Improved pore evolution model for supported membrane during constrained sintering process

To solve the problem of stacking complexity and different shrinkage perpendicular to the membrane during constrained sintering process, an improved pore evolution model with key parameters was improved. Considering the aggregation, initial porosity as the critical parameter of model was adjusted. Then the shrinkage and shrinkage rate in the perpendicular direction to the membrane could be calculated with the theory of constrained sintering, and its effect on the pore size of supported membrane was investigated. On the basis of the improved model, the change of mean pore size, porosity and thickness of zirconium supported membrane with sintering temperature could be predicted quantitatively in the temperature range from 800°C to 1200°C. The prediction calculated from the improved model fitted the experimental data better than that from the previous model. It provides an effective tool in predicting and controlling the pore size of ceramic membranes during the sintering process. Furthermore, substituting the pore size, porosity and membrane thickness calculated from the model into Hagen-Poiseuille law predicted the pure water flux accurately.