Available online at www.sciencedirect.
com
ScienceDirect
Hollow fiber membrane modules
Norfamilabinti Che Mat, Yuecun Lou and G Glenn Lipscomb
Hollow fiber membrane modules are used in a wide range of
separation applications. Module design is critical to optimizing
process performance. The state-of-the-art in fiber bundle and
module manufacture is reviewed emphasizing industrial
practice as reflected by the patent literature. Sources of non-
ideal module performance are identified that arise from non-
uniform module flows. Efforts to quantify these effects and
evaluate design alternatives to improve performance are
reviewed. Despite this work, gaps in understanding the
relationship between design and performance still exist.
Addresses
Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, University of
Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606-3390, United
States
Corresponding author: Lipscomb, G Glenn
(glenn.lipscomb@utoledo.edu, glipscom@eng.utoledo.edu)
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
This review comes from a themed issue on Separation engineering
Edited by WS Winston Ho and Kang Li
For a complete overview see the Issue and the Editorial
Available online 30th January 2014
2211-3398/$ – see front matter, # 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2014.01.002
Introduction
Global need for separation processes is increasing as
society addresses grand challenges in providing water,
energy, and health care sustainably. Membrane separ-
ation processes offer unique advantages over alternatives
especially in terms of energy consumption and ability to
handle labile components.
The focus of this review is hollow fiber membrane
modules and devices as illustrated in Figure 1. These
devices are the mass transfer equivalent of a shell and
tube heat exchanger. As such they consist of a tube
bundle the ends of which are embedded in a tubesheet.
The tubesheet is created to allow separate fluid com-
munication with the fiber interior (lumens) and exterior
(shell) spaces. The lumens are open along the tubesheet.
Upon sealing the tubesheet to the case separate manifolds
on the case exterior allow the introduction and removal of
fluid streams to the lumen and shell spaces. The feed can
be introduced to either the lumen or shell. A permeate
sweep also may be fed to the module. The sweep mixes
with the permeate and can dramatically improve module
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
performance by increasing the chemical potential differ-
ence across the membrane.
A baseline for process performance can be determined by
assuming the fibers are uniform (identical inner and outer
radii and permeances) and uniformly spaced. Addition-
ally, baseline performance predictions assume the fluid
distribution is uniform from the external ports on the case
through the manifolds to the lumen and shell, that is,
the flow rate inside and outside each fiber in the fiber
bundle is identical. The performance of this ‘ideal’ device
can be determined by analyzing the performance of a
single fiber.
Unfortunately, actual performance is poorer than ideal
performance which has driven innovation in module
design to improve performance. The differences are
manifest in lower than expected process throughputs
and higher energy consumption. For example, in nitrogen
production from air, the retentate is the desired product
and the nitrogen composition typically is specified. Non-
ideality leads to lower flow rates of the desired product
and higher energy consumption. The higher energy con-
sumption is due to a reduction in the fraction of the
compressed air fed to the process that is recovered as the
retentate product.
This review focuses on the state of the art in module
manufacture and module performance prediction. Note
that the design of unconstrained hollow fiber bundles such
as those used in membrane bioreactor applications are not
covered here as these modules and applications possess
unique features and operational characteristics not cap-
tured in the design of Figure 1.
Module manufacture
The earliest reports of hollow fiber module designs come
from the patents of Dow [1] and DuPont [2]. Dow’s
design drew most heavily on heat exchanger designs.
Modules were formed by potting the ends of individual
fibers or a small group of fibers (a fiber tow) in plugs.
Subsequently, the plugs were placed in holes arranged in
a regular array in two opposing metal plates. The fibers
were held in slight tension between the two plates to
allow uniform packing.
The DuPont process represented a significant departure
that facilitated the formation of larger bundles and was
less labor intensive. Loops of fibers were formed by
winding individual fibers or fiber tows around a rotating
wheel and enclosed in multiple elastic socks. Tubesheets
were formed by placing a mold over the end of the fiber
www.sciencedirect.com

Figure 1
External case
Permeate
Tubesheet
Feed Fiber bundle
O-ring tubesheet-case seal
Lumen distribution manifold
Cut-away view of a typical hollow fiber membrane module with a lumen feed and shell sweep operating in counter-current contacting mode. Key
elements and flow paths are indicated: solid lines — lumen flow and dashed lines — shell flow. Note that the hidden portion of the module is a mirror
image of that shown.
bundle that possessed connections to introduce a tube-
sheet forming material (e.g. epoxy resin). The tubesheet
material was introduced while the module rotated with its
long axis parallel to the ground. The rotation kept the
tubesheet material from wicking up into the fiber bundle
due to centrifugal forces; wicking reduces the area avail-
able for mass transfer and weakens fibers. This technique
is referred to as ‘centrifugal’ potting and produces
the most uniform tubesheets among the currently avail-
able alternatives.
