A comparative study between classical stirred and ultrasonically-assisted dead-end ultrafiltration.

The aim of this work was to determine mass transfer coefficients in the cases of ultrasonically-assisted and classical stirred dead-end ultrafiltration. A comparative study was then performed, and mass transfer coefficients obtained under ultrasonic conditions are described by an empirical model. This correlation results from an analogy with what is observed using a stirred cell and involves the ultrasonic power as the main parameter. The hydrodynamics are assumed to depend on the intensity of the ultrasound effects illustrated by the agitation arising within the cell. This agitation is due to convective currents as well as physical effects due to cavitation. The concentration polarization phenomenon is therefore affected by this action of ultrasonic waves.