Ceramic membranes were used to recover nanometer nickel catalyst in the preparation of p-aminophenol.In order to resolve the problem of adsorption loss of nanometer nickel in the pilot plant, inert particles were added to the suspension. As a result, adding inert particles such as micro or submicro oxides was proven to be effective.They could alleviate the adsorption loss of nanometer nickel particles and shorten the time of reaching steady state of nickel concentration without affecting the activity of the catalyst and permeate flux.
Based on Darcy’s law, a CFD model of permeate process in 19-channel ceramic membrane was established.The pure water flux (PWF) of ceramic membranes was predicted by the CFD model with the finite volume method.By using this method, the simulated PWF of 19-channel ceramic membrane was in good agreement with experimental results.The contributions of each channel to the total PWF of 19-channel ceramic membranes depended on the mean pore size of membrane as well as on the distance of the channel from the membrane outer surface.CFD modeling is an essential tool in designing the configuration of ceramic membrane.
