DESAL RESEARCH GROUP

Sustainable technologies for a water-secure future

LEARN MORE

KEY VALUES

Committed to excellence

We aim to be at the forefront of global efforts to contribute to a water-secure future. We envision a world where sustainable desalination technologies and water treatment solutions are pivotal in providing clean and safe water to communities and fostering economic growth. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, we aspire to set new standards for excellence in the field, leaving a long-lasting effect on the well-being of societies and the health of our planet.

About

RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

Driven by innovation, recognized by impact

The DESAL Research Group pioneers advancements in desalination and wastewater treatment, prioritizing excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Our focus on cutting-edge research and efficiency aims to address global water challenges and support sustainable development goals.

Watch full video

NEWS & UPDATES

Discover the latest breakthroughs from our team

15 February, 2026

DESAL summer intern Imran Alturkistani wins national awards at Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair

02 February, 2026

New DESAL research published in Nature Communications advances energy-efficient desalination

28 January, 2026

DESAL and ACWA Power advance AI-based research for early membrane fouling detection

Scientific Contributions

Through research papers, patents, and PhD dissertations, we push the boundaries of knowledge, driving innovation in desalination and water treatment.

Dimensional analysis of steady state flux for microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes

by Noreddine Ghaffour

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(97)00242-1

Abstract

Dimensional analysis of the mass, length and time shows that the steady state flux observed for microfiltration or

ultrafiltration through inorganic composite membrane can be expressed using two dimensionless numbers. The shear stress number Ns compares the shear stress against the membrane wall to the driving pressure, while the resistance number Nf compares the convective cross-flow transport to the drived transport through a layer, whose resistance is the sum of all the resistances induced by the different processes which limit the mass transport. Experimental data obtained in ultrafiltration of hydrocarbon emulsions and microfiltration of methanogenic bacteria suspensions and secondary treated wastewater were recalculated in terms of these dimensionless groups. Straight lines were plotted whose slope depends solely on the suspension and the membrane and not on the solute concentration. A negative slope and a positive intersection with the Ns axis means that a cake layer or a polarization layer can be completely eliminated at a critical cross-flow velocity; this was the case for an inorganic particles suspension and for the methanogenic suspension. A straight line of negative slope followed by a plateau means that an irreversible fouling is superimposed to the reversible phenomenon; this was observed for a secondary treated wastewater. A positive slope means that fouling predominates; this was observed with hydrocarbon emulsions.

Keywords

Dimensional analysis Fouling Inorganic membranes Microfiltration Ultrafiltration