A modern example of module formation is provided by
Generon [3]. This process further reduces labor intensity
while striving to improve uniformity of fiber packing.
Individual fibers or fiber tows are removed from spools
produced by the spinning process and woven to form a
hollow fiber fabric. Weaving allows precise control of the
spacing between the fibers or tows. This fabric is wound
around a central tube to create a fiber bundle. The central
tube serves several functions: firstly mechanical support
of the fiber bundle, secondly contact points to facilitate
module movement through the manufacturing process,
and finally means to introduce or remove a fluid stream
from the center of the fiber bundle. Tubesheets were
formed by holding the module vertically, placing one end
into a mold, and introducing the tubesheet material. This
technique is referred to as ‘dunk’ potting and can suffer
from undesirable wicking if formation conditions are not
controlled carefully. Once rough tubesheets were formed
on both ends of the bundle, machining yielded the
desired final shape and opened fiber ends as in the
DuPont process. Subsequent improvements to the pro-
cess included introduction of permeate collection chan-
nels in the fiber bundle to reduce shell side permeate
www.sciencedirect.com
Hollow fiber membrane modules Mat, Lou and Lipscomb 19
Permeate Sweep
Retentate
Lumen manifold
bolted to case
Shell distribution manifold
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering
pressure drop in lumen-fed modules [4], vacuum assisted
potting to improve tubesheet formation [5], and wrapping
of fiber tows with a support thread to improve handling in
the weaving process, in particular reduce splaying, and
thereby improve uniformity of fiber packing [6]. Wrap-
ping fibers with one or more support threads also is used
to improve mechanical strength for high permeance fibers
that otherwise would be damaged during module manu-
facture [7].
Many examples of helically winding fibers to form a
structured bundle also exist. The earliest work dates back
to the late 1960s [8–10]. Helically wound modules may be
formed with a central core tube [11] or without [12,13].
The effect of wind angle on fiber length as the fiber
bundle is formed must be considered to ensure fiber
length and flow rate per fiber remain constant [14]. More
recent work suggests varying the wind angle in the axial
direction (in addition to changes with bundle diameter to
maintain constant fiber length) can produce modules with
improved flow distribution and reduced pressure drop in
the shell by forming a tapered bundle [15]. Additionally,
increasing the wind angle at the end of the bundle can
improve tubesheet strength by reducing the diameter of
the bundle and the amount of fiber enclosed in the
tubesheet [16]; pressure drop and lost membrane area
in the tubesheet are reduced as well. Note that the
weaving process also can be modified to produce a hollow
fiber fabric that will yield a tapered module [3].
Fiber bundles also can be produced from square or
circular fiber disks (wafers). Such wafers can be stacked
to form a stand-alone module [17–19] or used to produce a
module that can be placed in-line in a piping system [20].
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
20 Separation engineering
Significant effort has been devoted to adding module
design features that facilitate flow distribution in the shell
and improve mass transfer performance. These features
include the introduction of baffles to improve flow
uniformity in the shell region. The baffles may extend
radially in the form of tori [21,22] or axially in the form of
concentric sheets [23]. Flow distributors along the per-
iphery of the fiber bundle near the shell inlet and outlet
also are used to improve uniformity [24–27]. These dis-
tributors typically consist of collars that create a distri-
bution manifold around the fiber bundle to improve
uniformity of fluid flow from the external ports on the
case into the shell region of the fiber bundle. Recent work
describes the use of grooves and corrugated protrusions in
the distribution collar to reduce pressure drop and reduce
fiber blocking of the distribution holes in the collar [28].
Additional work describes modules possessing shell
distribution manifolds that penetrate into the interior
of the fiber bundle [29] and inserts that divide the bundle
into uniform sections to facilitate fluid distribution from a
central inlet tube and reduce solid accumulation on the
membrane surface in filtration applications [30].
