution near the membrane surface, reducing both concentration and temperature polarization. Optimized spacer structures under high-temperature and high-salinity conditions boost permeate flux by about 30% compared to configurations without spacers. Using spacer 2, the maximum water production can reach up to 15.38 L/(m2$ \cdot $h) under the following conditions: feed temperature of 60 ℃, saline concentration of 0%, and counter-current flow configuration. Counter-current flow outperforms co-current flow, with further efficiency gains when combined with optimized spacers. At elevated temperatures, bubble formation on spacer surfaces becomes more pronounced. Microscale roughness provides numerous nucleation sites for vapor, enhancing interfacial phase-change mass transfer. Spacers enhance membrane distillation performance by regulating flow fields, intensifying mass transfer, and providing mechanical support to membranes. These findings offer valuable experimental and theoretical insights for designing efficient membrane distillation systems for seawater desalination.

desalination  /  membrane distillation  /  microscale flow  /  spacers  /  heat and mass transfer
徐佳琦, 胡箫, 黎俊杰, 符荣泽, 朱祖超. 基于导流网优化技术提高膜蒸馏组件内微流动与传热传质效率. 实验流体力学, 2026 , 40 (4) : 88 -96 . DOI: 10.11729/syltlx20250122
Jiaqi Xu, Xiao Hu, Junjie Li, Rongze Fu, Zuchao Zhu. Enhancing microscale flows and heat/mass transfer efficiency in membrane distillation modules through spacer optimization[J]. Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, 2026 , 40 (4) : 88 -96 . DOI: 10.11729/syltlx20250122
Year 2026 volume 40 Issue 4
72
27
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Article Info
doi: 10.11729/syltlx20250122
  • Receive Date:2025-12-26
  • Online Date:2026-10-22
  • Published:2026-08-25
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  • Received:2025-12-26
  • Revised:2026-01-25
  • Accepted:2026-02-09
Affiliations
    Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Multiflow and Fluid Machinery, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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表12种不同金属材料的力学参数
科
Family
属数
Number of
genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of
total species (%)
属
Genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of total
species (%)
鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
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