Aqualung Carbon Capture provides membrane modules that capture carbon, to aid in the decarbonization of heavy industry and transport. These modules filter CO2 from process gas streams with minimal additional pressure drops. We supported Aqualung by aiding in the improvement of a membrane module containing more than 2000 filtering fibers. Using CFD simulations and membrane modelling we calculated the efficiency of the module for different geometries. With this, we established a cost-effective way of testing new geometries of the module. The result is an optimized geometry, so that more CO2 is captured at lower pumping power.
The challenge in this project is the multiscale physics that is occurring in the modules. Simulating over 2000 fibers would be computationally expensive, so we use a micro/macro modelling approach to simulate the pressure drop over the fibers. For more information about micro/macro modelling we have a showcase called modelling of complex porous materials.
CFD analysis
simulating all the fibers.
Although we can capture the pressure drop of the fibers, there is another microscopic process at play in this simulation: the membrane filtering. Over the length of the module, the membrane takes away CO2 from the stream. The amount of CO2 that is depleted depends on the surface area of the membrane, as well as on the concentration of CO2 and pressure in the module compared to the concentration and pressure within the fibers themselves. This means that next to the module, also the pressure within the fibers should be modelled. This can be done by simulating two domains: the module side and the fiber side. A sink term depending on the local concentrations and pressures is used in the simulation to describe how much CO2 is taken from the module and added to the fibers.
To learn more about our membrane modelling techniques, feel free to contact us or check out the elaborated PDF at the bottom of this page.
"physical problems with relevance for tomorrow"
Not only did this project contain interesting physics and computational challenges, but the resulting end product is relevant for today’s challenges. With our engineering skills we develop climate saving technologies, so that not only we, but also the next generation can enjoy the wonders of physics. What we call at Demcon ‘shared value’.
Herausforderungen, die wir meistern.
Demcon multiphysics.
Demcon multiphysics is an engineering agency with high-end expertise in the area of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, acoustics, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. We support clients from a wide variety of market sectors and help them achieve their goals in research and development with deep physical insights.
We combine fundamental physical knowledge from an analytical approach with Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulations tools from ANSYS, MATHWORKS, COMSOL, STAR-CCM+ and FLUKA to setup, execute, analyze and evaluate numerical simulations. The use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEM / FEA), Lumped Element Modelling (LEM), Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) and Monte Carlo simulations enables us to make a virtual prototype of your design. With these techniques we can simulate the fluid and gas flows, energy exchange, heat and mass transfer, stresses, strains and vibrations in structures and the interaction of electromagnetic fields with other physical aspects like heat generation. Simulation-driven product development increases the development efficiency and reduces the product development time. Our services can therefore fully support you in the designing phase, from idea up to prototype, from prototype to final design.