Fiber bundles may be formed from multiple fiber types to
perform two separations simultaneously by spiral winding
[31]. More recent work describes a module consisting of
two concentric layers of fibers that perform the separ-
ations sequentially by controlling the shell and lumen
flows between the two layers with proper tubesheet and
internal baffle designs [32].
Although not practiced commercially, two novel module
designs were proposed recently [33]. The first design
wraps a woven hollow fiber fabric simultaneously with a
commercial spiral wound module spacer to form a bun-
dle consisting of alternating layers of fiber and spacer.
The second design requires knitting hollow fibers
within the mesh of the spacer; the fiber knitted spacer
is wrapped to form the bundle. The performance of
these novel designs was compared to a randomly packed
fiber bundle, a woven fabric fiber bundle (with
and without a central distribution tube), and a crimped
(curly or wavy) fiber bundle in direct contact membrane
distillation. The highest water fluxes were observed for
the fiber knitted spacer bundle followed closely by the
crimped fiber bundle. These results were attributed to a
transverse flow component across curved fibers that is
not present when fibers are substantially straight and
parallel.
Such a conclusion is consistent with previous work on the
formation of crimped fiber bundles for dialysis appli-
cations [34–36]. This literature identifies specific design
ranges for the amplitude and frequency (wavelength) of
the wavy structure to optimize performance: ampli-
tude = 20–200% of the fiber outer diameter and wave-
length = 10–500 times the fiber outer diameter.
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
Module performance evaluation
The performance of a hollow fiber bundle most com-
monly is predicted assuming all fibers possess identical
geometry and transport properties. Additionally, the
lumen and shell flow rates are assumed to be identical
for each fiber. If concentration and temperature polariz-
ation are not important, or correlations are known for fluid
boundary layer resistances, mass balances for the reten-
tate and permeate streams can be reduced to a set of
ordinary differential equations in co-current or counter-
current contacting [37]. The correlations reported by
Lipnizki and Field [38] commonly are used in these
calculations.
One can avoid the use of mass and heat transfer corre-
lations by rigorously solving the two-dimensional con-
servation equations within a domain surrounding a single
fiber. This domain can be constructed from an assumed
regular square or triangular fiber arrangement [39] or by
defining an equivalent axisymmetric free surface sur-
rounding the fiber [40] based on Happel’s free surface
model [41].
While these models can adequately capture real module
performance, often significant deviations exist which are
attributed to non-ideal flow behavior. This behavior can
arise from fluid distribution from manifolds into the
lumen or shell regions or from non-uniform flow within
the lumen or shell as illustrated in Figure 2. The potential
impact of these non-idealities was recognized in the
earliest module fabrication patents [2].
Fluid distribution from external manifolds into the fiber
bundle is least well understood. Ideally, fluid is intro-
duced and removed such that the pressure drop across the
lumen of each fiber is the same and the pressure drop
between any two points in the shell, at the same radial
position on opposing tubesheets, is the same. Equal
pressure drops lead to uniform flow rates.
Park and Chang [42] demonstrated that with conventional
lumen headers the lumen flow rate is highest near the
center of the bundle and then decreases rapidly, passing
through a minimum, before increasing again at the bundle
periphery. Similar observations were made recently for
hemodialyzers possessing ports that direct flow normal to
the tubesheet but flow distribution could be enhanced by
directing the flow tangentially to the tubesheet surface
[43].
Fluid distribution from the shell manifold into the shell
space also is non-uniform. Concentration fields within an
operating hemodialyzer determined using X-ray com-
puted tomography are consistent with higher shell flows
closer to the external port on the shell distribution mani-
fold [44]. The flow distribution can be altered signifi-
cantly by modifying the manifold to direct flow into the
www.sciencedirect.com
 Hollow fiber membrane modules Mat, Lou and Lipscomb 21

Figure 2

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

ΔP ΔP
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering

Sources of non-ideal flow distribution within hollow fiber modules: (a) flow distribution from the lumen manifold into the fiber lumens; (b) flow
distribution from the shell manifold into the shell; (c) fiber inner diameter induced lumen flow variation; and (d) inter-fiber spacing induced shell flow
variation. The length of the arrows indicates the relative magnitude of the flow rate variation anticipated for each source. (a) and (b) contain the module
elements indicated in Figure 1 while (c) and (d) are abstracted pictorial illustrations of a bundle axial cross-section.

fiber bundle as well as around the fiber bundle using a
porous distribution collar or tab [45].
