X-ray microtomography investigations of deep bed filtration processes and their link to NMR-flow measurements
Deep bed filtration is a technologically highly important separation process. Interestingly this process is usually described by integral empirical filtration parameters only while a deeper understanding of the separation process inside the filter is missing to a large extend. Using X-ray microtomography as a tool for three-dimensional evaluation of deposition inside the filter bed one obtains an excellent possibility to yield a microscopic understanding of the deposition kinetics. This is in particular true if the microtomographic data is combined with flow data obtained by NMR in a partner project within the graduate school.
To gain a deeper
understanding of deep bed filtration
processes the project will focus on
model filter geometries like packed
spheres or glass fritts in which
deposition will be investigated as a
function of filtration parameters
like filtration speed or
concentration of particles within
the slurry. Amongst the large
variety of parameters which could be
investigated especial focus will be
given to the size of the particles
in the slurry. Investigating
deposition in monodisperse
suspensions will enable explanations
of the complex deposition behaviour
in polydispers suspensions as they
are usually used in industrial
processes.