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This study aims to develop a mathematical model to estimate the cross-membrane flux of vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) using hollow fiber membranes for the purification of ammonia nitrogen wastewater. The model simulates the flux under various conditions to predict the outcomes and analyse the results, thereby reducing experimental costs and material consumption. Agricultural and domestic wastewater often contain high levels of ammonia nitrogen, and if these pollutants are discharged into water bodies without treatment, they can cause severe environmental pollution, such as eutrophication. Recovering these ammonia nitrogen compounds to produce high-concentration ammonia water or ammonium chloride for industrial reuse can achieve resource recycling and reuse. This study utilizes Matlab to simulate the heat and mass transfer principle of VMD using a numerical model. The objective is to simulate the cross-membrane flux of ammonia and water under different conditions. Initially, the model’s accuracy is verified by comparing it with membrane parameters and experimental data from reference literature. Subsequently, the model is used with the membrane parameters of the 3M Liqui-Cel EXF Series 2.5*8 Membrane Contactor for simulation experiments, as detailed in Table 1. The calculated results are then subjected to optimization analysis to determine the optimal conditions for various simulation scenarios. This facilitates the prediction of the impact of relevant parameters on the concentration process in subsequent experimental research, reducing experimental losses. The results show that, after comparing with experimental results from reference literature, the relative error is approximately 10％, confirming the accuracy of the simulation model. The optimization analysis results are presented in graphical form.

Author：張婷婷,劉奕宏,黃盟舜(院內作者)，吳柏陞,施武陽(院外作者)

★Article source: 11th IWA Membrane Technology Conference (MTC 2025)