Non-uniform fiber properties (e.g. size and transport
properties) can lead to flow maldistribution in the lumen
even with uniform pressure drop across each fiber. A fiber
inner diameter variation leads to a flow rate variation that
can dramatically reduce module performance, especially
in the well-developed mass transfer limit (i.e. low feed
flow rates) [46–48]. Analyses of gas separation modules
indicate variability in fiber size has a much greater effect
on performance than transport properties due to the
dependence of flow rate on the fourth power of the inner
diameter [49–51]. For sufficiently broad fiber size vari-
ations, a limit on the maximum gas purity achievable may
exist but this effect can be mitigated by module staging
[52]. Few comparisons between experiment and theory
exist for commercial size modules, but a recent study
indicates that the inclusion of the actual fiber size distri-
bution in predictions of gas separation performance could
not account for the performance reductions observed
experimentally relative to a module with ideal flows
[53]; the differences were attributed to poor shell flow
distribution as discussed here.
Non-uniform fiber packing affects module performance
in a manner analogous to the effect of fiber inner
diameter. Variation in the shell space between fibers will
lead to flow rate variation that can be detrimental to
performance. The variation may be so large that fluid
effectively bypasses the fiber bundle as first noted by
Noda et al. [54]. Chen and Hlavacek describe an algorithm
for representing the variation in shell void volume for
randomly packed parallel fiber bundles using Voronoi
tessellation [55]. The flow through a cross-section of
the bundle can be calculated from the hydraulic diameter
of each tessellated cell and an appropriate friction factor
relationship. This algorithm has been used to evaluate
overall effective mass transfer coefficients by flow rate
averaging individual cell mass transfer coefficients

www.sciencedirect.com Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24

22 Separation engineering
[56,57]. Mass transfer coefficients for each cell are
determined from the hydraulic diameter of the cell and
an appropriate mass transfer coefficient correlation. An
alternative algorithm represents the variation in shell void
volume by surrounding a representative distribution of
fibers with a Happel free surface of varying radius [58].
The detrimental effect of random packing in parallel fiber
bundles has been reported for a variety of membrane
separations including membrane distillation [59], mem-
brane extraction [60], and gas–liquid contactors [61,62].
The effects of a simultaneous variation in fiber outer
radius [63] and a fractal distribution of shell void volumes
[64] also have been investigated. Reported agreement
between experiment and theory generally is good using
one or more of the shell mass transfer coefficient corre-
lations available in the literature. Differences between
theory and experiment typically are attributed to poor
flow distribution from the shell manifold into the shell
region.
Use of Voronoi tessellation or the free surface model can
be avoided through the use of a periodic cell containing a
finite number of randomly packed fibers to represent an
infinite fiber bundle [65]. The periodic cell must contain a
sufficiently large number of fibers to provide an accurate
representation but the number required can be deter-
mined by increasing the cell size until the results are
independent of number. The computational demand of
the simulation can be reduced in the entry [66] and well
developed [67] mass transfer limits where partial analyti-
cal solutions for the concentration field are available.
Comparisons of results obtained with the periodic cell
and either Voronoi tessellation or the free surface model
are limited but the periodic cell appears to predict slightly
lower values for effective mass transfer coefficient [63].
Fluid distribution from the shell manifold across the fiber
bundle represents an additional source of flow maldistri-
bution in the shell. Fluid must flow from the shell inlet
distribution manifold across the fiber bundle before it can
flow along the fiber bundle toward the outlet; likewise,
the fluid also must flow across the fiber bundle at the
outlet end before it can be collected in the outlet mani-
fold. This flow introduces a cross-flow component to the
nominally counter-current flow as well as a residence time
distribution due to different flow path lengths between
the inlet and outlet distribution manifolds; the paths near
the shell outlet are illustrated in Figure 1. Attempts to
evaluate fluid distribution have relied on approximating
the shell region as a porous media within which Darcy’s
law provides the relationship between volume-average
pressure and velocity [68,69]. This work demonstrates the
residence time distribution and its effect on overall shell-
side mass transfer coefficient depends on the product of
the radial to axial Darcy permeability ratio and the square
of the module aspect ratio (length to radius ratio). Darcy’s
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
law has been used to describe flow in the lumen as well as
the shell to evaluate the effect of shell-side flow distri-
bution on gas separation [70] and hemodialysis [71]. The
results indicate that the residence time distribution can
lead to large concentration gradients at the lumen and
shell outlets but these gradients have surprisingly little
effect on module performance. Recent work on shell-
swept modules for gas dehydration is consistent with
these observations in that large concentration gradients
exist within the module but have minimal impact on
performance [72].
