From nature to engineering: Bio-inspired spacer solutions for membrane distillation

IBRAHIM, Alaa; LEYER, Stephan

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2025.119064

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From nature to engineering: Bio-inspired spacer solutions for membrane distillation

IBRAHIM, Alaa; LEYER, Stephan

2025 • In Desalination, 613, p. 119064

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://hdl.handle.net/10993/65317

DOI
10.1016/j.desal.2025.119064

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Keywords :

Biomimetic, Spacers-filled channel, Mixing, Membrane distillation

Abstract :

[en] Biomimetic design principles, inspired by the structure of alligator osteoderms, are employed to provide innovative solutions for enhancing membrane distillation system performance. A novel spacer design for membrane distillation (MD) systems is introduced, incorporating the unique structural features of these natural formations. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to investigate nine new spacer configurations, with particular emphasis placed on enhancing mixing efficiency within the feed channel, which serves as the primary focus of this research. Results demonstrate that the novel spacer configurations exhibit superior performance, achieving up to a fivefold increase in mixing efficiency relative to the baseline of an empty channel. Furthermore, the new spacers are assessed and contrasted with two types of conventional spacers and the empty channel configuration with respect to pressure drop, thermal performance, and mass transfer properties.

Disciplines :

Mechanical engineering

Author, co-author :

IBRAHIM, Alaa ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE)

LEYER, Stephan ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE)

External co-authors :

Language :

English

Title :

From nature to engineering: Bio-inspired spacer solutions for membrane distillation

Publication date :

May 2025

Journal title :

Desalination

ISSN :

0011-9164

eISSN :

1873-4464

Publisher :

Elsevier BV

Volume :

613

Pages :

119064

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0011916425005405?httpAccept=text/xml

Funders :

National Research Fund

Available on ORBilu :

since 04 July 2025

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