Modeling Chloride Ion Removal from Gas Condensates by Nanofiltration Membrane Separation

Regarding gas condensate processing and handling equipment, corrosion takes place as a result of ions such as chloride contained in the emulsion dispersed throughout the organic phase. This study aims to investigate the modeling of chloride ion removal from gas condensates using nanofiltration membrane separation process. The space-charge (SC) model was used to predict the rejection of chloride ion from Gas Condensate by using nanofiltration membranes. The space-charge model is based on electro migration and surface charge adsorption. In this article, membrane potential for complex electrolytes (Gas Condensate) have been calculated numerically based on the model using parameters including feed concentration, pore radius and surface charge density. This mechanistic model has good predicting capabilities, especially when cylindrical pores are assumed. The space-charge model provides rather good predictions. Finite element was employed to solve the system of nonlinear differential equations. Results show that a continuum approach, including constant viscosity is applicable in Membrane models and the radial variation of the concentration is taken into consideration. The membrane operation is studied as a function of different variables: pore radius, concentration in the membrane, pressure and velocity.