Recent attempts to reduce concentration polarization in
the shell region rely on novel fiber shapes. Fibers with a
corrugated or convoluted circumference can increase the
membrane area available per unit module volume as well
as enhance fluid mixing and thereby reduce concentration
polarization [73,74,75]. Recent work also demonstrates
that use of elliptical fibers can improve performance [76]
as well as introducing baffles around individual fibers [77].
Future challenges and conclusions
The patent literature describing the formation of large
hollow fiber bundles and modules dates back nearly
50 years. Industry currently favors the manufacture of
structured bundles using hollow fiber fabrics or spiral
winding techniques that offer better shell flow distri-
bution and lower mass transfer resistance. Fiber crimping
also has been introduced to reduce mass transfer resist-
ances. The introduction of fluid into the shell region of
these devices has received significant attention as it can
impact performance significantly.
The analysis of hollow fiber membrane module perform-
ance most commonly relies on assuming all fibers are
identical and the flow rates in the fiber lumen and shell
region surrounding each fiber are identical. However,
variability in fiber size and packing can reduce module
performance dramatically. Well-developed algorithms
exist to assess the uniformity of shell and lumen flows
and their effect on performance.
The effect of fluid distribution into the lumen and shell
regions of the fiber bundle through external ports and
manifolds has received less attention. The impact of the
lumen manifold on lumen flow uniformity appears to be
less significant than the effect of the shell manifold on
shell flow uniformity. However, additional work is
required to clarify the influence of both, especially distri-
bution from the shell manifold which has been invoked as
the source of unexplained performance deviations.
Theoretical analyses of modern fiber bundle designs that
utilize fiber fabrics and crimped fibers have lagged com-
mercial implementation. The availability of simulation
tools would help guide the evolution of these designs and
foster future innovations.
www.sciencedirect.com

Comparisons of theoretical performance predictions to
experimental measurements for commercial scale units
are limited. Comparisons to hand-made, lab-scale units
can help assess simulation fidelity. However, conclusions
drawn from these units may not be applicable to larger
commercial modules due to manufacturing expertise that
leads to improved fiber and fiber bundle uniformity as
well as differences in module scale, for example, fluid
distribution from the shell manifold into the shell region
is expected to depend on the ratio of fiber outer diameter
to bundle diameter for sufficiently small bundles.
As higher performance membrane materials become
available with greatly enhanced permeances, concen-
tration polarization and pressure drops will become more
important considerations in module design. Emerging
applications in forward osmosis are especially sensitive
to concentration polarization while carbon dioxide cap-
ture applications require low pressure drop designs.
References and recommended reading
Papers of particular interest, published within the period of review,
have been highlighted as:
 of special interest
 of outstanding interest
1. Mahon HI: Permeability Separatory Apparatus, Permeability
Separatory Membrane Element, Method of Making the Same
and Process Utilizing the Same, US Patent 3,228,876; 1966.
2. Maxwell JM, Moore WE, Rego RD: Fluid Separation Process and
 Apparatus, US Patent 3,339,341; 1967
This patent clearly identifies the key issues in module manufacture and
the sources of non-ideal behavior early in the history of the field — a must
read for those interested in module design.
3. Alei PE, Schletz JC, Jensvold JA, Tegrotenhuis WE, Allen W, Coan
FL, Skala KL, Clark DO, Wait HV: Loom Processing of Hollow
Fiber Membranes, US Patent 5,598,874; 1997.
4. Coan F, Jeanes TO, Jensvold JA: Boreside Feed Modules with
Permeate Flow Channels, US Patent 6,136,073; 2000.
5. Coan F, Brizuela L: Vacuum-assisted Potting of Fiber Module
Tubesheets, US Patent 7,662,333; 2010.
6. Coan FL: Automatic Lacer for Bundles of Polymeric Fiber, US
Patent 8,171,710; 2012.
7. Osabe M, Tanaka K, Sugaya H: Water-vapor-permeable
Membrane, Hollow-fiber Membrane, and Hollow-fiber
Membrane Module, US Patent 8,500,871; 2013.
