Dominance of wetted membrane resistance in HFMCs: A 3D CFD model integrating wetting in amine-based CO2 capture

In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model incorporating wetting phenomena and a resistance-in-series framework was developed for CO 2 absorption in hollow fiber membrane contactors (HFMCs). Validated against experimental flux data, simulations identify wetted membrane resistance as the dominant bottleneck, accounting for 70%–92% of the total resistance. Reducing fiber diameter or increasing liquid flow rate boosts lumen velocity, significantly enhancing flux by mitigating this resistance. While higher amine concentrations improve reaction kinetics, they simultaneously elevate membrane wetting risks. Additionally, high-intensity gas flow operations reach a “mass transfer plateau.” Finally, an empirical correlation linking wetting rate to log-mean pressure drop was established to guide design. This study offers a validated framework for optimizing efficient, stable amine-based CO 2 capture systems.