Comparison of turbulence promoter geometry on flow pattern from view point of field synergy principle

The purpose of this work was to compare the effects of promoter geometry on flow pattern. Flow fluid characteristic was numerically simulated, and the effect of turbulence promoter geometry on flow pattern was evaluated. The principle of field synergy was used to analyze the mechanism of enhancing permeation behavior. The result showed the strength of flow instability was greater promoted by square bar turbulence promoter than by cylinder turbulence promoter. The reduction of the intersection angle between velocity vector and applied pressure could enhance flow instability, and the effects of the geometries on the flow pattern could be well described by the field synergy principle. It could be concluded that the strength of instabilities was determined not only by velocity but also by the synergy degree between velocity vector and applied pressure. The smaller was the intersection angle, the greater was the permeation velocity. The application of field synergy principle might improve membrane process and obtain excellent mass transfer result.