8. Mahon H, Oldershaw C: Permeability Separatory Apparatus and
Processes of Making and Using the Same, US Patent
3,455,460; 1969.
9. McLain E: Wound Hollow Fiber Permeability Apparatus and
Process of Making the Same, US Patent 3,422,008; 1969.
10. McLain E: Permeability Separatory Apparatus and Process of
Making and Using Same, US Patent 3,475,331; 1969.
11. Kuzumoto H, Tanaka T, Matsumoto H: Hollow Fiber Package
Body and Its Production, US Patent 4,430,219; 1984.
12. Ashare E, Rulison R, Wright L, Coplan M: Method of Fabrication of
Hollow Filament Separatory Module, US Patent 4,045,851; 1977.
13. Sebring R, Coplan M: Method of Fabrication of Coreless Hollow
Filament Separatory Module, US Patent 4,351,092; 1982.
14. Coplan M, Bilewski F: Permselective Hollow Fiber Bundle, US
Patent 4,631,128; 1986.
www.sciencedirect.com
Hollow fiber membrane modules Mat, Lou and Lipscomb 23
15. Giglia S, Bikson B: Hollow Fiber Membrane Separation
Apparatus, US Patent 5,837,033; 1998.
16. Burban JH, Berg JW, Steffensmeier BJ, Tuma JC, Geisz CM, Cuta
CJ: Membrane Module, US Patent 7,998,254; 2011.
17. Nichols R: Hollow Fiber Separation Module and Method for the
Use Thereof, US Patent 4,959,152; 1990.
18. Nichols R, Davis J, Littler R. Apparatus for Separation and for
Treatment of Fluid Feedstreams, Wafers for Use Therein and
Related Methods, US Patent 5,164,081; 1992.
19. Cote PL, Lipski CJ, Maurion RP, Pedersen SK: Cartridge of
Hybrid Frameless Arrays of Hollow Fiber Membranes and
Module Containing an Assembly of Cartridges, US Patent
5,182,019; 1993.
20. Taylor GP, Sengupta A: Wafer-Shaped Hollow Fiber
Module for In-line Use in a Piping System, US Patent
8,551,338; 2013.
21. Graham TE: Hollow Fiber Permeator, US Patent 4,367,139; 1983.
22. Prasad R, Runkle CJ, Shuey HF: Spiral-wound Hollow Fiber
Membrane Fabric Cartridges and Modules Having Flow-
directing Baffles, US Patent 5,352,361; 1994.
23. Caskey TL, Trimmer JL, Jorgensen JL: Hollow Fiber Membrane
Fluid Separation Module for Boreside Feed, US Patent
4,929,259; 1990.
24. Otstot RS, Runkle CJ: Gas Separation Apparatus, US Patent
4,378,981; 1983.
25. Otstot RS, Runkle CJ: Gas Separation Apparatus, US Patent
4,380,460; 1983.
26. Runkle CJ: Fluid Distribution System for Separation Modules,
US Patent 4,565,630; 1986.
27. Stookey DJ: Fluid Separation Module, US Patent 4,671,875;
1987.
28. Morikawa H, Tanaka Y, Sakai K, Kobayashi H: Hollow Fiber
Membrane Module, US Patent 8,307,991; 2012.
29. Taniguchi T, Ishibashi Y: Hollow Fiber Membrane Module,
Process for Manufacturing the Same, Hollow Fiber Membrane
Module Assembly and Method of Purifying Suspended Water
with Use Thereof, US Patent 8,257,590; 2012.
30. Schäfer S, Vossenkaul K, Kullmann C: Membrane Module for
Immersed Operation, US Patent, 8,480,898; 2013.
31. Perrin J: Hollow Fiber Multimembrane Cells and Permeators,
US Patent 4,880,440; 1989.
32. Coan FL, Schletz JC: Integrated Membrane Module for Gas
Dehydration and Gas Separation, US Patent 8,398,755; 2013.
33. Yang X, Wang R, Fane AG: Novel designs for improving the
 performance of hollow fiber membrane distillation modules.
J Membr Sci 2011, 384:52-62.
This paper presents state-of-the-art, novel module designs that offer the
potential to improve performance.
34. Miyagi M, Ohno M, Kanaizumi M: Hollow Fiber Membrane for
Dialysis, US Patent 4,587,168; 1986.
35. Miyagi M, Ohno M, Kanaizumi M: Method of Making Hollow
Fiber Membrane for Dialysis, US Patent 4,681,713; 1987.
