In this study, the COMSOL Multiphysics
simulation software, based
on the finite element analysis method, was used to numerically simulate
the CO2 mass transfer process in laminar flow and turbulent
flow in a hollow fiber membrane contactor. The established simulation
model was verified by comparing the simulated value of the CO2 absorption flux in a diethylaminoethanol/3-methylaminopropylamine
mixed solution with the actual process value. It was found that the
laminar flow model with 5% membrane wettability is in good agreement
with the experimental value, with an average relative error of only
2.64%, indicating that the actual degree of membrane wetting during
the experiment is indeed 5%. In addition, the effects of operating
parameters and membrane process optimization on the velocity field,
concentration field, and mass transfer process in the membrane contactor
were studied taking into consideration both the diffusion effect and
the convection effect. From the analysis of the simulation results,
it can be seen that the membrane-phase resistance dominates when the
membrane is wetted, and the optimization of the operating parameters
under these conditions makes limited improvement in the mass transfer
performance. Given the inevitability of membrane wetting in practical
long-term applications, increasing the degree of fluid turbulence
and the series connection of multistage membrane modules are both
good methods to promote mass transfer.