Filtration

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Filtration

The filtration algorithm simulates straining of particles as they flow through the unit cell from the top to the bottom. The filtration screen is shown in the next figure and allows the user to choose the fluid flowing through the unit cell from the materials database. The default fluid used by the filtration algorithm is water.

 

filtration screen

PoreXpert filtration screen before the filtration simulation has started. Once the filtration simulation has started the unit cell structure is made transparent so the user can visualise the position where the particles were trapped.

 

The filtration algorithm is based on the permeability algorithm determining the preferential flow routes. When a particle blocks a throat the preferential flow routes are recalculated. The filtration algorithm will continue until all of your particles have been filtered or flowed through the structure or the permeability of the unit cell has reached zero because the unit cell filter has become clogged. The next screen displays a unit cell for a filter paper fitted using a random structure, analysed using mercury porosimetry where 150 particles have gone through or clogged in the filter.

 

filtration results

Filtration screen showing 85 calcium carbonate particles captured by the unit cell, with a significant number of particles on the surface of the unit cell.

 

The particle size distribution can be changed by clicking on the particles box where the number of particles are stated, which brings up the screen below.

 

generate particle screen

PoreXpert particle distribution generation screen to create a distribution of particles as used in the filtration algorithm.

 

For a small (10 x 10 x 10) unit cell we recommend that you create a distribution with 50 - 150 particles suitable for the pore sizes. For larger cells we suggest using a particle distribution that has 5 - 15 % of the total number of pores in the unit cell.

 

To delete particles from the distribution, select the size of particles you want to remove in the list of particle sizes and click on the delete button.

 

For an example of a PDF report for a membrane modelled with a small unit cell, see PDF filtration report.

 

For validation of the algorithm, see Filtration Validation.

 

snailThe filtration algorithm can take a very long time to complete. It is dependent on the unit cell size and the number of particles you may want to consider running filtration simulations using PoreXpert Cloud.