36. Mizutani S, Taneda N: Process for Preparation of Hollow Fibers
for Fluid Separator Construction, US Patent 5,063,009; 1991.
37. Rautenbach R, Albrecht R: Membrane Processes. Wiley; 1989.
38. Lipnizki F, Field RW: Mass transfer performance for hollow fibre
 modules with shell-side axial feed flow: using an engineering
approach to develop a framework. J Membr Sci 2001,
193:195-208.
This paper summarizes and compares the primary correlations for mass
transfer coefficients used in performance simulations.
39. Costello MJ, Fane AG, Hogan PA, Schofield RW: The effect of
shell side hydrodynamics on the performance of axial flow
hollow fibre modules. J Membr Sci 1993, 80:1-11.
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
24 Separation engineering
40. Karoor S, Sirkar KK: Gas adsorption studies in microporous
hollow fiber membrane modules. Ind Eng Chem Res 1993,
32:674-684.
41. Happel J: Viscous flow relative to arrays of cylinders. AIChE J
1959, 5:174-177.
42. Park JK, Chang HN: Flow distribution in the fiber lumen side of a
hollow fiber module. AIChE J 1986, 32:1937-1947.
43. Kim JC, Kim JH, Sung J, Kim HC, Kang E, Lee SH, Kim JK, Kim HC,
Min BG, Ronco C: Effects of arterial port design on blood flow
distribution in hemodialyzers. Blood Purif 2009, 28:260-267.
44. Frank A, Lipscomb GG, Dennis M: Visualization of concentration
fields in hemodialyzers by computed tomography. J Membr Sci
2000, 175:239-251.
45. Ding W, He L, Zhao G, Luo X, Zhou M, Gao D: Effect of
distribution tabs on mass transfer of artificial kidney. AIChE J
2004, 50:786-790.
46. Wickramasinghe SR, Semmens MJ, Cussler EL: Mass transfer in
various hollow fiber geometries. J Membr Sci 1992, 69:235-250.
47. Kruelen H, Smolders CA, Versteeg GF, van Swaaij WPM:
Microporous hollow fibre membrane modules as gas–liquid
contactors. Part 1. Physical mass transfer processes: a
specific application: mass transfer in highly viscous liquids.
J Membr Sci 1993, 78:197-216.
48. Elmore S, Lipscomb GG: Analytical approximations of the effect
of a fiber size distribution on the performance of hollow fiber
membrane separation devices. J Membr Sci 1995, 98:49-56.
49. Rautenbach R, Struck A, Roks MFM: A variation in fiber properties
affects the performance of defect-free hollow fiber membrane
modules for air separation. J Membr Sci 1998, 150:31-41.
50. Lemanski J, Liu B, Lipscomb GG: Effect of fiber variation on the
performance of cross-flow hollow fiber gas separation
modules. J Membr Sci 1999, 153:33-43.
51. Lemanski J, Lipscomb GG: Effect of fiber variation on the
performance of counter-current hollow fiber gas separation
modules. J Membr Sci 2000, 167:241-252.
52. Liu B, Lipscomb GG, Jensvold JA: Effect of fiber variation on
 staged membrane gas separation module performance. AIChE
J 2001, 47:2206-2219.
This paper summarizes the detrimental effects of fiber variation and
demonstrates simple staging can improve performance dramatically.
53. Sonalkar S, Hao P, Lipscomb GG: Effect of fiber property
 variation on hollow fiber membrane module performance in
the production of a permeate product. Ind Eng Chem Res 2010,
49:12074-12083.
This paper presents the only comparison of commercial module perfor-
mance and performance predictions that account for the actual fiber size
variation.
54. Noda I, Brown-West DG, Gryte CC: Effect of flow maldistribution
on hollow fiber dialysis — experimental studies. J Membr Sci
1979, 5:209-225.
55. Chen V, Hlavacek M: Applications of Voronoi tessellation for
modeling randomly packed hollow fiber bundles. AIChE J
1994, 40:606-612.
56. Rogers JD, Long R: Modeling hollow fiber membrane
contactors using film theory, Voronoi tessellation, and
facilitation factors for systems with interface reactions.
J Membr Sci 1997, 134:1-17.
57. Wu J, Chen V: Shell-side mass transfer performance of
 randomly packed hollow fiber modules. J Membr Sci 2000,
172:59-74.
