New Insights in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Applied to Membranes Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Engineers and scientists grappling with complex fluid flow problems have increasingly used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a cornerstone of their toolkits over the past few decades. It should be noted that new CFD methods such as particle-based methods and meshless methods have some advantages, as well as disadvantages, over traditional CFD methods such as finite element, finite volume methods, etc. Water purification, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biotechnology all benefit from the application of both techniques in the simulation of membrane technology.

In practice, when using membranes, components are selectively separated from fluid mixtures using semipermeable barriers. These methods serve as the backbone for various industrial activities, ranging from purifying seawater through desalination to enhancing the concentration of proteins in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. In order to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and preserve product quality, fluid dynamics, mass transport, and membrane characteristics need to be understood and optimized.

Researchers and engineers, in recent years, have been exploring virtual prototypes, optimizing operating conditions, and unravelling the intricate mechanisms controlling fluid flow and mass transport in membrane modules by using CFD methods in designing and manufacturing membrane technologies. Using more effective, optimized, precise, and effective CFD methods to simulate membrane-related procedures will lead to the development of novel and more effective membrane configurations, materials, and process intensification methods.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to explore the latest developments in applying CFD methods to the simulation of membrane processes. This Special Issue will gather inputs from top researchers and practitioners in this rapidly evolving field. It is expected that the contributions will deepen our understanding of membrane processes and inspire future innovations, ranging from understanding basic physics to practical applications in industry. We encourage researchers to contribute their original research and review articles focusing on the following areas:

• The implications of recently developed methods including the particle base methods, e.g., molecular dynamics simulation, the lattice Boltzmann method, the Monte Carlo method, and the meshless methods in membrane simulation;
• The application of machine learning methods in combination with other methods to simulate the membrane process;
• The application of the traditional and novel CFD methods in fluid flow in porous media and micron-sized pores and channels and their applications including filtration, desalination, and gas separation;
• The application of traditional and novel CFD methods in fluid flow in porous media and their applications in heat transfer performance;
• The design and operational optimization of membrane modules using CFD;
• The integration of CFD with experimental data for validating and refining membrane models;
• Modelling membrane processes using CFD at multiple scales and in multiple physics.

We welcome contributions from researchers in academia and industry, as well as interdisciplinary works. The topics are not limited to the list above, and the Guest Editor also welcomes submissions in related areas.

Dr. Abbasali Abouei Mehrizi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
• particle-based methods
• meshless methods
• membrane technology
• water purification
• energy consumption
• machine learning
• porous media
• heat transfer
• design optimization