SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2018, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (12): 2487-2494.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2018.01.032

• Separation Science and Engineering • 上一篇    下一篇

An agent-based simulation with NetLogo platform to evaluate forward osmosis process (PRO Mode)

Mostafa Taherian1,2, Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi1, Hooman Chamani2   

  1. 1 Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran;
    2 Research Center of Membrane Processes and Membrane, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
  • 收稿日期:2017-07-20 修回日期:2017-12-19 出版日期:2018-12-28 发布日期:2019-01-09
  • 通讯作者: Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi

An agent-based simulation with NetLogo platform to evaluate forward osmosis process (PRO Mode)

Mostafa Taherian1,2, Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi1, Hooman Chamani2   

  1. 1 Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran;
    2 Research Center of Membrane Processes and Membrane, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
  • Received:2017-07-20 Revised:2017-12-19 Online:2018-12-28 Published:2019-01-09
  • Contact: Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi

摘要: Forward osmosis (FO), as an emerging technology, is influenced by different factors such as operating conditions, module characteristics, and membrane properties. The general aim of this study was to develop a suitable (flexible, comprehensive, and convenient to use) computational tool which is able to simulate osmosis through an asymmetric membrane oriented in pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) mode in a wide variety of scenarios. For this purpose, an agent-based model was created in NetLogo platform, which is an easy-to-use application environment with graphical visualization abilities and well suited for modeling a complex system evolving over time. The simulation results were validated with empirical data obtained from literature and a great agreement was observed. The effect of various parameters on process performance was investigated in terms of temperature, cross-flow velocity, length of the module, pure water permeability coefficient, and structural parameter of the membrane. Results demonstrated that the increase in all parameters, except structural parameter of the membrane and the length of module led to the increase of average water flux. Moreover, nine different draw solutes were selected in order to assess the influence of net bulk osmotic pressure difference between the draw solution (DS) and feed solution (FS) (known as the driving force of FO process) on water flux. Based on the findings of this paper, the performance of FO process (PRO mode) can be efficiently evaluated using the NetLogo platform.

关键词: Agent-based model, Forward osmosis (PRO mode), Membranes, NetLogo platform, Simulation, Water flux

Abstract: Forward osmosis (FO), as an emerging technology, is influenced by different factors such as operating conditions, module characteristics, and membrane properties. The general aim of this study was to develop a suitable (flexible, comprehensive, and convenient to use) computational tool which is able to simulate osmosis through an asymmetric membrane oriented in pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) mode in a wide variety of scenarios. For this purpose, an agent-based model was created in NetLogo platform, which is an easy-to-use application environment with graphical visualization abilities and well suited for modeling a complex system evolving over time. The simulation results were validated with empirical data obtained from literature and a great agreement was observed. The effect of various parameters on process performance was investigated in terms of temperature, cross-flow velocity, length of the module, pure water permeability coefficient, and structural parameter of the membrane. Results demonstrated that the increase in all parameters, except structural parameter of the membrane and the length of module led to the increase of average water flux. Moreover, nine different draw solutes were selected in order to assess the influence of net bulk osmotic pressure difference between the draw solution (DS) and feed solution (FS) (known as the driving force of FO process) on water flux. Based on the findings of this paper, the performance of FO process (PRO mode) can be efficiently evaluated using the NetLogo platform.

Key words: Agent-based model, Forward osmosis (PRO mode), Membranes, NetLogo platform, Simulation, Water flux