This paper presents the algorithm used most frequently to simulate the
effect of non-uniform fiber packing on performance.
58. Zheng J, Xu Y, Xu Z: Flow distribution in a randomly packed
hollow fiber membrane module. J Membr Sci 2003, 211:263-269.
59. Ding Z, Liu L, Ma R: Study on the effect of flow maldistribution
on the performance of the hollow fiber modules used in
membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 2003, 215:11-23.
Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2014, 4:18–24
60. Wang Y, Chen F, Wang Y, Luo G, Dai Y: Effect of random packing
on shell-side flow and mass transfer in hollow fiber module
described by normal distribution function. J Membr Sci 2003,
216:81-93.
61. Zheng JM, Xu ZK, Li JM, Wang SY, Xu YY: Influence of random
arrangement of hollow fiber membranes on shell side mass
transfer performance: a novel model prediction. J Membr Sci
2004, 236:145-151.
62. Keshavarz P, Ayatollahi S, Fathikalajahi J: Mathematical
modeling of gas–liquid membrane contactors using random
distribution of fibers. J Membr Sci 2008, 325:98-108.
63. Ding W, Gao D, Wang Z, He L: Theoretical estimation of shell-
side mass transfer coefficient in randomly packed hollow fiber
modules with polydisperse hollow fiber outer radii. J Membr
Sci 2006, 284:95-101.
64. Zhang LZ: Heat and mass transfer in a randomly packed hollow
fiber membrane module: a fractal model approach. Int J Heat
Mass Transfer 2011, 54:2921-2931.
65. Bao L, Lipscomb GG: Mass transfer in axial flows through
randomly packed fiber bundles with constant wall
concentration. J Membr Sci 2002, 204:207-220.
66. Bao L, Liu B, Lipscomb GG: Entry mass transfer in axial flows
through randomly packed fiber bundles. AIChE J 1999,
45:2346-2356.
67. Bao L, Lipscomb GG: Well-developed mass transfer in axial
flows through randomly packed fiber bundles with constant
wall flux. Chem Eng Sci 2002, 57:125-132.
68. Lemanski J, Lipscomb GG: Effect of shell-side flows on hollow-
fiber membrane device performance. AIChE J 1995,
41:2322-2326.
69. Labecki M, Piret JM, Bowen BD: Two-dimensional analysis of
fluid flow in hollow-fibre modules. Chem Eng Sci 1995,
50:3369-3384.
70. Lemanski J, Lipscomb GG: Effect of shell-side flows on the
performance of hollow-fiber gas separation modules. J Membr
Sci 2001, 195:215-228.
71. Ding W, He L, Zhao G, Zhang H, Shu Z, Gao D: Double porous
media model for mass transfer of hemodialyzers. Int J Heat
Mass Transfer 2004, 47:4849-4855.
72. Hao P, Lipscomb GG: The effect of sweep uniformity on gas
 dehydration module performance. In Membrane Gas
Separation. Edited by Yampolskii Y, Freeman B. Wiley; 2010:333-
353.
This paper demonstrates the effect of shell flow distribution across the
fiber bundle and the resulting residence time distribution on module
performance is minimal despite the existence of large concentration
gradients.
73. Herczeg A: Convoluted Surface Hollow Fiber Membranes, US
Patent 6,805,730; 2004.
74. Nijdam W, Jong JD, Rijn van CJM, Visser T, Versteeg L,
 Kapantaidakis G, Koops GH, Wessling M: High performance
micro-engineered hollow fiber membranes by smart spinneret
design. J Membr Sci 2005, 256:209-215.
This paper describes how to form structured fibers that offer enhanced
mass transfer performance.
75. Yang X, Yu H, Wang R, Fane AG: Optimization of
 microstructured hollow fiber design for membrane distillation
applications using CFD modeling. J Membr Sci 2012,
421–422:258-270.
This paper reports state-of-the art design of structured fibers using
computational fluid dynamics.
76. Huang SM, Yang M, Yang Y, Yang X: Fluid flow and heat transfer
across an elliptical hollow fiber membrane tube bank for air
humidification. Int J Therm Sci 2013, 73:28-37.
77. Yang X, Yu H, Wang R, Fane AG: Analysis of the effect of
turbulence promoters in hollow fiber membrane distillation
modules by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations.
J Membr Sci 2012, 415:758-769.
www.sciencedirect.com